Rooftop Landing Platform Sealing and Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing landing platforms lack adequate protection against media penetration, stability during assembly and operation, and secure connection of platform elements, which can lead to damage and failure under force or shock.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a sealing arrangement between the connecting element and platform elements to create an impermeable landing surface, with multiple sealing areas and elements designed to prevent fluid penetration and enhance stability, including fire-resistant materials and anti-slip surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If platform elements are connected exclusively and directly via locking mechanisms, then assembly is simple, but the locking mechanisms can be damaged by force or impact, compromising the connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidconnection stability under force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into three functional components: locking mechanisms for assembly, support elements for structural support, and sealing arrangements for protection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, preventing damage to locking mechanisms from direct impact forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Support elements and sealing arrangements act as intermediaries between platform elements. These intermediaries absorb and distribute forces, protecting the locking mechanisms from direct impact and preventing media penetration that could compromise connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If platform elements are connected using lugs or recesses forming click connections, then assembly is simple, but disassembly and replacement of individual elements can only be carried out from one direction or not non-destructively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidnon-destructive replacement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanisms are designed with reversible engagement characteristics, allowing the connection to be dynamically assembled and disassembled from either direction. The support elements can be independently removed without damaging the locking mechanisms, enabling non-destructive replacement of individual platform elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If no sealing arrangement is provided, then the structure remains simple, but contaminated water, fire-fighting foam, or burning kerosene can penetrate the landing platform and cause damage below

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidmedia penetration protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Sealing arrangements incorporating flexible sealing elements are integrated into the connection between platform elements and support structures. These flexible seals prevent media penetration while maintaining structural simplicity and allowing for easy assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If the engagement depth of the connecting element is made small in the direction opposite to the height direction, then assembly from the landing surface is enabled, but the connection may be less stable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly accessibility from landing surfaceVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connection stability is enhanced by adding dimensional components in multiple directions. Support elements extend in the height direction and lateral directions, creating a three-dimensional connection system that maintains stability even with reduced engagement depth in the opposite height direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system uses composite structural elements combining locking mechanisms, support elements, and sealing arrangements. This composite approach distributes loads and forces across multiple materials and components, maintaining connection stability despite reduced engagement depth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4491801A1Landing platform
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 RICHTER HANS-LUDWIG
  • EP4491801A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4491801A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4491801A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a landing platform (2), in particular a rooftop landing platform, which forms a landing area (4) for taking off or landing helicopters or other vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The landing platform (2) has several platform elements (6), each of which has a top surface (8) forming part of the landing area (4), and at least one of which has at least one first locking element (10). The landing platform (2) has at least one connecting element (12) connecting two adjacent platform elements (6), which has a top surface (14) forming a supplementary part of the landing area (4) and at least one second locking element (16), wherein the first locking element (10) and the second locking element (16) are engaged with each other in a locking manner. The landing platform (2) has at least one sealing arrangement (18) which is arranged in a sealing area (20) between the connecting element (12) and one of the platform elements (6).