Modular Lightweight Vehicle Wall for Load-Bearing Folding Seats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lightweight partition walls for aircraft and spacecraft face challenges in attaching load-bearing components, such as flight attendant seats, due to their mechanical properties, making it difficult to balance lightweight construction with load requirements.
Innovation Solution
A modular lightweight wall system comprising scaffolding struts, connectors, and a support structure strut, with a folding panel and pivoting mechanism that allows for easy adaptation and attachment of components, including a four-bar linkage for pivoting and locking mechanisms, enabling flexible and load-appropriate connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If sandwich construction with composite supporting structures is used for lightweight partition walls, then weight is reduced, but the ability to connect load-bearing components is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is divided into a lightweight sandwich panel and a separate modular supporting structure with metal profiles and connection elements. This segmentation allows the panel to remain lightweight while the supporting structure provides load-bearing connection points for seats and other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall combines sandwich construction (lightweight panel with core and facing) with metal supporting structures. This composite approach integrates the weight-saving benefits of sandwich construction with the strength and stiffness of metal profiles, enabling both lightweight design and load-bearing connections.
2Strength
If high-strength metals are used to meet load requirements, then strength and stiffness are improved, but expertise in joining processes is required which complicates manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure incorporates self-contained connection elements and mounting points that enable straightforward attachment of seats and components without requiring specialized joining expertise. The modular design with pre-configured connection points simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular components are added to the partition wall, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure uses standardized metal profiles and connection elements that can serve multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling load-bearing connections for seats, and facilitating the attachment of various add-on components. This universality allows different configurations without requiring entirely different structural designs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A modular lightweight wall concept for vehicles, particularly aircraft and spacecraft, is described. Using standardized frame struts and connectors, a stable wall frame can be pre-assembled for a vehicle, enabling load-bearing mounting of add-on components. This modular lightweight wall concept allows for easy adaptation of lightweight walls to various vehicles and applications. Such a lightweight wall comprises a variety of frame struts, connectors, and wall panels. Furthermore, a lightweight wall with an integrated folding seat and an integrated flap or emergency hatch is disclosed. A seatbelt fastening system for the folding seat allows for advantageous load bearing.