Aircraft Suite Door and Movable Partition for Accessible Emergency Passage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Standard passenger suite openings in commercial aircraft present challenges for passengers with restricted mobility, preventing the use of mobility aids and failing to meet regulatory requirements for emergency passage features.
Innovation Solution
A door assembly with a movable door and partition system that allows for adjustable opening sizes, including a translation device for sliding and pivotal movement, ensuring accessibility for passengers with restricted mobility while meeting emergency passage regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard opening size is used for passenger suite doors, then the design complies with typical passenger suite specifications, but passengers with restricted mobility cannot access the suite or use mobility aids
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is divided into multiple independent components: a primary door that slides along tracks and a secondary panel that pivots on hinges. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function (sliding for privacy control, pivoting for emergency access) while collectively providing enhanced accessibility without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire door assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly incorporates dynamic elements including a sliding mechanism that moves the door along horizontal tracks and a pivoting mechanism that rotates the secondary panel. These dynamic components allow the opening to adapt its configuration between different states (partially open, fully open, emergency position) to accommodate various accessibility needs while maintaining structural integrity
2Reliability
If a standard door opening mechanism is used, then the design is simple, but it fails to provide adequate emergency passage access from both sides of the doorway
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary panel serves multiple functions: it acts as part of the normal door assembly during regular operation, provides an emergency passage opening when activated, and can be operated from either side of the doorway. This multi-functionality ensures emergency accessibility is integrated into the existing door structure rather than requiring a separate emergency exit system
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding door mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the primary sealed door and the emergency passage requirement. By incorporating the sliding door with its tracks and movable panels, the system mediates between the need for secure closure and the requirement for emergency access, allowing the emergency passage to be created through controlled movement of the sliding door components
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed partition structure is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the opening size cannot be adjusted for different accessibility needs
Solution Approach 1:
The partition incorporates a movable panel connected via hinges that allows it to pivot between a closed position (maintaining suite separation) and an open position (creating passage). This dynamic capability enables the partition to adapt its opening size according to accessibility requirements while the hinge connection maintains relatively simple manufacturing compared to fully custom movable partition systems
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger suite for an aircraft. The passenger suite includes a partition and a door. The partition includes a fixed panel and a movable panel. The movable panel is pivotally connected to the fixed panel. The door is slidably connected to the fixed panel. The door and the partition separate the passenger suite from a passenger cabin aisle of the aircraft. The door is movable between a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position relative to the partition. The passenger suite provides improved access for passengers with restricted mobility while also serving as a functional emergency passage feature.