Pivotable Luggage Compartment Flap for Component Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited stowage space in overhead luggage compartments of commercial aircraft often fails to accommodate all passenger hand luggage, and existing solutions either consume excessive installation space or require complex and costly maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A luggage system with a movable flap that integrates installation space for components, allowing flexible positioning and efficient use of aircraft space, including a 'fixed bin' design with a pivotable lower shell for enhanced stowage and maintenance simplicity, and an additional compartment for extra storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If overhead luggage compartments are mounted in the ceiling area above seating rows, then stowage space is provided for passenger hand luggage, but the stowage space is limited and insufficient to accommodate all passenger hand luggage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the lower shell of the luggage compartment pivotable relative to the side walls. This allows the compartment to transition between different positions (open and closed), enabling flexible access to stowage space while maintaining a compact configuration when closed, thus maximizing the use of limited ceiling area while providing adequate stowage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by allowing the lower shell to pivot downward toward the floor area, creating an accessible loading zone without expanding the horizontal footprint in the ceiling area. This dimensional transition enables passengers to access luggage from below rather than from the sides, optimizing space utilization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If components are mounted in the region of the underside of the luggage compartment, then components such as PSU and emergency oxygen system can be integrated, but installation space is consumed and stowage space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the luggage compartment into distinct functional zones: the upper fixed portion houses components (PSU, emergency oxygen system) while the lower pivotable shell provides stowage space. This segmentation allows components to be mounted on the fixed structure without encroaching on the stowage volume created by the movable lower shell.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent relocates component mounting from the horizontal plane (underside of the compartment) to the vertical plane, utilizing the space created by the pivotable lower shell's movement. This allows components to be integrated in the region where the lower shell pivots without reducing the stowage volume available when the shell is in its closed position.
3Ease of operation
If a movable lower shell is used to enable access to stowage space, then adaptability is improved, but the number of moving parts increases leading to higher maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single pivotable lower shell that provides dynamic access to stowage space by pivoting downward. This single moving part design minimizes the number of mechanical components compared to traditional sliding or hinged mechanisms, thereby reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining operational flexibility.
4Quantity of substance
If additional stowage compartments are added to increase capacity, then stowage space is improved, but device complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the access mechanism and the stowage compartment into a single integrated structure. The lower shell itself serves both as the stowage compartment and as the access mechanism through its pivotable design. This eliminates the need for separate access doors or additional compartments, thereby increasing stowage capacity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A luggage system (10) comprises a luggage compartment (20) having a base body and a flap (36) which is movable between a closed position and an open position and is configured to make accessible or close an interior space of the base body. The flap (36) comprises a first flap element (36a) facing the interior space of the base body and a second flap element (36b) facing away from the interior space of the base body, wherein an installation space (58) for components (60, 62) which are to be installed in the region of the luggage compartment (20) is provided between the first and the second flap element (36a, 36b).