Movable Wall System for Wheelchair Accessible Aircraft Lavatories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft lavatories are difficult for individuals with disabilities and families with small children to access due to their fixed, rectangular design and standard door width, which is not accommodating for wheelchairs.
Innovation Solution
A movable wall system in aircraft lavatories that includes a divider door and a vertically extending center post, allowing the doors to slide and collapse, creating a larger opening by combining two standard-sized lavatory spaces into one accessible space, facilitated by mortise hinges and linear tracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard 20-inch door is used in a fixed rectangular lavatory, then the lavatory structure is simple and compact, but the lavatory becomes difficult to access with a wheelchair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the center post and divider door movable rather than fixed. The center post can slide horizontally along linear tracks, and the divider door can pivot and slide, transforming the rigid fixed structure into a dynamic reconfigurable system. This allows the door opening to expand from 20 inches to 30 inches to accommodate wheelchairs while maintaining a compact fixed structure when in standard configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the single lavatory space into two separate lavatory interiors using a movable divider wall with a divider door. This segmentation allows the space to be configured as either one large accessible lavatory or two smaller standard lavatories, providing flexibility to resolve the contradiction between accessibility and structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If two separate lavatory spaces are maintained with fixed walls, then each lavatory can be used independently, but the door opening width remains insufficient for wheelchair access
Solution Approach 1:
The movable center post and divider door system enables dynamic reconfiguration between two separate lavatory modes and one combined accessible lavatory mode. The center post slides to different positions, and the divider door pivots and slides to create either a 20-inch opening for standard use or a 30-inch opening for wheelchair access, providing adaptability to different usage scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the movable wall system to serve multiple functions: it can separate the lavatory into two independent spaces for standard use, or it can be reconfigured to create one large accessible space for wheelchair users. This universal design allows the same structure to accommodate different user needs and accessibility requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the center post and second lavatory door are made movable on linear tracks, then the door opening can be expanded to 30 inches for accessibility, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by equip- ping the center post with linear track mechanisms that allow smooth horizontal sliding motion. The second lavatory door is connected to the movable center post through hinges, enabling it to pivot and slide in coordination. This dynamic mechanism, while more complex than a fixed structure, provides the necessary 30-inch opening width for wheelchair accessibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lavatory monument assembly that includes an enclosure having at least a front wall and that defines an enclosure interior, and a divider wall that extends rearwardly from the front wall. The divider wall includes a divider door that is movable between closed and open positions. In the closed position the divider door divides the enclosure interior into a first lavatory' interior and a second lavatory interior. The front wall includes a first and second lavatory doors that are each movable between closed and open positions and provide access to the first lavatory interior and second lavatory interiors respectively. The front wall also includes a vertically extending center post. The second lavatory door is hinged!y connected to the center post, and the center post and the second lavatory door are slidable to a stowed position when the second lavatory door is in the open position.