Flexible Stretch Cabin Partition for Dynamic Zone Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current passenger cabin configurations in aircraft are inflexible, requiring fixed partitions or curtains to separate zones, which limits adaptability to varying passenger demands and occupancy patterns.

Innovation Solution

A separating device comprising a frame element and an area element made of flexible stretch material, detachably fastened to passenger seats, allowing for easy reconfiguration by stretching and repositioning to create adjustable zones while providing privacy and acoustic separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed partitions or curtains are used to separate zones, then zone separation is achieved, but adaptability to varying passenger demands is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying passenger demandsVSAvoidfixed partition structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separating device employs a dynamic design where the area element can be detached and repositioned between different passenger seats. This allows the separation zone to be dynamically adjusted along the longitudinal axis of the cabin, enabling adaptability to varying passenger demands while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The separating device is segmented into distinct components: a frame element with fastening mechanisms and a separate area element. This segmentation allows the area element to be independently repositioned and reconfigured, providing adaptability without requiring complex integrated structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If fixed partitions are installed to separate business class and tourist class zones, then privacy and acoustic separation are provided, but reconfiguration time is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfiguration speedVSAvoidreconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The separating device enables rapid reconfiguration through its dynamic design. The area element can be quickly detached from one passenger seat and reattached to another using the fastening mechanisms on the frame element, significantly reducing reconfiguration time compared to fixed partitions while maintaining privacy and acoustic separation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The separating device allows the area element to be temporarily discarded from its current position and recovered at a new position. This discarding and recovering mechanism enables fast reconfiguration by simply relocating the area element between different seats rather than dismantling entire partition structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If the area element is made completely from flexible stretch material, then adaptability to seat adjustment is improved, but structural stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to seat adjustmentVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The separating device employs a composite construction where the area element combines flexible stretch material with rigid structural components. This composite design allows the area element to adapt to seat adjustments through the flexible material while maintaining structural stability through the rigid framework, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the area element have different material properties tailored to specific functional requirements. The flexible stretch material is applied in regions requiring adaptability to seat movement, while rigid materials are used in regions requiring structural stability, creating a locally optimized composite structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables simple and time-saving reconfiguration of passenger cabin zones, maintaining passenger space and safety without the need for floor-fastened structures, while offering effective privacy and acoustic separation.

Implementation Method 1

the section of said area element which consists of a flexible stretch material is transferrable from a non-tensioned physical state into a flexibly stretched physical state in the event of the backrest of the passenger seat being adjusted from an upright position into a reclined position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9550572B2Device for separating two zones of a passenger cabin

Publication Date: 2017.01.24 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A device for separating two zones of a passenger cabin including a frame element and an area element which is fastened to said frame element and includes, at least in certain sections, a flexible stretch material. The separating device is detachably fastenable in such a way to a passenger seat installed in the passenger cabin, that the area element extends substantially in one plane with a backrest of the passenger seat and that the section of the area element which includes of a flexible material is transferrable from a non-tensioned physical state into a flexibly stretched physical state in the event of the backrest of the passenger seat being adjusted from an upright position into a reclined position.