Aircraft Camera Pod Vibration Damping and Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots often use unsafe and non-compliant methods to mount video cameras on aircraft, such as suction cups and tape, which violate FAA regulations and pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A camera pod with a housing that downwardly angles cameras, using pliant members to absorb vibrations and a secure back plate with quick-release fasteners, made from materials like nylon, designed to be FAA-approved and easy to install, featuring intersecting ribs and vents for moisture management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If suction cup mounts or tape are used to attach cameras to aircraft, then installation is simple and cost is low, but safety and FAA compliance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The camera mounting system is divided into separate functional components: a removable camera compartment that can be independently attached or detached from the aircraft, allowing simple installation while maintaining safety through proper structural design of each segment
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates quick-release fasteners that allow dynamic adjustment and removal of the camera compartment, enabling easy installation and removal while maintaining secure attachment during operation through properly engineered fastening mechanisms
2Reliability
If a secure and compliant camera mount is designed, then safety and FAA approval are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera pod housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural mounting to the aircraft, contains and protects the camera, offers vibration isolation through foam material, and includes quick-release fastening capability, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite enhanced safety features
Solution Approach 2:
Vibration-damping foam material is used to line the camera compartment, providing flexible vibration isolation and protection while maintaining a compact structure, thus improving safety without significantly increasing complexity
3Stability of the object's composition
If vibration absorption is implemented using pliant members, then video recording stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Vibration-damping foam material is used to line the camera compartment, providing flexible vibration isolation and protection while maintaining a compact structure, thus improving safety without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Vibration-damping foam material is pre-installed in the camera compartment to provide beforehand cushioning against vibrations and shocks, ensuring stable video recording from the outset without requiring complex active vibration control systems
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 provides a safer, cost-effective, and compliant camera mount that ensures stable video recording while adhering to FAA regulations, with features like vibration absorption and easy camera loading/unloading, ensuring secure attachment and clear video capture.
Implementation Method 1
a pliant member configured to retain a camera in a compartment, bias the camera in the downwardly angled position, and absorb vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A camera pod for an aircraft includes a housing with a plurality of camera compartments configured to downwardly angle a camera therein and a port for the lens of a camera. A pliant member is configured to quickly and easily retain a camera in a compartment biasing the camera in the downwardly angled position and absorbing vibration. A back plate is secured to the housing sealing it.