Blind Spacer Assembly for Cargo Roller Securement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Attaching clips or securement means to spacers in cargo handling system rollers, especially those over fasteners, is difficult due to limited access, making the process cumbersome and prone to unauthorized removal.
Innovation Solution
A blind spacer assembly featuring an outer sleeve, pin, and rotating pawls, which can be translated to a locked state to secure the roller to the tray, utilizing a screw and nut configuration to rotate the pawls radially outward, providing secure attachment and preventing unauthorized removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clips or securement means are attached to spacers after the tray is fastened to the cargo bay floor, then the roller can be secured to the tray, but the attachment process becomes difficult due to limited access
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional attachment sequence by enabling the clip to be attached to the spacer before the tray is fastened to the cargo bay floor. The blind spacer assembly is designed with a receptacle that receives the clip on the tray side, allowing the clip to be installed through the tray opening before the tray is permanently secured. This inversion of the attachment sequence resolves the access problem while ensuring reliable securement.
Solution Approach 2:
The blind spacer assembly acts as an intermediary component that bridges the tray and roller, providing a mechanism for securement that works through the limited access available through the tray opening. The spacer's receptacle and locking features mediate between the clip attachment and the roller securing functions, enabling reliable attachment despite the constrained access environment.
2Ease of operation
If traditional spacers are used that allow easy access for clip attachment, then the attachment process is simple, but the spacers are prone to unauthorized removal
Solution Approach 1:
The blind spacer assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the outer sleeve providing structural support, the pawl mechanism for locking, the receptacle for clip reception, and the locking features for securing. This segmentation allows the spacer to provide easy clip attachment through the receptacle while simultaneously incorporating multiple locking mechanisms that prevent unauthorized removal, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the spacer by introducing a locked state versus an unlocked state. The pawl and ratchet mechanism, along with the set screw, create a parameter change from a freely removable state to a securely locked state. This allows the spacer to accommodate easy clip attachment during installation while preventing unauthorized removal during operation.
3Reliability
If a locked state mechanism is added to prevent unauthorized removal, then security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated blind spacer assembly: the outer sleeve provides structural support and defines the receptacle, the pawl mechanism provides locking capability, the set screw provides additional security, and the radii features guide the clip installation. By combining these functions into one assembly rather than separate components, the device achieves reliable prevention of unauthorized removal while minimizing the increase in overall complexity.
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
Facilitates easy installation and secure attachment of rollers to trays, reducing the risk of unauthorized removal by allowing the spacer assembly to be locked in place from a single side, even where access is limited, and requires specialized tools for operation.
Implementation Method 1
a nut may be located in the outer sleeve, and a screw may be in threaded engagement with the nut. Translation of the screw towards the pin may be configured to rotate the first pawl in a first circumferential direction about the pin.
Data Source
AI summary
A blind spacer assembly may comprise an outer sleeve and a pin located through the outer sleeve. A first and second pawl may be configured to rotate about the pin. A collar may be coupled to the outer sleeve and located over the pin. A nut may be located in the outer sleeve. A screw may be in threaded engagement with the nut.