Aircraft Lavatory Door Lock Indicator with Rotating Display
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft lavatory door locks and indicators face a challenge in being visible and accessible to both passengers with normal mobility and those with reduced mobility, as they need to be high enough for visibility from a standing position but low enough for operation from a seated position in a wheelchair, without overlapping ideal heights for visibility and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
The locking mechanism and occupancy indicator are positioned at a lower height that approximates the line-of-sight from a seated position, with angled and rotating displays that allow viewing from both standing and seated positions, and a prism-shaped cover to enhance visibility from above, ensuring the mechanism is accessible and visible to passengers with reduced mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the lock indicator is positioned at a higher level (56 inches above floor) for visibility from standing position, then visibility to general adult population is improved, but accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility in seated position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock indicator is designed to rotate between a first position (facing sideways) when the lock is engaged and a second position (facing upward) when the lock is disengaged. This dynamic repositioning allows the indicator to be visible from both standing and seated positions, resolving the contradiction between visibility and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator transitions from a single fixed position to multiple positions in three-dimensional space. By rotating between sideways-facing and upward-facing orientations, the indicator utilizes angular dimensionality to serve multiple viewing contexts simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If the lock indicator is positioned at a lower level (48 inches above floor) for accessibility to seated position, then accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility is improved, but visibility to standing population deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock indicator rotates to an upward-facing position when the lock is disengaged, which improves visibility for standing passengers while maintaining the lower physical position that ensures accessibility for seated passengers. The dynamic repositioning compensates for the lower mounting height.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator periodically changes its facing direction based on the lock state (engaged/disengaged), creating a rhythmic visual signal that enhances detectability from various heights and positions throughout the lavatory door operation cycle.
3Device complexity
If a single fixed position is used for the lock indicator, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different viewing positions (standing and seated) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock indicator incorporates rotational capability with only two stable positions (sideways-facing and upward-facing). This limited dynamic range maintains relatively simple device structure while dramatically improving adaptability to different viewing positions and lock states.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating lock indicator serves multiple functions: it indicates both the lock state (engaged/disengaged) and adapts to different viewing positions (standing/seated). A single component performs what would traditionally require multiple indicators positioned at different locations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures that the lavatory door status is easily visible and accessible to all passengers, improving accessibility and reducing disturbances by allowing clear indication of occupancy without requiring passengers to touch or manipulate the door handle.
Implementation Method 1
a prism shaped cover that is attached over the opening of the display of the status icon to refract light sideways from the display of the status icon that enhances visibility of the status icon when viewed from above in the standing position at the lavatory door
Data Source
AI summary
A locking assembly of a lavatory door in an aircraft, comprising: a locking mechanism; and an occupancy indicator. The occupancy indicator is configured with a display that enables viewing of a status of the lavatory of availability or is occupancy. The position of the locking mechanism and occupancy indicator has been changed from a higher location on the lavatory door that approximates a line-of-sight from a standing position at the lavatory door to a lower location that approximates the line-of-sight from a seated position at the lavatory door. The display of the occupancy indicator is configured with a plurality of display angles to display the status comprising at least a first display angle to allow viewing from the line-of-sight in the standing position and at a second display angle to allow viewing from the line-of-sight in a seated lower position at the lavatory door.