Aircraft Nacelle Locking Device Stroke Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing locking devices for aircraft nacelles require precise adjustment of connecting means to compensate for positioning faults and manufacturing tolerances, leading to potential safety issues and the risk of damaging components due to forced stresses.

Innovation Solution

A locking device design where the locking member remains stationary during the displacement of the connecting means, allowing the first part of the race to control locking or unlocking, and the second part compensates for positioning faults, eliminating the need for precise adjustment and reducing stress on the connecting means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If precise adjustment of the connecting means is performed to compensate for positioning faults, then the locking system can function correctly, but the device complexity and adjustment time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking system functionVSAvoidadjustment system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device automatically compensates for positioning faults and manufacturing tolerances through its inherent mechanical design. The connecting means can displace along a portion of the race without actuating the locking member, allowing the system to self-adjust to positioning variations without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or operator intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the connecting means by allowing it to travel through different zones of the race. By modifying the stroke distribution (first part for compensation, second part for actuation), the system adapts to positioning variations and ensures reliable locking function without requiring precise pre-adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the connecting means are oversized to prevent damage from forced stresses, then the connecting means durability increases, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnecting means durabilityVSAvoidconnecting means dimensioning
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The design provides a cushioning zone in the form of the first part of the race where the connecting means can displace without actuating the locking member. This预先设计的位移空间 absorbs positioning faults and prevents excessive forces from being applied to the connecting means, eliminating the need to oversize them for durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Manufacturing precision

If the connecting means stroke is increased to accommodate positioning faults, then the positioning tolerance compensation improves, but the device complexity and stroke control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning fault compensationVSAvoidstroke distribution control
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The race is segmented into two distinct functional parts: a first part that accommodates displacement without actuation (compensation zone) and a second part that actuates the locking member. This segmentation allows the connecting means stroke to be effectively divided, with the first part absorbing positioning variations and the second part ensuring reliable locking actuation, simplifying the overall control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2179118B1Locking device
Publication Date: 2012.05.02 AIRCELLE SA
  • EP2179118B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2179118B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2179118B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking device (11) comprising at least one locking system (13) having at least one locking member (17) that can be actuated by linking means (28), the linking means being able to be moved over a defined travel, the movement of the locking means (28) over a first part of the travel enabling the locking member (17) to be actuated, alternately between an unlocked position of the locking member (17) and a locked position thereof, characterized in that the locking system (13) is designed so that the locking member (17) remains immobile during the movement of the linking means (28) over a second portion of the travel, with a view to compensating for the adjustment of the connecting means (28) and also any malpositioning of the locking system (13).