Aircraft Blocking Unit for Power-Loss Position Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical overload clutches, brakes, or dampers in electromechanical aircraft units are complex, difficult to adjust precisely due to wear or efficiency changes, and lack precise load limitation, leading to increased air resistance, reduced lift, and higher consumption when the signal or power supply is lost.
Innovation Solution
A blocking unit with blocking means that can be activated without power or signal, allowing movement in a movement position and blocking in a blocking position, using frictional or positive locking, and can be reset with an electrical signal, designed for use in electromechanical units to manage load and position without power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical overload clutches, brakes, or dampers are used in electromechanical units, then the system can be fixed in position during power loss, but the device complexity increases and precise adjustment becomes difficult due to wear or efficiency changes
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking means are divided into multiple blocking elements that can independently engage with different blocking surfaces corresponding to different blocking positions. This segmentation allows the system to provide multiple discrete blocking positions while using simple, wear-resistant mechanical elements rather than complex continuous adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of position fixation from complex mechanical overload protection devices and implements it through simple blocking elements and blocking surfaces. This removes the unnecessary complexity of adjustable springs, ramps, and continuous mechanical linkages while retaining the core functionality of securing the component in specific positions during power loss.
2Reliability
If blocking means are always engaged to prevent movement, then the component is secured during power loss, but air resistance increases and lift is reduced when the component should be free to move
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking means are designed to dynamically engage or disengage based on operational conditions. During normal operation with power supply, the blocking means are disengaged allowing free movement of the component. During power loss, the blocking means automatically engage to secure the component in blocking positions, thus adapting the system's mechanical constraints to operational needs and eliminating unnecessary drag.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking unit is designed to automatically engage blocking elements when power is lost without requiring external control. The mechanical design allows the blocking means to self-activate through the loss of electromagnetic holding force or power-driven actuation, ensuring the component secures itself in safe blocking positions while eliminating the need for continuous power consumption to maintain blocking.
3Force
If directional dependency is implemented using ratchet mechanisms or skewed rollers, then load limitation in specific directions is achieved, but weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking surfaces are designed with specific geometric orientations to provide directional blocking characteristics. By varying the angle and orientation of different blocking surfaces, the system achieves directional load limitation without requiring separate mechanical mechanisms for each direction. Each blocking position has locally optimized surface geometry that naturally resists loads from specific directions while allowing movement from others.
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 reduces weight, installation space, and complexity while enabling precise load management and efficient operation by allowing components to move freely outside blocking positions and fixing them securely in defined positions during power loss, minimizing air resistance and maintaining lift.
Implementation Method 1
the blocking means are designed and arranged in such a way as to be able to block the movement of the component by means of friction and/or form-fitting
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a locking unit (1) for a component (2, 11) of an aircraft that can be moved by at least one means of motion, wherein the component (2, 11) can assume at least one locking position and at least one movement position, wherein the locking unit (1) comprises locking means (13), wherein the locking means (13) are arranged and configured to block movement of the component (2, 11) when a locking condition is met, wherein the locking unit (1) comprises locking means (13a), wherein the locking means (13a) are arranged and configured such that the locking means (13) are prevented from blocking movement of the component (2, 11) when the component (2, 11) is in a movement position, and wherein the locking means (13a) are arranged and configured such that the locking means (13) are not prevented from blocking movement of the component (2, 11) when the component (2, 11) is in a movement position.11) is in a blocking position.