Bioinspired Aircraft Structural Element Integrating Functional Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft interior components require numerous additional parts for functional integration, leading to increased weight and material usage, which contradicts the goal of reducing weight in aircraft construction.
Innovation Solution
A structural element with a load topology optimized bioinspired generative design that integrates functional components directly into the structural element, eliminating the need for additional mounting components by utilizing accommodating spaces within the structure for wiring, plumbing, and other functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If functional components are mounted to honeycomb panels using bracket elements and screws, then functional integration is achieved, but the number of parts increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural panel and functional component mounting into a single integrated structure. The bracket elements are eliminated by directly forming functional component recesses in the honeycomb panel, allowing functional components to be mounted without additional bracket parts, thus reducing total part count and weight while maintaining functional integration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The honeycomb panel is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support and simultaneously integrates mounting functionality through formed recesses. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate bracket elements, reducing the number of parts and overall weight while achieving functional integration
2Adaptability or versatility
If functional components are mounted to honeycomb panels using bracket elements and screws, then functional integration is achieved, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the structural panel and mounting functionality into a single integrated component. By forming recesses directly in the honeycomb panel, the design eliminates separate bracket elements and reduces the number of parts, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the mounting function from separate bracket elements and integrates it directly into the honeycomb panel structure. This extraction of the mounting function from standalone components and its integration into the panel itself reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a structural element (100) for a passenger cabin of an aircraft (200) that is build using biomimicry methods. The structural element (100) comprises a generative structure (110), and a functional component (120). The generative structure (110) comprises at least one accommodating space (111). The functional component (120) is arranged within the at least one accommodating space (111). The generative structure (110) comprises a load topology optimized structure based on a bioinspired generative design that that is configured to enable the structural integrity of the structural element (100) while simultaneously providing integrated functionalities via the functional component (120). Further, an interior component (200) for an aircraft (300) is disclosed that comprises at least one such structural element (100), and an aircraft (300) comprising at least one structural element (100). For example, an aircraft galley may include a structural component (100) that may therefore, for example, include integrated wiring, plumbing or other functionalities.