Pivot Bin Assembly Clamshell Design for Aircraft Luggage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial aircraft overhead storage bins face challenges in maximizing luggage capacity and efficiency within confined spaces while ensuring safety and compliance with weight and aesthetic considerations, as existing designs often result in reduced stowage volume and increased weight due to redundant paneling and complex mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The pivot bin assembly employs a clamshell design with a strongback, side panels, and a bucket that pivots about a central axis, utilizing rotary dampers and assist springs to optimize stowage volume, reduce weight, and integrate systems like ECS ducting, allowing for efficient luggage storage and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional overhead storage bin designs are used with separate panels and complex mechanisms, then structural strength and reliability are maintained, but stowage volume is reduced and weight is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bin panel and bucket into a single integrated clamshell structure that pivots as one unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate panels and complex latching mechanisms, thereby increasing stowage volume while reducing the number of parts. The unified structure allows the entire bin to pivot open in a single motion, simplifying the mechanism while maintaining structural integrity.
2Weight of moving object
If traditional overhead storage bin designs are used with redundant paneling, then structural strength is maintained, but weight is increased
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the panel and bucket into a single clamshell structure, the patent eliminates redundant paneling and reduces overall weight while maintaining structural strength through the integrated design. The pivot mechanism connects the merged structure to the aircraft interior, providing sufficient support without requiring additional heavy bracing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic pivot mechanism that allows the clamshell bin to rotate between open and closed positions. This dynamic capability replaces static, weight-heavy traditional bin designs with a lighter, movable structure that maintains strength through its pivot connection and balanced design.
3Ease of operation
If traditional overhead storage bin mechanisms are used, then reliable latching is achieved, but force required to operate is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism enables dynamic, smooth rotation of the clamshell bin between open and closed positions, reducing the force required to operate compared to traditional latching mechanisms. The pivot's rotational motion provides mechanical advantage, making it easier for passengers to open and close the bin while maintaining reliable positioning in both states.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The clamshell design increases stowage volume, reduces weight, and simplifies the number of parts, providing efficient luggage storage and easy operation by minimizing the force required to open and close the bin, while maintaining safety and compliance with aircraft regulations.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot mechanism includes a rotary damper
Implementation Method 2
The pivot mechanism includes an assist spring
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a pivot bin assembly configured to receive luggage and be positioned in the interior of an aircraft. The pivot bin assembly comprises: an upper housing that includes a strongback and first and second side panels which include a bottom edge; a bucket that cooperates with the upper housing to define a bin interior, wherein the bucket includes a bottom and first and second opposing sides which include a top edge, and wherein, when the pivot bin assembly receives luggage in the bin interior, the luggage is positioned on the bottom of the bucket, which bears the load of the luggage; a first pivot mechanism operatively associated with the first side panel and the bucket; a second pivot mechanism operatively associated with the second side panel and the bucket, such that the bucket pivots with respect to the upper housing between an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the closed position, at least a portion of the top edge of the first side of the bucket abuts the bottom edge of the first side panel, and at least a portion of the top edge of the second side of the bucket abuts the bottom edge of the second side panel; a first connecting unit having a first end pivotally connected to the first side of the bucket and a second end pivotally connected to the first side panel; and a second connecting unit having a first end pivotally connected to the second side of the bucket and a second end pivotally connected to the second side panel, wherein the first and second connecting units provide one or both of damping when the bucket pivots to the open position and/or assistance when the bucket pivots to the closed position.