Monolithic Aircraft Floor Element Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft cabin floors are heavy and inflexible, requiring multiple components and complex assembly processes, which complicates load distribution and increases production time, while also being susceptible to damage and weight inefficiencies due to numerous joints and seals.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic, self-supporting floor assembly with integrated longitudinal members and a floor plate, connected by releasable elements, which reduces the number of components and assembly steps, uses composite materials for strength, and eliminates transverse joints for a continuous floor surface, allowing for lighter weight and enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional longitudinal members and floor panels are used, then the floor assembly provides structural support and load-bearing capacity, but the weight increases and flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the longitudinal members and floor panels into a single monolithic floor element, eliminating the need for separate components. This integration reduces the overall weight while maintaining the required load-bearing capacity, as the monolithic structure distributes loads more efficiently across the entire floor assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic floor element is produced using composite materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. These composite materials enable the floor assembly to achieve the necessary structural support and load-bearing capacity with significantly reduced weight compared to traditional metal-based constructions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple floor panels and longitudinal members are assembled, then the floor assembly can be configured for different load situations, but the device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic floor element is available in different segments or modules that can be selectively assembled to create floor assemblies with varying load-bearing characteristics. This segmentation allows adaptation to different cabin configurations and load situations while keeping the number of components manageable and the assembly process simplified.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor assembly design allows for dynamic reconfiguration by enabling the replacement or modification of individual monolithic floor elements. This dynamic approach provides cabin division flexibility without requiring complete disassembly of the entire floor structure, thus reducing assembly complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional floor panels with joints are used, then the floor assembly can accommodate different cabin configurations, but the production time increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic floor elements are pre-manufactured as complete, integrated units with all necessary structural features already incorporated. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site assembly of multiple panels and joining operations, significantly reducing production time while maintaining adaptability to different cabin configurations through selective selection of pre-manufactured elements.
4Strength
If reinforced floor sections are provided for monuments, then the floor assembly can support increased loads, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic floor element design allows for local reinforcement in specific regions where monuments are installed, while maintaining standard thickness and weight in other areas. This local quality approach provides increased load-bearing capacity exactly where needed without unnecessarily increasing the weight of the entire floor assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A floor assembly for an aircraft comprising a multiplicity of supports configured to be fastened in pairs to opposite sides of a frame of the aircraft, and a monolithic self-supporting floor element comprising at least two longitudinal members, a floor plate arranged on the longitudinal members and a respective connecting element arranged at each end of each of the longitudinal members. The floor element can be fastened to the frame by fastening of each connecting element to a corresponding support, and the floor plate can extend in the direction of the longitudinal members at least between two supports fastened in pairs. Furthermore, an aircraft region comprises such a floor assembly, an aircraft comprises such an aircraft region.