Off-Wing Slide Raft Releasable Strap for Mode Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-wing aircraft evacuation systems, when used as life rafts in water landings, face challenges due to the fixed angle between the ramp and slide portions, which prevents their deployment as a raft.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a releasable support strap system with a flexible joint and a release assembly that allows the slide portion to detach from the ramp, enabling the system to change from a slide mode to a raft mode by unraveling a thread system under tensile force, allowing the angle to adjust from 20 to 40 degrees and eventually becoming parallel for raft operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the off-wing evacuation system uses a fixed angle between ramp and slide portions, then the structural integrity is maintained for slide operation, but the system cannot be deployed as a life raft
Solution Approach 1:
The support strap is designed with a releasable connection system that allows the angle between the ramp and slide portions to change from a fixed configuration to a variable configuration. When the releasable connection is engaged, the support strap maintains the slide portion at a specific angle (20-40 degrees) relative to the ramp for slide operation. When released, the slide portion can be repositioned to a parallel configuration for life raft deployment, enabling the system to adapt between two distinct operational modes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the slide portion is repositioned to be parallel with the ramp for raft mode, then the system can be used as a life raft, but the angle between ramp and slide portions changes from 20-40 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The support strap with releasable connection enables dynamic reconfiguration of the angle between ramp and slide portions. The system transitions from a precise angular configuration (20-40 degrees) required for slide operation to a parallel configuration for raft operation, with the releasable connection serving as the control mechanism for this transformation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a releasable support strap system is added, then the system can transition between slide and raft modes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support strap is divided into two segments: a first portion and a second portion, connected by a releasable connection system. This segmentation allows the support function to be maintained when engaged while enabling easy release and reconfiguration when needed. The flexible joint between ramp and slide portions also represents segmentation, allowing independent movement of the slide portion relative to the ramp.
Solution Approach 2:
The releasable connection system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the first and second portions of the support strap. This intermediary component enables controlled engagement and disengagement, facilitating the transition between slide and raft modes without requiring complete disassembly or complex mechanical structures.
4Reliability
If the releasable connection system is manually engaged, then the system can be controlled for mode transition, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The releasable connection system is designed to be operated manually by evacuation personnel, allowing them to control the mode transition based on the emergency situation. The system does not require automated sensors or complex control mechanisms,而是 relying on simple manual engagement and disengagement of the releasable connection to switch between slide and raft modes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An inflatable evacuation device may comprise a ramp portion (112) and a slide portion (114) extending from the ramp portion (12). A releasable support strap (150) may be coupled between the ramp portion (112) and the slide portion (114). A release assembly (170) may be coupled to the releasable support strap (150). The release assembly (170) may be configured to release a tension in the releasable support strap (150) between the ramp portion (112) and the slide portion (114).