Rotating Retractable Step Design for Stable Galley Access in Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foot steps in aircraft galleys are narrow and unstable, making it difficult for attendants to access high stowage compartments, especially when wearing shoes or heels, and do not provide sufficient surface area for safe support.
Innovation Solution
A rotating retractable step system with a foot pedal and support shaft that can be stowed vertically within a wall cutout and extended horizontally for use, providing a larger surface area and locking mechanism to prevent rotation when in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional foot steps are installed within galley divider walls, then space utilization is improved, but surface area and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The foot step is designed to be rotatable between a horizontal deployed position for use and a vertical stowed position within the wall cutout. This dynamic transformation allows the foot step to provide large surface area when needed while minimizing space occupation when not in use, resolving the contradiction between surface area and installation space constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The foot step transitions from a two-dimensional surface area problem to a three-dimensional spatial solution by rotating between horizontal and vertical orientations. This dimensional change allows the same component to satisfy both large surface area requirements and limited wall space constraints
2Stability of the object's composition
If foot steps are made narrower to fit within galley walls, then installation space is improved, but stability and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable design allows the foot step to achieve its full stable surface area when deployed horizontally, while the locking mechanism ensures stability during use. When stowed vertically, the surface area is minimized but the structure remains stable in its retracted position
3Area of stationary object
If foot steps are made wider to improve stability, then stability and safety are improved, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The foot step dynamically changes its effective occupation of space by rotating between horizontal and vertical positions. When deployed, it provides wide stable surface area; when stowed, it occupies minimal wall space in vertical orientation, resolving the contradiction between stability and space utilization
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating retractable step system positioned within a cutout of a wall is presented. The rotating retractable step system comprises a foot pedal and a support shaft. The foot pedal is configured to be stowed in a vertical orientation within the cutout of the wall, and to rotate between the vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. The support shaft is associated with the foot pedal, such that movement of the support shaft extends the foot pedal outwardly away from the cutout, or retracts the foot pedal towards the cutout.