Deployable PSU Handle Structure for Aircraft Seat Ingress Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft passenger seats, especially window and center seats, lack reliable structures for passengers to assist with entry and exit, leading to difficulties for passengers with restricted mobility and increased reliance on aircraft personnel for assistance.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a passenger service unit (PSU) trough cover assembly with a retractable handle, strategically located outboard of an overhead storage bin and inboard of the aircraft cabin outboard wall, provides a structural support for passengers to assist with ingress and egress from their seats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If no structure is added to the PSU trough cover assembly, then the device complexity remains low, but passengers with restricted mobility cannot obtain assistance during seat ingress and egress
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is nested within a recessed area of the PSU trough cover assembly panel. When not in use, the handle is stored within the panel itself, creating a compact integrated design. When needed, the handle can be deployed from the recessed area, providing assistance without requiring separate external structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the passenger assistance function with the existing PSU trough cover assembly panel. The handle is integrated into the panel structure, combining two previously separate functions (structural panel and assistance device) into a single unified component.
2Reliability
If a handle is added to assist passengers, then passenger independence during seat entry and exit is improved, but the PSU trough cover assembly structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is nested within a recessed area of the PSU trough cover assembly panel. When not in use, the handle is stored within the panel itself, creating a compact integrated design. When needed, the handle can be deployed from the recessed area, providing assistance without requiring separate external structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed area is created locally within the PSU trough cover assembly panel at the specific location where passenger assistance is needed. This localized modification provides the necessary support function without requiring changes to the entire assembly structure.
3Ease of operation
If a recessed area is created to house the handle, then the handle can be stowed within the panel, but the panel design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed area is created locally within the PSU trough cover assembly panel at the specific location where passenger assistance is needed. This localized modification provides the necessary support function without requiring changes to the entire assembly structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is nested within a recessed area of the PSU trough cover assembly panel. When not in use, the handle is stored within the panel itself, creating a compact integrated design. When needed, the handle can be deployed from the recessed area, providing assistance without requiring separate external structures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An aircraft passenger cabin passenger service assembly is disclosed comprising a passenger service assembly panel having a deployable handle from a stowed configuration that is configured to facilitate and increase passenger maneuverability and stability into and out from passenger seats.