Foldable Aircraft Door Ramp for Space and View Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boarding ramp designs for aircraft compromise passenger compartment space and aesthetics, obstructing windows and potentially smearing passengers' clothing with mud, while also failing to provide an unobstructed view.
Innovation Solution
A foldable boarding ramp with plate-shaped steps pivotally supported on the inner face of the aircraft door, which can be swung between a stored and deployed position, allowing the ramp to fold into the door when closed and deploy to cover the window when open, ensuring the ramp does not obstruct the window or passenger space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a boarding ramp is provided on the inner face of the door, then passengers can board and alight the aircraft, but the ramp projects into the passenger compartment and oppresses the space
Solution Approach 1:
The boarding ramp is designed as a foldable structure with multiple steps that can dynamically change between deployed and folded states. When the door opens, the steps automatically swing outward to form a boarding ramp. When the door closes, the steps fold flat against the door inner face, eliminating space occupation in the passenger compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The boarding ramp is divided into multiple discrete steps that can independently fold and deploy. Each step is pivotally connected to the door and adjacent steps, allowing the ramp to be segmented into compact sections when folded and extended sections when deployed, optimizing space utilization.
2Ease of operation
If a boarding ramp is provided on the inner face of the door, then passengers can board and alight the aircraft, but the exposed ramp impairs the appearance and may smear passengers' clothes with mud
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp steps are designed to dynamically deploy only when the door is open, positioning the muddy surface away from the passenger compartment. When the door closes, the steps fold flat against the door inner face, concealing the potentially soiled surfaces and maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The muddy boarding surface is extracted from the permanent door structure and made into a temporary, deployable element. The steps are removed from the door interior when not in use, taking the potential contamination source with them, while maintaining a clean, aesthetic door interior.
3Ease of operation
If a boarding ramp is provided on the inner face of the door, then passengers can board and alight the aircraft, but a window cannot be provided in the door due to obstruction by the ramp
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp steps are designed to fold flat against the door inner face when the door is closed, creating a clear path for window placement. The dynamic folding mechanism ensures that the ramp occupies minimal space in the closed position, allowing windows to be positioned on the door without obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp steps utilize the depth dimension of the door by folding parallel to the door inner face rather than protruding into the passenger compartment. This dimensional arrangement allows windows to be positioned on the door surface without being blocked by the ramp structure.
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 maintains passenger compartment space, enhances the aircraft's appearance, and prevents passengers' clothing from being smeared with mud, while providing an unobstructed view through the window, enhancing the overall passenger experience.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of plate-shaped steps pivotally supported on the inner face of the door, wherein the steps are capable of swinging in association with one another between a stored position along the inner face of the door and a deployed position used for getting on and off by passengers
Data Source
AI summary
When a single door for opening and closing an opening in a body is opened outward with its lower part as a fulcrum, a plurality of plate-shaped steps of a foldable boarding ramp provided on an inner face of the door are swung in association with one another from a stored position along the inner face of the door to a deployed position to be used for ingress and egress of the passengers. Since the boarding ramp is folded into the stored position, it does not impair the space of a passenger compartment. Further, since the steps are folded into a position so as not to interfere with a window provided in an upper part of the door, they do not give an oppressed feeling to the passengers in the passenger compartment. The step is deployed to cover the window provided in the upper part of the door during use.