Aircraft Hatch Control Box with Dual-Action Safety Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical control means for opening and closing aircraft undercarriage hatches on the ground are heavy, bulky, and costly, posing a challenge for efficient and safe operation.
Innovation Solution
A control box with a rotating and axially movable shaft that requires simultaneous action on safety and rotation drive means to prevent accidental operation, featuring a control unit that selectively delivers commands for opening, closing, and isolating sequences, ensuring secure and safe hatch management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical control means are used for opening and closing hatches, then the hatch can be manually operated on the ground, but the control mechanism becomes heavy, bulky, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional purely mechanical control system with an electromechanical system. The control unit uses electrical signals to actuate the hatch opening/closing mechanisms, substituting heavy mechanical linkages, handles, and manual transmission systems with lighter electrical actuators and control circuits. This maintains full manual operation capability while dramatically reducing the weight and complexity of the control mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical control means are used for opening and closing hatches, then the hatch can be manually operated on the ground, but the control mechanism becomes bulky and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control linkages, multiple levers, and manual transmission mechanisms with a streamlined electromechanical control unit. Electrical actuators directly drive the hatch mechanisms, eliminating the need for complex mechanical force multiplication and motion transmission systems. This reduces both the physical size and structural complexity of the control mechanism while maintaining full manual operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform multiple operations: opening hatches, closing hatches, and potentially monitoring hatch status. By integrating these functions into a single electromechanical control unit rather than separate mechanical mechanisms for each function, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining comprehensive operational capability.
3Device complexity
If a simple rotation drive is used without safety means, then the control mechanism is simpler, but accidental rotation and untimely orders can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The safety actuation mechanism requires the operator to perform a preliminary action (actuating the safety mechanism) before the rotation drive can be effective. This preliminary safety step is integrated into the control sequence, ensuring that the hatch can only be opened or closed when the safety condition is met. This prevents accidental operation while maintaining a relatively simple control structure, as the safety function is built into the existing drive mechanism rather than adding separate complex safety systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a ground-based maneuvering device for a hatch of an aircraft landing gear comprising: - maneuvering means (5, 12) of the hatch (4), - latching means (6, 7, 10) comprising at least one unlocking actuator (8), - a control box (9) comprising command-giving means (16) to selectively control the following sequences: - an opening sequence during which the unlocking actuator (8) is activated to deactivate the latching means (6, 7, 10), - a closing sequence during which the maneuvering means (5, 12) are activated to close the hatch (4).