Contactless Reed Sensor Door Switch for Aircraft Lavatory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft lavatory door switch arrangements face challenges in simplifying manufacturability, maintainability, reliability, and passenger comfort due to varying aircraft lavatory architectures, requiring complex and adaptable systems.
Innovation Solution
A contactless door switch arrangement for aircraft lavatory doors that uses a sensor device to generate closure and locking status signals, featuring a pivotable actuating device and reed sensors, which can be easily installed and adapted to different lavatory designs, including a compact housing and adapter plates for seamless integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a contactless sensor device is used for detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based switches with contactless sensor devices (magnetic sensors) that detect the position of magnetic actuators. This substitution eliminates wear and contact issues while providing reliable detection of door closure and locking states, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device serves multiple functions: detecting door closure status, detecting locking status, and providing position information for both the door leaf and locking element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection systems, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high reliability through a unified contactless detection approach.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the door switch arrangement is adapted to different lavatory architectures, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door switch arrangement is designed as a universal module that can be adapted to different lavatory door architectures (swing doors, sliding doors, bi-fold doors) without requiring fundamental design changes. The same sensor device and actuator configuration serve multiple door types, improving adaptability while controlling complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into modular components: the sensor device module, the actuator module, and the evaluation unit. This segmentation allows the core detection mechanism to remain simple and standardized, while adaptation to different architectures is achieved through configurable installation positions and orientations of the modular components.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact housing is used, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is positioned within or adjacent to the sensor device housing, and the magnetic field detection range encompasses the actuator's movement path. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall housing volume while maintaining adequate detection accuracy, as the magnetic field naturally provides a tolerance buffer that reduces stringent manufacturing precision requirements.
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 enhances manufacturability, maintainability, and reliability by providing a compact, flexible, and space-saving system that generates accurate status signals for improved passenger comfort and safety, reducing complexity and tolerance issues.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor device has a plurality of contactless sensors, wherein a first sensor is designed and arranged to be contactlessly actuated by the actuating device
Data Source
AI summary
To reduce complexity, solve tolerance problems and increase reliability and customer satisfaction, a door switch arrangement for a lavatory of an aircraft is provided, wherein, to generate signals which indicate a current status of the lavatory door, the door switch arrangement uses a sensor device with contactlessly operating reed sensors.