Aircraft Stowage Compartment Gas-Spring Assistance for Loaded Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft stowage compartments require high manual force to close when fully loaded, and existing force assistance systems are costly, complex, and prone to false triggering.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical force assistance system using a gas pressure spring and push-button mechanism that switches between active and passive states, providing assistance only when needed, without electrical components or weighing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a force assistance system is added to help close the stowage compartment, then the closing force requirement is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential force assistance function needed for closing the stowage compartment, implementing it through a simple spring mechanism rather than a complete automated system. This provides the necessary force reduction while avoiding unnecessary complexity by taking out only the specific function needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism acts as a counterweight system, providing an opposing force that balances the weight and friction of the loaded stowage compartment. This mechanical counterbalance reduces the closing force requirement without requiring complex active control systems.
2Force
If existing force assistance systems are implemented, then closing assistance is provided, but false triggering and reliability issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is passively activated by the closing motion itself rather than requiring external triggering signals. The system serves itself by converting the closing movement into spring compression, eliminating false triggering from electrical or sensor errors while providing reliable assisting force throughout the closing stroke.
3Force
If complex force assistance systems with electrical components are used, then force assistance is provided, but cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive spring mechanism that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. This mechanical solution avoids costly electrical components, sensors, and control systems while providing adequate force assistance, making the system more economical and easier to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electrical-mechanical systems with a purely mechanical spring-based solution. This substitution eliminates the need for electrical components, reducing manufacturing complexity, cost, and potential failure points while maintaining the force assistance function.
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
Provides convenient, reliable, and cost-effective force assistance for opening and closing the stowage compartment, avoiding high costs and electrical power requirements while preventing false triggering.
Implementation Method 1
a gas pressure spring and push-button mechanism that switches between active and passive states, providing assistance only when needed
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft stowage compartment includes a main body, a swiveling compartment swiveling relative to the main body, and a spring unit therebetween. In an active state, a spring device of the spring unit generates closing forces on the swiveling compartment prevented in a passive state. A connection unit with a connection element in biased zero position switches on the passive state and in connection position switches on the active state. The connection unit has a locking device biased towards locking, for the connection element in the connection position. The connection unit has a release element for the locking device actuatable from biased rest position into release position. In the rest position, locking of the connection element in the connection position is enabled by the locking device and prevented in the release position. An aircraft includes a basic structure, the stowage compartment and the main body fixed to the basic structure.