Aircraft Monument Mounting Assembly for Adjustable Panel Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft compartment attachment systems face limitations in flexibility, leading to biased stress loading, increased weight, corrosion issues, and inefficient thermal management due to non-standardized compartment widths and metallic projections, which hinder the relocation of compartments and compromise the integrity of chilled compartments.
Innovation Solution
A mounting system incorporating a pre-cured carbon fiber rail embedded within the panel, allowing for X, Y, and Z adjustments through eccentric thumb wheels and floating washers, integrated into the manufacturing process to reduce inward projection and enhance load distribution, while using a bellows seal to prevent moisture ingress and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional floor attachments are used to secure monuments to the aircraft structure, then the monuments are securely attached, but the attachments create biased stress loading that requires additional metallic reinforcement plates, increasing weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by embedding carbon fiber reinforcement directly into the monument panel during manufacturing, replacing traditional separate metallic doubler plates. The carbon fiber is integrated into the composite panel structure, providing stress distribution and reinforcement without requiring additional metallic components, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining attachment strength.
2Stress or pressure
If floor attachments are positioned to optimize load distribution, then stress is better distributed, but the inward projection increases, requiring non-standardized compartment widths and impacting air circulation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the projection conflict by redistributing reinforcement in the Z-dimension (through-thickness) rather than extending attachments in the X-Y plane. Carbon fiber layers are embedded within the panel thickness to provide structural reinforcement, allowing attachment fittings to maintain optimal stress distribution without increasing inward projection that would hinder air circulation or require non-standard compartment widths.
3Strength
If metallic attachment components are used for floor fittings, then the attachments are structurally sound, but they create cold bridges in chilled compartments, compromising thermal integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional metallic attachment components with composite materials that have lower thermal conductivity. By using carbon fiber embedded in the composite panel and attaching monuments through this composite structure, the thermal bridge effect is minimized compared to metallic alternatives, thereby maintaining thermal integrity in chilled compartments while still providing structurally sound attachments.
4Reliability
If traditional metallic floor fittings are used, then the attachments are durable, but they are susceptible to corrosion from moisture and beverages, especially in older aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates corrosion susceptibility by replacing metallic attachment fittings with composite materials. The carbon fiber-reinforced composite panel provides structural durability without the galvanic corrosion issues that affect dissimilar metals in contact with moisture and beverages. The composite material is inherently resistant to corrosion from the aircraft environment, including exposure to moisture, cleaning chemicals, and spilled beverages.
5Strength
If floor attachments are bonded and bolted as secondary processes, then the attachments are securely fixed, but relocation or repositioning is limited, requiring new locations for any position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustability and reconfigurability to the attachment system. The carbon fiber-reinforced composite panel incorporates features that allow the attachment location to be adjusted along the panel surface or repositioned if needed, transforming the static, fixed attachment into a dynamic system that can adapt to different positioning requirements while maintaining secure fixation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An attachment system for mounting an aircraft panel, the system comprising a panel (30, 30a); and at least two mounting members connecting the panel along its bottom edge to a floor of an aircraft cabin, each mounting member including a threaded member (62). The system also comprises at least two mounting assemblies, each connected to a respective mounting member. Each mounting assembly comprises an internally threaded portion (64, 200) to adjust a vertical height of the panel (30, 30a), and an eccentric member (68) mounted on the threaded portion (64, 200) about an aperture in the eccentric member (68). The system also comprises at least two cavity portions (50, 94, 122), each configured to receive a respective mounting assembly, wherein the eccentric member (68) of the respective mounting assembly is received within the respective cavity portion (50, 94, 122) such that rotation of the eccentric member (68) about the threaded member (62) of the respective mounting member adjusts a lateral position of the panel (30, 30a) relative to the threaded member (62).