Aircraft Cargo Deck Lateral Guide With Direct Force Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side guides for aircraft cargo decks are prone to failure under high vertical and transverse forces due to wedging effects and indirect force transmission, leading to potential detachment and bending stresses, which compromises operational reliability and requires frequent reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
A lateral guide system with a contact element featuring an internal support section and positive-locking mechanism that directly transmits transverse forces to a locking device, preventing indirect force transmission through fasteners, and allows for multiple configurations to accommodate various cargo dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cylindrical sections of different diameters are used in the fixing element to enable side guide rail fixation and release, then the side guide can be quickly reconfigured, but under high vertical forces a wedging effect occurs causing the insert plate to bend and potentially detach
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element is divided into multiple cylindrical sections with different diameters along its length. The first cylindrical section engages with the insert plate while the second cylindrical section connects to the side guide rail, allowing independent optimization of each section's function while maintaining overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the fixing element have different geometric properties - the first cylindrical section has a smaller diameter for precise engagement with the insert plate, while the second cylindrical section has a larger diameter for robust connection to the side guide rail, creating local quality variations that prevent wedging while maintaining quick reconfiguration capability
2Strength
If screw connections are used to attach the side guide rail to the mounting frame, then the side guide can be securely fixed, but transverse forces cause high bending stresses in the insert plates and potential fastener failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the force transmission path from the screw connections and insert plates by introducing a dedicated support section that directly receives transverse forces from the side guide rail and transmits them to the mounting frame, separating the lateral support function from the rotational fastening function
Solution Approach 2:
The support section acts as an intermediary element between the side guide rail and the mounting frame, providing a dedicated pathway for force transmission that bypasses the screw connections and insert plates, thereby eliminating bending stresses in these components while maintaining secure fixation
3Adaptability or versatility
If the side guide is designed to accommodate various cargo dimensions, then cargo space utilization is optimized, but the complexity of reconfiguration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side guide system is designed as a universal assembly that can accommodate multiple cargo dimensions and configurations through a standardized interface. The fixing element with its specific geometric features provides a universal connection method that works with various cargo types while maintaining simple reconfiguration procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The side guide incorporates movable and adjustable components that allow dynamic reconfiguration for different cargo loads. The fixing element can be easily positioned and locked at different locations along the side guide rail, enabling adaptability to various cargo dimensions without increasing operational complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lateral guide (10) for guiding and/or securing cargo items, in particular containers and/or pallets, in an aircraft, comprising at least one lateral guide device (11) and at least one holding unit (12) for the lateral guide device (11), wherein the holding unit (12) comprises a longitudinally extending (v) mounting frame (13) and at least one locking device (14) arranged on the mounting frame (13), the locking device having a plurality of recesses (15) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (v), wherein the lateral guide device (11) can be inserted into at least one of the recesses (15) at different positions (A, B, C, D, E) and can be locked in the inserted state at the different positions (A, B, C, D, E) by the locking device (14), wherein the lateral guide device (11) has at least one contact element (16).which, in the inserted state, can be brought into engagement with or is in engagement with at least one longitudinally displaceable (v) fixing element (17) of the fixing device (14), wherein the at least one contact element (16) has at least one inner support section (18) for the fixing device (14) for introducing forces and/or at least one positive locking section (19) with at least one opening (21) having a cross-sectional contour (22) deviating from a circular shape for engaging the fixing element (17).