Overhead Bin Reservation System with Sensor Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Baggage loading and storage issues in commercial aircraft lead to passenger and crew frustration, flight delays, and inconsistent turnaround times due to inadequate baggage space management.

Innovation Solution

A baggage management system that includes overhead storage bins with a reservation system, a baggage monitoring system, and a display member to guide passengers on correct positioning and orientation of their bags, optimizing space utilization and reducing loading time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If passengers freely place baggage in overhead bins without guidance, then boarding process is simple and quick, but baggage space utilization is inefficient and leads to storage issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboarding speedVSAvoidbaggage space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to detect baggage placement and provides real-time feedback through display members on the overhead bins, guiding passengers to place bags in correct positions and orientations, thereby optimizing space utilization while maintaining efficient boarding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Passengers autonomously place their baggage following visual guidance from the display members, eliminating the need for crew intervention while achieving proper baggage organization and space utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the aircraft waits for all passengers to board and place baggage before departing, then all passengers can stow their bags, but turnaround time increases and flight efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebaggage stowage completionVSAvoidturnaround time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time guidance during the boarding process itself, allowing passengers to correctly stow their baggage immediately upon boarding rather than requiring a separate post-boarding phase, thus reducing turnaround time while ensuring proper stowage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If overhead bins are designed with fixed compartments, then baggage organization is improved, but adaptability to different bag sizes and types is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebaggage organizationVSAvoidaccommodation of different bag sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic sensors and display members that adapt in real-time to detect and guide placement of various baggage types and sizes, providing organizational guidance without fixed physical compartments, thus maintaining versatility while improving organization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11062406B2Baggage management and reservation system

Publication Date: 2021.07.13 SAFRAN CABIN INC

AI summary

A system for reserving space in aircraft overhead storage bins. The system includes an aircraft and a reservation system. The aircraft includes at least a first storage bin that defines a first bin interior that is divided into at least first and second baggage sections. The aircraft is associated with a flight date and a flight time. A first passenger can utilize the reservation system to make a first reservation to reserve at least one of the first and second baggage sections prior to the flight date and the flight time.