Modular Aircraft Overhead Bin Base Unit and Mounting Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing installation systems for overhead bins in aircraft are costly and time-consuming to convert between different variants, requiring significant modifications to the aircraft's primary structure and passenger service units.
Innovation Solution
A modular overhead bin system comprising a base unit and interchangeable mounting units, allowing for standardized installation and later adaptation of different variants without major modifications to the aircraft, using a base unit with preinstalled components and a separate mounting unit that can be easily exchanged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different installation variants of overhead bins are implemented with different interfaces to the primary structure, then each variant can be optimized for its specific function, but conversion to another variant becomes very expensive requiring cabin panel deinstallation and new retainers installation
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead bin system is divided into two separate modules: a base unit that interfaces with the aircraft primary structure, and a mounting unit that contains the bin container and lid. This segmentation allows the mounting unit to be changed without affecting the base unit or requiring modifications to the primary structure, thus enabling variant conversion without expensive reinstallation work.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit serves as an intermediary component between the primary structure and the mounting unit. It provides standardized mounting interfaces that remain constant, while the mounting unit can be varied. This intermediary layer decouples the connection between the primary structure and the bin variant, allowing easy replacement of mounting units without disturbing the primary structure connections.
2Ease of operation
If the entire overhead bin is installed as a single integrated unit, then installation is straightforward, but conversion between variants requires complete deinstallation and reinstallation
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead bin is segmented into a base unit and a mounting unit that can be independently installed and removed. The base unit with preinstalled retainers remains permanently mounted, while only the mounting unit needs to be replaced for variant conversion. This reduces conversion time from complete reinstallation to a simple unit swap operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is preconfigured with mounting interfaces and retainers during initial installation. This preliminary setup creates a permanent foundation that accommodates different mounting units without requiring additional installation steps, thus simplifying subsequent conversions to matter of swapping pre-prepared mounting units.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cabin panels are deinstalled and new retainers are installed on the primary structure for variant conversion, then the new variant can be properly integrated, but the process becomes very expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can accommodate multiple types of mounting units through standardized interfaces. The same base unit can support different bin configurations (fixed bins, pivot bins, various sizes) without requiring modifications to the primary structure or cabin panels, thus enabling variant customization at low cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit acts as an intermediary that absorbs the complexity of primary structure integration. Once the base unit is installed, it provides a standardized platform that simplifies subsequent variant changes to simple mounting unit replacements, eliminating the need for expensive cabin panel deinstallation and retainer reinstallation.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
An overhead bin (10) for an aircraft comprises a base unit (12) that is designed to fasten the overhead bin (10) to a retaining structure of the aircraft, and a mounting unit (14) that is connected to the base unit (12). By way of the mounting unit (14) a stowage space (28) of the overhead bin (10) can be accessed. The base unit (12) provides a first stowage space region (20), and the mounting unit (14) provides a second stowage space region (26) that together with the first stowage space region (20) forms the stowage space (28) of the overhead bin (10).