Aircraft Pivot Bin Assembly With Integrated Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft overhead storage bin assemblies face challenges in maximizing storage capacity and efficiency within the confined spaces of commercial aircraft, 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 latching mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pivot bin assembly with a clamshell structure, featuring a bucket that pivots about a pivot axis, utilizing a dual pivot mechanism with rotary dampers and assist springs, and a common strongback for dual bins, allowing for increased stowage volume, reduced weight, and simplified latching, while maintaining structural integrity and passenger safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If traditional overhead storage bin designs are used with redundant paneling and complex latching mechanisms, then structural integrity is maintained, but stowage volume is reduced and weight is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the latching mechanism with the pivot assembly by integrating the latch striker and latch assembly directly into the bucket structure. The latch assembly is positioned at the pivot axis, combining two functions (latching and pivoting) into a unified mechanism, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining structural integrity and maximizing stowage volume.
2Weight of moving object
If traditional overhead storage bin designs are used with redundant paneling, then structural integrity is maintained, but weight is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates redundant paneling from the traditional overhead bin design. By removing unnecessary panels and simplifying the structural framework while maintaining the essential load-bearing elements, the design reduces weight while preserving structural integrity through optimized placement of critical components like the pivot mechanisms and latching system.
3Volume of stationary object
If the bucket pivots about a pivot axis with the pivot mechanism positioned at the pivot axis, then stowage volume is increased and access is improved, but the latching mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is positioned at the pivot axis, merging the latching function with the pivot mechanism. This integration allows the bucket to pivot about the pivot axis with improved stowage volume while the combined mechanism reduces overall complexity by eliminating separate latching components located elsewhere in the structure.
4Ease of operation
If the bucket pivots outboard with the front edge moving horizontally outward, then passenger access and visibility are improved, but the mechanism requires more space and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism is designed with the pivot axis positioned such that the bucket pivots outboard in a horizontal arc, allowing the front edge to move outward and improve passenger access and visibility. The mechanism is optimized to operate within the available space while maintaining simplicity through the integration of latching and pivoting functions at the same location.
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
This configuration enhances storage capacity, reduces weight, and simplifies the latching mechanism, providing easier access and closure of the bins, while maintaining structural integrity and passenger safety, thus addressing the limitations of existing designs.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot mechanism includes a rotary damper that dissipates energy and controls the bucket's pivoting motion
Implementation Method 2
The pivot mechanism includes an assist spring that provides mechanical advantage and reduces the force required to pivot the bucket
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft storage bin comprising: an upper housing, and a bucket pivotally connected to the upper housing that cooperates with the upper housing to define a bin interior. The bucket includes a bottom, a front edge and first and second opposing side walls extending upwardly from the bottom. The bucket pivots about a pivot axis with respect to the upper housing between an open position and a closed position. When the storage bin is installed in an aircraft, a first horizontal distance is defined between a first vertical line that extends through the pivot axis and the front edge of the bucket when the bucket is in the closed position, and a second horizontal distance is defined between the first vertical line and the front edge of the bucket when the bucket is in the open position. The first horizontal distance is greater than the second horizontal distance. The aircraft storage bin further comprises a first pivot mechanism operatively associated with the first side wall of the bucket and a second pivot mechanism operatively associated with the second side wall of the bucket. The first side wall of the bucket defines a first arcuate slot therein and the second side wall of the bucket defines a second arcuate slot therein. The first arcuate slot receives the first pivot mechanism and the second arcuate slot receives the second pivot mechanism. The first and second arcuate slots are open to a top edge of the first and second side walls of the bucket.