Rotating Aircraft Cabin Trim Panel for Direct Equipment Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft designs require long electrical cables, pipes, and mechanical elements for technical equipment, complicating maintenance due to the need for managing slack and stabilizing trim panels during maintenance operations.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft portion design with trim panels mounted rotatable about a horizontal axis, allowing transition between a trimming position for concealing equipment and a maintenance position for direct access, eliminating the need for extensive cables and mechanical elements, and utilizing a locking system for stable panel movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If technical equipment items are mounted on the trim panel, then the equipment can be concealed from the cabin, but long lengths of electrical cables, pipes and mechanical elements are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the aircraft interior into two functional zones: a first zone containing technical equipment items mounted on the lateral portion of the fuselage, and a second zone containing passenger seats. The trim panel acts as a movable boundary between these zones, allowing equipment to be concealed when the panel is in the retracted position and accessed when moved to the extended position. This segmentation eliminates the need for long cables by localizing equipment to specific mounting locations on the fuselage rather than distributing it across the trim panel.
2Ease of repair
If the trim panel is mounted rotatably to allow maintenance access, then maintenance operations can be performed, but the panel requires stabilization devices to prevent swinging
Solution Approach 1:
The trim panel is designed to be self-stabilizing through its rotational mounting mechanism. When the panel is rotated to the extended position for maintenance access, its weight and the hinge mechanism naturally provide stability without requiring additional stabilization devices. The panel's own gravitational force and the hinge's mechanical properties work together to maintain the panel in its operational position, eliminating the need for external stabilization equipment.
3Ease of manufacture
If equipment is mounted on the trim panel, then concealment is achieved, but significant lengths of electrical cables and mechanical elements are required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting equipment on the trim panel and pulling cables through it, the patent inverts the approach by mounting equipment directly on the lateral portion of the fuselage and using the trim panel as a concealment barrier. This reversal eliminates the need for cables to pass through the panel, significantly reducing the quantity of electrical cables and mechanical elements required while maintaining the concealment capability.
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
Simplifies maintenance by reducing bulk and eliminating the need for extensive cabling, stabilizing panels without additional devices, and providing direct access to equipment for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one trim panel being mounted rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation on the ceiling between: a trimming position wherein the trim panel at least partially conceals the at least one technical equipment item from the cabin
Data Source
AI summary
A portion of an aircraft includes a fuselage. The fuselage includes a ceiling and a lateral portion of fuselage delimiting a cabin. The cabin trim panel also includes at least one technical equipment item mounted on the lateral portion of fuselage and at least one trim panel intended for at least partially concealing from the cabin, the at least one technical equipment item. The at least one trim panel is mounted rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation on the ceiling between a trimming position so the trim panel at least partially conceals the at least one technical equipment item from the cabin by being held on the lateral portion of fuselage and a maintenance position so the trim panel is arranged at a distance from the lateral portion of fuselage in a substantially vertical plane to free access to the at least one technical equipment item.