Modular Aircraft Partition Wall with Defined Accessory Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing partition walls for airplane cabins face challenges in flexibility, production efficiency, and weight reduction due to detachment of cover layers from the honeycomb core during fires and varying accessory configurations, which complicates automated production and increases manual intervention.

Innovation Solution

A modularized partition wall with a standardized sandwich-type structure featuring defined zones on both sides for flexible accessory attachment, utilizing a honeycomb core with ventilation passages and multifunctional stiffeners made from lightweight materials to enhance stability and reduce weight, allowing for various accessory configurations without altering the basic structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If partition walls are designed with different geometric dimensions and positions to accommodate various accessory configurations, then flexibility for accessories is improved, but production complexity increases and automated production becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for accessoriesVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall is divided into a standardized basic structure and separately attachable accessories. The basic sandwich-type structure remains uniform across all variants, while accessories are added separately to create different configurations. This segmentation allows automated production of the standardized base structure while maintaining flexibility through optional accessory attachments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A universal standardized basic structure is designed that can serve as the foundation for multiple accessory configurations. The same core structure supports various accessories (flat screens, baby carriers, newspaper racks, etc.) attached at different positions and orientations, making the basic structure multi-functional and adaptable to different airline requirements without requiring custom production for each variant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If cover layers are strengthened to prevent detachment from the honeycomb core during fire, then reliability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover layer attachment stabilityVSAvoidpartition wall weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive bonding parameters are optimized to achieve maximum bonding strength between cover layers and honeycomb core. By adjusting adhesive composition, layer thickness, and bonding process parameters, the cover layers maintain reliable attachment during fire conditions without requiring excessive material strength that would increase weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall uses a composite sandwich structure combining honeycomb core with cover layers bonded by optimized adhesive materials. This composite design provides both the structural integrity needed to prevent detachment during fire and the weight efficiency required for aircraft applications, as the honeycomb core provides strength-to-weight advantages over solid materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If the same basic structure is used for all partition wall variants, then manufacturing efficiency and automation are improved, but adaptability to different accessory configurations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to accessory configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall system is segmented into a standardized basic structure produced through automated manufacturing, and separately configurable accessories. This allows the core structure to be mass-produced efficiently while accessories can be customized and attached afterward, achieving both high productivity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall design allows dynamic configuration through accessory attachment and detachment. The standardized basic structure remains static and is produced once through automation, while accessories can be dynamically added or removed based on specific airline requirements, enabling the system to adapt without retooling production lines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9180968B2Partition wall for an aeroplane cabin, and an aeroplane

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A standardized/modularized partition wall with a basic sandwich structure for purposes of separating a cabin area of an aeroplane. The partition wall has a multiplicity of defined zones for the flexible positioning of holding fixtures for the connection of accessories such as flat screens, baby carriers, newspaper racks, and similar, and which is dimensioned for a maximum population with accessories.