Flexible Strap Lane Divider for Aircraft Evacuation Slides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lane divider designs in aircraft evacuation systems are complex and difficult to assemble, and they do not effectively prevent passengers from crossing between evacuation lanes during deployment.
Innovation Solution
A lane dividing apparatus comprising a strap made of flexible material, such as neoprene or nylon webbing, attached to the center tube of the evacuation slide, which extends from the proximal end to the distal end and is configured to be taut during deployment, dividing the sliding surface into multiple lanes and providing a cavity for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an inflatable member is used for lane division, then lane separation is achieved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inflatable member from the lane dividing apparatus, leaving only a simple strap structure that attaches to the slide. This eliminates the complexity of inflating and assembling inflatable components while maintaining lane separation through the strap's physical presence and tensioning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex inflatable member with a simple, non-inflatable strap that requires no complex assembly. The strap is a basic textile component that can be easily attached and does not require inflation mechanisms, valves, or complex structural assembly, thereby reducing device complexity and assembly difficulty.
2Reliability
If a complex inflatable lane divider is used, then lane separation is provided, but the weight of the evacuation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy inflatable components with a lightweight textile strap. The strap is made from simple webbing material that is significantly lighter than an equivalent inflatable structure, reducing the overall weight of the evacuation system while maintaining the lane separation function.
Solution Approach 2:
By removing the inflatable member entirely, the patent eliminates the weight associated with the inflatable structure, including the material, inflation mechanisms, and supporting components. Only the essential strap remains, providing lane separation with minimal weight addition.
3Reliability
If current lane divider designs are used, then some lane separation is achieved, but passenger crossing between lanes cannot be effectively prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic tensioning system where the strap is attached at multiple points along the slide's length. As the slide deploys and passengers move down it, the strap maintains tension through its attachment geometry, dynamically adapting to the slide's configuration and providing continuous physical guidance that prevents lane crossing throughout the evacuation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap is configured to follow the curved contour of the slide, with attachment points positioned to create an arc-shaped lane divider. This curvature matches the natural path of the slide, providing continuous visual and physical guidance that naturally prevents passengers from crossing between lanes while accommodating the slide's deployed shape.
Data Source
AI summary
An evacuation system may comprise a packboard, an evacuation slide configured to deploy from the packboard, and a lane dividing apparatus attached to the evacuation slide, the lane dividing apparatus comprising a strap having flexible material. The lane dividing apparatus may be a dual wall lane divider. The lane dividing apparatus may be a single lane dividing apparatus. The lane dividing apparatus may comprise a first patch disposed at a proximal end of the evacuation slide and a second patch disposed at a second end distal to the proximal end. The lane dividing apparatus may extend from the proximal end to the second end. The lane dividing apparatus may be taut upon deployment of the evacuation slide.