External Fastening for Luggage Compartment Flap Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing luggage compartments in vehicles, particularly aircraft, face challenges in maximizing storage space utilization while allowing easy access for maintenance and retrofitting, with existing fastening devices being bulky and obstructing the storage volume.
Innovation Solution
A luggage compartment with a detachable flap attached via a fastening device that includes a first portion on the flap and a second portion on the outer surface of the housing, allowing the flap to pivot open without occupying internal space, and using a quick-release mechanism for easy detachment, enabling efficient space use and maintenance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If quick-release fastening devices are used to attach the flap to the luggage compartment, then ease of operation for detaching the flap is improved, but the storage space is reduced due to the bulky fastening devices occupying internal volume
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device is extracted from the internal storage space and relocated to the outer surface of the top wall. The second portion is attached to the outer surface, allowing the fastening mechanism to function without occupying valuable internal volume, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and storage space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device transitions from a two-dimensional internal arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration that utilizes the outer surface of the housing. By moving the second portion to the external surface and using a pivotable joint, the fastening mechanism operates in a different spatial dimension that does not interfere with the storage volume
2Ease of repair
If the flap is made detachable for maintenance access to ceiling panels, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional fastening mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device is segmented into two distinct portions: a first portion attached to the flap and a second portion attached to the housing. This segmentation allows the flap to be easily detached for maintenance while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple and modular
Solution Approach 2:
The joint connecting the two portions is designed to be pivotable, allowing dynamic movement between attached and detached states. This dynamic capability enables easy detachment for maintenance while maintaining a simple structural design without requiring complex locking or fastening mechanisms
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 allows full utilization of the storage space, simplifies loading and unloading, reduces damage risk, and lowers retrofit costs by allowing the flap to be detached for maintenance, while maintaining aesthetic and functional integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a joint which allows a pivoting movement of the first portion of the fastening device relative to the second portion of the fastening device about a pivot axis of the joint
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A luggage compartment (10) for use in a vehicle, the luggage compartment (10) comprises a housing (12) having an inner volume defining a storage space (14) of the luggage compartment (10) and a flap (26) which is attached to the housing (12) by means of at least one fastening device (30). The fastening device (30) comprises a first portion (32) attached to the flap (26) and a second portion (34), wherein the second portion (34) of the fastening device (30) is releasably coupled to the first portion (32) of the fastening device (30) and attached to an outer surface of a top wall (16) of the housing (12). A cabin component assembly (100) comprises a luggage compartment (10) and a ceiling panel (102) which is arranged adjacent to the top wall (16) of the housing (12) of the luggage compartment (10)