Lightweight Evacuation Slide Restraint with Separating Center Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency evacuation slides in aircraft require restraints that can reliably release in response to internal pressure to facilitate staged deployment, while also providing weight savings and reduced packaging density.

Innovation Solution

A releasable restraint system comprising a center member configured to separate in response to a predetermined tensile force, with an hourglass geometry and tapered design, and extending tapes that engage with female fasteners and pawls, made from plastic materials like nylon, to ensure controlled deployment of the evacuation slide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional restraint systems are used for evacuation slides, then reliability of staged deployment is maintained, but weight and packaging density increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of staged deploymentVSAvoidweight of restraint system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint system is divided into multiple independent restraint assemblies, each with its own female fastener, center member, and tape. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for weight while maintaining the overall reliability of staged deployment through the coordinated action of multiple segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The center member is designed as a sacrificial component that is intended to break under predetermined load conditions. By using a disposable, low-cost center member that breaks reliably at a specific force threshold, the system achieves weight savings while maintaining deployment reliability through the irreversible separation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If traditional restraint systems are used for evacuation slides, then staged deployment is achieved, but packaging density increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestaged deployment capabilityVSAvoidpackaging density

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint system components are designed to nest within each other when not in use. The tapes can be stored within the restraint assembly housing, and multiple restraint assemblies can be compactly arranged in the stowed position, reducing the overall packaging volume while maintaining the staged deployment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The restraint system transitions from a static, compact stowed configuration to a dynamic deployed configuration. The flexible tapes and movable center members allow the system to adapt its shape and volume during deployment, achieving staged deployment capability while minimizing packaging density in the stowed state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the center member is designed to separate at a specific force, then controlled deployment is achieved, but the restraint may fail under higher loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled deploymentVSAvoidresistance to failure under load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The center member is pre-designed with a predetermined break force that is calibrated to activate at the appropriate stage of deployment. This preliminary design ensures that the separation occurs at the correct moment during inflation, providing controlled deployment while the intact center member maintains full strength to prevent premature failure under normal operating loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The center member's mechanical properties are specifically engineered with a transition point at a predetermined force threshold. Below this threshold, the center member maintains full strength to prevent failure; above this threshold, the material or structural design causes controlled separation, achieving both controlled deployment and appropriate load resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system provides reliable weight savings, reduced packaging density, and dependable staged deployment of the evacuation slide by separating at a predetermined force, ensuring safe and efficient egress from an aircraft.

Implementation Method 1

the center member is configured to separate in response to a predetermined tensile force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTensile force: Tension

Data Source

PatentUS10556697B2Light weight restraint for evacuation slide systems

Publication Date: 2020.02.11 GOODRICH CORP

AI summary

A releasable restraint for an evacuation system may comprise a first female fastener, a second female fastener, and a center member coupled between the first female fastener and the second female fastener, wherein the center member is configured to separate in response to a predetermined tensile force. The releasable restraint may further comprise a first tape extending from the first female fastener and a second tape extending from the second female fastener.