Vehicle Cabin Compartment With Retractable Door Angle Limiter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for preventing door collisions in cabin compartments, such as those in aircraft galleys, are inadequate as they rely on unpredictable contact points and require manual interaction, often using protective materials or bumpers that are not effective without knowing the exact contact point.
Innovation Solution
A compartment with a pivotally mounted stop body that automatically extends to limit the door's opening angle, using a locking device to control its position, allowing minimal manual interaction and effective protection without predicting the contact point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective material layer or large bumpers are provided on the door frame lining, then protection against door collision is improved, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stop body is designed to be movable between a retracted position (flush with the front) and an extended position (protruding to limit door opening angle). This dynamic configuration allows the protection mechanism to adapt its shape and position based on operational requirements, providing effective door angle limitation while maintaining a sleek appearance when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection function is separated into a distinct stop body component that can be independently controlled. The locking device selectively locks the stop body in the retracted position, allowing independent operation of the protection mechanism from the main compartment structure. This segmentation enables flexible control and reduces overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If the stop body is always extended to provide door angle limitation, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the installation space and manual interaction requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stop body transitions between retracted and extended positions based on operational needs. When the compartment door is opened, the stop body can extend to limit the door opening angle. When not needed, it retracts to be flush with the front, minimizing installation space and maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop body is positioned in advance at the required location to limit door opening angle before the door actually contacts any protective elements. This preliminary positioning prevents potential collisions without requiring reactive protective measures, space, or manual intervention during the collision event.
3Ease of operation
If manual intervention is required to activate the stop body, then ease of operation is improved, but automation level decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop body automatically activates to limit the door opening angle when the door is opened, without requiring manual intervention. The locking device selectively locks the stop body in the retracted position, allowing automatic extension when needed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually activate the protection feature while maintaining ease of operation through automatic response.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5d
AI summary
A compartment for a cabin in a vehicle is proposed, comprising a compartment enclosure assembly defining an outer boundary of the compartment and comprising a receiving space, a stop body supported on or in the compartment enclosure assembly, and a locking device, wherein the receiving space is arranged to be accessible from a front of the compartment enclosure assembly, wherein the stop body is pivotally mounted on or in the compartment enclosure assembly about a pivot axis or slidably along an axis between a retracted position, in which the stop body does not project from the front, and an extended position, in which the stop body projects from the front to provide an end stop for a door of the compartment or for a door of an insert to be inserted into the receiving space, wherein the locking device is adapted to selectively lock and unlock the stop body in its retracted position.