Aircraft Canopy Hook-Pin Locking for Fast Emergency Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air and space vehicle canopies require multiple mechanisms and actuators for opening, closing, and locking, leading to increased weight, volume, and complexity, which complicates emergency ejections and pilot safety.
Innovation Solution
A simplified mechanism using a J-shaped transmission element, actuators, and integrated canopy mechanisms to facilitate efficient, lightweight actuation and ejection, with features like rolling elements, springs, and explosive detachment for safer, faster emergency operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional drone structure with separate fuselage and arms is used, then manufacturing is easier, but structural strength and rigidity are insufficient for heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fuselage and arms into a single integrated monocoque structure. The fuselage serves as the central body while the arms extend directly from it as continuous structural elements, eliminating separate joints and connections. This integration creates a unified shell structure that distributes mechanical loads throughout the entire assembly, significantly enhancing structural strength and rigidity while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through single-piece molding processes
2Strength
If a monocoque structure is used, then structural strength is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monocoque structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the fuselage body, supports the arms, houses electronic components, and acts as the primary load-bearing structure. By consolidating these functions into a single molded part, the design reduces the number of assembly operations and potential error sources, effectively managing manufacturing precision requirements while achieving superior structural performance
3Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend flight time, then duration of action is improved, but weight increases affecting payload capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated monocoque structure compensates for battery weight through optimized structural design. The fuselage and arm integration creates a more efficient load distribution system that reduces overall structural weight requirements. Additionally, the streamlined design reduces aerodynamic drag, allowing the vehicle to maintain flight performance with heavier batteries, effectively counterbalancing the weight penalty of extended flight time capabilities
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 reduces weight and volume, enhances safety by minimizing mechanical parts during ejection, and ensures rapid, reliable canopy operation in emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
The air vehicle includes a motor and a propeller. The motor rotates the propeller in order to generate a propulsive force
Implementation Method 2
The motor rotates the propeller in order to generate a propulsive force (Fv) acting in a flight direction (V) of the air vehicle (1)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a body (2); a canopy (3) disposed on the body (2) so as to be able to move relatively to the body (2), enabling access and providing protection to the cockpit; more than one hook (4) located on the canopy (3); more than one pin (5) located on the body (2), enabling the canopy (3) to be fixed to the body (2) by engaging to the hook (4); an open position (A) enabling access to the cockpit so as to leave a gap between the canopy (3) and the body (2); a closed position (K) in which the canopy contacts the body (2) so that there is almost no gap left between the body (2) and the canopy (3); and a locked position (L) in which the canopy (3) is fixed to the body (2) by locking the pin (5) to the hook (4).