Aircraft Cabin Trim Component with Reversible Attachment

Solution Overview

Problem

Passenger aircraft interiors face challenges in meeting stringent flammability standards while providing comfortable, soft surfaces for passenger contact areas, such as headboards and side walls, which are typically hard and non-permeable, requiring frequent cleaning and replacement.

Innovation Solution

A soft interior trim component with a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface and fir tree clips for easy attachment and removal, using a closed-cell fluoropolymer foam layer with a decorative cover, ensuring compliance with flammability regulations and allowing for quick replacement or cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If soft materials are used to improve passenger comfort, then passenger comfort is improved, but cleaning and maintenance becomes more difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger comfortVSAvoidcleaning and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The trim component is divided into two separable parts: a soft foam layer for comfort and a hard decorative laminate layer for durability and ease of cleaning. This segmentation allows the hard outer layer to be easily removed and replaced when soiled, while the soft foam layer remains to provide ongoing passenger comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hard decorative laminate outer layer is designed to be easily discarded when worn or soiled and replaced with a fresh layer. This allows the expensive soft foam layer to be recovered and reused, reducing overall maintenance costs while maintaining both comfort and cleanliness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Ease of repair

If hard non-permeable surfaces are used to facilitate cleaning, then cleaning ease is improved, but passenger comfort deteriorates due to lack of softness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning easeVSAvoidpassenger comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The trim component is divided into two separable parts: a soft foam layer for comfort and a hard decorative laminate layer for durability and ease of cleaning. This segmentation allows the hard outer layer to be easily removed and replaced when soiled, while the soft foam layer remains to provide ongoing passenger comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If soft materials are used to improve passenger comfort, then passenger comfort is improved, but replacement time and cost increase due to frequent cleaning needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger comfortVSAvoidreplacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The trim component is divided into two separable parts: a soft foam layer for comfort and a hard decorative laminate layer for durability and ease of cleaning. This segmentation allows the hard outer layer to be easily removed and replaced when soiled, while the soft foam layer remains to provide ongoing passenger comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trim component is pre-assembled with the soft foam layer attached to the back of the hard laminate layer. This preliminary assembly allows the entire comfort layer to be quickly installed as a single unit, reducing replacement time while maintaining passenger comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If traditional bonding methods are used to attach trim components, then attachment strength is improved, but replacement difficulty and aircraft downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidreplacement difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system transitions from a permanent static bond to a dynamic reversible connection using velcro fasteners. This allows the trim component to be securely attached during flight (providing sufficient strength) while enabling quick removal and replacement during maintenance without requiring aircraft hanger time or special tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables rapid replacement of worn or soiled trim components, maintaining passenger comfort and safety while adhering to stringent flammability standards, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2457831B1Improvements in and relating to interior trim components for aircraft cabins

Publication Date: 2021.03.10 MGR FOAMTEX

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AI summary

A soft interior trim component for an aircraft cabin, for example a headboard cover for a lie-flat seat, as a soft layer of foam (24, 124) the front of which is covered by a cover (40). The component is attached to a surface to be covered by attachment means (26, 28-32;126, 129) which enable the component to be easily removed for replacement and/or cleaning. The attachment may comprise a double-sided adhesive tape (26;126) and a series of fasteners (28-32).