Aircraft Lavatory Oxygen Container Adaptor Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

The newly mandated replacement oxygen modules for aircraft lavatory containers differ in interface dimensions, geometries, center of gravity, and weight from the chemical oxygen generators they replace, requiring an adaptation method that minimizes or avoids modifications to existing containers to maintain certification.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft lavatory oxygen container adaptor with mounting members, straps, and spacers is used to secure the replacement oxygen modules, ensuring compatibility with existing containers by compensating for size and weight differences, allowing for minimal or no modification to the containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If replacement oxygen modules are installed in existing oxygen containers, then regulatory compliance is improved, but compatibility with existing container dimensions and mounting structures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidcompatibility with existing container

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

An adapter assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the replacement oxygen module and the existing oxygen container. The adapter includes a mounting bracket that attaches to the container and a canister that receives the oxygen module, with straps providing the connecting interface. This mediator resolves the dimensional and geometric incompatibility between the new module and old container while maintaining both regulatory compliance and existing container compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the oxygen container is modified to accommodate replacement modules, then adaptability is improved, but certification validity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation capabilityVSAvoidcertification validity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adaptation system is segmented into distinct components: the existing oxygen container remains unchanged, the adapter assembly is a separate removable component, and the replacement oxygen module is independent. This segmentation allows the container to retain its original certification while the adapter provides the necessary adaptation functionality, eliminating the need to modify and recertify the original container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If adapters are used to accommodate size differences, then compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface compatibilityVSAvoidadapter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Flexible straps are used to accommodate dimensional differences between the oxygen module and container interface. The straps can be adjusted to fit various size configurations and include compression elements to ensure secure mounting. This flexible approach provides adaptability without requiring complex rigid structural modifications to the adapter assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP2926045B1Lavatory oxygen container adaptor

Publication Date: 2019.04.17 BE AEROSPACE INC

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AI summary

Various adaptor configurations are provided that allow newly mandated replacement oxygen modules to replace oxygen generators in the same containers that are currently used in aircraft lavatories. The replacement modules and oxygen generators differ in terms of overall interface dimension, geometries and weights. The adaptors enable replacement modules to be mounted without, or with only minimal, modification of the oxygen containers.