Aircraft Privacy Screen Roller Guide and Magnetic Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing privacy screens in aircraft passenger suites lack a robust, reliable, and easily maintainable mechanism for smooth operation, adjustment, and tensioning, especially in limited spaces, and do not provide a soft open and close feature.
Innovation Solution
A sliding privacy screen system utilizing a roller and guide system, a cable and pulley system for tensioning, a magnet assembly for soft operation, and a double latch system with a magnet coupling for secure locking, allowing for rotational and translational adjustments and adaptable to various screen types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a pocket type sliding screen is used to save space, then the screen can be compactly stored, but the mechanism becomes more complex and harder to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system is segmented into multiple independent guide rollers (top roller, bottom roller, middle roller) that travel along separate guide rails, allowing each component to be independently maintained and adjusted
Solution Approach 2:
A cable and pulley system acts as an intermediary mechanism to provide tensioning and control screen movement, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining compact storage capability
2Reliability
If the screen is equipped with a robust and reliable mechanism, then the operation becomes smoother, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Magnetic attraction force is introduced as a controllable parameter to provide soft open and close features, improving operation smoothness without adding complex mechanical damping mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling system replaces traditional mechanical latches and locking mechanisms, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining reliable positioning and secure locking
3Adaptability or versatility
If the screen system includes adjustable guides for rotational and translational adjustment, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rollers are designed with universal adjustability, allowing both rotational and translational adjustments to accommodate different screen positions and trajectories, making the system adaptable to various screen types (pocket style and overhung style)
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple adjustment functions (rotational and translational) are merged into the guide roller and guide rail assembly, allowing a single component to perform multiple adjustment tasks simultaneously
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 system provides a robust, reliable, and easily adjustable privacy screen with a soft open and close feature, ensuring smooth operation and secure locking, suitable for premium class aircraft cabins and applicable to different screen styles.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet assembly including a stationary magnet mounted within the pocket and a moveable magnet carried on the cable, the moveable magnet movable into and out of magnetic attraction with the stationary magnet
Data Source
AI summary
A control assembly for a pocket-style screen or door. Top and bottom guide rollers carried by the screen travel along adjustable guide rails mounted in the pocket. A magnet assembly includes a stationary magnet mounted in the pocket wall arranged to attract a moveable magnet carried on a cable to facilitate final opening and closing the screen. A damper cooperates with the magnet assembly to decrease the velocity of the screen as it moves into stowed and deployed positions.