Modular Aircraft Hatrack Integrating HVAC and Electrical Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft hatracks require individual installation of components, leading to long installation times, high costs, and alignment issues due to tolerances and clashes, necessitating work inside the aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A modular hatrack design that integrates components like personal supply channels, electrical lines, air ducts, and air outlets into a preassembled housing, allowing for unit installation outside the aircraft, reducing installation time and costs while minimizing tolerances and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If components are installed individually inside the aircraft, then installation flexibility is maintained, but installation time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components (hatrack housing, container, personal supply channel, air duct, electrical lines, light strip) into a single integrated modular unit. This merging allows all components to be preassembled and tested together outside the aircraft, then installed as one unit, dramatically reducing installation time and costs while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary assembly of all hatrack components into a complete modular unit before aircraft installation. The housing, container, air ducts, electrical connections, and lighting are all preintegrated and pretested outside the aircraft fuselage, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site assembly and alignment work.
2Manufacturing precision
If components are assembled separately, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but alignment precision and space utilization deteriorate due to tolerances and gaps
Solution Approach 1:
By merging all components into a single modular housing structure, the patent eliminates the accumulation of tolerances and gaps that occur when components are assembled separately. The integrated design ensures precise alignment of the container, air ducts, electrical lines, and lighting elements without requiring complex on-site adjustment work.
3Loss of time
If multiple components are installed independently, then component independence is maintained, but aircraft downtime increases due to sequential installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs all assembly, connection, and testing of hatrack components in advance outside the aircraft. The complete modular unit is ready for installation before the aircraft enters the maintenance hangar, minimizing aircraft downtime to just the final installation step.
4Productivity
If components are fastened separately to the aircraft structure, then structural independence is maintained, but installation costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all fastening requirements into a single modular unit that attaches to the aircraft structure as one piece. This eliminates the need for multiple separate fastening operations and reduces the total weight of fastening structures by consolidating mounting points and support elements within the integrated housing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention describes a modular hatrack (100) for an interior of an aircraft, wherein the modular hatrack (100) comprises at least one container (10) and at least one housing (20) to accommodate the container (10), wherein at least one component from the group comprising a personal supply channel (30), an electrical line (110), a light strip (11), an air duct (90) for an air conditioning system, and an air outlet (75) for an air conditioning system is integrated in the housing (20). The present invention also describes the use of the modular hatrack in an aircraft or in some other vehicle.