Aircraft Fuselage Door Remote Closure and Opening Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft door mechanisms require manual operation for closure and opening, making it impossible for individuals off-board to control the door's state, especially after disembarkation or embarkation is complete.

Innovation Solution

A system with a control device that remotely operates a locking and unlocking mechanism, coupled with a closure and opening device, allowing the door to be controlled from outside the aircraft via a man-machine interface, using actuators and a slide connection to move an elongate structure for door manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual closure mechanism is used, then the door can be closed and opened, but it is not accessible to people who are not on board the aircraft

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of door controlVSAvoidComplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary remote control system that transmits commands wirelessly to actuators on the aircraft door. This mediator allows ground personnel to control the door without direct physical access to the manual closure mechanism, resolving the accessibility limitation while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical manual closure system with an automated system using electrical actuators and wireless control. This substitution enables remote operation capability while reducing the complexity of physical access requirements, as the control can be performed from outside the aircraft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If access stairs are deployed in front of the access opening, then passengers and crew can disembark, but the closure mechanism becomes inaccessible after disembarkation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDisembarkation efficiencyVSAvoidDoor control accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control system acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between ground personnel and the door closure mechanism. After stairs are deployed and passengers disembark, the intermediary wireless system allows ground personnel to continue controlling the door without needing physical access to the manual mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts to the operational phases: during disembarkation, the automatic door opening function works with deployed stairs; after disembarkation, the remote control function becomes active when stairs block access to the manual mechanism. This dynamic switching resolves the accessibility problem at different operational stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If remote control system is implemented, then door can be controlled from outside aircraft, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRemote operation capabilityVSAvoidComplexity of automation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control system is designed with multi-functionality to justify its complexity: it can open the door before disembarkation, close the door after disembarkation, and provide status monitoring. This universal control capability from a single remote interface reduces the need for multiple separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automatic door closing functionality that operates autonomously after disembarkation is complete, reducing the need for continuous manual intervention. The self-service capability balances the increased system complexity by automating routine operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4635843A1System for automatic and remote closure and opening of a door designed for access to an aircraft fuselage, automatic closure method and automatic opening method
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 AIRBUS CANADA LLP
  • EP4635843A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4635843A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4635843A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

- System for automatic and remote closure and opening of a door designed for an opening for access to an aircraft fuselage, automatic closure method and automatic opening method. - The system (1) comprises a support (15) which is designed to be secured integrally on the fuselage (4) of an aircraft, an elongate structure (16) which can be displaced in relation to the support (15), between an extended position and a retracted position, a device for locking and unlocking (19), in order to bring the locking lever (13) alternately into an unlocked position and a locked position, a device for closure and opening (20) in order to thrust the articulation arm (7), so as to bring the leaf (5) towards the open position, and to catch on the articulation arm (7), then to draw the articulation arm (7) in order to bring the leaf (5) towards the closed position, and a control device (21) in order to transmit orders to command closure or opening of the leaf (5) to the device for closure and opening (20) and orders to command locking or unlocking to the locking and unlocking device (19). The system (1) makes it possible to close and open the leaf (5) of the aircraft (AC) alternately.