Aircraft Overhead Bin Hinge Bracket for Larger Door Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft overhead luggage bins often have insufficient storage capacity, and luggage may not fit despite conforming to size and weight requirements due to limited opening clearance.

Innovation Solution

A method to modify the overhead luggage bin by removing the existing bullnose and cutting the belly wall to create a new bullnose and mounting a new bullnose with a larger opening clearance, and a door mounting system with a hinge bracket and displacement mechanism to accommodate larger doors for increased capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If overhead bins are removed from narrow-body aircraft to increase cabin width, then passenger comfort and cabin space are improved, but baggage storage capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabin widthVSAvoidbaggage storage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional overhead bins extending forward to side-mounted baggage bins positioned along the lateral sides of the cabin. This dimensional repositioning allows baggage storage to occur in previously underutilized side spaces, enabling both increased cabin width and maintained baggage capacity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of stationary object

If overhead bins extend forward in the cabin, then baggage storage capacity is maximized, but they interfere with flight attendant movement and passenger access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebaggage storage capacityVSAvoidflight attendant accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The baggage storage system is divided into multiple side-mounted bins distributed along the cabin length, replacing the single continuous overhead bin structure. This segmentation allows flight attendants to access different bin sections independently without navigating around obstructing overhead bins, improving mobility and service efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If overhead bins are designed to accommodate various baggage sizes, then versatility is improved, but bin complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebaggage size accommodationVSAvoidbin structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The side-mounted bins incorporate adjustable and removable dividers that can be reconfigured based on baggage size requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows a single bin design to accommodate various baggage types without requiring multiple specialized bin structures, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4037968B1Aircraft overhead luggage bin and method of modifying same
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 MHI RJ AVIATION ULC
  • EP4037968B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4037968B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4037968B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

An overhead luggage bin includes a bucket including side walls and a belly wall defining a luggage bin interior, a door displaceable between open and closed positions, and a bullnose extending along a forward edge of the belly wall. A hinge bracket is fixedly mounted to one of the side walls. The hinge bracket extends between a lower portion mounted to the bullnose and an upper portion having a pivot. A door displacement mechanism is mounted to the door and mounted to the pivot of the hinge bracket, to displace the door to the open position. Also disclosed is a method for modifying an overhead luggage bin.