Aircraft Luggage Rack Electromechanical Locking Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current luggage deposit systems in aircraft lack efficient, centralized, and automatic control mechanisms, making them difficult to manage, especially during exceptional situations such as turbulence or emergencies.

Innovation Solution

A luggage deposit system featuring an electromechanical trigger that controls a swiveling luggage rack with a housing and bracket frame, utilizing counter-restants and guide frames for secure locking and unlocking, allowing for centralized or automatic operation, and including a manual unlocking device for safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If passengers can freely open luggage racks during flight, then ease of operation is improved, but safety is worsened during exceptional situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of luggage rackVSAvoidsafety during exceptional situations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device transitions between locked and unlocked states based on flight conditions. During normal operation, the rack remains locked to prevent accidental opening. During exceptional situations, the system automatically unlocks to allow passenger access, thus adapting the system's state according to operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device receives signals about the current flight situation and automatically controls the locking device accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the luggage rack is locked during normal flight for safety, but can be unlocked during exceptional situations when passenger access is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a locking device is added to control luggage rack access, then safety during exceptional situations is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety during exceptional situationsVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is designed to operate automatically based on pre-programmed safety criteria and flight condition signals. The control device monitors flight parameters and triggers the locking/unlocking sequence without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining safety while minimizing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical locking mechanisms with an electromechanical or electronic control system that can automatically respond to flight conditions. This substitution reduces the need for complex manual operation procedures while maintaining or enhancing safety through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the housing is securely locked in the holder frame, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation for loading/unloading is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure locking of housingVSAvoidloading and unloading of luggage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with a dynamic locking system that transitions between securely locked and easily accessible states. During normal flight, the housing remains firmly locked to the holder frame. During loading and unloading operations, the control device automatically unlocks the housing, allowing passengers easy access while maintaining secure attachment to the aircraft structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for loading and unloading operations by automatically unlocking the housing in advance of passenger need. The control device detects the approach or presence of passengers and pre-positions the housing in an accessible state, eliminating delays and maintaining ease of operation without compromising security during flight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables efficient, secure, and automated control of the luggage rack, ensuring passenger safety by preventing accidental opening during flights and allowing for easy loading and unloading, while being adaptable to various aircraft sizes and types.

Implementation Method 1

restant (3), which can be controlled by an electromechanical trigger (4) between a release position and locking position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromechanical conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

locking position can, for example, are based on a mechanical, example meadow interlocking gears, and/or magnetic activity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

locking position can, for example, are based on a mechanical, example meadow interlocking gears, and/or magnetic activity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3339172B1Luggage storage system, aircraft and method for its operation
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE GMBH
  • EP3339172B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3339172B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3339172B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a luggage storage system, an aircraft with such a luggage storage system, and a method for operating it. The luggage storage system (2) for an aircraft (40) comprises a locking device (3) which can be actuated between an unlocked position and a locked position by means of an electromechanical release (4). Furthermore, the luggage storage system (2) comprises a luggage storage compartment (10) with a housing (11) and a mounting frame (20), wherein the housing (11) is pivotably mounted, at least partially, in the mounting frame (20) of the luggage storage compartment (10). The housing (11) and the mounting frame (20) each have a counter-locking device (25, 26) which, upon appropriate actuation of the locking device (3), can be brought into operative engagement for a pivoting locking of the housing (11) with the locking device (3) and can be disengaged for a pivoting unlocking of the housing (11) with the locking device (3).