Power-Assisted Stowage Compartment Control via Graphical Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stowage compartment systems on mobile platforms, such as aircraft, face challenges in being easily operated by passengers and crew, especially with increased baggage demands and higher compartment placement, leading to strain and lack of remote control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A power-assisted stowage compartment system with a graphical user interface that allows remote control and monitoring, featuring a motive device, sensors for weight and obstruction detection, and a latching system, enabling easy operation and management of overhead compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If stowage compartments are placed higher in the cabin to increase passenger personal space, then headroom is improved, but it becomes difficult for passengers to close the door and strain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely manual mechanical operation of compartment doors with an electric motor-driven system. The motor assists or fully automates the opening and closing of compartments, eliminating the physical strain passengers would experience when manually closing high-placed compartments while preserving the increased headroom benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a motor-driven actuator as an intermediary mechanism between the passenger's control input and the compartment door movement. This intermediary provides mechanical advantage and force multiplication, enabling easy operation of high-placed compartments without requiring passengers to physically lift heavy doors.
2Quantity of substance
If stowage compartments are made larger to meet increased baggage demands, then load capacity is improved, but weight increases causing strain on passengers and crew
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual door operation with an electric motor-driven system that can handle the increased weight of larger compartments. The motor provides the necessary force to move heavy compartment doors, allowing the compartment structure to be made larger for increased baggage capacity without being limited by manual lifting capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of compartment doors from manual to motor-driven operation. This parameter change enables the system to accommodate heavier, larger compartments that would be impractical with manual operation, thereby increasing baggage capacity while the motor compensates for the additional weight.
3Quantity of substance
If compartment size and load capacity are increased, then baggage stowage capability is improved, but it becomes difficult to open and close compartments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual operation with an electric motor-driven system that can easily handle the opening and closing of large, heavily-loaded compartments. The motor provides sufficient force to move compartments even when they contain heavy baggage, maintaining ease of operation while enabling increased stowage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor-driven system performs the heavy work of opening and closing compartments autonomously in response to control signals, effectively serving itself to handle the mechanical burden. This allows the system to maintain ease of operation while accommodating larger compartments with greater load capacity.
4Length of stationary object
If compartments are placed higher in the cabin, then passenger personal space is improved, but remote control capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct manual operation with an electric motor-driven system controlled by switches or control panels. This electrical control system can be positioned anywhere in the cabin, including near the floor, allowing crew members to remotely control high-placed compartments without requiring physical access to the compartment location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical control systems and signaling mechanisms as intermediaries between the operator and the compartment mechanism. This intermediary control system decouples the operator's location from the compartment's physical position, enabling remote control of high-placed compartments while preserving the increased cabin ceiling height.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a computer program product is provided. The computer program product generates a graphical user interface for controlling a compartment. The graphical user interface comprises at least one compartment graphical indicator, and at least one compartment function button. In another embodiment, a method of managing at least one compartment through an interface supported by a controller is provided. The method includes selecting at least one compartment from the interface, and selecting a function for the compartment from the interface.