Parachute Release Fail-Safe Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parachute release mechanisms often fail to prevent premature or unintended release of parachutes, leading to potential loss of cargo before landing.

Innovation Solution

A fail-safe device is integrated into the parachute release mechanism, which remains locked until deployment, preventing early unlocking of the timing mechanism and ensuring the parachute is released only upon landing by using a tie cord and breakaway connections to separate and remove the fail-safe device after deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a parachute release mechanism uses a timing mechanism to automatically release the parachute after deployment, then the release can be automated and hands-free, but the mechanism becomes vulnerable to premature or unintended release before landing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic releaseVSAvoidprevention of premature release

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fail-safe device is pre-installed in the release mechanism before deployment, physically blocking the timing mechanism's release function. This preliminary action ensures that even if the timing mechanism malfunctions or is triggered prematurely, the mechanical block prevents unintended release until the fail-safe device is removed by proper deployment forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fail-safe device acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the timing mechanism and the parachute connector. It mediates the release process by being selectively removable - blocking automatic release during transport and deployment initiation, but allowing release after proper deployment forces remove the fail-safe device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a fail-safe device is added to prevent premature release, then reliability improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unintended releaseVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fail-safe device is designed as a separate, extractable component that can be removed from the release mechanism. This extraction capability allows the system to have enhanced reliability when the fail-safe is installed, but reduced complexity when it is removed or not needed, as it doesn't require permanent integration into the core mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fail-safe device is designed to be discarded (removed) after serving its protective function during transport and initial deployment. Once the parachute is properly deployed and the fail-safe device is removed by deployment forces, it is no longer needed and can be discarded, allowing the release mechanism to function normally without the additional component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS11498687B1Parachute release fail-safe

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

AI summary

A parachute release apparatus includes at least one parachute connector releasably attached thereto. A delay release timer coupled to the apparatus is movable between locked and unlocked positions at a predetermined time after deployment of the parachute to permit release of the parachute connector after landing. A fail-safe device positioned adjacent the delay release timer is operable to hold the delay release timer in the locked position until the fail-safe device is removed after deployment of a parachute.