Aircraft Hold-Release Mechanism With Adjustable Release Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerial delivery systems face challenges in achieving fast and even release of components during air dropping operations, with holding mechanisms often failing to adapt quickly to varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A component hold and release arrangement for aircraft, incorporating a controller, passive holding devices, and a release threshold adjustment device, which allows for rapid adjustment of release thresholds based on environmental conditions, ensuring simultaneous release of components using disc spring torque limiters or force limiters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If holding mechanisms use fixed release thresholds, then the structure is simple, but the release timing cannot adapt to varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the release threshold adjustable rather than fixed. The holding mechanism incorporates a release threshold adjustment device that can dynamically change the release threshold based on environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, or altitude, allowing the system to adapt to varying conditions during aerial delivery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the release threshold parameter of the holding mechanism. The adjustment device changes the physical or chemical state of the release mechanism (such as spring tension, friction coefficients, or mechanical geometry) to alter the release threshold, enabling adaptation to different environmental conditions without changing the overall system architecture.
2Speed
If holding mechanisms are designed for fast release, then the release speed is improved, but the simultaneity of release across multiple mechanisms becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a control system that monitors the release status of multiple holding mechanisms and adjusts their release thresholds accordingly. The controller receives feedback from sensors detecting environmental conditions and release status, then dynamically adjusts each mechanism's threshold to ensure they all release simultaneously when the component reaches the drop zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by using a standardized holding mechanism design with universal adjustment capabilities across all mechanisms. Each holding mechanism incorporates the same type of adjustment device and control interface, allowing them to function identically under the same control signals, which ensures simultaneous release while maintaining fast release speed.
3Speed
If release threshold is lowered for faster release, then the release speed improves, but the holding security during transport is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the release threshold dynamically adjustable during transport. The system maintains a high release threshold during loading and transport to ensure secure holding, then rapidly lowers the threshold at the appropriate moment (triggered by environmental sensors detecting drop zone conditions) to enable fast release, thus resolving the contradiction between holding security and release speed.
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
Ensures fast and uniform release of components by aligning release thresholds across multiple holding mechanisms, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of aerial delivery operations.
Implementation Method 1
The first passive holding device is, in particular, a disc spring torque limiter configured to allow movement of a shaft when a release torque is reached
Implementation Method 2
a force limiter configured to prevent linear movement of a shaft when the force limiter is in a secured state and to allow linear movement of the shaft when a release force is reached
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A component hold and release arrangement (100) for an aircraft (1000) and an aircraft (1000) with such an arrangement is provided. The component hold and release arrangement (100) comprises a controller (10) and a first holding mechanism (20). The first holding mechanism (100) comprises a first latch (21), a first passive holding device (22) and a release threshold adjustment device (23). The first passive holding device (22) is connected to the first latch (21) and configured to prevent movement of the first latch (21) when a force exerted onto the first latch (21) is smaller than a first release threshold and to release the first latch (21) when the force exerted onto the first latch (21) reaches the first release threshold. The release threshold adjustment device (23) is functionally coupled to the first passive holding device (22) and adapted to adjust the first release threshold. The controller (10) is in communication with the release threshold adjustment device (23) and configured to communicate a corresponding adjustment value to the release threshold adjustment device (23) so as to adjust the first release threshold.