Interlocking Vent Assembly for Aircraft Cabin Pressure Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft cabin vents are difficult to install, expensive, heavy, and require multiple parts, making them unsuitable for efficient airflow control and pressure equalization in aircraft cabins.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight air vent comprising two structurally identical molded halves made of high-strength polycarbonate, with a locking mechanism and staggered louvers for easy installation and efficient airflow, reducing parts count and production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If existing vents are used in aircraft cabins, then airflow control and pressure equalization can be achieved, but the vents are difficult to install, expensive, heavy, and require multiple parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidparts count

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple vent components into a single integrated unit. The molded vent assembly includes the vent body, louvers, sealing elements, and mounting features all formed as one piece through injection molding, eliminating the need to warehouse, match, and install multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vent design integrates multiple functions into a single component: airflow control through adjustable louvers, pressure equalization through the vent opening, sealing against the partition, and structural mounting. This multi-functional design reduces the overall parts count while maintaining all necessary vent functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If existing vents are used in aircraft cabins, then airflow control and pressure equalization can be achieved, but the vents are expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidperformance under aircraft operating conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from traditional metals or multi-material assemblies to a single high-performance plastic material suitable for injection molding. This material selection enables cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining the structural integrity and performance required for aircraft operating conditions including temperature extremes and pressure differential

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Weight of moving object

If existing vents are used in aircraft cabins, then airflow control and pressure equalization can be achieved, but the vents are heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevent weightVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs plastic composite material properties to achieve a strength-to-weight ratio superior to traditional metal vent constructions. The molded plastic structure provides sufficient structural strength to withstand aircraft operating conditions while being significantly lighter than metal alternatives, and the integration of reinforcement features within the molded design maintains structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Device complexity

If multiple dissimilar members are used to form a vent set, then airflow control and pressure equalization can be achieved, but the vents require warehousing and matching of multiple parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparts countVSAvoidinstallation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8651924B1Interlocking vent assembly for equalizing pressure in a compartment

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method for privately transferring filtered air through a partition of a compartment in an aircraft cabin to equalize a pressure difference between the inside and outside the compartment via a vent assembly comprising two substantially structurally identical vent halves joining together in a locking manner through a vent opening in the partition. Each vent half comprising integrally molded rim, frame, plurality of louvers fixed within the frame, latch, keeper, guide prong, and a installation index key; plastic injection molded from high strength unreinforced polycarbonate.