Aircraft Supply Modules With Movable Screens for Leak-Free Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional supply systems in vehicles, such as aircraft, face challenges in easily and cost-effectively reconfiguring supply modules to accommodate changes in seat positions and distances within passenger compartments, often requiring cumbersome and costly adhesive films or sealing solutions that can lead to air leaks over time.

Innovation Solution

A supply system with displaceable supply modules and screens that cover unused supply openings, allowing for flexible positioning and reconfiguration without the need for extensive reinstallation, using a supply line with multiple openings and screens that can be displaced to ensure airtight connections and protect the interior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If adhesive films are used to seal perforation openings when reconfiguring air shower rails, then the air shower rails can be repositioned, but the process becomes cumbersome, time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepositioning capabilityVSAvoidreconfiguration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the sealing function into modular segments corresponding to each air shower rail position. Each rail unit can be independently sealed and repositioned without affecting other segments, enabling modular reconfiguration without adhesive films.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing mechanism transitions from static adhesive bonds to dynamic, movable seals that can adapt to different rail positions. The seals are designed to be removable and repositionable, allowing the system to dynamically adjust to reconfiguration needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If adhesive films are used to seal perforation openings, then air shower rails can be repositioned, but time is lost during removal and reapplication of films

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepositioning capabilityVSAvoidreconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing mechanism is pre-designed with quick-connect and quick-release features that eliminate the time-consuming adhesive application and removal processes. Seals are prepared in advance as modular components that can be rapidly installed and repositioned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical bonding mechanism of adhesive films is replaced with a mechanical sealing system using movable seals and guide arrangements that enable rapid repositioning through mechanical means rather than chemical bonding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If adhesive films are used for sealing, then air shower rails can be repositioned, but costs increase due to material and labor requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepositioning capabilityVSAvoidreconfiguration cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses simple, inexpensive seal components that can be easily replaced rather than expensive adhesive films that require careful application and removal. The seals are designed as durable, reusable elements that reduce long-term costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical bonding process requiring specialized adhesives and labor-intensive application is replaced with a mechanical sealing system using standard sealing lips and guide arrangements, reducing both material and labor costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If sealing lips are used to seal air lines, then air showers can be displaceable, but the elasticity of sealing lips decreases over time causing air leaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplacement capabilityVSAvoidsealing function

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates compensation mechanisms that anticipate and counteract the degradation of sealing lips over time. Guide arrangements and tensioning systems are designed to maintain sealing pressure and compensate for material aging before leaks occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing system uses adjustable parameters such as sealing pressure, lip geometry, and material composition to optimize sealing performance. These parameters can be modified to compensate for degradation and maintain reliability over the system's lifetime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9487294B2Supply system for supplying passengers in a passenger compartment of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2016.11.08 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A supply system for supplying passengers in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular an aircraft, includes a supply line and a number of supply modules which, for supplying the passengers, are connectable to the supply line. The supply modules are displaceable relative to one another along the supply line, the supply line having one or a plurality of supply openings by which the connection between the supply line and the supply modules can be established, each supply module furthermore being assigned at least one screen which is arranged in such a manner on the service supply line that it is displaceable along the supply line and can cover a part of the one supply opening or of the plurality of supply openings which is not used for the connection of a supply module to the supply line.