Airfield Light Plunging Lock for Vibration-Secure Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airfield lights, such as taxiway lights, are secured using fasteners like bolts, which can become loose due to aircraft tire loads and vibrations, posing a foreign object damage threat and necessitating costly and time-consuming repairs.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical locking assembly with a spring or plunging mechanism is used to secure the light assembly to the base without fasteners, allowing for easy retrofitting and secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fasteners like bolts are used to secure the light assembly, then the light assembly can be attached to the base, but the fasteners can become loose due to aircraft tire loads and vibrations, posing a foreign object damage threat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fastener component entirely and replaces it with a locking assembly that uses a plunging mechanism. The light assembly is secured to the base through a locking hole and plug configuration, eliminating bolts and other fasteners that could loosen under vibration and tire load conditions, thereby removing the foreign object damage threat while maintaining secure attachment.
2Reliability
If fasteners are used to secure the light assembly, then the light assembly can be attached to the base, but costly and time-consuming repairs are necessitated when fasteners become loose
Solution Approach 1:
By eliminating fasteners and implementing a locking assembly with a plunging mechanism, the system prevents the need for periodic repair and replacement. The locking assembly remains secure under vibration and tire load conditions, eliminating the time loss associated with runway closures for fastener repair and replacement.
3Reliability
If a locking assembly with plunging mechanism is used instead of fasteners, then secure attachment without fasteners is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a locking hole in the base, a plug with a plunging mechanism, and a light assembly with a cover. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while achieving secure attachment without fasteners. The plunging mechanism itself is further segmented into a plug body and a locking portion that engages with the base.
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 solution prevents loose fasteners, reducing the need for runway closures and repair delays, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
The locking assembly includes a spring configured to compress against a cover of the light assembly
Implementation Method 2
a plunging mechanism configured to compress against a cover of the light assembly while the cover is being rotated relative to the base, and extend into an opening of the cover of the light assembly to secure the light assembly to the base
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods, and systems for securing a light assembly of an airfield light are described herein. One device includes a light assembly, a base, and a locking assembly configured to secure the light assembly to the base. The locking assembly includes a plunging mechanism configured to compress against a cover of the light assembly while the cover is being rotated relative to the base, and extend into an opening of the cover of the light assembly to secure the light assembly to the base.