Vehicle Monument Extrusion with Integrated Rub Strip Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle monuments in aircraft, buses, and ships face damage and unsightly blemishes due to impacts from passengers, luggage, and other objects, and the installation of rub strips is time-consuming and results in exposed seams that can trap debris.

Innovation Solution

The use of an extrusion with a spar and rub strip protrusions that include retention lips to securely attach rub strips, reducing processing time and minimizing exposed seams, and the integration of retaining rails and end caps to provide a continuous surface appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rub strip installation methods are used, then rub strips can be attached to protect monuments, but the installation process is time-consuming and creates exposed seams that trap debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of monumentVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rub strip and retaining rail into a single integrated extrusion component. The rub strip is permanently attached to the retaining rail during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate installation steps. This merging of components directly reduces assembly time while maintaining the protective function against impacts from passengers, luggage, and carts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rub strip is pre-attached to the retaining rail during the extrusion manufacturing process rather than being installed separately on-site. This preliminary action of attaching the rub strip in advance eliminates the time-consuming field installation process and ensures proper alignment and secure attachment before the component is installed in the vehicle monument.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional rub strip installation methods are used, then rub strips can be attached to protect monuments, but exposed seams are created that trap debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of monumentVSAvoidexposed seams trapping debris

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the rub strip and retaining rail into a single integrated extrusion with continuous surfaces, the patent eliminates the seams that would otherwise exist between separately installed components. This continuous surface design prevents debris accumulation while maintaining the protective function against impacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If separate retaining rails and end caps are used, then rub strips can be securely attached, but the number of components and assembly steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the retaining rail, end caps, and rub strip into a single integrated extrusion component. The extrusion is formed with built-in retaining features including lips and windows that provide secure attachment for the rub strip, eliminating the need for separate retaining rails and end caps while maintaining attachment security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Manufacturing precision

If extensive trimming and alignment are performed during installation, then rub strips can be precisely fitted, but assembly time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit precisionVSAvoidassembly speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The rub strip is pre-cut to the exact required length and pre-attached to the retaining rail during the extrusion manufacturing process. This preliminary precision work is performed under controlled factory conditions rather than in the field, ensuring accurate fit without requiring time-consuming trimming and alignment operations during vehicle assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By integrating the rub strip and retaining rail into a single precision-manufactured extrusion, the patent eliminates the need for field trimming and alignment operations. The continuous surface and built-in retention features are precisely formed during extrusion manufacturing, ensuring proper fit and secure attachment without additional assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12214883B2Monument fixtures

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A frame member, a monument for a vehicle, and a vehicle are provided. The frame member includes an extrusion that has a spar with first and second opposing surfaces and first and second opposing ends. The spar includes a first retention lip extending from the first planar surface along the first end at an acute angle relative to the first planar surface. The spar includes a rub strip protrusion extending from the first planar surface between the first and second ends. The rub strip protrusion includes a third end and a second retention lip extending from a third surface facing the first retention lip. The second retention lip and the third surface form an acute angle. The extrusion also includes at least two panel protrusions extending from the second planar surface of the spar. A rub strip can include retention tabs with outward-facing notches that engage the first and second retention lips.