Aircraft Barrier Door With Locking Curtain for Flight Deck Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
The opening of the flight deck door in an aircraft during flight poses a security risk as it allows an unwanted person to potentially rush towards the flight deck, making it difficult for cabin personnel to react in time to secure the door.
Innovation Solution
A barrier door system comprising a frame with a fabric curtain and lock mechanism that can be moved between open and closed positions, designed to slow or inhibit movement through an opening, featuring a lock that secures the door in the closed position and includes viewing windows and fiber optic illumination for visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flight deck door is opened during flight for operational purposes, then flight personnel can access the cabin area for lavatory use or food delivery, but this creates a security vulnerability that allows unwanted persons to potentially rush towards the flight deck
Solution Approach 1:
A barrier door is introduced as an intermediary element between the flight deck door and the cabin area. This intermediate barrier allows the flight deck door to remain open for operational purposes while preventing direct access to the flight deck, thus resolving the contradiction between operational accessibility and security protection
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier door is deployed in advance before the flight deck door is opened. By establishing this preliminary protective barrier, the system ensures that even if the flight deck door is opened, unwanted persons cannot immediately reach the flight deck, providing flight personnel with critical reaction time
2Speed
If an unwanted person rushes towards the flight deck when the door is opened, then they can potentially reach the front of the aircraft quickly, but this makes it difficult for cabin personnel to react in time to close and lock the door
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier door serves as a physical intermediary that slows down and impedes the movement of unwanted persons rushing towards the flight deck. This intermediate obstacle creates time delay without completely blocking access, allowing personnel to react and secure the flight deck door
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier door is deployed preliminarily to create a time buffer before unwanted persons can reach the flight deck. This preliminary protective measure ensures that even rapid movement by unwanted persons does not result in immediate compromise of the flight deck
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a barrier door is introduced to inhibit movement towards the flight deck, then security is enhanced by slowing unauthorized access, but this adds complexity to the door system and requires additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is segmented into two independent components: the flight deck door and the barrier door. This segmentation allows each door to perform its specific function independently, with the barrier door providing security enhancement without compromising the operational simplicity of the flight deck door system
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier door acts as an independent intermediary system with its own simple locking mechanism. Rather than complicating the flight deck door system, it provides a separate, self-contained security layer that is relatively simple in design and operation
Data Source
AI summary
A barrier door configured to be mounted in an opening in a cabin area of an aircraft. The barrier door is movable between an open position to allow persons to pass through the opening and a closed position to prevent passengers from moving through the opening. The barrier door is configured to be locked in the closed position.