Aircraft Oxygen Container Door Sensor Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen supply unit containers in aircrafts lack a reliable method to monitor their status, particularly the functioning of the container door relative to the well, which is crucial for ensuring the containers can operate correctly under stress or emergency conditions, such as decompression or smoke situations.
Innovation Solution
A container with a pivotally joined door and a sensor system integrated into the door to monitor its status, utilizing energy harvesting means for powering, and including sensors to distinguish between partial and complete openings, ensuring accurate signaling of the door's status without generating false alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor system is integrated into the container door to monitor its status, then the reliability of the container is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical status indication mechanisms with electronic sensors that detect door position and status. The sensor system uses electronic fields rather than mechanical linkages to monitor container door state, improving reliability while the modular electronic design keeps complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The container door incorporates sensors that automatically monitor and report its own status without requiring external inspection systems. The door performs self-diagnosis of its operational state (open, closed, latched, unlatched) and communicates this information automatically, reducing the need for complex external monitoring infrastructure.
2Loss of energy
If energy harvesting means are used to power the sensor system, then the loss of energy is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system incorporates energy harvesting capabilities that allow it to generate its own power from environmental sources (light, heat, or mechanical movement). The door essentially powers itself by capturing ambient energy, eliminating the need for external power sources or batteries and reducing long-term energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces energy harvesting means as an intermediary between the sensor system and external power sources. This intermediary component captures environmental energy and converts it to electrical power for the sensors, reducing direct energy consumption from the aircraft's electrical system while managing complexity through a dedicated power conversion module.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are used to distinguish between partial and complete door openings, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into multiple independent sensing elements that each detect specific door positions or states. Rather than using one complex sensor, the patent employs segmented sensing points that collectively provide precise measurement of door opening status, allowing differentiation between partial and complete openings through simple binary or analog signals from each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical position indicators with electronic sensors that use electrical or optical fields to detect door position. This substitution enables precise measurement of door opening status without the mechanical complexity of linkages, gears, or physical indicators, achieving high measurement precision through electronic detection methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A container for an oxygen supply unit is described. The container may have a container well, wherein a container door can be pivotably joined at a container well's edge, wherein the container is provided with a sensor system, adapted to indicate a status and/or change of status of the door, in particular relative to the well. A system of an arrangement of a number of oxygen supply devices in a ceiling-panel along an aircraft cabin, in particular along an aircraft cabin alley of seats, also is described, wherein each oxygen supply unit is stored in a container.