Aircraft Barrier Door Locking Structure for Flight Deck Access Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft flight deck doors are vulnerable to unauthorized access when opened during flight, posing a security risk as it is difficult for cabin personnel to quickly react and secure the door.
Innovation Solution
A barrier door system with lockable elongated members that extend outward to engage with the aircraft structure, slowing intruder movement and allowing time for the flight deck door to be secured, featuring a rotatable sleeve mechanism for quick disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flight deck door is opened during flight, then flight personnel can access the cabin area for lavatory use, food delivery, or breaks, but this creates a security vulnerability that allows unwanted persons to rush towards the flight deck
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier door acts as an intermediary device installed in the cabin area near the flight deck. It includes a body with elongated members that can extend to engage with the aircraft structure, creating a physical barrier that slows down unwanted persons rushing towards the flight deck, thereby providing additional time for the flight deck door to be closed and locked
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier door is positioned and configured in advance within the cabin area to be ready for deployment. The elongated members are pre-positioned to quickly extend and engage with the aircraft structure when needed, creating a preliminary defensive barrier before an intruder can reach the flight deck
2Reliability
If a barrier door with elongated members is added to the cabin area, then security is improved by slowing down unwanted persons, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier door is segmented into a body and multiple elongated members that can independently extend and retract. This segmentation allows the barrier to be deployed in a controlled manner and simplifies the mechanical structure compared to a solid barrier, as each member can be independently managed
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier door incorporates movable elongated members that can dynamically extend to engage with the aircraft structure and retract when not needed. This dynamic capability allows the barrier to transition between a compact storage state and an extended protective state, reducing complexity when not in use while providing security when needed
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 system effectively delays unauthorized access to the flight deck, providing time for the flight deck door to be locked, enhancing aircraft security by controlling movement through the cabin area.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member that biases the pin towards the engaged position
Implementation Method 2
a release mechanism threaded to the inner end of the cylinder with the release mechanism rotatable relative to the cylinder to adjust a position of the cylinder and pin relative to the body
Data Source
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AI summary
A barrier door to control movement of persons through an opening within a cabin area of an aircraft. The barrier door includes a body comprising an upper side, a lower side, and lateral sides. A lock is connected to the body and includes an elongated member and a pin. The pin is movable between a disengaged position with a distal end retracted and an engaged position with the distal end extending outward beyond the elongated member. A release mechanism is threaded on the elongated member and is rotatable relative to the elongated member to adjust a position of the elongated member and pin relative to the body.