Aircraft Privacy Shell with Movable Accessibility Door
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft passenger compartments with unmovable privacy shells present difficulties for individuals with disabilities and crew members in accessing seats, as they do not accommodate easy entry or assistance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an accessibility door coupled to the privacy shell via an actuation assembly that can rotate and translate, allowing the door to open to a height above the cabin floor, enabling easier access to the aircraft seat while maintaining privacy and meeting aviation standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unmovable privacy shell elements are used, then privacy is improved, but accessibility for passengers with disabilities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy shell incorporates a movable accessibility door that can transition between closed and open positions. The door is coupled to the privacy shell via an actuation assembly that enables the door to move from a closed position (maintaining privacy) to an open position (enabling accessibility) in response to actuation signals.
2Strength
If unmovable privacy shell elements are used, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of assistance by crew members deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy shell maintains its structural integrity through the base and surrounding elements while incorporating a movable door section. This door can be opened by crew members to assist passengers with disabilities, combining strength with operational flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If an accessibility door is added to the privacy shell, then accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy shell is segmented into a base structure and a movable door section. The door is coupled to the base via an actuation assembly, separating the functions of privacy (base) and accessibility (door) into distinct components that work together.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessibility door serves multiple functions: it maintains privacy when closed, enables accessibility when open, and can be actuated by various means (manual, automated). The actuation assembly provides universal actuation capability through different input methods.
4Ease of operation
If the accessibility door actuates to a height above the cabin floor, then accessibility is improved, but aisle blockage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accessibility door is configured to actuate between different positions including a closed position flush with the privacy shell and an open position where it moves to a height above the cabin floor. The door can be positioned at intermediate angles, dynamically adjusting to balance accessibility needs with aisle clearance requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft passenger compartment may include an accessibility door, a privacy shell, a privacy shell base, and an aircraft seat. The accessibility door may be coupled to the privacy shell via at least one actuation assembly. The accessibility door may be configured to actuate between an open position and a closed position via the at least one actuation assembly. The privacy shell may be coupled to the privacy shell base. At least a portion of the privacy shell may be configured to conform to at least a portion of the aircraft seat. The privacy shell base may be configured to support the accessibility door at a height above a floor of an aircraft cabin including the aircraft passenger compartment. The height may be selected to allow access to the aircraft seat over the privacy shell base when the accessibility door is in the open position.