Push button retainers for galley compartments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing galley container securing systems require multiple movements and separate assembly lines for left and right turn buttons, leading to complexity, stiffness, and misalignment issues, with the intermediate retainer being difficult to maneuver and manufactured separately.
Innovation Solution
A push button retainer with synchronized gear mechanisms allows simultaneous locking and unlocking of galley containers using identical turn buttons, reducing the need for separate assembly lines and simplifying the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate left and right turn buttons are used, then the locking function is achieved, but the system complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using mirror-imaged turn buttons for left and right sides. Each turn button has a specific rotational direction (clockwise or anti-clockwise) tailored to its side, eliminating the need for separate assembly lines while maintaining reliable locking functionality. This asymmetric design resolves the contradiction by standardizing the button mechanism while adapting the rotation direction to each side's specific requirements.
2Reliability
If multiple separate locking mechanisms are used, then the locking reliability is improved, but the number of operations required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate locking mechanisms (turn buttons and intermediate retainers) into a single integrated push-button retainer system. The push button simultaneously actuates both locking functions through a unified mechanism, reducing the required operations from multiple separate actions to a single push action, while maintaining the reliability of dual locking.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional separate assembly lines are used for retainers and turn buttons, then manufacturing specialization is achieved, but the installation complexity and part misalignment issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized push-button retainer mechanism that can be universally applied to both left and right sides of the aircraft interior. The identical push-button design with mirror-imaged turn buttons allows for single-line manufacturing and simplified installation, eliminating the need for separate assembly lines while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and reducing part misalignment issues.
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 push button retainer enables easy and secure locking/unlocking with a single operation, eliminating stiffness and misalignment issues, while allowing for streamlined manufacturing and assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The first gear is configured to rotate 90 degrees in both a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction, when said push button is pressed, or de-pressed. The second gear is configured, when said push button is pressed, to rotate 90 degrees in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5b
AI summary
A push button retainer for locking or unlocking an aircraft galley container to an aircraft galley compartment comprises a first locking means configured to lock or unlock said container to said compartment, a second locking means comprising a first turn button 8a, wherein said first turn button 8a is configured to rotate between an unlocked position and a locked position. The retainer further comprises a push button 4 configured, when pressed, or de-pressed,, to either: simultaneously lock said first locking means 5 and rotate said first turn button 8a to thereby also lock said second locking means, or, simultaneously unlock said first locking means 5 and rotate said first turn button 8a to thereby also unlock said second locking means.