Trolley compartment and on-board kitchen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-board kitchen designs for aircraft require early determination of whether trolley compartments should be cooled or non-cooled, making it difficult and costly to change the functionality later, as subsequent conversions often are not possible.
Innovation Solution
A trolley compartment design with integrated cooling fluid ducts in the worktop and removable aperture covers allows for flexible conversion between cooled and non-cooled configurations, eliminating the need for additional installation space and enabling decisions on cooling functionality to be made at any time, even after initial installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling lines are laid in the region of the rear wall and a cooling device is installed, then the trolley compartment can be cooled, but the galley requires a larger floor plan and greater depth
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling lines are routed through the worktop (horizontal plane) rather than through the rear wall (vertical plane), changing the spatial dimension of the cooling system installation. This allows the cooling function to be integrated without increasing the galley depth, as the lines traverse the existing worktop area instead of requiring additional depth space.
Solution Approach 2:
The worktop serves multiple functions: it acts as both the working surface for food preparation and as a conduit for the cooling lines. By integrating the cooling line routing into the existing worktop structure, the design eliminates the need for separate cooling infrastructure that would increase galley depth, making the worktop a multi-functional element.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the galley is designed with cooled trolley compartment functionality, then cooling can be provided, but later changes to this functionality result in expensive adaptations or are not possible at all
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling lines are pre-routed through the worktop during initial galley construction, but the actual connection to a cooling device is left optional and can be made later. This preliminary preparation of the cooling infrastructure without immediate installation allows the galley to be built with standard dimensions while retaining the option to add cooling functionality at any time without expensive retrofits.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system design allows for dynamic configuration - the cooling lines are permanently installed in the worktop, but the connection to the cooling device and the activation of cooling functionality can be changed dynamically based on operational requirements. This enables easy conversion between cooled and non-cooled configurations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cooling lines are integrated into the rear wall region, then the cooling system is structurally integrated, but the galley design is constrained and requires early functionality decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling lines are routed through the worktop (horizontal dimension) instead of the rear wall (vertical dimension), providing structural integration while avoiding the constraints of rear wall integration. This dimensional change allows the cooling system to be firmly integrated into the galley structure while maintaining design flexibility for future modifications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design allows for flexible configuration and easy conversion between cooled and non-cooled modes without altering the compartment's depth, enabling standard layout planning and reducing the need for early functionality decisions, thus simplifying cabin layout planning and reducing adaptation costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling fluid duct (28), which can be connected via at least one first cooling fluid aperture (30) to an interior space of the trolley compartment (10), is integrated into the worktop (14) or else is arranged adjacent to the worktop (14)
Data Source
AI summary
A trolley compartment for an on-board kitchen intended for installation in a transport vehicle comprises a frontal access aperture as well as a rear wall that lies opposite the access aperture. A worktop forms an upper boundary of the trolley compartment. A first cooling fluid duct, which is connectable to an interior space of the trolley compartment via at least one first cooling fluid aperture, is integrated into or arranged adjacent to the worktop. At least one first removable cooling fluid aperture cover is selectively mountable in the first cooling fluid duct over the first cooling fluid aperture to separate the first cooling fluid duct from the interior space of the trolley compartment, or demountable from the first cooling fluid duct to connect the first cooling fluid duct to the interior space of the trolley compartment via the first cooling fluid aperture.