Aircraft Stowage Bin Hinge Nesting in Sidewall Notch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft stowage bin assemblies are compromised by protruding hinges that reduce compactness, storage capacity, and increase weight.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a hinge assembly with a housing that is received in a notch on the sidewall of the bin bucket, allowing the hinge to be flush with the interior surface and minimizing protrusion, along with a self-opening mechanism and damper to facilitate smooth door operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hinges protrude outwardly from the bin bucket sidewall to facilitate door rotation, then the door can pivot smoothly, but the compactness of the stowage bin assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is nested within a housing that is received in a notch on the bin bucket sidewall. The hinge mechanism is contained inside the housing structure, allowing the hinge to function while remaining recessed within the bin bucket profile rather than protruding outwardly.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly utilizes the depth dimension by recessing into the bin bucket sidewall through a notch. This allows the hinge to be positioned in a recessed location rather than protruding from the exterior surface, effectively using the third dimension to resolve the conflict between operational access and compact外形.
2Reliability
If hinges protrude outwardly from the bin bucket sidewall, then the door can be attached securely, but the storage capacity of the bin bucket is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is nested within a housing that is received in a notch on the bin bucket sidewall. This nesting arrangement ensures the hinge is contained within the bin bucket profile, maximizing the usable storage volume while maintaining secure door attachment through the hinge mechanism.
3Reliability
If hinges protrude outwardly from the bin bucket sidewall, then the door can pivot reliably, but the weight of the stowage bin assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is merged with a housing structure that is integrated into the bin bucket sidewall through a notch. This consolidation combines the hinge mechanism with the housing, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets or additional structural elements that would increase weight, while maintaining reliable door pivoting.
Data Source
AI summary
A stowage bin assembly includes a bin bucket assembly having a bin bucket which includes at least one sidewall, the at least one sidewall including a notch and the at least one sidewall having an interior surface. The stowage bin assembly also includes at least one hinge assembly. The at least one hinge assembly includes a housing which is received in the notch, the housing having an interior surface, wherein the interior surface of the housing is substantially flush with the interior surface of the at least one sidewall when the housing of the at least one hinge assembly is received in the notch. The stowage bin assembly also includes a stowage bin door pivotably coupled to the bin bucket assembly via the at least one hinge assembly, the stowage bin door moveable between an open position and a closed position. Related components, assemblies, and devices are also provided.