Interchangeable Helicopter Load Platforms Without Strap Entanglement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load carrying apparatuses for rotary wing aircraft lack interchangeable platforms that are lightweight, easy to install, and foldable, and often require straps that can cause entanglement, with conventional platforms being oversized and lacking means to prevent rotation back to a folded position.
Innovation Solution
A modular load carrying apparatus with interchangeable seat-type and net-type platforms, featuring a tube with specific diameter and caps, allowing platforms to be slidably attached and restrained, eliminating the need for straps and enabling quick configuration changes without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional platforms are used, then load carrying capacity is sufficient, but weight is excessive and installation is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The platform system is divided into modular components: a standardized tube interface, interchangeable platform bodies (seat-type or net-type), and caps. This segmentation allows lightweight individual platforms to be exchanged without affecting the overall structure, resolving the contradiction between reduced weight and maintained versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal tube interface with standardized caps is designed to accommodate multiple platform types (seat-type and net-type). This universal interface enables different platform configurations to be used with the same base structure, maintaining adaptability while allowing selection of lighter platform types as needed.
2Reliability
If straps are used to secure platforms, then platform stability is improved, but entanglement hazards and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The problematic straps are completely removed from the system. Instead, a mechanical restraint mechanism using the tube and cap geometry provides platform security. This extraction eliminates entanglement hazards while maintaining stability through the protrusion-restraint interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube cap protrusion acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the platform and the tube. This protrusion provides the restraining function previously achieved by straps, but through a simple geometric feature rather than a complex flexible element, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Volume of moving object
If platforms are made foldable for storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but means to prevent rotation back are missing causing reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion on the cap is designed to preemptively prevent unwanted rotation of the platform. By providing a physical barrier in advance, the system eliminates the risk of platform rotation back to incorrect positions, ensuring reliability while allowing foldable design for compact storage.
4Productivity
If quick configuration changes are enabled, then operational speed is improved, but installation precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion on the cap has a specific asymmetric geometry that corresponds to a matching recess on the platform. This asymmetric design enables quick identification and installation in the correct orientation, maintaining precision while allowing rapid configuration changes without complex alignment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular load carrying apparatus for a rotary wing aircraft and to a method of operating a modular load carrying apparatus. The modular load carrying apparatus may include a tube, first and second caps that are located inside the tube at first and second axial ends, and at least first and second removable platforms that are interchangeably installable on the tube. The second cap comprises a protrusion that protrudes from the axial end, and each one of the at least first and second removable platforms is adapted for being slidable over the first axial end of the tube and restrained by the second cap at the second axial end of the tube.