Mechanical Locking Device with Detection Rod for Nacelle Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current locking systems for turbojet engine nacelles rely heavily on human vigilance for ensuring proper closure, leading to maintenance errors and safety issues due to the difficulty in detecting incomplete or incorrect latch closures, and existing mechanical systems are limited in accurately indicating the locking status without electrical power.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical locking device with a detection rod and linkage system that prevents unlocking until all locks are securely engaged, using a bolt and retaining mechanism with an elastic return, and a status indicator that only changes to locked when all pairs are relocked, ensuring accurate locking status indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical locking system is used without electrical power, then reliability is improved by eliminating electrical failures, but the ability to accurately detect and indicate locking status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a detection rod as an intermediary mechanical element that translates the locking status into a visible indicator position. The rod acts as a mediator between the bolt's movement and the indicator's display, allowing accurate status detection through pure mechanical means without electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements mechanical feedback through the detection rod and linkage system that provides real-time visual indication of locking status. The indicator continuously reflects the actual state of the locking pair, giving immediate feedback to operators about whether the lock is engaged or disengaged.
2Reliability
If a detection system is added to verify locking status, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system performs self-verification through the detection rod that automatically indicates its own locking status. The system monitors itself without requiring external electrical sensors or complex electronic monitoring systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection function is merged with the existing mechanical locking components. The detection rod is integrated into the same mechanical space as the bolt and linkage, combining the locking and detection functions into a unified mechanical system rather than adding separate electronic subsystems.
3Ease of operation
If the detection rod is positioned to allow unlocking, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental unlocking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires preliminary action through the two-position mechanism. Before unlocking can occur, the detection rod must first be moved to the first position, which is a deliberate preparatory step that prevents accidental unlocking. This preliminary movement ensures intentional operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection rod in the first position serves as a preliminary anti-action by blocking the unlocking path. The rod's position physically prevents the bolt from moving to the unlocked state until the rod is deliberately moved, creating a mechanical barrier against accidental unlocking while maintaining operational ease when intended.
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 provides a reliable and safe method to verify complete closure of nacelle covers by preventing partial unlocking and ensuring all locks are engaged before indicating a locked status, enhancing flight safety and eliminating the need for electrical power.
Implementation Method 1
the bolt being moreover mounted so as to move against at least one elastic return means tending to bring it back into a position spaced apart from the retainer means
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a locking device (10) comprising at least one bolt (112) capable of engaging with at least one corresponding retaining means (111), the bolt being mounted against a resilient return means (113) that tends to return the bolt into a spaced apart position, said locking device being characterized in that it includes at least one detection linkage, which is moveable between a first position, in which the linkage enables the unlocking of the bolt and hook, and a second position, in which the linkage engages with at least a portion of the locking pair so as to block the unlocking.