Aircraft Stowage Bin Segmentation for Rapid Luggage Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern aircraft stowage bins in the ceiling region of aircraft cabins are inefficient for quick loading and unloading, as they often require passengers to distribute luggage across multiple bins, increasing loading and unloading time and reducing flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft region design featuring a dual stowage bin system where one bin is positioned above an aisle-side seat and another above a wall-side seat, allowing passengers to store luggage in the second bin without accessing the first, reducing the need for distribution across multiple bins, and enabling independent opening and closing mechanisms for efficient access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If passengers distribute luggage across multiple stowage bins, then luggage storage capacity is increased, but loading and unloading time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stowage system is divided into multiple independently accessible bins (first bin above aisle-side seat, second bin above wall-side seat). Each bin can be opened and closed independently, allowing passengers to access only the specific bin containing their luggage rather than searching through multiple bins, thus reducing loading/unloading time while maintaining total storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate access points (openings in the bins) that allow direct access to specific stowage bins without requiring passengers to enter the aisle or access other bins. This intermediary access mechanism enables efficient luggage retrieval while maintaining the segmented storage structure.
2Quantity of substance
If stowage bins are arranged in rows above seats, then luggage storage capacity is increased, but accessibility and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous stowage space is segmented into discrete, independently accessible bins positioned above different seats. The first bin is accessible from the aisle-side seat area, while the second bin is accessible from the wall-side seat area. This segmentation allows different passengers to access different bins simultaneously without interfering with each other, improving accessibility while maintaining total storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning stowage bins above the seats rather than only in lateral positions. This three-dimensional arrangement maximizes storage capacity within the available cabin space while providing multiple access points at different locations, thereby improving accessibility without compromising storage volume.
3Device complexity
If fixed bin configuration is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stowage bin system incorporates movable components (bins that can be opened and closed independently) rather than a completely fixed structure. The bins can be accessed independently through openings, allowing flexible configuration and adaptation to different loading scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to various passenger needs and luggage distributions.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft region comprising an aisle section extending in a longitudinal direction of the aircraft region, a bench seat oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction and having a first seat adjacent to the aisle section and a second seat arranged remote from the aisle section, and an aircraft stowage bin system having a first stowage bin arranged at least in part above the first seat and a second stowage bin arranged at least in part above the second seat. The first stowage bin has a first rear side facing away from the aisle section, and the second stowage bin has a second rear side facing away from the aisle section. The second stowage bin is arranged above the second seat such that it is accessible for a person sitting on the second seat or standing in the longitudinal direction in front of the second seat.