Door Assembly Engagement Mechanism for Flight Deck Entry Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft flight deck doors are vulnerable to unauthorized access when opened during flight, posing a security risk due to the potential for unauthorized individuals to enter the flight deck.
Innovation Solution
A door assembly with a barrier door and engagement mechanism that can be mounted in an opening to control movement, featuring panels that can be folded or extended to block access, and an engagement mechanism with a lever, plunger, and gear assembly to secure the door in the extended position, delaying unauthorized entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flight deck door is opened during flight to allow crew members to access the cabin area, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security reliability deteriorates as unauthorized persons may gain entry
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier door is deployed in advance before unauthorized persons can reach the flight deck door, creating a preliminary physical obstacle that delays potential intruders while allowing legitimate crew members to pass through the main door freely
2Reliability
If a barrier door is deployed to block unauthorized entry, then the flight deck security is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms required
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier door is nested within the flight deck door assembly, allowing it to be stored compactly when not in use and deployed quickly when needed, reducing the overall space required and simplifying the structural integration
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier door utilizes the movement of the flight deck door itself to trigger its deployment through the engagement mechanism, eliminating the need for separate actuation systems and reducing overall system complexity
3Reliability
If the barrier door is extended to prevent entry, then the security effectiveness is improved, but the time required to deploy the barrier increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier door is positioned and prepared in advance within the door assembly structure, allowing for rapid deployment when triggered without requiring complex real-time positioning or assembly operations
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier door transitions from a static stored position to a dynamic extended position that blocks the opening, utilizing the mechanical movement of the flight deck door to drive this rapid transformation
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 door assembly effectively prevents unauthorized access to the flight deck by delaying entry, allowing crew members to secure the flight deck door before an individual can reach it, enhancing flight deck security.
Implementation Method 1
a gear assembly positioned at the second inner edge. The gear assembly is configured to drive the plunger between the positions
Implementation Method 2
The plunger is configured to extend outward from the second panel when in the extended position to engage with the floor or ground
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A door assembly configured to be mounted in an opening (113) and configured to control movement of persons through the opening. The door assembly includes a door (20) within pivoting first and second panels (23a, 23b). A lever (41) is mounted to the second panel and is movable between a first lateral position with an end extending outward from the inner edge of the second panel and a second lateral position that is laterally offset from the first lateral position. A plunger (42) is mounted to the second panel and is movable between a first vertical position with the plunger end disengaged from the opening and a second lateral position with the plunger end extending outward from the second panel and engaged with the opening. A gear assembly (43) is configured to move the plunger to the first vertical position when the lever is in the first horizontal position and to move the plunger to the second vertical position when the lever is in the second horizontal position.