Aircraft Nacelle Hood Closure Device for Offset Door Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In aircraft nacelles with large diameters, it is difficult to draw the doors close together for the locking mechanism to engage, leading to increased force requirements for maneuvering the handle during closure.
Innovation Solution
An independent hood closure device with an anchoring point and a detachable link connected to a traction means, allowing the doors to be drawn together independently of the locking mechanism, using a strap and screw system with a cam for tension release and stowage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking mechanism is used to keep doors closed, then the doors remain secured in closed position, but the force required to maneuver the handle increases when doors are offset
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into two independent functional segments: a hood closure device that draws doors together and a locking mechanism that secures them. This segmentation allows the closure function to operate independently without being constrained by the locking mechanism's geometric requirements, thereby reducing the force needed to maneuver the handle during closure operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hood closure device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the door and the locking mechanism. It provides a separate means of drawing the doors together, mediating the closure process and eliminating the need for direct manual manipulation of the locking mechanism handle over large offsets, thus reducing the required maneuvering force.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the locking mechanism geometry is modified to accommodate offset doors, then doors can be closed from larger offsets, but the force required to maneuver the handle increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the closure function (hood closure device) from the locking function (locking mechanism), the system allows each component to be optimized independently. The hood closure device can accommodate large offsets without affecting the locking mechanism's geometry, thereby maintaining adaptability while avoiding increased maneuvering force.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure function is extracted from the locking mechanism and implemented as a separate hood closure device. This extraction allows the locking mechanism to maintain its original geometry and operation characteristics while the hood closure device handles the task of drawing doors together from offset positions, preventing the need to modify the locking mechanism's geometry.
3Reliability
If a traditional locking mechanism is used, then doors can be secured, but the system cannot independently draw doors together when offset
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent functional modules: the hood closure device for drawing doors together and the locking mechanism for securing them. This segmentation enables the hood closure device to independently operate and draw offset doors together without requiring manual manipulation of the locking mechanism, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hood closure device provides a self-service closure function that automatically draws the doors together when activated, independent of the locking mechanism's operation. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual handling of offset doors through the locking mechanism, significantly improving ease of operation while the locking mechanism continues to provide reliable security.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft nacelle includes, on its outside surface, at least one opening that is blocked by at least one movable part (16) that is kept in closed position by at least one locking mechanism that connects the movable part (16) to another part of the nacelle (16′), characterized in that it includes an anchoring point (32) on one of the two parts (16′) that are to be connected, and a detachable link (34) that is connected to a traction element (36) that is integral with the other part (16) that is to be connected.