Flexible hinge assembly for aircraft interior components and the like

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional metal hinges used in aircraft interior components are heavy, complex, and have limited fatigue life, requiring additional springs and return mechanisms, which are not ideal for lightweight and long-lasting applications.

Innovation Solution

A flexible hinge assembly using integrated fiberglass or carbon fiber-reinforced flexure between structural components, eliminating the need for internal springs and external return mechanisms, and allowing for customizable angles and motion ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If conventional metal hinges are used to connect rigid structures, then angular movement between components is achieved, but weight increases and fatigue life is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefatigue lifeVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional metal mechanical hinges with a flexible panel that provides angular movement through material flexibility rather than mechanical joints. The flexible panel is made of materials like fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other composite materials that can bend and flex to allow relative angular movement between components without requiring metal hinge mechanisms, thereby eliminating fatigue-related failures and reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials such as fiberglass-reinforced plastics, carbon fiber-reinforced plastics, or other lightweight composite materials to construct the flexible panel. These composite materials provide the necessary flexibility for angular movement while maintaining structural integrity and significantly reducing weight compared to conventional metal hinge assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If conventional metal hinges with internal springs and return mechanisms are used, then angular movement and return function are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereturn mechanism functionVSAvoidpart count

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible panel inherently provides the return function through its elastic properties. When force is applied to move the panel to a different angular position, the panel stores elastic energy and automatically returns to its original position when the force is removed, eliminating the need for separate springs or return mechanisms. The panel serves itself by providing both the movement and return functions through its flexible material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional metal hinges are used, then angular movement is achieved, but the assembly requires external attachment and increases part count

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomizable angles and motion rangesVSAvoidpart count

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple separate components (hinge, springs, return mechanisms, attachment hardware) into a single integrated flexible panel. The flexible panel is directly attached to the structural components and provides all necessary functions including angular movement, return capability, and structural connection, thereby reducing part count and simplifying the overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows for customization of the flexible panel's properties including length, material composition, reinforcement patterns, and geometric configuration to achieve different angular ranges of motion and adapt to various application requirements. By changing parameters such as panel dimensions, material layers, and reinforcement structures, the same basic flexible panel design can be adapted to provide different movement characteristics without requiring different types of mechanical hinges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 flexible hinge assembly provides virtually unlimited fatigue life, is lightweight, and simplifies the design, accommodating complex contours and configurations, making it suitable for various aircraft interior components.

Implementation Method 1

a flexure disposed between the first structural component and the second structural component, wherein the flexure is formed by the coupled together and/or integrally formed skin layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10422169B2Flexible hinge assembly for aircraft interior components and the like

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 BE AEROSPACE INC

AI summary

A flexible hinge assembly for aircraft interior components and the like, including: a first structural component, wherein the first structural component includes a core material and one or more skin layers coupled to the core material; a second structural component, wherein the second structural component includes a core material and one or more skin layers coupled to the core material; wherein the one or more skin layers of the first structural component and the one or more skin layers of the second structural component are one or more of coupled together and integrally formed; and a flexure disposed between the first structural component and the second structural component, wherein the flexure is formed by the coupled together and/or integrally formed skin layers.