Aircraft Door Round Interface Self-Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft doors struggle with efficient sealing and operation due to limited floating movement on planar surfaces, relying heavily on friction and pressure differences, which increases weight and maintenance costs, and requires separate latch lock mechanisms and door stop pins.
Innovation Solution
A door design featuring a latch element with a round-shaped interface that adjusts its position relative to the door frame using a movable connection, allowing for swinging and turning movements, eliminating the need for fixed door stops and reducing operational forces, enabling self-positioning and simplified operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate latch lock mechanisms and door stop pins are used, then the door can be securely latched, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the latch lock mechanism and door stop pins into a single integrated door stop fitting that performs both functions. The door stop fitting includes a locking member that can move between a closed position for latching and an open position for stopping, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The door stop fitting is designed as a multi-functional component that serves as both a latch lock mechanism and a door stop. The locking member can engage with bearing regions to provide latching security while also functioning as a stop pin to limit door movement, allowing one component to fulfill multiple previously separate functions
2Ease of manufacture
If planar surfaces are used for door stops, then manufacturing is simple, but the door leaf floating movement is limited and friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spherical or curved surfaces in the door stop fitting, specifically the locking member and bearing regions, to enable smooth rotational and floating movements of the door leaf. The spherical interface allows the door to move freely in multiple directions while maintaining contact, reducing friction compared to planar surfaces while remaining manufacturable
3Reliability
If the door relies on pressure difference for sealing, then sealing force is achieved, but operational forces increase and maintenance costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The door stop fitting is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on door position and pressure differential. The locking member moves into the bearing region automatically when the door closes, providing self-latching without requiring high operational forces. The system uses the pressure difference itself to help maintain the latched state, reducing the force needed for operation and lowering maintenance requirements
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 door achieves a floating principle with self-positioning, reducing operational complexity and weight, and simplifying maintenance by allowing inward movement for opening without lifting, thus enhancing sealing efficiency and reducing installation and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure puts a pressure on the door leaf such that the second portion of the round shaped interface engages with the first portion of the round shaped interface
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The present embodiments relate to a door 200 that is adapted to separating two environments 202, 204 with different pressures and to an aircraft 100 with such a door 200. The door 200 may include a door leaf 210, a door frame 220 having a door stop 225 with a first portion of a round shaped interface 227, and an actuating system 290 having a latch element 230 with a second portion of the round shaped interface 237. In the latched state, the difference between the pressures puts a pressure 215 on the door leaf 210 such that the first and second portions of the round shaped interface 227, 237 engage with each other. The door leaf 210 may move at a movable connection 235 with latch element 230, thereby performing an adjustment 295 of the position of the door leaf 210 relative to the door frame 220.