Translating Stowage Bin Pivot for Lower Opening Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Larger aircraft stowage bins require greater force to open and close, making them difficult for passengers to use, and existing solutions do not effectively maximize cabin space or prevent interference during rotation.
Innovation Solution
A translating pivot mechanism is used to couple the stowage bin bucket to a support assembly, allowing it to translate and rotate, reducing the force required to open and close the bin while maintaining a constant interference gap and increasing access opening size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If larger stowage bins are designed to increase stowage capacity, then the volume of the bin is improved, but the force required to open or close the bin increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a translating pivot mechanism that dynamically changes the bin's position during rotation. As the bin rotates from closed to open position, the pivot mechanism translates the bin laterally and vertically, dynamically adjusting the center of gravity position to maintain manageable operating forces throughout the motion range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the pivot mechanism (slot orientations, pin positions, component dimensions) to optimize the translation path. By carefully selecting these parameters, the mechanism achieves the desired center of gravity control and force reduction while accommodating larger bin volumes.
2Area of stationary object
If the stowage bin is positioned as high within the cabin as possible to maximize cabin space, then the volume available for passenger movement is improved, but the access opening for inserting and removing luggage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The translating pivot mechanism dynamically adjusts the bin's vertical and lateral position during rotation. When the bin opens, it translates downward and outward, automatically increasing the access opening size even when the bin is mounted high on the cabin wall, thus resolving the contradiction between maximizing cabin space and maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If a translating pivot mechanism is used to reduce the force required to open and close the bin, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism is segmented into discrete, modular components: a first component with a first slot and first pin, and a second component with a second slot and second pin. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance while achieving the complex translating motion required to reduce operating forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The translating pivot mechanism acts as an intermediary between the bin and the support assembly. Rather than directly hinging the bin to the support structure, the pivot mechanism mediates the motion, translating and rotating the bin in a controlled manner that reduces the force required for operation.
4Ease of operation
If the stowage bin is designed to translate and rotate using a translating pivot mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the bin position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual indicators (such as colored strips or markings) on the bin or pivot mechanism that change position or color as the bin rotates and translates. These visual cues provide intuitive feedback to users about the bin's current position, making it easy to detect whether the bin is fully closed, partially open, or fully open, despite the complex translating motion.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A stowage bin (100) is provided. The stowage bin (100) includes a bucket (106), a support assembly (108), and at least one translating pivot mechanism (116) rotatably coupling the support assembly (108) to the bucket (106), the at least one translating pivot mechanism (116) including a first component (302) fixedly coupled to the bucket (106) and comprising a first pin (316) and a first slot (314), and a second component (304) fixedly coupled to the support assembly (108) and including a second pin (326) and a second slot (324), wherein the first (302) and second (304) components engage one another such that the first pin (316) is received in the second slot (324) and the second pin (326) is received in the first slot (314).