Segmented Hinge Pin Assembly to Prevent Aircraft Toilet Seat Migration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft toilet seat hinge arrangements are prone to wear and instability, leading to unexpected service interruptions and potential flight delays due to detachment or loosening of the seat and lid, causing inconvenience and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A new hinge pin configuration comprising a first and second hinge pin component axially aligned with a linking member, providing a robust, single hinge pin assembly with a larger center section and smaller ends for secure attachment to the toilet seat and lid, eliminating the need for outboard clearance and reducing migration risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hinge pins are used in aircraft toilets, then the seat and lid can be mounted for pivoting, but the hinge pins wear and allow the seat and lid to migrate, leading to detachment and service interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin is divided into multiple components: a first hinge pin component inserted through the toilet seat, a second hinge pin component inserted through the toilet lid, and a linking member coupling them together. This segmentation allows each component to be independently secured, preventing wear-induced migration while maintaining the pivoting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The linking member is positioned within the openings of the toilet seat and lid, nesting the hinge pin components inside the structural openings. This nesting arrangement ensures the hinge pin assembly remains constrained within the designated mounting locations, preventing detachment while allowing controlled pivoting motion.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional hinge pins are used, then installation is simple, but outboard clearance is required and migration risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting the hinge pin from the outboard side as in conventional designs, the first and second hinge pin components are inserted from the inboard sides of the toilet seat and lid respectively. This inversion eliminates the need for outboard clearance and prevents migration by securing the hinge pin components from within the structural openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The linking member acts as an intermediary that couples the first and second hinge pin components together after they are independently inserted through the toilet seat and lid. This intermediary component secures the alignment and connection of the hinge pin components, preventing migration while maintaining installation simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge pin for pivotally mounting at least one of a toilet seat and a lid to a toilet or surrounding structure comprises a first hinge pin component, a second hinge pin component a linking member and fasteners. The first hinge pin component and the second hinge pin component each has a cylindrical outer end, a semicylindrical inner end with a flat joining surface and a shoulder between the outer end and the inner end. The linking member is semicylindrical and has a flat linking surface dimensioned to link the first hinge pin component and the second hinge component when they are axially aligned with their inner ends facing each other and the linking surface is in contact with each joining surface and secured by the fasteners. The assembled linking member and first and second hinge components define a center section of the hinge pin having a circular cross section.