Aircraft Partition Wall Modular Tension-Mounted Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current partition walls in aircraft are heavy, costly to produce, and offer limited design flexibility, with the honeycomb-prepreg construction method resulting in significant weight and production inefficiencies, as well as requiring complex and expensive equipment.

Innovation Solution

A modular partition wall system using a support element and tension-mounted material, where the tension-mounted material can be flexible or rigid, paired with a corresponding support element, allowing for lightweight, customizable, and easily installable partitions with up to 50% weight savings and design flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If honeycomb-preprep construction method is used for partition walls, then structural integrity and strength are improved, but weight increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidpartition wall weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall is divided into modular components: a lightweight frame structure (made of aluminum or composite materials) and separate tension-mounted material panels. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall weight while maintaining structural integrity through the modular assembly approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the rigid honeycomb-preprep construction with flexible tension-mounted materials stretched over a lightweight frame. These thin film or fabric materials provide the necessary surface coverage and aesthetic function without the weight penalty of traditional composite honeycomb structures, while the frame provides the required structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Manufacturing precision

If prepreg method is used for producing partition walls, then manufacturing precision and quality consistency are improved, but production cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality consistencyVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process is segmented into independent stages: frame production, material fabrication, and final assembly. This allows each component to be manufactured using standard, cost-effective processes rather than requiring expensive automated prepreg facilities. The modular nature enables parallel production and simplifies quality control at each stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs conventional, easily manufactured materials and components that can be produced through standard industrial processes rather than requiring expensive prepreg tooling and equipment. The modular design allows for easier replacement and reconfiguration, reducing long-term production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If honeycomb-preprep construction is used, then structural strength is improved, but design flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoiddesign flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The modular framework design with separate tension-mounted panels allows different materials, colors, textures, and shapes to be easily swapped without affecting the structural frame. This segmentation enables high design flexibility while the frame maintains consistent structural strength across different design configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall system is designed to be dynamically configurable, allowing the tension-mounted materials to be changed, adjusted, or replaced based on design requirements. The framework remains static and structural, while the surface materials provide the aesthetic and functional variations needed for different designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If large partition walls are produced as single pieces, then structural integrity is improved, but installation complexity increases due to separation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall is designed as an assembly of modular components: a framework that can be constructed from standardized sections and tension-mounted material panels. This segmentation allows components to be manufactured and transported separately, then easily assembled on-site without requiring separation of large pieces or creating visible joints, as the modular design embraces the segmented construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The framework uses standardized, universal connection elements and modular components that can be assembled in various configurations. This universality simplifies installation by allowing workers to assemble the structure using consistent connection methods rather than dealing with custom-fit large pieces that require complex joining and gap filling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8960602B2Partition wall in an aircraft

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

The invention is based on a partition wall in an aircraft, wherein the partition wall comprises a support element and a tension-mounted material. According to the invention, the support element is composed of individually formed system components, and the tension-mounted material is supported by the support element such that an area-shaped partition wall is created in the aircraft.