Aircraft Sidewall Spacer Mounting for Consistent Gap Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of monuments in aircraft interiors, such as galleys or lavatories, is cumbersome and time-consuming due to the need for cutting sidewalls and monument walls to fit and filling the gap with elastic fillers, which are prone to detachment during relative movements.

Innovation Solution

A spacer system with upper and lower mounts, including monument-fixated and spacer-fixated holders, coupled by means that restrict relative movement in the longitudinal direction and allow movement in the transverse direction, ensuring a constant gap coverage and reducing the need for sidewall adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sidewall or monument wall is cut to create a gap and filled with elastic filler, then the gap between walls is covered, but the installation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap coverageVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the gap coverage function into two separate components: the spacer component that covers the gap and the filler material that seals the remaining space. This segmentation allows the spacer to be pre-formed with precise dimensions and installed without cutting operations, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining reliable gap coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer is pre-formed with the exact dimensions needed to cover the gap between the sidewall and monument wall before installation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site cutting and adjustment operations, directly addressing the time-consuming nature of conventional installation methods while ensuring precise gap coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sidewall or monument wall is cut to fit the monument, then the walls can be adapted to each other, but the installation process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewall adaptationVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of cutting and adapting the rigid sidewall or monument wall to fit together, the invention inverts the approach by using a flexible spacer that adapts to the gap between the walls. The spacer is formed to match the gap dimensions rather than forcing the walls to conform to each other, dramatically simplifying the installation process while maintaining proper adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If elastic filler is used to fill the gap, then the gap is covered, but the filler is prone to detachment during relative movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap coverageVSAvoidfiller attachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the gap coverage function from the sealing function. The rigid spacer provides stable, detachment-proof gap coverage that remains fixed during relative movements, while the filler material is relegated to sealing only the remaining small clearance. This segmentation eliminates the instability issue because the primary gap coverage is provided by the stable spacer rather than the flexible filler.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260070651A1Spacer to cover a gap between a sidewall and a monument wall, and an aircraft having such spacer

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A spacer for covering a gap between a sidewall arranged in a longitudinal direction and a monument wall arranged in a transverse direction in an aircraft. The spacer includes an upper mount, and a lower mount. The lower mount restricts a relative movement between the monument and the spacer in the longitudinal direction, and allows a relative movement in the transverse direction.