Aircraft Door Emergency Opening Device with Elastic Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft door emergency opening devices require complex maintenance and rely on energy sources, which can be a liability in emergency situations and during normal operations, and they lack compactness and reliability for installation in complex aircraft structures.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical emergency opening device with a tubular operating member and elastic compression means that can switch between passive and active states, allowing for rapid door opening without energy sources, and includes a service opening function and release mechanism for easy reclosure without rearming, ensuring reliability and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If pneumatic, hydraulic or pyrotechnic elements are used in emergency opening devices, then the door can be opened rapidly in emergency, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pneumatic, hydraulic, or pyrotechnic systems with a purely mechanical elastic compression system. The door opening mechanism uses a compressed spring that directly drives the door open when released, eliminating complex energy storage and delivery systems while maintaining rapid opening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic compression means automatically stores energy during normal door operation and releases it during emergency opening without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The mechanism serves itself by utilizing the door's normal operation to compress the spring, which then provides all necessary energy for emergency opening.
2Speed
If energy sources are used in emergency opening devices, then rapid door opening is achieved, but reliability decreases due to potential energy source failure
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic compression means is pre-compressed during normal door operation, storing energy in advance for emergency use. This preliminary action ensures that when emergency opening is required, the door can open rapidly without relying on external power sources that might fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the door's normal operation to automatically charge the spring, making the energy storage process self-service and eliminating the need for separate power sources, thereby improving reliability.
3Speed
If complex emergency opening devices are used, then rapid door opening is achieved, but weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components such as power sources, control systems, and complex mechanisms from traditional emergency opening devices, retaining only the essential elastic compression and release mechanisms, thereby reducing weight and bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing complex mechanical, pneumatic, or pyrotechnic systems with a simple elastic compression system, the patent significantly reduces the weight and bulk of the emergency opening device while maintaining rapid door opening capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional emergency opening devices are used, then door opening function is provided, but ease of operation for reclosure deteriorates due to rearming requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member dynamically transitions between locked and unlocked states, allowing the door to be easily reclosed by simply releasing the retaining member after emergency opening, without requiring complex rearming procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides emergency opening through elastic compression, allows easy reclosure by simple release of the retaining member, and maintains readiness for subsequent emergency operations without complex rearming.
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 device provides reliable, energy-independent emergency door opening and closure, with reduced weight and bulk, enabling safe and efficient operation in emergency situations and normal conditions, and allows for easy testing and reclosure without extensive maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
elastic compression means disposed between a fixed stop element and the operating member
Implementation Method 2
under the effect of the effort resulting from the expansion of the elastic means
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency opening device (1) for an aircraft door having: a tubular operating member (2); elastic compression device (3). The operating member (2) has a first end element (10) and a second end element (11) that can move in translation with respect to one another. The first end element (10) includes a removable driving stop (20).