Hinged Side Guide Adapter for Variable Aircraft Cargo Widths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo deck configurations for aircraft struggle with efficiently accommodating cargo items of different dimensions, requiring adapters that are not standardized, take up additional space, and are difficult to quickly attach and detach, leading to increased operational costs and potential aircraft downtime due to faulty equipment.
Innovation Solution
A side guide adapter with a fastening element, a spacer element hingedly connected to the fastening element, and a retaining section with a contour to guide and retain cargo items, allowing for quick and easy conversion of the cargo deck by folding the adapter for compact storage and easy attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adapter rails are arranged on the pallet to bridge the gap, then the lateral distance between cargo item and side guide is bridged, but the cargo item deviates from standard dimensions and requires more storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The side guide adapter is divided into separate modular components: a fastening element for attachment to the side guide, a spacer element to bridge the gap, and a retaining section for cargo engagement. These segmented components can be stored compactly and assembled only when needed, avoiding the continuous storage space requirement of extended adapter rails.
Solution Approach 2:
The side guide adapter transitions from a compact stored state to an extended operational state. The spacer element can be folded out or extended from the fastening element, allowing the adapter to adapt its length dynamically based on the gap size, rather than maintaining a fixed extended length that consumes storage space.
2Reliability
If side guide devices are arranged on spaced-apart seat rails with movable latch hooks, then cargo items can be held laterally, but the cargo deck requires great effort to adapt and has high overall weight
Solution Approach 1:
The side guide adapter is designed as a universal component that can be attached to standard rail sections in the cargo deck. The fastening element engages with existing rail structures, allowing the same adapter design to be used across different cargo deck configurations without requiring custom seat rail arrangements or complex latch mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral holding function is extracted from the cargo item itself and transferred to the side guide adapter. Instead of modifying the cargo item or using complex latch hooks that move toward the cargo, the adapter provides a fixed retaining contour that passively holds the cargo laterally through its geometry, eliminating the need for active latching mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If adapters are quickly and easily attached to facilitate fast conversion, then operational costs are reduced, but the adapters must be robust enough to withstand high loads during loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element is designed as a separate component that can be quickly attached to the rail section using simple engagement mechanisms such as clips, snaps, or basic fasteners. This segmented design allows rapid installation without requiring complex tools or procedures, while the modular structure enables each component to be optimized for its specific function including load-bearing capacity.
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 side guide adapter enables rapid and secure conversion of the cargo deck to accommodate various cargo dimensions, reduces storage space requirements, and enhances operational efficiency by minimizing the time and cost associated with loading and unloading cargo.
Implementation Method 1
the spacer element and the fastening element are hingedly connected to each other
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a side guide adapter for guiding and/or retaining a cargo item in an aircraft, comprising at least one fastening element for fastening to a rail section, in particular a perforated rail section, of a side guide, at least one spacer element for bridging a distance to the cargo item, wherein the spacer element and the fastening element are hingedly connected to each other, and at least one retaining section for the cargo item, which is arranged on an end face of the spacer element and comprises at least one retaining contour for guiding and/or retaining the cargo item. Furthermore, the invention relates to a side guide system, a cargo deck, and a method for converting a cargo deck.