Movable Area Partition for Aircraft Cabin Space Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft interiors face challenges in optimizing space utilization between seating and galley areas due to regulatory head injury criteria, which require different clearance distances during taxi, takeoff, and landing versus flight, limiting flexibility and efficiency in cabin layout.

Innovation Solution

A movable area partition system with pivotable panels and a locking mechanism that adjusts to satisfy both regulatory distances by rotating from a taxi, takeoff, and landing position to an in-flight position, providing additional space for passenger comfort or seating configuration changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed partition is used to separate galley and seating areas, then safety compliance with head injury criteria is ensured, but space utilization flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety complianceVSAvoidspace utilization flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The partition system employs movable panels that can rotate between different positions (retracted and extended) to dynamically adjust the distance between galley and seating areas. This allows the same partition structure to comply with safety requirements during critical phases (taxi, takeoff, landing) while maximizing space utilization during cruise flight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The partition is divided into multiple segments including fixed portions and movable panels that can independently rotate. This segmentation allows different portions of the partition to serve different functions - fixed portions maintain structural integrity and safety compliance, while movable panels provide adjustment capability for space optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If clearance distance is increased to meet regulatory requirements during taxi, takeoff, and landing, then head injury risk is reduced, but cabin space for passenger comfort is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead injury riskVSAvoidcabin space

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The partition system transitions between retracted and extended positions based on flight phase. During taxi, takeoff, and landing, the partition extends to provide the required 7-8 inches clearance, reducing head injury risk. During cruise flight, the partition retracts to maximize cabin space for passenger comfort and seating arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The partition systematically moves between extended and retracted states corresponding to different flight phases. The system extends during critical phases (taxi, takeoff, landing) and retracts during cruise phases, creating a periodic pattern of adjustment that alternates between safety-oriented and space-oriented configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Area of stationary object

If a movable partition system is implemented to optimize space, then cabin space utilization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecabin space utilizationVSAvoidpartition system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition incorporates movable panels with rotation mechanisms that enable dynamic adjustment between retracted and extended positions. This mechanical simplicity allows the system to achieve space optimization goals without requiring complex control systems, motors, or electronic actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The partition is divided into fixed portions and movable panels that can independently rotate. This segmentation allows the complex functionality of space adjustment to be achieved through simple mechanical rotation of individual panels rather than complex movement of the entire partition structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If the partition is made fixed to ensure structural stability, then reliability is improved, but adaptability to different flight phase requirements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to flight phase requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The partition combines fixed structural portions that provide stability with movable panels that provide adaptability. The fixed portions maintain structural integrity and compliance with safety requirements, while the movable panels can rotate to adjust the clearance distance according to different flight phase requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition system transitions from a completely fixed structure to a hybrid structure with movable components. The movable panels can rotate between defined positions to adapt to different flight phase requirements while the fixed portions maintain overall structural stability and compliance with regulatory standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12103686B2Movable area partition

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 BE AEROSPACE INC

AI summary

A movable area partition is disclosed herein. The movable area partition includes a bottom pivot point, a top pivot point, a first panel having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the first panel pivotably coupled to the bottom pivot point, and a second panel having a first end an opposing second end, the first end of the second panel rotatably coupled to the second end of the first panel and the second end of the second panel pivotably coupled to the top pivot point.