Aerial Vehicle Safety Device Ejection and Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerial vehicle safety apparatuses face challenges in reliably expanding safety mechanisms like parachutes, paragliders, or air bags without interference from propulsive mechanisms or vehicle components, and in ensuring timely and effective operation of these mechanisms when ejected from an aerial vehicle.
Innovation Solution
The proposed aerial vehicle safety apparatus includes a safety mechanism, a drive mechanism, an ejection mechanism, and a control mechanism. The ejection mechanism and control mechanism receive simultaneous activation signals, and the drive mechanism, which includes an explosive type gas generator, expands the safety mechanism, such as a parachute or paraglider, after a prescribed time delay to avoid interference with aerial vehicle components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a gas generator is used to quickly expand the parachute, then the expansion speed is improved, but the parachute may be interfered with by propulsive mechanism or vehicle components
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection mechanism ejects the parachute assembly from the aerial vehicle before the gas generator activates the parachute. This preliminary ejection action positions the parachute in a safe location away from interfering components, ensuring that subsequent rapid expansion occurs without obstruction from propulsive mechanisms or vehicle parts
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection mechanism serves as an intermediary between the activation signal and the parachute expansion. It mediates the timing sequence by first transporting the parachute to a safe position, then allowing the gas generator to expand the parachute without interference, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability
2Loss of time
If the parachute is expanded quickly using a gas generator, then the response time is reduced, but the timing control becomes more critical to avoid interference
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism merges the control of the ejection mechanism and the gas generator into a single integrated system. Both components receive the same activation signal, but the inherent mechanical sequence (ejection first, then expansion) automatically provides the required timing separation, simplifying control while maintaining rapid response
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a staged periodic action where the activation signal triggers a sequence of events: first the ejection mechanism operates to deploy the parachute, then after a brief interval determined by the ejection duration, the gas generator activates to expand the parachute. This staged approach reduces timing control complexity while maintaining fast response
3Adaptability or versatility
If the parachute is deployed at low altitude, then the safety coverage is improved, but the risk of interference with vehicle components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection mechanism performs a preliminary deployment action that propels the parachute assembly outward from the aerial vehicle before inflation. This preliminary action creates sufficient spatial separation even at low altitudes, allowing the parachute to expand away from propulsive mechanisms and vehicle components while maintaining the ability to deploy at various altitudes
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 solution enables reliable and timely expansion of safety mechanisms, ensuring they do not interfere with aerial vehicle components and can effectively reduce the impact of a falling aerial vehicle by decelerating it efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
the drive unit includes an explosive type gas generator containing an igniter, and the igniter includes a combustion agent that burns by being ignited
Implementation Method 2
a delay charge interposed between the combustion agent and the ignited portion, the delay charge conducting with a time lag, thermal energy generated by the ignited portion to the combustion agent
Implementation Method 3
a parachute apparatus for an unmanned aircraft lessens impact at the time of landing by lowering a speed of the unmanned aircraft by using an expanded parachute
Data Source
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AI summary
An aerial vehicle safety apparatus (100) includes a safety mechanism (10), a drive mechanism, an ejection mechanism, and a control mechanism. The safety mechanism (10) is used for securing safety of at least one of an aerial vehicle (30) and an object outside the aerial vehicle (30). The drive mechanism includes at least one drive unit serving as a drive source of the safety mechanism (10). The ejection mechanism ejects the drive mechanism together with the safety mechanism (10). The control mechanism controls operations of the drive mechanism for the drive mechanism to drive the safety mechanism (10) after the ejection mechanism starts ejection of the safety mechanism (10).