Patent Publication Number: US-2020300013-A1

Title: Aircraft hinge apparatus and related methods for use of the same

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure generally relates to aircraft interior components and, more particularly, to aircraft interior component hinges. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Aircraft generally include a wide variety of interior components. Aircraft interior components, for example, galley doors, passenger service units, lavatory doors, galleys, closets, and other interior furnishings generally are hingedly moveable between open and closed positions. In general, such interior furnishings may include a door component and a door jamb or frame. The door component is generally moveable hingedly about the doorjamb. 
     Conventional hinge assemblies of aircraft interiors generally include complex spring mechanisms that hold or move the doors between open and closed positions. It is desirable for many aircraft applications to simplify the hinge mechanisms while at the same time providing a large rotary radius by, among other things, eliminating or reducing the number of moving parts, such as springs. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The various implementations of hinge apparatuses described herein provide hinge apparatuses that are operable without any spring or biasing mechanisms in an efficient, robust, and compact manner. The various implementations of hinge apparatuses described herein provide hinge apparatuses that have a large rotary radiuses, including rotatably moving door components at least 180 degrees, with reduced moving parts. For example, in one non-limiting, example implementation, a hinge apparatus can be summarized as including a frame component of an aircraft interior component, a door component coupled to an aircraft door assembly, and a linkage assembly operable to rotatably move the door component between an open configuration, a partially open configuration, and a closed configuration. The linkage assembly may include a first hinge body coupled to the door component, a second hinge body coupled to the frame component, a main link pivotably coupled to the first hinge body and having a main link surface, and a first link pivotably coupled to the second hinge body and pivotably coupled to the main link. The first link may have a first link surface that is sized and shaped to mate with the main link surface when the door component is in the partially open configuration, the mating preventing movement of the door component from the partially open configuration to the open configuration. 
     In another, non-limiting, example implementation, a method for operating an aircraft door can be summarized as including coupling a frame component of a hinge apparatus to an aircraft door frame, coupling a door component of the hinge apparatus to the aircraft door, coupling a linkage assembly of the hinge apparatus to the door component and the frame component, and operating the aircraft door between open, closed, and partially open configurations. The operating may include pivotably moving the door component from the closed configuration to the partially open configuration via a main link of the linkage assembly and a first link of the linkage assembly, and mating a main link surface of the linkage assembly with a first link surface of the first link when the door component is in the partially open configuration. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a hinge apparatus in a closed configuration, according to one example, non-limiting implementation. 
       FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of the hinge apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2B  is another exploded view of the hinge apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge apparatus of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  3 - 3 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge apparatus of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  4 - 4 . 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the hinge apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a partially open configuration. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge apparatus of  FIG. 5 , taken along line  6 - 6 . 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the hinge apparatus of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge apparatus of  FIG. 7 , taken along line  8 - 8 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments or implementations. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments or implementations may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with payload components, hinges, latches, aircraft interior furnishings, aircraft doors, aircraft frames, or other systems and apparatuses of aircrafts have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments or implementations. 
     Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising,” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.” 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “one implementation,” “an embodiment,” or “an implementation” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or implementation is included in at least one embodiment or implementation. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in one implementation,” “in an embodiment,” or “in an implementation” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or implementation. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or implementations. 
     As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
       FIGS. 1-8  illustrate a hinge apparatus  10 , according to one example, non-limiting implementation, in various configurations. The hinge apparatus  10  is moveable between a closed configuration, an open configuration, and an intermediate or partially open configuration. As described in more detail herein, the hinge apparatus  10  is generally operable to provide for rotary capability with an extended rotary movement and omits any spring loaded mechanisms. 
     The hinge apparatus  10  includes a door component  11 , a frame component  12 , and a hinge assembly  13 . In general, the door component  11  is generally sized and shaped to couple the hinge assembly  13  to a door of an aircraft. For example, the door may comprise a lavatory door, an aircraft galley door, a closet door, or other interior furnishing component that closes and opens to provide access to an interior volume of such component. The door component  11  includes a first hinge recess  14  that is sized and shaped to receive therein the hinge assembly  13  or, more particularly, certain portions of the hinge assembly  13 . As described in more detail below, the door component  11  is generally coupled to the hinge assembly  13  via one or more first fasteners  15 . 
     The frame component  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1  (and removed in  FIGS. 2-8  for clarity of description and illustration), in general, is sized and shaped to couple the hinge assembly  13  to a frame structure of an aircraft. For example, the frame component  12  may comprise a door jamb or other frame structure of an aircraft. The frame component  12  also includes a hinge recess that is sized and shaped to receive therein the hinge assembly  13  or, more particularly, certain portions of the hinge assembly  13 . The frame component  12  is generally coupled to the hinge assembly  13  via one or more first fasteners. 
     The hinge assembly  13  includes a first hinge body  18 , a second hinge body  19 , and a linkage assembly  20 . The first hinge body  18  includes a first base flange  21 , a pair of first side walls  22   a ,  22   b , and a pair of body tabs  23   a ,  23   b . The first base flange  21  includes a first link recess  24  and a pair of coupling portions  25   a ,  25   b  protruding outwardly from the first base flange  21 . The first link recess  24  is sized and shaped to receive therein portions of the linkage assembly  20  as described in more detail below. Each coupling portion  25   a ,  25   b  includes coupling apertures  26   a ,  26   b  that are sized and shaped to couple to portions of the linkage assembly  20  as described in more detail below. Each first side wall  22   a ,  22   b  is spaced apart from the other and includes a first wall aperture  27   a ,  27   b  that is sized and shaped to couple to portions of the linkage assembly  20  as described in more detail below. Each body tab  23   a ,  23   b  includes a respective body aperture  28   a ,  28   b . The body aperture  28   a ,  28   b  is sized and shaped to coupleably receive the one or more first fasteners  15 . In this manner, the first hinge body  18  is received in the first hinge recess  14  of the door component  11 , with the one or more first fasteners  15  coupling the first hinge body  18  to the door component  11 . 
     The second hinge body  19  is generally sized and shaped to couple to the frame component  12 . The second hinge body is fixedly coupled to the frame component  12 . The second hinge body  19  includes a second base flange  30  with external walls  31   a ,  31   b ,  31   c  protruding outwardly to define a second link recess  32 . The second link recess  32  is sized and shaped to receive therein portions of the linkage assembly  20  as described in more detail below. The external wall  31   a  includes a pair of coupling elements  34   a  and the external wall  31   b  includes a pair of coupling elements  34   b . Each of the coupling elements  34   a  is spaced apart from each other and includes coupling apertures  35   a  sized and shaped to coupleably receive portions of the linkage assembly  20  as described in more detail below. Each of the coupling elements  34   b  is spaced apart from each other and includes coupling apertures  35   b  sized and shaped to coupleably receive portions of the linkage assembly  20  as described in more detail below. The second hinge body  19  includes a peripheral flange  36  that extends from the external walls  31   a ,  31   b ,  31   c . The peripheral flange  36  includes one or more slot apertures  37  that are sized and shaped to couple to the frame component  12  via fasteners to a frame component of an aircraft door, such as a doorjamb. The one or more slot apertures  37  are generally elongated to allow for alignment and adjustment of the second hinge body  19  during assembly. 
     The linkage assembly  20  is generally sized, shaped, and arranged in the first and second hinge bodies  18 ,  19  to allow for pivotable movement of the door component  11 . The linkage assembly  20  includes a main link  40 , a first link  41 , a second link  42 , and a third link  43 . The main link  40  has a generally hook-shaped cross-sectional profile with a curved portion  44 . The main link  40  includes a first main link surface  39 , an opposing second main link surface  45 , and a pair of main link side walls  46   a ,  46   b . The main link side walls  46   a ,  46   b  include a first main link aperture  47 , a second main link aperture  48 , and a third main link aperture  49 . Each of the first, second, and third main link apertures  47 ,  48 ,  49  extends through the main link side walls  46   a ,  46   b . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8 , the curved portion  44  of the main link  40  is received in the first link recess  24  of the door component  11  at least when the hinge apparatus  10  is in the closed configuration, and is sandwiched between the pair of coupling portions  25   a ,  25   b . A main link pin  50  is sized and shaped to be received through the main link aperture  47 , and pivotably couples the first hinge body  18  to the main link  40  to allow the first hinge body  18  and the main link  40  to pivotably rotate about each other via the main link pin  50 , which defines a first pivot point P 1 . 
     The first link  41  has a generally C-shaped cross-sectional profile having a pair of spaced apart first link arms  51   a ,  51   b  that define a first link recess  53 , and a first base portion  54 . The first link arms  51   a ,  51   b  include first main link apertures  52   a ,  52   b  extending therethrough. The first link recess  53  is sized and shaped to receive the main link  40  and allow the main link  40  to moveable therein. The main link  40  is sandwiched between the first link arms  51   a ,  51   b . When received in the first link recess  53 , the first link  41  is pivotably coupled to the main link  40  via a first link pin  55 , which is sized and shaped to be received in the first link apertures  52   a ,  52   b  and the third main link aperture  49 . In this manner, the first link  41  and the main link  40  are pivotably rotatable about each other via the first link pin  55 , which defines a second pivot point P 2 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8 , the first link  41  is sized, shaped, and arranged to be received in the second link recess  32  of the second hinge body  19 , at least when in the closed configuration and moveable therein. In particular, the first base portion  54  includes a first base portion aperture  56  extending therethrough. When received in the second link recess  32 , the first base portion  54  is sandwiched between the coupling elements  34   a ,  34   b . The first link  41  is pivotably coupled to the second hinge body  19  via a second hinge pin  57 , which is sized and shaped to be received in the first base portion aperture  56  and the coupling apertures  35   a ,  35   b . In this manner, the first link  41  to pivotably rotate about the second hinge body  19  via the second hinge pin  57 , which defines a third pivot point P 3 . 
     The second link  42  includes a second link body base portion  58   a  and a second link base portion  58   b  spaced apart from each other by a pair of second link walls  59   a ,  59   b  to define a second link recess  60 . The second link recess  60  is sized and shaped to angularly receive the main link  40  as described in more detail below. The second link body base portion  58   a  includes a first main link mating surface  61  that extends angularly relative to a central axis of the second link  42 . The second link body base portion  58   a  includes a second link body base aperture  62   a  extending therethrough. The second link base portion  58   b  also includes a second main link mating surface  63  that extends angularly relative to the central axis of the second link  42 . The second link base portion  58   b  includes a second link base portion aperture  62   b  that extends therethrough. The second link body base aperture  62   a  is sized and shaped to pivotably couple the second link  42  to the second hinge body  19  via a second base pin  67  to allow the second link  42  to pivotably rotate about the second hinge body  19 , the second base pin  67  defining a fourth pivot point P 4 . In particular, the second link  42  is received in the second link recess  32  of the second hinge body  19 , and the second link  42  is sandwiched between the coupling elements  34   a ,  34   b . Each second link wall  59   a ,  59   b  includes a corresponding second link aperture  70   a ,  70   b , which is sized and shaped to pivotably couple the second link  42  with the main link  40  via second link pin  71 . The second link pin  71  is sized and shaped to be received in the second link apertures  70   a ,  70   b  and the second link main aperture  48 , which when received, allows the second link  42  and the main link  40  to pivotably move about each other via second link pin  71 , which defines a fifth pivot point P 5 . The second link base aperture  62   b  is sized and shaped to pivotably couple the second link  42  to the third link  43  via a third link pin  72 , which defines a sixth pivot point P 6 . 
     In particular, the third link  43  has a generally C-shaped cross-sectional profile having a pair of spaced apart third link arms  73   a ,  73   b  that define a third link recess  74  and a third base portion  75 . The third link arms  73   a ,  73   b  include third link apertures  76   a ,  76   b  extending therethrough. The third link recess  74  is sized and shaped to receive the main link  40  at least when in the closed configuration and which is moveable therein, and is sandwiched between the third link arms  73   a ,  73   b  during movement of the main link  40  between the open and closed configurations of the hinge apparatus  10 . When received in the third link recess  74 , the third link  43  is pivotably coupled to the second link  42  via third link pin  72 , which is sized and shaped to be received in the third link apertures  76   a ,  76   b  and the second link base portion aperture  62   b . In this manner, the third link  43  and the second link  42  are pivotably rotatable about each other via the third link pin  72 , which as described above, defines the sixth pivot point P 6 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8 , the third link  43  is sized, shaped, and arranged to be received in the first link recess  24  of the first hinge body  18 . In particular, the third base portion  75  includes a third base portion aperture  79  extending therethrough. When received in the first link recess  24 , the third base portion  75  is sandwiched between the first side walls  22   a ,  22   b . The third base portion  75  is pivotably coupled to the first hinge body  18  via a hinge body pin  80 , which is sized and shaped to be received in the first wall apertures  27   a ,  27   b  of the first side walls  22   a ,  22   b  and the third base portion aperture  79  to allow the first hinge body  18  and the third link  43  to pivotably move about each other via hinge body pin  80 , which defines a seventh pivot point P 7 . 
     As described above, the hinge apparatus  10 , in operation, is moveable between a closed configuration, illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , a partially open configuration, illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and an open configuration, illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In particular, in the open configuration, the main link  40  is generally aligned with a vertical axis  81  of the hinge apparatus  10  and extends through the second link recess  60  of the second link  42 . The first link  41  and the second link  42  are each oriented angularly at respective angles α 1  and α 2 . As the door component  11  is rotatably moved in direction R 1 , the hinge apparatus  10  moves from the fully closed configuration to the partially open configuration. In particular, the first link  41  pivotably moves about the second hinge body  19  about pivot point P 3 , and is oriented angularly with respect to the vertical axis  81  at angle α 3 , which is less than angle α 1 . For example, angle α 1  may be an obtuse angle and α 3  may be an acute angle. 
     As the door component  11  is rotated in direction R 1 , the main link  40  and the first link  41  pivotably rotate about each other about pivot point P 2 . Pivotable rotation of the main link  40  and the door component  11  causes pivotable rotation of the second link  42 . In particular, second link  42  and the main link  40  pivotably rotate about each other about pivot point P 5  and the second link  42  pivotably rotates about second hinge body  19  about pivot point P 4 . In the partially open configuration of the hinge apparatus  10 , the second link  42  is oriented angularly with respect to the vertical axis  81  at angle α 4 , which is less than angle α 2 . For example, angle α 4  may be an obtuse angle and α 2  may be an acute angle. 
     As the door component  11  rotates and the second link  42  rotates as described above, the third link  43  and the second link  42  pivotably rotate about each other about pivot point P 6  and the third link  43  and the first hinge body  18  pivotably rotate about each other about pivot point P 7 . Further, as demonstrated in  FIGS. 3 and 6  in detail, the door component  11  and the first hinge body  18  coupled thereto pivotably rotate about main link  40  about pivot point P 1 . In the partially open configuration, the door component  11  has rotated at an obtuse angle relative to the orientation of the door component  11  in the closed configuration, e.g., less than 180 degrees but more than 90 degrees. In the partially open configuration, the first main link surface  39  mates with the second main link mating surface  63  of the second link  42 , and the second main link surface  45  mates with the first main link mating surface  61  of the second link  42 . Moreover, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the first pivot point P 1  is positioned above a plane  85  extending between seventh pivot point P 7  and sixth pivot point P 6 . In this configuration, the main link  40  is substantially prevented from further rotational movement due to the contact of the mating surfaces of the second link  42  as described above. As the main link  40  is prevented from further rotation, other links of the linkage assembly (e.g., first link  41 , second link  42 , third link  43 , etc.) are also prevented from further rotary movement. 
     As the door component  11  is further rotatably moved between the partially open configuration and the open configuration in direction R 1 , the hinge apparatus  10  is operable to allow one or more links (e.g., main link  40 , first link  41 , second link  42 , third link  43 , etc.) of the linkage assembly  20  to elastically deform and return to an undeformed configuration when the hinge apparatus  10  is in the open configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the third link  43  is sized and shaped to elastically deform between the partially open and open configurations. In particular, as the main link  40  is substantially prevented from moving due to the mating of the first main link surface  39  with the second main link mating surface  63  of the second link  42  and the second main link surface  45  with the first main link mating surface  61 , the third link  43  elastically deforms due to the forces applied by rotational movement of the door component  11 . 
     In particular, shortly prior to, or at the time of, the first pivot point P 1  travelling or moving beyond the plane  85 , the first main link surface  39  mates with the second main link mating surface  63  of the second link  42 , and the second main link surface  45  mates with the first main link mating surface  61  of the second link  42 . As the door component  11  is moved, the third link  43  elastically deforms as the first pivot point P 1  travel or moves beyond plane  85 . Thereafter, continued movement of the door component  11  causes the door component  11  and the first pivot point P 1  to move below the plane  85 , at which point the third link  43  has returned to its undeformed form. In particular, in the open configuration ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ), the door component  11  has rotated approximately 180 degrees relative to the orientation of the door component  11  in the closed configuration. Moreover, as the first main link surface  39  is in mating alignment with the second main link mating surface  63  of the second link  42 , and the second main link surface  45  is in mating alignment with the first main link mating surface  61  of the second link  42 , the door component  11  remains in the open configuration; in other words, the door component  11  is detented in the open configuration. Further, while the third link  43  elastically deforms as the hinge apparatus  10  moves between the closed and open configurations, other links of the linkage assembly  20  may also undergo elastic deformation. For example, the main link  40 , the first link  41 , and the second link  42  may also undergo elastic deformation due to the mating alignment of the first main link surface  39  with the second main link mating surface  63  of the second link  42 , and the second main link surface  45  is in mating alignment with the first main link mating surface  61  of the second link  42 . Further, in some embodiments, the elastic deformation may be varied for each of the links of the linkage assembly  20 . For example, in some implementations, a stiffness of the various links may be varied relative to each other. For example, main link  40  may have a higher stiffness than the third link  43 . Also for example, a cross-sectional area or the Young&#39;s modulus of the main link  40  may be varied relative to the cross-sectional area or the Young&#39;s modulus of the third link  43 , or any other link of the linkage assembly  20 . 
     Conversely, to return the door component  11  from the open configuration to the closed configuration, rotary movement of the door component  11  in the rotary direction R 2  causes the hinge apparatus  10  to move from the open configuration to the partially open configuration. In particular, as the door component  11  is rotated, the door component  11  and the main link  40  pivotably rotate about each other about pivot point P 1 . As the first main link surface  39  is in mating alignment with the second main link mating surface  63  of the second link  42 , and the second main link surface  45  is in mating alignment with the first main link mating surface  61  of the second link  42 , the third link  43  elastically deforms as the pivot point P 1  travels or moves beyond plane  85  due to the applied forces of the rotation of the door component  11 . Thereafter, shortly after the first pivot point P 1  travels or moves below the plane  85 , the third link  43  has returned to the undeformed state and is in the partially open configuration. Further, continued rotational movement of the door component  11  causes the first main link surface  39  to move out of mating alignment with the second main link mating surface  63  of the second link  42 , and the second main link surface  45  to move out of mating alignment with the first main link mating surface  61  of the second link  42 . 
     Thereafter, as the door component  11  continues to rotate in rotary direction R 2 , the first hinge body  18  and the main link  40  pivotably rotate about each other about pivot point P 1 , and the first hinge body  18  and the third link  43  pivotably rotate about each other about pivot point P 7 . Further, the second link  42  and the third link  43  pivotably rotate about each other about pivot point P 6 . As the second and third links  42 ,  43  pivotably rotate about each other, the second link  42  and the main link  40  pivotably rotate about each other about pivot point P 5 , and the second link  42  pivotably rotates about second hinge body  19  about pivot point P 4 . In addition, the first link  41  and the main link  40  pivotably rotate about each other about pivot point P 2 , and the first link  41  pivotably rotates about the second hinge body  19  about P 3 , until the hinge apparatus  10  is returned to the closed configuration. 
     As described above, the hinge apparatus  10  is moveable between open and closed configurations without any biasing devices, such as springs. The hinge apparatus  10 , in contrast to spring loaded apparatuses, according to various implementations described herein can be operable via linkage assemblies  20  that include one or more links that can elastically deform and have stop or detent features that position the linkage assembly  20  in a stationary position until further elastic deformation moves the linkage assembly  20 . Moreover, the various implementations described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     These and other changes can be made to the implementations in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific implementations disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible implementations along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.