Aircraft Cargo Restraint Device with Dynamic Cam Biasing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cargo handling systems in aircraft face issues with vertical restraints jamming due to worn protruding features or over-rotation of flippers, leading to restricted movement and potential damage during loading and unloading operations.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of cargo-restraining devices with a body featuring a protrusion and slot for axle engagement, combined with torsional and linear biasing mechanisms, which allow for pivotal and deflection movements to prevent jamming by adjusting the position of the protrusion relative to the axle, ensuring smooth cargo movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spring mechanisms are used to restore the flipper to the restraint direction, then the flipper can return to position after engagement, but the flipper may become ill-positioned or jammed if the protruding feature is worn or the spring over-rotates the flipper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a static spring mechanism to a dynamic cam mechanism. The cam profile is specifically designed to control the rotation motion of the flipper, ensuring it rotates to the correct restraint position and prevents over-rotation. This dynamic control mechanism adapts to worn protruding features while maintaining reliable engagement and preventing jamming during loading and unloading operations.
2Productivity
If the flipper is designed to rotate on a vertical axis to allow cargo passage, then loading and unloading is facilitated, but the flipper may jam and stop cargo motion if it becomes ill-positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the cam mechanism as an intermediary between the protruding feature and the flipper rotation system. The cam acts as a mediator that controls and guides the flipper's rotational motion, ensuring it moves smoothly through the required arc to allow cargo passage while preventing it from becoming ill-positioned or jammed. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing controlled mobility without sacrificing reliability.
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 effectively prevents jamming and ensures smooth longitudinal translation of cargo by allowing the protrusion to pivot and deflect, maintaining system efficiency and preventing damage to the cargo handling system.
Implementation Method 1
a torsional biasing mechanism operably engaged with the body and configured to engage with the axle assembly to bias the body toward a default pivotal position relative to the axle
Implementation Method 2
a linear biasing mechanism engaged with the body and configured to engage with the axle to bias the body toward a default deflection relative to the axle
Data Source
AI summary
Cargo-restraining devices and cargo handling systems. The cargo-restraining devices include a body comprising a protrusion and defining a slot extending at least partially through the body transverse to the protrusion. The slot is configured to slidingly receive an axle of an axle assembly that is configured to couple the cargo-restraining device to a guide rail. The cargo-restraining devices also include a torsional biasing mechanism engaged with the body and configured to engage the axle assembly to bias the body toward a default pivotal position, and a linear biasing mechanism engaged with the body and configured to engage the axle to bias the body toward a default deflection. The cargo handling systems include a first guide rail, a second guide rail, and a plurality of cargo-restraining devices, which include a first subset coupled to the first guide rail and a second subset coupled to the second guide rail.