Aircraft Oxygen Mask Container Latching for Restricted Door Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of checking the function of oxygen mask containers in aircraft cabins is time-consuming and cumbersome due to the need to open and rearrange multiple containers, especially when only a few masks are present, which complicates the visual inspection and closure.
Innovation Solution
A device for latching the door of an oxygen mask container with a test control mechanism that allows restricted opening during testing, enabling a simplified and accelerated inspection without fully opening the door, using a bi-stable hook element and complementary latching devices to engage or disengage, and a drive unit for automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the door is fully opened for visual inspection during testing, then the inspection completeness is improved, but the time required and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing a test mode that performs a restricted opening movement of the door without requiring full opening. The hook element engages with the retaining element to limit the door's rotation, allowing visual inspection of essential components while avoiding the time-consuming full opening and closing cycle. This partial action achieves sufficient inspection completeness for testing purposes while significantly reducing operational time.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the door is fully opened for inspection, then the visual checking capability is improved, but the operational complexity and re-arrangement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The test mode implements partial opening action that provides sufficient visual access to inspect the oxygen mask and container components without requiring the door to swing fully open. This eliminates the need for mask re-arrangement operations while maintaining adequate visual checking capability, thereby simplifying the overall operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the door and the retaining element. It mediates the door's motion by engaging with the retaining element to restrict opening degree, creating an intermediate state that provides adequate inspection visibility without full opening. This intermediary mechanism simplifies operation by eliminating the need for manual re-arrangement of masks.
3Reliability
If multiple containers are checked individually with full opening, then the testing thoroughness is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies partial action by enabling a restricted opening mode for testing that performs essential inspection functions without the complete opening sequence. This allows multiple containers to be tested more rapidly while maintaining sufficient thoroughness for verifying latch functionality and mask presence, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing essential testing reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for latching a door of an oxygen mask container in an aircraft cabin is proposed, comprising a door for an oxygen mask container having an inner side, an outer side and a hinge, a first latching device attached to the inner side of the door, a second latching device movable relative to the first latching device to selectively engage or disengage the second latching device, a retaining element attachable to a structural part inside the oxygen mask container, and a test control device arranged on the inner side of the door, wherein the test control device comprises a movable hook element, wherein the test control device is adapted to move the hook element to a first position or to a second position, wherein the hook element is able to engage the retaining element in the first position to restrict an opening degree of the door and wherein the hook element is placed in the second position that when the door is opened, the hook element is moved past the retaining element.