Aircraft Door Latch System for Overwing Exit Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for securing aircraft doors at overwing exits during emergency egress are either difficult to balance on armrests, prone to dislodging, or pose risks of obstructing the egress path or causing damage to the aircraft when thrown outside.

Innovation Solution

A latch system integrated into the armrests of seats in the exit row that can be manually or automatically deployed to engage and hold the door edge, preventing it from sliding off and potentially blocking the egress path, and can also include mechanisms to pivot the armrest or move seats to widen the path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the door is placed on the armrests of the seats, then the door can be secured inside the cabin, but it is difficult to balance the door and it may slide off blocking the egress path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor securing reliabilityVSAvoiddoor placement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A latch mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the door and the armrest. The latch engages with the door edge and holds it securely on the armrest, eliminating the need for manual balancing while preventing the door from sliding off and blocking the egress path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The latch is pre-positioned on the armrest in a ready state. When the door is placed on the armrest, the latch automatically or manually engages with the door edge, securing it before any potential sliding can occur. This preliminary securing action prevents the need for continuous manual adjustment during evacuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the door is thrown out of the cabin through the overwing exit, then the egress path is cleared, but the door may land on the wing causing damage or block egress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevacuation speedVSAvoiddamage to aircraft and blockage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of throwing the heavy door outside which creates harmful effects, the invention converts the door into a beneficial element by securing it on the armrest. The door, which would otherwise be a hazard, becomes a secured object that does not obstruct the egress path, allowing rapid evacuation without the risks associated with throwing the door outside.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If the door is held on the armrest without a latch, then the structure remains simple, but the door may be accidentally dislodged by passengers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring mechanism complexityVSAvoiddoor stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9981733B2System for securing an aircraft door

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for securing an emergency exit door on an armrest of a seat are provided. A system includes a latch connected to an armrest of a seat of a vehicle. The latch is moveable relative to the armrest between a stowed position and a deployed position. The latch is structured and arranged to engage an edge of a door that is associated with an exit of the vehicle to hold the door on the armrest.