Aircraft Cabin Monuments with Laminar Contact and Stepped Rear Sides

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft cabin designs face challenges in optimizing space usage, particularly in the rear area, where fittings need to be lightweight, multifunctional, and efficiently arranged to accommodate various functions within limited space, while accommodating non-parallel fuselage walls and reinforcing elements.

Innovation Solution

The arrangement of cabin monuments with lateral surfaces in laminar contact, featuring stepped rear sides and varying construction depths, allows for efficient use of space by aligning front and rear sides parallel to the cabin axis, enabling storage and accommodating trolleys of different sizes, and compensating for discontinuities and sloping fuselage walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If cabin monuments are arranged in rows parallel to the lengthwise axis with front and rear sides aligned parallel to the cabin axis, then space utilization is maximized and a flat front is created, but the arrangement cannot accommodate non-parallel fuselage walls and reinforcing elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidadaptability to non-parallel fuselage walls

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cabin monument is divided into multiple modules that can be arranged in rows parallel to the lengthwise axis. Each module can be independently positioned to create a stepped configuration, allowing the overall structure to adapt to non-parallel fuselage walls while maintaining the parallel alignment of front and rear sides for optimal space utilization and flat front appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a stepped arrangement in the transverse direction (perpendicular to the lengthwise axis) to accommodate the non-parallel fuselage walls. This creates a multi-level configuration where modules are offset relative to each other, allowing the monument to adapt to the fuselage geometry while maintaining parallel front and rear sides that maximize space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If cabin monuments are arranged to accommodate reinforcing elements and non-parallel fuselage walls, then adaptability is improved, but space utilization and flat front creation are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to fuselage configurationVSAvoidspace utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cabin monument consists of multiple separable modules that can be arranged in a stepped configuration. This segmentation allows the structure to adapt to reinforcing elements and non-parallel fuselage walls by positioning modules at different transverse positions, while the overall parallel alignment of front and rear sides is maintained to maximize space utilization and create a flat front.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stepped arrangement introduces variation in the transverse dimension to accommodate fuselage irregularities, while the longitudinal dimension maintains parallel alignment of front and rear sides. This dimensional differentiation allows adaptability to fuselage configuration without compromising space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Weight of moving object

If cabin monuments are made lightweight and multifunctional, then weight is reduced and functionality is improved, but structural integrity and stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cabin monument is constructed from multiple modular components that can be independently optimized for weight and function. Each module can be designed with minimal necessary structure to perform its specific function, reducing overall weight while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design allows individual modules to serve multiple functions - providing storage, structural support, and accommodating various cabin fittings. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated structures, thereby reducing weight while maintaining or enhancing structural integrity and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10906648B2Arrangement in a vehicle cabin with cabin monuments placeable in rows with laminar contact of the lateral surfaces thereof

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

An arrangement in a cabin of a vehicle has a plurality of cabin monuments, placeable in rows, of which the lateral surfaces are in laminar contact, said cabin monuments having a front side and a rear side and a wall surface of the aircraft fuselage, at least sections of which face toward the cabin of the vehicle and are not aligned parallel with a lengthwise axis of the cabin. The cabin monuments are arranged in rows parallel to the lengthwise axis of the cabin, so that the front sides and the rear sides are each aligned parallel to the lengthwise axis of the cabin. The rear sides of at least two cabin monuments, each of which include storage space for cabin trolleys, are positioned with an offset relative to each other in a direction transverse to the lengthwise axis of the cabin.