Aircraft Cargo End Stop Device Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing end stop devices for ULDs in aircraft cargo decks are heavy and costly due to their massive construction, which is necessary to withstand high loads but results in inefficiency and increased weight.
Innovation Solution
A tie down ring-based end stop device with a block-shaped design that uses a half-moon recess and locking pins for secure attachment to the cargo deck, eliminating the need for heavy seat track profiles and complex connections, and featuring a hollow cylindrical bolt portion for weight efficiency and high tensile strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If end stop devices are constructed massively to withstand high loads, then strength and reliability are improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The end stop device is divided into separate functional components: a support plate for mounting, a bolt portion for securing, and a stop element for restraining. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, using material only where needed for its specific function, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire end stop device massive, the patent applies material and structural strength locally at critical points - specifically at the mounting interface where loads are transferred to the cargo deck. The support plate and bolt portion are designed with sufficient strength only at these load-bearing locations, while other parts can be lighter.
2Reliability
If end stop devices are constructed massively to withstand high loads, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the end stop device into distinct modular components (support plate, bolt portion, stop element), the design simplifies manufacturing and assembly while maintaining reliability. Each component can be produced independently using standard processes, reducing overall construction complexity compared to a monolithic massive structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate serves multiple functions: it provides a mounting surface, distributes loads, and interfaces with the cargo deck structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall device construction while maintaining reliability under high loads.
3Ease of operation
If traditional seat track profiles are used for attachment, then ease of operation is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential attachment function from the complex seat track profile system and implements it through a simplified support plate with bolt portion that directly mounts to the cargo deck. This removes unnecessary structural elements while retaining the core functionality of secure attachment, thereby reducing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate acts as an intermediary element between the end stop device and the cargo deck structure. It provides a simple, direct mounting interface that eliminates the need for heavy seat track profiles, achieving ease of operation through straightforward installation while significantly reducing weight.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A
AI summary
The present invention relates to an end stop device for restraining an ULD in an aircraft, the end stop device comprising: a main body (11); at least one mounting interface (20) connected to the main body which is configured and arranged to attach the end stop device to the cargo deck by means of a corresponding tie down ring (43), each mounting interface comprising: a tongue-like support plate (20) which is at least partially protruding below a bottom side of the main body, at least one recess (21) arranged in an area above the support plate, wherein side walls of the recess forming a frame-like structure, and a bolt portion (25) extending from the support plate into the recess and at least partially surrounded by the frame-like structure, the bolt portion is configured to engage the tie down ring.