Aircraft Storage Retainer With Strap Anchors for Turbulence Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft storage systems fail to provide easy and secure access to critical materials like aircraft flight manuals during flight, especially in turbulent conditions, and occupying the co-pilot's hands for manual storage poses a safety risk.
Innovation Solution
A storage retainer system with a fixed shelf, straps, and anchors that securely stow materials like flight manuals in an open recessed area, using straps to bias the materials against the aft wall and shelf, preventing movement during flight while allowing easy one-handed access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If materials are stored manually without a retainer system, then the co-pilot can easily access materials, but the materials may displace during turbulence and occupy the co-pilot's hands
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into distinct functional components: a fixed shelf for support, a panel for containment, and straps for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system reliability and ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer system is designed to be self-regulating through the strap mechanism that automatically adjusts to secure materials of varying sizes and weights. The straps provide continuous securing force without requiring active monitoring or adjustment by the co-pilot, enabling hands-free operation.
2Reliability
If a secure retainer system with straps and anchors is installed, then material displacement is prevented during turbulence, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple structural elements are merged into integrated assemblies: the panel is attached to both the aft wall and fixed shelf through straps, creating a unified containment structure. The anchor system combines attachment points on the wall and shelf into a coordinated securing mechanism, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it attaches the panel to the structure, secures materials against displacement, and provides adjustable tensioning. The fixed shelf both supports the panel and serves as an attachment point for straps, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures.
3Ease of operation
If materials are kept accessible without restriction, then the co-pilot can quickly grab them, but they may move during flight and require manual holding
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer system applies preliminary restraining force through the strap mechanism that continuously biases materials against the panel and shelf. This preemptive securing action prevents displacement before it can occur during turbulence, eliminating the need for manual holding while maintaining quick access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Materials are pre-positioned on the fixed shelf within the defined storage area during aircraft loading or maintenance. The strap system is pre-configured to secure this positioning, so that when flight begins, materials are already in their secured positions and ready for immediate access without requiring adjustment or manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage retainer includes an open recessed area configured to store materials in an aircraft. The retainer includes an aft wall and a lower shelf for receiving materials thereon. The retainer includes one or more straps attach to a panel for securing objects, such as a flight manual, against the aft wall and the lower shelf. The straps attach to one or more anchors on the aft wall and one or more anchors on the lower shelf, therein biasing the panel towards the aft wall and the lower shelf to secure the materials in the open recessed area for easy access thereto.