Aircraft Stowage Compartment Resetting Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current overhead stowage compartments in aircraft require high manual closing forces, especially when empty, and lack efficient mechanisms for automatic closing assistance during loading and unloading, leading to increased operational difficulty.
Innovation Solution
A stowage compartment design featuring a pivoting part with a resetting device that generates a closing force using an energy accumulator, such as a spring, and a holding device that allows for easy opening and locking, reducing manual effort by providing force assistance during closure and automatic locking with sufficient load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional closure mechanism is used without resetting device, then the structure is simple, but high manual closing force is required especially when the compartment is empty
Solution Approach 1:
The resetting device pre-charges a spring element during the opening phase by accumulating gravitational potential energy as the pivoting part moves from closed to open position. This stored energy is then released during closing to provide assistance force, reducing the manual effort required by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The gravitational force that normally works against closing an empty compartment is converted into a beneficial force. As the pivoting part opens, gravity causes the spring to compress and store energy. During closing, this stored spring energy counteracts gravity, transforming the harmful gravitational effect into helpful closing assistance.
2Ease of operation
If an energy accumulator is added to provide closing force assistance, then manual closing force is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resetting device serves multiple functions: it acts as a closure mechanism, incorporates an energy accumulator for force assistance, and includes a holding device for position maintenance. By combining these functions into one integrated assembly, the patent reduces overall system complexity despite adding closing force assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the closure mechanism, spring element, and holding device into a single resetting device assembly. This consolidation means that while multiple functions are provided, they are implemented through integrated components rather than separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the pivoting part is held at open position by holding device, then loading and unloading is facilitated, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device is merged with the resetting device assembly, sharing structural components and integration points. The holding element works in conjunction with the spring element and closure mechanism, providing position maintenance without requiring a completely separate subsystem, thus limiting complexity increase.
4Productivity
If a resetting device with spring element is implemented, then automatic closing assistance is provided during loading and unloading, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resetting device is designed as a modular assembly with distinct functional elements: the closure mechanism portion, the spring element, and the holding device portion. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes and then assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while providing automatic closing assistance.
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 design reduces the manual closing force by approximately 72 Newtons, allows for easier operation by providing force assistance during closure, and enables automatic locking with loaded compartments, enhancing usability and safety during loading and unloading.
Implementation Method 1
The resetting device contains an energy accumulator 24 which is loaded with energy during opening of the pivoting part 8 (in the direction of an arrow 26 indicating an opening direction). During the unloading, that is to say during a movement counter to the direction of the arrow 26, the energy output from the energy accumulator 24 serves for generating the closing force F.
Implementation Method 2
the closing force is greater than and opposed to the opening force of the pivoting part that is effective at the gripping point and is caused by the gravitational force (referred to as 'the gravitational force' for short below), which is caused by the unloaded pivoting part
Data Source
AI summary
An overhead stowage compartment of a passenger aircraft includes a carrier and a pivoting part being pivotable about a pivot axis and rotatable in a pivoting range at least between an open position and a closing position. A resetting device brings about a closing force in the direction of the closing position at a gripping point of the pivoting part. The closing force is greater than and opposed to the gravitational force, which is effective at the gripping point, by using the unloaded pivoting part. The stowage compartment has a holding device through the use of which the pivoting part can be held at the open position.