Aircraft Cargo Handling System with Contiguous Topskin and Integrated Rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical aircraft cargo handling systems pose trip hazards for personnel due to the longitudinal trays, and they often struggle with efficient sealing, drainage, and flexible interfacing with irregular aircraft shapes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed cargo handling system features a contiguous topskin with integrated roller assemblies and ball transfer units, which are housed within trays that extend longitudinally, providing a safer, more efficient, and adaptable cargo handling solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If longitudinal trays are used in cargo handling systems, then cargo movement is facilitated, but trip hazards are created for personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the trays (creating trip hazards) is separated from their useful function (facilitating cargo movement). The trays are extracted from the continuous floor surface and repositioned to the bottom of the cargo compartment, eliminating their interference with personnel while preserving their cargo handling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The trays are moved from the horizontal plane (floor surface) to the vertical dimension (bottom of cargo compartment). This dimensional repositioning removes them from the personnel walkway while maintaining their operational function for cargo movement
2Ease of operation
If floor panels are used to fill space between trays, then walking surface is provided, but sealing and drainage efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The floor panels are extracted from the system entirely. Instead of using panels to fill gaps between trays, the trays themselves are repositioned to eliminate gaps, removing the need for floor panels and thereby eliminating the sealing and drainage problems they caused
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo compartment floor is segmented into distinct functional zones: the repositioned trays at the bottom for cargo movement, and the clear space above for personnel access. This segmentation eliminates the need for intermediate floor panels that compromised sealing and drainage
3Device complexity
If traditional tray configurations are used, then cargo handling is simplified, but adaptability to irregular aircraft shapes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tray system is made dynamically configurable rather than fixed. The trays can be positioned and configured to match the specific geometry of different aircraft cargo compartments, allowing the same basic tray design to adapt to various aircraft shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The repositioned tray configuration serves multiple functions: it facilitates cargo movement, provides structural support for the cargo floor, and adapts to different aircraft geometries. This multi-functionality increases versatility without significantly increasing system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo handling system may comprise a plurality of trays and a topskin. The plurality of trays may structurally support the topskin. The plurality of trays may be contiguously covered. The plurality of trays may be partially covered by the topskin. At least one of a ball transfer unit (BTU) or a roller assembly may be configured to be coupled to the topskin and/or disposed within a groove of a tray in the plurality of trays.