Aircraft Table Support Bolts for Jam-Free Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft tables with rack and pinion systems often experience jamming and binding due to in-flight stresses, and notched arms can fail under high loads, making deployment difficult and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft table system featuring a table member coupled to a sled member with rollers on guide rails, movable bolts, and spring elements, where cables are used to maintain tension and facilitate smooth deployment and stowage, with quick disconnect hinges for enhanced serviceability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rack and pinion systems are used for table deployment, then deployment mechanism is provided, but jamming and binding occur due to in-flight stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rack and pinion mechanical system with a scissor-like mechanism consisting of support members connected by hinges. This substitution eliminates the gear teeth engagement that causes jamming and binding, providing a simpler mechanical system that is less susceptible to stress-induced failures during flight operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are designed to move dynamically between deployed and stowed positions through hinged connections. The mechanism allows smooth transitions by permitting rotational movement at hinge points, accommodating in-flight stresses without binding, and maintaining reliability through flexible dynamic operation rather than rigid gear engagement.
2Ease of operation
If notched support arm is used to hold table, then table positioning is achieved, but stress concentration causes pivot point failure under high loads
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple support members connected by hinges rather than a single notched arm. This segmentation distributes the load across multiple connection points and members, eliminating the stress concentration that occurs at the notched pivot point of a monolithic support arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged connections allow the support members to dynamically adjust to applied loads, distributing stresses through rotational movement rather than concentrating them at a fixed notched pivot point. This dynamic capability maintains structural integrity under high loads while still achieving proper table positioning.
3Ease of operation
If slidable guide members are used for deployment, then deployment is facilitated, but frictional forces cause binding and difficult deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slidable guide members with a hinged scissor-like mechanism. Instead of relying on sliding contact that generates friction, the system uses rotational movement at hinge joints, which significantly reduces frictional forces and eliminates binding during deployment and stowage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from static sliding contact to dynamic rotational movement. The hinged connections allow the support members to pivot smoothly during deployment, reducing frictional resistance compared to slidable guides and facilitating easier operation without binding.
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 system ensures reliable deployment and stowage by minimizing friction and stress concentrations, providing a robust and efficient mechanism for translating the table between deployed and undeployed positions while withstanding various loads.
Implementation Method 1
The aircraft table system includes rollers coupled to a sled member and guide rails. The rollers are arranged in sets and roll along the guide rails to allow relative translating motion between the sled member and the guide rails.
Implementation Method 2
One or more spring elements are coupled to the sled member. One or more cables may be coupled between the spine member and the spring elements such that the spring elements impart and/or maintain tension on the cables. The tension may be at least partially converted into an upward force imparted on the sled member.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft table system includes a table member coupled to a sled member. When the table member is adjusted to a partially deployed position, movable bolts on the sled member are received by holes in a spine member such that the sled member and the coupled table member are supported by the spine member on the received bolts. Cables may be coupled between the bolts and the table member such that when the table member is adjusted from a deployed position to an undeployed position, the bolts are pulled from the corresponding holes in the spine member, freeing the sled member to move relative to the spine member.