Modular lavatory system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft lavatory designs often compromise on space efficiency and accessibility for handicapped passengers, requiring additional space that can complicate reconfiguration and limit access in other areas, and are costly and time-consuming to customize to purchaser specifications.
Innovation Solution
A modular lavatory system with a specialty lavatory area module featuring a urinal positioned along the fuselage wall, allowing for reconfiguration without altering the galley's perimeter, using standard and specialty modules to optimize space and accessibility while minimizing manufacturing time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lavatories are redesigned to provide more space for handicapped passenger access, then accessibility is improved, but the galley's perimeter space is encroached upon and reconfiguration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lavatory system is divided into modular components (urinal module, toilet module, shower module) that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the galley perimeter to remain fixed while the internal lavatory layout is optimized for handicapped access through selective module placement and combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular lavatory system enables dynamic reconfiguration of lavatory modules without altering the fixed galley perimeter. Modules can be moved, added, or removed to adapt to different accessibility requirements while maintaining the original external boundaries of the galley area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If lavatories are customized to purchaser specifications, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lavatory system is divided into standardized modular components that can be pre-manufactured using consistent processes. This segmentation enables bulk production of identical modules, reducing manufacturing time and costs while still allowing customization through different module selections and configurations to meet purchaser specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular lavatory components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized dimensions, allowing the same basic modules to serve multiple functions and configurations. This universality reduces the number of unique parts that need to be manufactured, thereby reducing overall manufacturing time and costs while maintaining adaptability to different purchaser requirements.
3Ease of operation
If two lavatories are positioned next to each other to provide handicapped access, then accessibility is improved, but space efficiency decreases and reconfiguration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a single complex dual-lavatory structure, the system segments the functionality into separate modular units (urinal module, toilet module, shower module) that can be positioned adjacent to each other. This segmentation simplifies the overall configuration while providing the necessary accessibility features, as each module is independently designed and easier to manage.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular lavatory system merges multiple lavatory functions into a coordinated arrangement of standardized modules. By combining these pre-designed modules in various configurations, the system achieves the accessibility benefits of multiple lavatories while maintaining simpler individual components that are easier to reconfigure and manage compared to a single integrated complex structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are presented. An apparatus comprises a wall and a urinal. The wall is physically associated with a fuselage for an aircraft. The urinal is positioned along the wall, the wall and urinal positioned within a specialty lavatory area module.