Aircraft Cargo Deck Locking Claws With Adjustable Guide Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for securing cargo on aircraft cargo decks are inflexible, unable to adjust to varying cargo sizes and configurations, and fail to secure cargo during 'wing opening' events, leading to potential detachment and inadequate locking.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with movable fastening claws and a toggle lever mechanism that allows for adjustable spacing and automatic folding, ensuring secure vertical locking even during wing deformation, using guide rails and compression springs for enhanced force transmission and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If locking bars are arranged in a guide frame to be displaceable and lockable, then the distances between locking bars can be adapted to containers of different sizes, but the position of latches remains fixed and cannot be adjusted to fit containers of different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The latch position is made dynamically adjustable through a telescopic mechanism with adjustable arms. The arms can be extended or retracted to different lengths and locked in position, allowing the latch to reach containers of various sizes while maintaining a compact stowed configuration when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch assembly is segmented into multiple adjustable arms that can independently be positioned to different lengths. This segmentation allows each arm to be customized for different container sizes, providing versatility without requiring a completely different latch design for each container type.
2Ease of operation
If locking elements are designed to be passable by wider ULDs in the case of single-track loading, then easier loading is achieved, but the locking elements may not adequately secure cargo during wing opening events
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are designed to be dynamically adjustable in length. During normal loading operations, the arms can be extended to accommodate wider ULDs for easy loading. During wing opening events, the arms can be retracted or adjusted to maintain adequate securing force, thus providing both ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective length of the locking arms is changed based on operational requirements. The arms can be extended to maximum length for loading operations and then adjusted to appropriate lengths for securing, providing flexibility to optimize both ease of loading and securing reliability for different cargo configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If locking elements are made laterally adjustable to lock asymmetrical loading configurations, then different ULD widths can be accommodated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device incorporates laterally movable guides that can be positioned at different locations along the cargo deck. These guides are designed to be simple in construction but effective in providing lateral adjustment capability, allowing the locking elements to accommodate different ULD widths without overly complex mechanisms.
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 device provides secure cargo retention across varying sizes and configurations, including 'wing opening' events, with easy operation and reduced risk of detachment, while minimizing material usage and maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compression spring (50), so that the two carriage elements (30, 30') are spring-mounted against one another
Implementation Method 2
The toggle lever mechanism pivots the fastening claw onto the slide element. The toggle lever mechanism comprises at least two lever elements connected to each other by a hinge.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking device (100) for securing cargo items in a cargo deck of an aircraft, comprising: - a frame (10) with at least two longitudinal beams (15, 15'), - at least one fastening claw (20, 20') with a locking lug (25, 25'), wherein the fastening claw (20, 20') is movably mounted on a slide element (30, 30'), wherein the fastening claw (20, 20') is rotatably mounted on the slide element (30, 30') about an axis of rotation (35, 35') which is substantially perpendicular to guide rails (40, 40'), wherein the fastening claw (20, 20') can be locked in a folded-down position by means of a toggle lever mechanism (60).