Aircraft Buckle Assembly Dual-Button Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buckle assemblies for aircraft harnesses face challenges in providing easy and reliable attachment/detachment, secure retention, and resistance to inadvertent release, especially under high acceleration forces, while being operable by pilots wearing gloves.
Innovation Solution
A buckle assembly with a rotatable operating handle featuring diametrically opposed buttons that must be simultaneously depressed to release the lug from the socket arrangement, incorporating a locking mechanism and indicator for secure retention and a design that prevents inadvertent operation under g-forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single button or simple release mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability and resistance to inadvertent release deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two buttons into a single operating handle assembly, requiring simultaneous depression of both buttons for release. This merging approach maintains ease of operation (one-handed, glove-compatible) while significantly improving reliability by preventing inadvertent release through the dual-button safety mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The operating handle serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the locking mechanism. It translates the user's input (depressing buttons) into controlled action (rotating the handle to release), providing both ease of operation and reliability through its mechanical design that requires deliberate dual-button pressure
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is used, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic release process. The rotatable handle allows controlled movement to disengage the locking plunger, providing reliability during normal operation while enabling easy release when the dual buttons are depressed and the handle is rotated
Solution Approach 2:
The release function is segmented into two distinct actions: depressing the dual buttons and rotating the handle. This segmentation allows the mechanism to maintain secure locking during normal use while providing a clear, easy-to-perform sequence for release when needed
3Reliability
If the buckle assembly is made resistant to g-forces, then reliability under acceleration is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual buttons are positioned asymmetrically on the operating handle, diametrically opposed to each other. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that acceleration forces in any direction cannot simultaneously depress both buttons, providing g-force resistance through geometric design rather than complex mechanical constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism is designed to counteract the potential harmful effect of g-forces before they can cause inadvertent release. The spatial arrangement of the buttons and the rotational requirement create a preliminary barrier that prevents acceleration forces from triggering release, addressing the problem before it can manifest
4Ease of operation
If a positive feedback mechanism is added, then ease of operation is improved through confirmation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates visual feedback through an indicator that shows whether the lug is securely retained or released. This feedback mechanism provides clear confirmation to the user of the buckle's state, improving ease of operation by eliminating uncertainty without requiring complex mechanical feedback systems
Data Source
AI summary
A buckle assembly comprising:a socket arrangement for releasably retaining a lug; andan operating handle rotatably mounted with respect to the socket arrangement and configured such that, upon rotation, the lug is released from the socket arrangement,the operating handle comprising first and second buttons diametrically opposed from one another, configured such that rotation of the operating handle with respect to the socket arrangement is prevented unless both the first and second buttons are simultaneously depressed.