Aircraft Emergency Slide Container for Safe Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for replacing aircraft emergency slides are inefficient, dangerous, and risk damaging slides and aircraft components, particularly due to the manual handling and lifting of heavy slides, which can lead to injuries and damage during the exchange process.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft emergency slide containers with two body members and securement assemblies that allow for translation and rotation, equipped with roller assemblies and mechanical leverage devices to facilitate safe and efficient handling and positioning of slides, enabling the separation and reassembly of the container portions to manage the slides effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual handling methods are used to transport slides, then personnel can move slides without specialized equipment, but personnel safety deteriorates due to heavy lifting and potential injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The container serves as an intermediary device between personnel and the heavy slide. The container includes a base portion and a hinged lid that can be opened to receive the slide, allowing personnel to load and unload slides without directly lifting them. The container itself is moved to and from the aircraft, transferring the burden of transport from personnel to the container structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If slides are lifted vertically into containers, then slides can be secured for transport, but the risk of damage to slides and aircraft components increases due to potential dropping or mishandling
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed to be positioned at the same vertical level as the aircraft cargo hold when loaded. The base portion and hinged lid configuration allows the slide to be placed horizontally into the container at aircraft level, eliminating the need to lift the slide vertically over the container sides. This equipotential positioning prevents dropping and reduces handling risks.
3Device complexity
If containers are never placed inside the aircraft, then container structure can be simpler, but the replacement process becomes less efficient requiring external handling
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into a base portion and a hinged lid portion. The base portion remains outside the aircraft during loading, while the hinged lid can be opened to receive the slide and then closed to secure it. This segmentation allows the container to be partially positioned inside the aircraft cargo hold, improving efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If slides are dragged or carried inside the aircraft, then replacement can proceed at emergency doors, but injury to personnel and damage to aircraft interior increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need to drag or carry slides across the aircraft interior. The slide is loaded into the container at the main door area, and the container is then moved to the emergency door location. This keeps the slide contained and protected throughout the transfer, preventing damage to aircraft carpet and seats while enabling replacement at emergency doors.
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 solution enhances personnel safety by reducing the physical strain of handling heavy slides and minimizes the risk of damage to slides and aircraft components, while allowing for efficient positioning and orientation of slides near installation and removal points, thus improving the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the replacement process.
Implementation Method 1
Roller assemblies mounted on the first and second container body members enable translation and/or rotation of the first and second container body members
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are disclosed for replacing expired or unserviceable aircraft emergency slides (“slides”) in an aircraft. The disclosed methods utilize containers that are configured to securely retain both unserviceable slides and serviceable slides at different times in different configurations as installation tools. The container can be placed on an aircraft through the main door of the aircraft, and are further configured to be easily transported within the aircraft from a staging area of the aircraft to a slide installation and removal point at either the main door or an emergency exit door of the aircraft. The containers can be aligned with the installation and removal point to facilitate replacing an unserviceable slide with a new, serviceable slide. The disclosed methods and containers improve personnel safety concerning lifting and handling of the slides, which are heavy. The containers and methods disclosed herein further facilitate positioning of the slides near installation and removal points and properly orienting the slides, while reducing awkward handling situations for personnel.