Guided Motorized Platform for Aircraft Cargo Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cargo handling systems in aircraft are heavy, reducing payload and range, and cause damage to the airframe due to the need for complex and weighty cargo handling equipment, which is not adaptable to various aircraft types and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A guided motorized platform system that eliminates the need for onboard cargo handling equipment by using a motorized platform with guide rails, a chassis, power source, and control module to load and unload cargo containers efficiently, reducing weight and damage, and is adaptable to different aircraft and vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex airplane-mounted cargo handling equipment (drive motors, roller trays, latch mechanisms) is used to move cargo containers within the aircraft, then cargo handling capability is improved, but the weight of the cargo handling structure increases significantly (about 15,000 pounds), reducing payload or range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cargo handling equipment from the aircraft structure and relocates it to the ground. The aircraft cargo bay floor is simplified to only carry guide rails, while the heavy drive motors, roller trays, and latch mechanisms are replaced by a ground-based guided motorized platform system that performs all cargo movement operations externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guided motorized platform as an intermediary device between the ground and the aircraft cargo bay. This platform carries the cargo handling functionality, interacting with the simplified aircraft floor structure through guide rails, thereby eliminating the need for heavy onboard handling equipment while maintaining full cargo handling capability.
2Reliability
If heavy cargo handling hardware is installed on the aircraft to move and support cargo within the cargo hold, then cargo handling reliability is improved, but the expense of added weight increases and reduces potential carrying capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy cargo handling hardware from the aircraft and relocates it to the ground-based guided motorized platform. The aircraft retains only lightweight guide rails, while all reliability-critical handling functions (motors, support structures, control mechanisms) are externalized to the platform system.
Solution Approach 2:
The guided motorized platform is a self-contained system that carries its own power source, control systems, and cargo handling mechanisms. It autonomously performs cargo loading, positioning, and support functions without requiring heavy infrastructure to be permanently installed on the aircraft, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing aircraft weight.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the aircraft carries its own heavy cargo handling equipment throughout the flight mission, then cargo handling autonomy is improved, but adaptability to various aircraft types and sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guided motorized platform is designed as a universal system that can adapt to different aircraft types and sizes. The platform carries its own cargo handling equipment and can interface with various aircraft cargo bay configurations through standardized guide rail interactions, eliminating the need for aircraft-specific handling systems and enabling broad adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic, movable components on the guided motorized platform that can adjust to different cargo configurations and aircraft geometries. The platform's ability to move freely along guide rails and adjust its position dynamically allows it to accommodate various aircraft types without requiring complex, fixed installations on each aircraft model.
4Ease of operation
If roller systems and power drive wheels are used to move cargo containers on the cargo bay floor, then cargo movement capability is improved, but damage to the floor structure occurs as cargo containers are moved about
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the guided motorized platform as an intermediary between the cargo containers and the aircraft floor structure. The platform carries the drive mechanisms and interacts with the floor only through lightweight guide rails, thereby eliminating direct contact between heavy drive wheels and the floor that causes damage, while maintaining full cargo movement capability.
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 reduces weight, increases payload and range, simplifies loading operations, enhances safety, and reduces maintenance time while being adaptable to various aircraft types and sizes, and can be retrofitted to existing aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
The motorized platform has a chassis; a power source; a control module controlling drive motors of the wheels of the platform
Implementation Method 2
means for reciprocating at least a portion of an upper surface of the platform sufficient to elevate a load placed thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A system for loading cargo containers into a storage hold, and offloading cargo containers from the storage hold, especially of a vehicle, such as an aircraft. The system includes at least one guide rail and a motorized platform, onto which cargo containers are loaded, cooperating mechanically with the guide rail. The guide rail guides the cargo laden motorized platform into the storage hold, and the motorized platform deposits the cargo upon remote command. The motorized platform has a chassis; a power source; a control module controlling drive motors of the wheels of the platform; and a device for reciprocating at least a portion of an upper surface of the platform sufficient to elevate a load placed thereon above the guide rail height.