U-Shaped Overhead Bin Assemblies for Aircraft Cabin Luggage Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current overhead bins in smaller transport category aircraft cannot accommodate conventional roll-aboard luggage in a wheels-first position without reducing valuable overhead cabin space, which restricts passenger and crew space and affects boarding and disembarking.
Innovation Solution
The design of overhead bin assemblies with a U-shaped bin shell and open-ended structure, featuring cantilever hinges and pivot pins, allows for efficient storage of luggage wheels-first while maintaining a spacious cabin feel by not obstructing headroom and utilizing the entire bin volume, with recessed ceiling walls and bin dividers that promote a seamless integration with the aircraft's arcuate design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If larger storage bins are installed in smaller cross-sectional aircraft cabins to accommodate roll-aboard luggage, then luggage storage capability is improved, but cabin space for passengers and crew is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead storage system is divided into multiple bins separated by divider supports. Each bin can be independently configured to accommodate different luggage sizes and types, optimizing storage capacity without requiring a single large bin that would encroach on cabin space.
Solution Approach 2:
The bin shells are configured with curved upper surfaces that follow the arcuate contour of the aircraft ceiling. This dimensional adaptation allows the bins to utilize the three-dimensional space more efficiently, fitting into the curved ceiling area without reducing the flat headroom space where passengers sit.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional overhead bins are used in smaller aircraft, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the ability to store roll-aboard luggage in wheels-first position is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The bin doors are equipped with cantilever hinges and pivot pins that enable the doors to move between a closed position (when bins are full) and an open position (when bins are empty or being loaded). This dynamic mechanism allows the same bin structure to accommodate roll-aboard luggage in wheels-first position while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized hinge components.
3Quantity of substance
If larger storage bins are installed to accommodate roll-aboard luggage, then luggage storage capability is improved, but passenger accessibility and boarding/disembarking are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead storage system is divided into multiple bins separated by divider supports. Each bin can be independently accessed and opened, allowing passengers to retrieve their luggage without blocking the aisle or requiring access to bins on the other side of the cabin.
Solution Approach 2:
The bin doors are equipped with cantilever hinges and pivot pins that enable the doors to move between a closed position (when bins are full) and an open position (when bins are empty or being loaded). This dynamic mechanism allows for easy access to stored items while maintaining a compact appearance when closed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Overhead bin assembly for transport vehicles (e.g., transport category aircraft) are provided with a generally U-shaped bin shell having a bottom wall, an outboard end wall and an upper wall defining an interior stowage space having an inboard opening opposite the end wall. A pair of separated transverse bin supports defining a bin space therebetween may be provided along with a bin door for closing the inboard opening. A cantilever hinge may be provided so as to connect the bin door to the transverse bin support in a cantilever manner to allow for pivotal movement of the bin door between closed and open positions relative to the inboard opening. An arcuate recessed wall may be positioned inboard relative to the upper wall of the bin shell (e.g., as a unitary (one-piece) extension thereof) such that the bin door is received within the recessed wall when in the open position thereof.