Pivoting Intermediate Floor Aircraft Storage Compartment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional storage compartment arrangements in aircraft cabins face challenges in accommodating larger items of hand luggage efficiently, as increased compartment sizes lead to arbitrary storage and difficulty in fitting larger items, which may require rearrangement or placement under seats.

Innovation Solution

A storage compartment arrangement featuring a lower and upper compartment within a housing, separated by a pivoting intermediate floor, with horizontal pivoting edges and an auxiliary surface that assists in inserting luggage, allowing for efficient use of space and easy access, even in compact cabins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If storage compartments are enlarged to accommodate more luggage, then storage capacity is improved, but luggage placement becomes arbitrary and larger items no longer fit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidluggage placement organization
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage compartment is divided into multiple segments: an upper compartment, a lower compartment, and a middle compartment separated by pivoting intermediate floors. This segmentation allows each compartment to be optimized for specific luggage sizes and types, preventing arbitrary placement while maintaining high storage capacity. The intermediate floors can pivot to accommodate different luggage configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If storage compartments are enlarged, then more luggage can be stored, but larger items of hand luggage cannot fit once a certain level is reached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluggage storage volumeVSAvoidaccommodation of different luggage sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate floors are designed to pivot between different positions, dynamically changing the compartment volumes and configurations. This allows the storage system to adapt to different luggage sizes and types, accommodating both small hand luggage in the upper compartment and larger items in the lower compartment, while maximizing storage volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If storage compartments are made larger, then storage capacity increases, but the system becomes less accessible and harder to use in compact cabins

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluggage storage capacityVSAvoidluggage accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the storage into upper, middle, and lower compartments with pivoting intermediate floors, the system provides multiple access points and configurations. Passengers can access different compartments independently, and the pivoting floors allow easy insertion and removal of luggage of various sizes without requiring the entire storage system to be accessed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides a space-saving yet high-capacity storage solution that can accommodate larger items of luggage, maintaining cabin comfort and accessibility, with the auxiliary surface aiding in the insertion of luggage into the upper compartment by leveraging gravity for easier handling.

Implementation Method 1

an auxiliary surface having an angle in a range of 10° to 50°, which encloses an increasing distance to the intermediate floor with increasing distance from the upper boundary

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4097007B1Storage compartment assembly for a cabin of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP4097007B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP4097007B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3b
  • EP4097007B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~5g

AI summary

The invention relates to a storage compartment assembly for a cabin of a vehicle, comprising at least one storage compartment having a housing, a storage compartment opening, a lower compartment formed in the housing, and an upper compartment formed in the housing, wherein the lower compartment and the upper compartment are arranged directly on top of one another and separated from one another by an intermediate base that can be pivoted at least in sections into the upper compartment, wherein a lower horizontal pivot edge is formed on a lower boundary of the lower compartment, on which items of luggage can be placed and slid into the lower compartment, wherein an upper horizontal pivot edge is formed adjacent to a lower boundary of the upper compartment, when the intermediate base is not pivoted, on which pivot edge items of luggage can be placed and slid into the upper compartment, and wherein the upper compartment has an upper opening edge on which a supporting surface is connected, extending over the upper compartment and at an angle in the region of 10° to 50° in relation to the intermediate base, and enclosing an increasing distance from the intermediate base with an increasing distance from the upper boundary.