Aircraft Lavatory Side Access for Reduced-Mobility Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft lavatories are challenging for individuals with reduced mobility due to their location and design, lacking adequate access solutions that allow for easy transfer without mobility devices, and existing systems are difficult to implement and require significant reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a PRM access door in the side wall of the lavatory that rotates or translates to provide access for individuals with reduced mobility, allowing transfer from mobility devices without requiring the device to enter the lavatory, and includes mechanisms for privacy and assistance through standard access doors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standard aircraft lavatory design is used, then manufacturing cost and certification effort are minimized, but accessibility for persons with reduced mobility is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lavatory access system is divided into separate components: a standard access door for general use and a PRM access door specifically for persons with reduced mobility. This segmentation allows the lavatory to maintain its standard design for manufacturing efficiency while adding specialized access features for accessibility without requiring complete redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The PRM access door is positioned on the side wall of the lavatory, creating a second access dimension perpendicular to the standard front access door. This allows mobility devices to approach from the side without interfering with the standard access path, enabling accessibility improvements without compromising the original design.
2Ease of operation
If a PRM access door is added to the side wall, then accessibility for persons with reduced mobility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PRM access door mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides access for persons with reduced mobility, maintains privacy when closed, and can be integrated with existing lavatory security systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems and minimizes overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The side wall of the lavatory serves as an intermediary structure that accommodates the PRM access door without requiring major modifications to the main lavatory body. This intermediary approach allows the accessibility feature to be added through a dedicated access point rather than reconfiguring the entire lavatory structure.
3Area of stationary object
If the lavatory is located against an outboard wall or rear pressure dome, then space utilization is optimized, but access for mobility-impaired passengers becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By adding a side access door on the lavatory's side wall, passengers with mobility impairments can approach from a direction perpendicular to the standard access path. This dimensional change in access approach allows the lavatory to maintain its space-optimized location against outboard walls or rear pressure domes while providing adequate access for all passengers.
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft lavatory is provided that includes a standard access door (212) providing standard access to the aircraft lavatory from an aisle, cross aisle, or passageway of an aircraft and a persons with reduced mobility, PRM, access door (210) providing PRM access to the aircraft lavatory from a space adjacent to the aisle, cross aisle, or passageway, where, responsive to the PRM access door (210) being opened, the PRM access door (210) is configured to provide a first opening for a person with reduced mobility to move from a PRM mobility device located in the space adjacent to the aisle, cross aisle, or passageway into the lavatory, and where, responsive to the PRM access door (210) being opened, the standard access door (212) is configured to provide a second opening for assistance to be provided to the person with reduced mobility.