Hands-Free Door Assembly With Sensor-Actuator Contactless Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger vehicles have high-frequency contact points that are prone to contamination with germs and pathogens, increasing the risk of transmission among passengers and crew members, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Innovation Solution
A hands-free aircraft assembly incorporating a moveable door component, actuators, and input receivers that allow for contactless operation of seating compartment, lavatory, and overhead bin doors using sensors and actuators, enabling passengers to interact with these components without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If manual contact points (buttons, handles) are used for door operation, then device complexity is reduced, but pathogen transmission risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical contact (buttons, handles) with an automated sensor-actuator system. Sensors detect hand approach and gestures, triggering actuators to open/close doors automatically, eliminating the need for physical contact with control interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors and actuators as intermediaries between the user and the door mechanism. The sensor detects hand presence and gestures without contact, and the actuator executes door movement, serving as a contactless intermediary system
2Reliability
If hands-free operation is implemented using sensors and actuators, then pathogen transmission is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical contact (buttons, handles) with an automated sensor-actuator system. Sensors detect hand approach and gestures, triggering actuators to open/close doors automatically, eliminating the need for physical contact with control interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The door system becomes self-operating by detecting hand presence and gestures automatically. The sensor-actuator system performs the door operation function autonomously based on detected user intent, without requiring manual activation
3Ease of operation
If contactless input devices are used, then ease of operation is improved for hygiene purposes, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical contact (buttons, handles) with an automated sensor-actuator system. Sensors detect hand approach and gestures, triggering actuators to open/close doors automatically, eliminating the need for physical contact with control interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors and actuators as intermediaries between the user and the door mechanism. The sensor detects hand presence and gestures, and the actuator executes door movement, serving as a contactless intermediary system
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
Reduces the spread of viruses and pathogens by minimizing direct contact with high-contact areas, enhancing passenger safety and confidence through automated interaction with vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be any suitable sensor, such as, but not limited to, a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, an optical sensor, a camera, a microphone, or the like.
Implementation Method 2
The hands-free aircraft assembly 10 may include a moveable component 12, at least one actuator 14, and at least one input receiver 16
Data Source
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AI summary
Described a passenger vehicle having a hands-free door assembly, the hands-free door assembly includes a stationary wall portion; a door portion moveable along at least one linear translation track; at least one actuator operable to move the door portion along the at least one linear translation track; and at least one sensor positioned on at least one of the stationary wall portion or the door portion, wherein the sensor receives a hands-free input and transmits an activation signal to the at least one actuator, and wherein the at least one actuator moves the door portion along the at least one linear translation track based on receiving the activation signal.