Aircraft Galley Sliding Separator for Variable-Length Trolley Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing galleys in aircraft face challenges in securely locking trolleys of varying lengths, particularly when only a short trolley is present, as conventional separators often catch on the shorter trolleys or prevent door closure.
Innovation Solution
A locking system with a rotatable rod, slider, and separator that can be adjusted to accommodate trolleys of different lengths, using a handle to rotate the rod, a slider for translation, and a separator that can be positioned above or vertically against the trolley walls, with stops and a compression spring for precise locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional separator is used to lock trolleys, then long trolleys can be secured, but short trolleys cause the separator to catch on them or prevent door closure
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is made movable along the depth of the compartment through a sliding mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. The separator can be displaced from a retracted position to a locking position where it bears against the trolley wall, enabling it to adapt to both long and short trolleys without catching on them or preventing door closure
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the separator is changed as a variable parameter to accommodate different trolley lengths. By adjusting the separator's location along the compartment depth, the system can reliably lock both long trolleys (when the separator is positioned further back) and short trolleys (when the separator is positioned forward), resolving the contradiction between locking reliability and adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the compartment depth is set to accommodate two trolleys of maximum length, then both trolleys can be stored, but the separator cannot be deployed when only a short trolley is present
Solution Approach 1:
The separator's position is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to be displaced along the compartment depth. This dynamic positioning enables the separator to be deployed effectively regardless of whether a long or short trolley is present, maintaining ease of operation while preserving the compartment's capacity to accommodate different trolley configurations
3Device complexity
If a fixed separator position is used, then the structure is simple, but the separator cannot adapt to different trolley lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The separator mechanism incorporates a simple sliding capability that adds minimal complexity while providing significant adaptability. The separator can be displaced along the compartment depth using a straightforward mechanism, enabling it to adapt to both long and short trolleys without requiring a complex adjustable or movable structure
Data Source
AI summary
A galley for an aircraft, including a compartment, which has a doorframe and an end wall, for receiving two trolleys, and a locking system which includes a rod that can be rotated and actuated by a handle, a slider which is free in translation on the rod and is locked in rotation relative to the rod, and a separator which is attached to the slider and is designed to occupy alternatively a retracted position in which it is intended to be raised above the trolleys, and a locking position in which it is intended to extend vertically in contact with a wall of one of the trolleys. With such an arrangement, the position of the separator can be modified according to the length of the trolleys.