Dry Floor Assembly with Wicking Layer for Automatic Liquid Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial aircraft lavatory floors often remain wet due to spills, as manual cleaning is not prioritized during flights and is inefficient, impacting passenger experience.
Innovation Solution
A dry floor assembly system featuring a multilayer design with a grid for liquid drainage, a wicking layer to direct liquids to a pan, and an absorbent pad for efficient liquid collection and absorption, which can be easily replaced and integrated with existing aircraft infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cleaning is performed during flights, then liquid removal effectiveness is improved, but flight attendant workload and time availability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The floor assembly automatically removes liquid through its multi-layer structure without requiring manual intervention. The wicking layer and absorbent pad work autonomously to draw and contain spills, eliminating the need for flight attendants to perform cleaning tasks during flights.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with a passive capillary action system. The wicking layer uses capillary forces to automatically draw liquid away from the walkable surface, substituting human labor with a self-actuating physical mechanism.
2Productivity
If manual cleaning is performed between flights, then liquid removal is achieved, but cleaning time and flight schedule flexibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The floor assembly provides continuous liquid management capability throughout the flight, not just periodic cleaning between flights. Liquid is removed as it spills rather than accumulating until scheduled cleaning, maintaining continuous effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent pad and wicking layer are pre-positioned within the floor assembly to immediately respond to spills. The system is prepared in advance to capture and manage liquid, eliminating the need for reactive cleaning after spills occur.
3Quantity of substance
If absorbent materials are placed on the floor, then liquid absorption is improved, but the floor becomes bulky and difficult to integrate with aircraft infrastructure worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent pad is nested within the pan, and the wicking layer is nested between the grid and pan, creating a compact multi-layer structure. Each component is positioned within the structural footprint of the floor assembly, minimizing overall volume while maintaining absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor assembly uses thin-layer absorbent and wicking materials rather than bulky conventional absorbents. The grid structure provides structural support while allowing the absorbent components to remain thin and flexible, facilitating integration into aircraft flooring.
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 system effectively reduces liquid pooling on the surface, ensuring a dry and safe walking environment by automatically managing spills and allowing for efficient liquid removal, enhancing passenger comfort and reducing maintenance workload.
Implementation Method 1
a wicking layer configured to be interposed between the pan and the grid and configured to wick liquid that passes through the openings of the grid toward the pan
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent pad configured to be disposed within the pan and configured to absorb liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A dry floor assembly is provided. The dry floor assembly is configured to form or be positioned on a floor of an enclosed space. The dry floor assembly includes a grid, a pan, and a wicking layer. The grid has an array of openings configured to allow passage of liquid. The grid has members that extend from a base to an upper surface, with the upper surface configured to be walked upon. The members have a cross-section that tapers from the base to the upper surface. The pan is disposed beneath the grid, and defines a cavity. The wicking layer is interposed between the pan and the grid, and is configured to wick liquid that passes through the openings toward the pan.