Beverage container holder for use during taxi, takeoff and landing of an aircraft
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for managing beverage containers during aircraft taxi, takeoff, and landing (TTOL) are inadequate, particularly in business class seats without a forward seatback pocket, as they are not convenient for stowing often used items.
Innovation Solution
A beverage container holder with a strap that adjusts its engagement mechanism based on g-force events, using a magnetic latch and catch system to securely hold the container upright in an open compartment during routine and high g-force conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed compartment is used to stow beverage containers in business class seats, then beverage containers are secured during TTOL, but convenience of retrieval is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system is segmented into two distinct mechanisms: a magnetic latch for normal operation that allows easy access, and a g-force-activated catch system that engages during high-g events. This segmentation allows the system to provide both convenience during routine use and reliability during critical moments without compromise.
2Ease of operation
If a strap with magnetic latch is used to hold beverage containers in open space, then convenience of access is improved, but reliability during high g-force events is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The catch mechanism is pre-positioned and designed to engage automatically when g-force exceeds normal thresholds. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the harmful effect of high g-forces before they can cause the beverage container to become a projectile, ensuring reliability is maintained during critical events while preserving ease of access during normal operation.
3Reliability
If a fixed retention mechanism is used to secure beverage containers, then reliability during turbulence is improved, but ease of access and convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic system that responds to g-force conditions. The catch mechanism remains disengaged during normal operations, allowing easy access, but automatically engages during high-g events or turbulence, providing reliability only when needed. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between fixed security and flexible access.
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 provides a secure and convenient means to stow beverage containers in open spaces near passenger seats, ensuring they remain upright and secured during both normal and turbulent flight conditions, preventing them from becoming projectiles.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic latch is retained by the positioning magnet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A storage cubby (100) for an aircraft including a housing (102) having a front opening (114) and an interior space accessible through the front opening, a fixed retention bar (120) extending across the front opening, and a beverage container holder (118) positioned in the interior space. In embodiments, the beverage container holder includes a bearing block (128) having a bearing surface (132), a positioning magnet (136) mounted to the bearing block, a catch (138) mounted to the bearing block, and a strap (130) having a first end mounted to the housing and a second end carrying a magnetic latch (134). During a first use condition of the strap, the magnetic latch is retained by the positioning magnet disengaged from the catch. During a second use condition of the strap, the magnetic latch is engaged with the catch. In embodiments, the first and second use conditions correspond to routine and high g-force events of the aircraft, respectively.