Vehicle Cabin Rail Assembly for Form-Fit Floor Panel Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail systems for securing objects in vehicle cabins, such as aircraft, are complex and non-linear in force distribution, requiring expensive production of through bores and punctiform screw connections, which complicates the securing and sealing of floor panels.
Innovation Solution
A rail system comprising a base rail and an installation rail with a lateral intermediate space, where the installation rail is positioned with a predetermined spacing to the base rail, allowing form-fitting retention of floor panels and eliminating the need for through bores, using connecting devices like bushings for secure mechanical attachment and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If floor panels are secured to seat rails using marginal screw connections, then the floor panels can be attached to the rail system, but the force distribution becomes highly complex and non-linear, requiring numerous seal connections to prevent moisture passage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from punctiform (point-based) screw connections at the margins to areal (area-based) form-fitting connections along the entire edge of the floor panel. This dimensional change from 0D/1D to 2D contact distributes forces uniformly and creates a continuous sealing surface, eliminating the need for multiple discrete seal connections while maintaining attachment strength
2Ease of operation
If through bores are produced for securing floor panels, then mechanical attachment is achieved, but production costs and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection function into two parts: the base rail remains intact without through bores, while the installation rail is positioned at a spacing to create a lateral intermediate space. This segmentation allows floor panels to be retained form-fittingly in the intermediate space without requiring through bores in the base rail, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral intermediate space acts as an intermediary structure between the base rail and installation rail. This intermediate space enables form-fitting retention of floor panels without requiring direct through-bore connections, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving secure mechanical attachment
3Adaptability or versatility
If a receiving region for fixtures with flanges and web is used, then objects can be secured on the rail system, but the force direction becomes highly complex and non-linear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing form-fitting connection elements (such as L-shaped profiles or grooves) specifically at the edge regions of the floor panel that interface with the lateral intermediate space. This localized form-fitting design ensures uniform force distribution at the connection points while maintaining overall fixture compatibility, avoiding the complex non-linear force paths associated with flange-and-web receiving regions
Data Source
AI summary
A rail system for the installation of objects in a cabin of a vehicle having a base rail, an installation rail, and connecting devices for connecting the base rail and the installation rail to one another in a mutually parallel orientation. The base rail has a bottom side, with a securing portion for securing the base rail on a structural component of the vehicle, and a top side. The installation rail has an installation surface on which the objects can be mounted and connected to the installation rail. The rail system is configured to position the installation surface with a predetermined spacing to the top side such that at least one lateral intermediate space is formed between the installation surface and the base rail for the purposes of form-fittingly holding a floor panel.