Aircraft Lavatory Divider Latch for Privacy-Safe PRM Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lavatory solutions for persons with reduced mobility (PRM) in aircraft are difficult to configure, require substantial modification of the lavatory layout, and lack efficient latching mechanisms that ensure privacy and accessibility, particularly when converting between independent and combined lavatory configurations.
Innovation Solution
A latching mechanism for a movable wall in aircraft lavatories, located on the exterior edge and accessible from outside, allowing the wall to be easily unlocked only when both lavatories are unoccupied, ensuring the wall can only be unlatched when no passenger is using either, and featuring clear indications to disable the lavatory doors from closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a removable center wall is used to convert between independent and combined lavatory configurations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation worsen due to the substantial effort and space needed to fold and remove the wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of wall removal by introducing a latching mechanism that transitions the wall from a manually folded removable structure to a mechanically secured movable structure. The latching mechanism enables the wall to be locked in place or released with minimal effort, fundamentally changing how the wall is operated while maintaining its convertibility function.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism extracts the complex folding and removal operation from the wall structure itself, separating the securing function into a distinct mechanical system. This allows the wall to remain in place during flight while enabling easy conversion when needed, without requiring substantial manual effort to fold and remove the entire wall structure.
2Ease of operation
If the latching mechanism is made accessible from outside the lavatory, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is designed to be dynamic in its accessibility - it can be operated from outside the lavatory when needed for conversion, but automatically secures itself when in use. The mechanism transitions between accessible and secured states based on operational requirements, allowing easy conversion while maintaining privacy security during normal lavatory use.
3Reliability
If the latching mechanism uses pins engaging with ceiling or floor slots, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism uses universal pin and slot elements that can engage with either ceiling or floor slots, allowing the same basic mechanism to provide reliable securing in multiple orientations and locations. This multi-functional approach achieves high reliability without requiring completely different mechanisms for different mounting scenarios, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An aircraft lavatory monument is provided that includes a first lavatory (210) including a first door (302) providing access to the first lavatory from an aisle of an aircraft; a second lavatory (215) proximate the first lavatory, the second lavatory including a second door (304) providing access to the second lavatory from the aisle of the aircraft; and a movable wall (230) disposed between the first lavatory and the second lavatory, the movable wall including a latching mechanism (402, 404) positioned on an exterior edge of the movable wall and accessible from the aisle of the aircraft, where the latching mechanism, responsive to being in a locked position, causes the movable wall to be positioned at a first position separating the first lavatory from the second lavatory and providing privacy therebetween, and where the latching mechanism, responsive to being in an unlocked position, allows the movable wall to collapse thereby forming an enlarged bathroom space.