Aircraft Door Orientation Programming With Arm-Integrated Tracks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical programming systems for translating doors in aircraft add weight and complexity due to the need for large components and additional space, increasing costs and structural requirements.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical programming system using at least one track in an arm and pivotably connected links to maintain door orientation parallel to the door opening during translation, allowing non-parallel orientations at certain points, reducing the need for large components and additional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If parallel bars programming is used to control door orientation, then the door remains parallel to the fuselage during opening, but additional weight and structural complexity are added due to mounting requirements at the door opening and door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the programming function from the door structure itself and relocates it to the hinge arm. By forming tracks in the hinge arm and using links with track engaging elements, the system eliminates the need for mounting structures at the door opening and door, thereby reducing weight while maintaining the door parallelism function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces links as intermediary components between the hinge arm and door. These links, connected through track engaging elements that slide along directional tracks in the hinge arm, serve as mediators to control door orientation without requiring direct mounting at the door structure, thus reducing overall system weight.
2Stability of the object's composition
If parallel bars programming is used to control door orientation, then the door remains parallel to the fuselage during opening, but device complexity increases due to additional structural interfaces and mounting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the programming function from the door structure and relocates it to the hinge arm. By forming tracks in the hinge arm and using links with track engaging elements, the system eliminates the need for mounting structures at the door opening and door, thereby reducing weight while maintaining the door parallelism function.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge arm is given multiple functions: it serves as both the structural support for the door and as the programming mechanism carrier. The tracks are formed directly in the hinge arm, making the hinge arm universally responsible for both support and orientation control, thereby reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system.
3Power
If rack and pinion programming is used to transmit torque, then the door orientation is controlled during opening, but weight increases due to the large size of rack and pinion gears required to transmit torque between interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rack and pinion gear system with a link-and-track mechanism. Instead of using large gears to transmit torque, the system uses links connected through track engaging elements that slide along directional tracks in the hinge arm. This substitution maintains torque transmission capability while significantly reducing the size and weight of the mechanical components.
4Power
If chain drive programming is used to control door orientation, then the door orientation is maintained during opening, but weight increases due to large sprockets and chain required to transmit torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chain drive system with a link-and-track mechanism. Instead of using large sprockets and chain to transmit torque, the system uses links connected through track engaging elements that slide along directional tracks in the hinge arm. This substitution maintains torque transmission capability while significantly reducing the size and weight of the mechanical components.
5Stability of the object's composition
If conventional mechanical programming systems are used, then door orientation is controlled during translation, but additional space is required that protrudes outside the envelope of the hinge arm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the programming mechanism components within the hinge arm structure. The tracks are formed directly in the hinge arm, and the links with track engaging elements are contained within the hinge arm envelope. This nesting arrangement eliminates the need for additional space protruding outside the hinge arm, while maintaining door orientation control functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mechanical programming system for a door has at least one track and at least two links. The track is formed in an arm coupling the door to a door opening in a body. The links are pivotably connected in series between an arm-body interface and an arm-door interface, and transmit rotational motion of the arm about an arm-body hinge axis to the door for rotation about an arm-door hinge axis. At least one link is coupled to the track via a track engaging element. The track has a directional path shape that causes an orientation of at least one link to change as the track engaging element slides along the track in a manner maintaining the door parallel to the door opening during an opening sequence of translating the door from a closed position to an open position while allowing non-parallel orientations of the door during the opening sequence.