Aerial Vehicle Safety Apparatus Rapid Parachute Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerial vehicle safety apparatuses, such as parachutes and paragliders, face challenges with slow expansion times and high costs due to the need for large gas generators and heat-resistant materials, which increase weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An aerial vehicle safety apparatus featuring an expandable object, a bag-shaped member, and a gas generator that inflates the bag-shaped member to rapidly deploy the parachute or paraglider, using a control mechanism to delay gas generation until after ejection, reducing the amount of gas required and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a large amount of gas is used to expand the parachute quickly, then the expansion speed is improved, but the weight and cost of the gas generator and pressure-resistant container increase
Solution Approach 1:
The parachute is pre-positioned in a stored state ready for deployment. The ejection apparatus prepares the parachute for rapid deployment by ejecting it from its stored position before inflation occurs, eliminating the need for a heavy pressure-resistant container during storage
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the ejection apparatus handles rapid deployment, the bag-shaped member handles inflation, and the gas generator provides gas only when needed. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall weight
2Speed
If a pressure-resistant container with large amount of compressed gas is used, then the expansion speed is improved, but the housing must be made of thick metal which increases cost and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The parachute is ejected from its stored position before gas inflation begins. This preliminary ejection action separates the deployment phase from the inflation phase, allowing the use of a simple bag-shaped member instead of a complex pressure-resistant container
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection apparatus acts as an intermediary mechanism that transitions the parachute from its stored state to an deployed state before inflation occurs. This intermediary action eliminates the need for the container to simultaneously provide both structural support and rapid gas delivery
3Speed
If a large amount of gas generating agent is used, then the expansion speed is improved, but the heat generated causes melt or burning of the parachute fabric
Solution Approach 1:
The parachute is ejected and positioned before gas generation begins. This time sequencing allows the parachute fabric to be in place and ready to receive gas without being exposed to the heat of gas generation, separating the harmful thermal phase from the fabric
Solution Approach 2:
The gas generation process is extracted and separated from the parachute fabric by using a distinct gas generator component that produces gas only after ejection. This extraction eliminates direct contact between the heat source and the fabric
4Temperature
If heat-resistant material or coating is used for the parachute, then the heat resistance is improved, but the cost and weight of the parachute increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat resistance requirement is extracted and eliminated by removing the heat source (gas generation) from contact with the parachute fabric. The timing sequence ensures gas is generated only after the parachute is already deployed, allowing the use of lightweight standard fabric without heat-resistant coatings
Solution Approach 2:
The parachute is deployed before gas generation occurs, allowing the use of lightweight fabric that does not require heat-resistant properties. The preliminary deployment action protects the fabric from subsequent heat exposure
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
The solution enables rapid expansion of the safety apparatus with a significantly smaller amount of gas, reducing weight and cost while maintaining stability and efficiency in aerial vehicle safety.
Implementation Method 1
a gas generator that is provided in the non-expanded expandable object and that inflates the bag-shaped member by causing gas generated at a time of activation to flow into the bag-shaped member
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial vehicle safety apparatus includes an expandable object, an ejection apparatus, a bag-shaped member, and a gas generator. The expandable object is wound or folded in a non-expanded state and generates at least any of lift and buoyancy in an expanded state. The ejection apparatus is coupled to the expandable object by a coupling member and ejects the non-expanded expandable object into air. The bag-shaped member is provided in the expandable object and wound or folded together with or separately from the non-expanded expandable object, and expands the non-expanded expandable object by at least partially being inflated like a tube. The gas generator is provided in the expandable object and inflates the bag-shaped member by causing gas generated at the time of activation to flow into the bag-shaped member.