Aircraft Cargo Locking Latch with Mechanical Safety Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing longitudinal lock devices for cargo in aircraft face issues with non-uniform loading during cargo drop, leading to premature release and stability problems due to mechanical or electro-mechanical failures, which can result in reduced accuracy and potential aircraft stall.
Innovation Solution
A longitudinal lock device with a four-bar mechanism and a safety trigger that mechanically releases the lock when a certain force is attained, ensuring cargo release without locking issues, featuring a locking box with a bar mechanism and a rocker with a contact face to displace a compression bar under longitudinal force, and an adjustable rod connected to a compression helical spring cartridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a purely mechanical release system is used, then the lock can release automatically when force is applied, but non-uniform loading causes premature release and sequential release of locks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-adjusting the spring force in each lock device before the cargo drop. The spring force is set to a predetermined value that ensures all locks will release simultaneously when the extraction parachute deploys, preventing premature release due to non-uniform loading during the drop sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of spring force in each lock device to a predetermined value that is optimized for simultaneous release. This parameter adjustment ensures that even under non-uniform loading conditions, all locks reach their release threshold at the same moment when the extraction force is applied.
2Manufacturing precision
If electro-mechanical systems are used to adjust release force, then release force can be precisely controlled, but system complexity increases and failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electro-mechanical control systems and replaces them with purely mechanical spring-based force adjustment mechanisms. This simplification maintains precise release force control through mechanical means while eliminating the complexity and failure risks associated with electro-mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes electro-mechanical control systems with a purely mechanical spring-based system. The spring force is adjusted mechanically to achieve precise release force control, eliminating the need for electrical actuators and sensors while maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If locks are released individually, then each lock can be controlled independently, but non-uniform loading causes sequential release and cargo instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring all locks with identical spring force settings before the cargo drop. This ensures that when the extraction parachute deploys and applies force to the cargo, all locks simultaneously reach their release threshold at the same moment, maintaining cargo stability during the release process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates equipotentiality by setting the spring force parameter to a predetermined value in all lock devices. This ensures that all locks have equal release thresholds and will activate simultaneously under uniform extraction force, preventing sequential release and maintaining cargo stability during the drop.
4Reliability
If a hydraulic pre-equalization system is used, then uniform loading of locks is achieved, but aircraft weight and floor space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hydraulic pre-equalization system from the lock device assembly. Instead of using a complex hydraulic network to equalize loading, the patent achieves uniform release through individual mechanical spring adjustment of each lock, eliminating the need for hydraulic pipes and associated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the hydraulic pre-equalization system with a purely mechanical spring-based adjustment system for each lock. This mechanical approach achieves uniform loading and simultaneous release without requiring the weight-intensive hydraulic infrastructure that occupies aircraft floor space.
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 ensures uniform cargo release and prevents aircraft instability by mechanically releasing the lock when a failure is detected, maintaining stability and accuracy during cargo drop, and avoiding the retention of cargo inside the aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable rod connected to a compression helical spring cartridge
Implementation Method 2
a rocker with a contact face to displace a compression bar under longitudinal force
Data Source
AI summary
Longitudinal lock devices for cargo in aircraft having a locking box fastened beneath the floor of an aircraft include a locking latch connectable to the cargo and coupled to a bar mechanism disposed inside the locking box. The locking latch is moveable in a direction towards extraction of the cargo in flight. The bar mechanism is fixed to the locking box and includes a puppet arm articulated on a second pivot wand a puppet follower articulated on a first pivot, whereby each of the pivots is operably fastened to the locking box (9). The puppet arm comprises a cam profile on a face there of which is cooperative with a puppet roller connected to an electro-mechanical actuator linear by means of a drive rod. The articulations moving the bar mechanism responsively determine locked, armed and released positions for the device.