Bolt Work with Force Feedback for Aircraft Door Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door bolt mechanisms require cumbersome additional actuation for special functions like sealing, which can be forgotten or unclearly triggered, especially in applications like aircraft doors where manual or automatic activation is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage boltwork with a rotatable locking bolt unit and sliding sliders that provide force feedback when an adjustment range is reached, incorporating a limit switch to activate inflatable door seals only when the door is closed and locked, ensuring proper sealing and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional switch or manual actuation is used to trigger special functions, then the special function can be activated, but the operation becomes cumbersome and the risk of forgetting or unclear triggering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the activation of special functions with the primary door locking operation. The control element is integrated into the locking mechanism such that actuating the locking bolt simultaneously triggers both the locking action and the special function (e.g., inflatable seal activation), eliminating the need for separate manual switches and ensuring reliable concurrent activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically activates special functions through the locking mechanism itself. The control element is designed so that the natural motion of locking the door automatically triggers the special function without requiring additional user intervention, making the system self-activating based on the primary operation.
2Reliability
If a multi-stage boltwork with force feedback is implemented, then activation reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boltwork is divided into multiple stages or positions along its travel path. Each stage corresponds to a specific door closure state (e.g., partially closed, fully closed, locked). Force feedback mechanisms are positioned at these stages to provide tactile cues to the operator, allowing reliable detection of activation points without requiring complex electronic sensors or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates force feedback mechanisms that provide tactile information to the operator during the locking process. As the control element moves through different positions, the operator experiences noticeable force changes or resistance variations that indicate when the door is properly closed and when special functions are activated, enabling reliable operation through sensory feedback rather than complex indicators.
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 boltwork ensures reliable and noticeable activation of special functions, preventing misactivation and ensuring the door is sealed correctly when locked, enhancing operational safety and reducing the risk of damage to seals.
Implementation Method 1
the spring element 52a is compressed by the driver pin 54, which enables the door lever to rotate the window pane 50 further by an angle of rotation α2 in the same direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The bolt work has a check bolt unit (10) arranged at a door, which is lockable opposite to a check unit (20) or such a thing formed in a door frame. A slider (30) is coupled with a check bolt unit over a drive bit (54), where the drive bit is adjustable by a door lever at control equipment (50) and is firmly arranged and intervenes in a groove (32) formed in the slider. Another slider (40) is provided, which has another groove, where former slider is adjustably supported between two end positions.