Aircraft Door Actuating System With Integrated Latch Drive
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuating systems for aircraft doors are complex, expensive, heavy, and space-consuming due to multiple components and bearings, making them difficult to manufacture and assemble, while also failing to meet safety requirements for secure latching and locking under various flight and ground conditions.
Innovation Solution
A compact actuating system with reduced components, featuring a centralized latch drive and a rotatable locking shaft that secures latching members independently of the direct latch drive, ensuring double monitoring of latch positions and preventing uncontrolled unlatching, using a simplified design with fewer moving parts and bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional actuating systems with multiple components and bearings are used, then reliable latching and locking function is achieved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing and assembly become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components into integrated assemblies. The latch mechanism integrates the latch member, latch arm, and latch spring into a single unified component. The locking mechanism integrates the locking cam, locking arm, and locking spring into another unified component. This merging reduces the total number of separate parts while maintaining the reliable latching and locking functions through coordinated movement of the integrated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism serves multiple functions: it latches the door in the closed position, monitors latch position through the latch arm movement, and provides the force necessary for locking through the integrated latch spring. Similarly, the locking mechanism provides both the locking action and the monitoring function. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
2Reliability
If conventional actuating systems with multiple components are used, then secure latching is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple components into integrated assemblies, the patent reduces the number of separate manufacturing processes and assembly steps required. The integrated latch mechanism and locking mechanism can be manufactured as complete units, potentially using advanced manufacturing techniques like injection molding or precision casting, reducing the complexity of production and assembly while maintaining secure latching functionality.
3Reliability
If conventional actuating systems with multiple bearings are used, then latching function is reliable, but the system becomes heavy and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates multiple separate bearings by integrating the rotational and pivotal movements into the unified latch and locking mechanisms. The latch arm and locking arm serve as both structural supports and transmission elements, eliminating the need for separate bearing components. This integration significantly reduces the weight of moving parts while maintaining reliable latching function through the coordinated mechanical advantage of the integrated mechanisms.
4Reliability
If conventional actuating systems with multiple components are used, then latching and locking is achieved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent presents the latch mechanism and locking mechanism as integrated assemblies that can be manufactured and assembled as complete units. This modular approach allows for pre-assembly and testing of each mechanism before final installation, simplifying the overall assembly process. The reduced number of separate components means fewer alignment operations and faster assembly while maintaining the reliable latching and locking functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuating system for an actuatable door and to an actuatable door having such an actuating system are provided. The actuating system comprises first and second rotatable latching shafts, a coupling link, first and second pivotable mechanical transmission elements that are mounted onto first and second rotatable latching shafts, respectively, and first and second latching members. First and second latching members are non-rotatably mounted to the second rotatable latching shaft and adapted for latching the actuatable door in a closed position. A first rotation of the first rotatable latching shaft results in pivoting of the first and second mechanical transmission elements and a second rotation of the second rotatable latching shaft, which causes a third rotation of first and second latching members.