Aircraft Floor Load Transfer Structure for Secure Item Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft floor panels are often unable to securely mount items due to lack of suitable mounting interfaces, and modifying the floor to accommodate additional mounting systems is restricted by flight safety regulations and requires extensive testing and approval.
Innovation Solution
The method involves modifying or replacing floor panels to create access passages and installing Load Transfer Structures (LTS) under the floor, which are designed to secure items during normal flight and high-G events while maintaining the aircraft's structural integrity and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If floor panels are modified to add mounting interfaces, then item mounting capability is improved, but structural integrity and flight safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces floor mounting plates as intermediary components between the floor panels and mounted items. These plates are installed within existing floor panel openings or between floor panels, serving as mediator structures that provide mounting interfaces without requiring modification of the floor panel structure itself. The mounting plates transfer loads to the floor structure through existing strong points, preserving structural integrity while enabling item mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into separate components: floor mounting plates, mounting interfaces, and support structures. This segmentation allows the mounting function to be added independently without modifying the floor panels. The mounting plates can be installed and removed without affecting the structural floor panels, thus maintaining reliability while improving adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pallets are installed atop the floor to distribute loads, then mounting capability is improved, but tripping hazards and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding mounting structures in the vertical dimension (which would create raised pallets and tripping hazards), the patent transitions to a horizontal dimension solution by installing mounting plates within the existing floor plane. The mounting interfaces are created at the same level as the floor surface, eliminating vertical protrusions that cause tripping hazards while maintaining load distribution capability through the plate structure.
3Reliability
If existing mounting points are used, then structural safety is maintained, but desired location mounting is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The floor mounting plates are designed as universal components that can be installed at multiple locations between floor panels or within floor panel openings. Each mounting plate provides multiple mounting interfaces, and the system as a whole enables mounting at various positions while all interfaces connect to the same structural floor structure, maintaining safety while providing location flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An item to be secured to an aircraft floor can be secured to a Load Transfer Structure that resides under the floor, via access passages provided in selected floor panels. The Load Transfer Structure transfers the weight of the item to members of the airframe, and is designed to accommodate loads during normal flight without restricting the designed movement of the airframe; however, under abnormal conditions such as a crash, the Load Transfer Structure engages members of the airframe to transfer loads thereto to secure the item.