Aircraft Overhead Bin Mechanical Closing Force Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Overhead storage compartments in passenger aircraft require significant manual force to open and close due to increased mass when loaded with storage items, making the process cumbersome for users.
Innovation Solution
A storage compartment with a pivoting part that utilizes a purely mechanical closing force module, which switches between active and passive states based on the mass of the storage item, providing assistance with reduced closing force and holding force during operation, without the need for electrical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the pivoting part is loaded with storage items, then the storage capacity is improved, but the operating force required to open and close increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing force module generates a closing moment that counteracts the gravitational force acting on the loaded pivoting part. This mechanical assistance reduces the net force required from the user during closing operation, directly resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and operating force requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The closing force module is designed to be mass-dependent, automatically activating when the pivoting part exceeds a threshold mass. This dynamic switching between active (assisted) and passive (unassisted) states ensures that force assistance is provided only when needed, optimizing the balance between storage capacity and ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If a closing force module is added, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing force module is designed as a self-activating mechanical system that automatically engages based on the mass of stored items. The mass-dependent activation mechanism eliminates the need for external control systems, sensors, or power sources, thereby improving ease of operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The closing force module acts as a mechanical intermediary between the gravitational force acting on the loaded pivoting part and the user's closing action. By introducing this intermediate force element, the system provides force assistance without requiring complex control mechanisms, thus improving ease of operation with minimal added complexity
3Power
If electrical components are used for force assistance, then the power is improved, but the reliability decreases due to electrical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical actuation systems with a purely mechanical closing force module. This mechanical system generates closing moment through mechanical means (such as spring mechanisms or cam-based force multiplication) rather than electrical motors, thereby eliminating electrical connections and improving reliability while maintaining sufficient closing force power
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical closing force module is designed as a self-contained system that generates force through mechanical energy storage elements (e.g., springs) or mechanical advantage mechanisms. This self-service approach eliminates dependence on electrical power sources and connections, thereby improving reliability while delivering the required closing force
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
The mechanical closing force module reduces the effort required to close the compartment and minimizes the holding force needed to open it, enhancing user convenience while maintaining intuitive operation, even when loaded with heavy items.
Implementation Method 1
In an inoperative orientation, the sliding section has at least one direction component in the direction of gravitational force. On the sliding section in the direction of gravitational force, the pivoting part is mounted on a spring element of the rocking device. By means of an increasing mass of the pivoting part with a storage item possibly inserted, the spring element is therefore increasingly moved or compressed in the direction of gravitational force
Implementation Method 2
On the sliding section in the direction of gravitational force, the pivoting part is mounted on a spring element of the rocking device. By means of an increasing mass of the pivoting part with a storage item possibly inserted, the spring element is therefore increasingly moved or compressed in the direction of gravitational force
Data Source
AI summary
A storage compartment for the overhead region of a passenger cabin of a passenger aircraft has a carrier which can be mounted in the passenger aircraft, and a pivoting part for receiving a storage item. The pivoting part is mounted on the carrier so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis in a pivoting region between an open position and a closing position. The storage compartment further contains a closing force module. The closing force module contains a switching module by which the closing force module can be brought into an active state or into a passive state. In the active state, a greater closing moment is brought about in the direction of the closing position on the pivoting part by the closing force module, at least in a partial region of the pivoting region, than in the passive state. The closing force module is configured free from electricity with respect to the generation of the closing moment and/or with respect to the switching over between the active state and passive state.