Aircraft Panel Release Assembly With Prestressed Spring Ejection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft panel release systems require significant physical strength to operate, making it difficult for injured individuals or children to exit the aircraft in emergency situations, and are often complex to assemble.

Innovation Solution

A pre-assembled aircraft panel release system featuring ejector organs with prestressed springs and removable pins, activated by a control body with minimal activation force, allowing easy assembly and operation by anyone, regardless of physical strength, with optional remote actuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional locks and cables are used to secure the panel, then the panel can be kept in a closed position, but significant physical strength is required to manually push the panel away during emergency evacuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of panel ejectionVSAvoidactivation force required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is pre-loaded in a compressed state during assembly, storing elastic potential energy. When the pin is removed, this pre-stored energy automatically propels the panel outward, eliminating the need for users to apply significant force during emergency evacuation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism provides self-powered ejection by converting its pre-stored elastic energy into kinetic energy to push the panel away. The system serves itself by using the spring's inherent mechanical energy to perform the ejection function without requiring external power sources or manual effort from users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If complex rescue mechanisms with multiple components are implemented, then panel retention and ejection functions are achieved, but the assembly becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel retention reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock and ejection functions are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The pin simultaneously performs locking (retaining the panel in closed position) and triggers ejection (by its removal, releasing the spring). This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies assembly while maintaining reliable panel retention and emergency ejection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring serves multiple functions: it provides the locking force to keep the panel secure during normal operation, stores energy for emergency ejection, and acts as the power source for the entire mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby simplifying the overall device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables efficient and effortless panel ejection with minimal force, facilitating emergency exits and simplifying installation by providing a pre-assembled solution with integrated seals for waterproofing.

Implementation Method 1

a prestressed spring in compression according to the longitudinal direction, the spring being arranged coaxially around the tenon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy storage and release: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3915870B1Device for releasing a panel of an aircraft and associated aircraft
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 EUROCOPTER FRANCE SA
  • EP3915870B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3915870B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3915870B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (2) for releasing a panel (3) from an aircraft (1), said device (2) being configured to be attached to a support (5), said support (5) having an opening (6) and said device (2) being attached to cover a periphery (7) of said opening (6), said device (2) comprising a panel (3) configured to be arranged at least opposite said opening (6). Such a device (2) comprises: - at least two ejection members (8, 8'), each of said at least two ejection members (8, 8') - at least one link, and - at least one control member for exerting a tensile force on said at least one link.