Pilot Chute Device Spring Separation Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pilot chute devices face issues with inertia-induced weight of spring means, potential strangulation of the bridle, ergonomic concerns, and inadequate deployment of the parachute canopy due to low drag during free fall, particularly in Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) jumps.
Innovation Solution
A pilot chute device with a soft, inflatable pilot chute and a spring means disposed apart from the pilot chute, connected via a bridle, where the spring is housed in a flexible sheath that deforms to prevent interference and allows the pilot chute to be exposed to proper wind conditions, reducing strangulation risks and improving deployment efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If spring means are disposed inside the pilot chute structure, then the pilot chute can be pushed outside the container, but the weight of the spring means creates inertia that prevents proper deployment into the airstream
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the spring means from the pilot chute structure into distinct components. The spring means is housed in a separate container while the pilot chute is deployed independently through a guide, allowing each component to function without the detrimental effects of their combined mass and interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring means is extracted from the pilot chute structure and placed in a separate container. This extraction eliminates the inertia problem caused by the spring's weight being part of the deployed mass, allowing the lightweight pilot chute to be properly accelerated into the airstream while the heavier spring remains contained.
2Reliability
If spring means are disposed inside the pilot chute structure, then deployment is assisted, but the bridle can be strangulated by the spring means
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the spring means into its own container and the pilot chute into a separate deployment path with a guide, the invention eliminates the physical interaction between these components that causes bridle strangulation. The bridle can now pass through the guide without being entangled by spring means.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the pilot chute and the deployment path. This guide mediates the deployment process, directing the pilot chute outward while preventing the bridle from contacting or being strangulated by the container or spring means.
3Ease of operation
If the pilot chute device is expelled with low drag during free fall, then the parachutist maintains control, but the pilot chute fails to deploy properly and falls on the parachutist back
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the aerodynamic drag on the deployed pilot chute as a counteracting force to the low drag condition during free fall. When the pilot chute is properly deployed into the airstream, it generates sufficient drag to overcome the parachutist's forward momentum and ensure reliable canopy deployment, while the separable spring means design ensures the pilot chute can be properly accelerated without excessive weight.
4Volume of moving object
If the spring means and pilot chute are disposed together, then the structure is compact, but the elements interfere with each other during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the pilot chute and spring means into separate deployment paths and locations. The spring means remains in or near the container while the pilot chute deploys through a separate guide, eliminating interference between elements while maintaining compact packaging within the container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention resolves spatial interference by utilizing different spatial dimensions and deployment paths. The spring means operates in a vertical containment space while the pilot chute deploys horizontally or at an angle through a guide, separating the operational dimensions of these components to prevent interference.
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
The solution enhances the deployment of the parachute canopy by reducing strangulation risks and ensuring proper exposure to wind, thereby preventing undeployment and ensuring safe parachute deployment during free fall.
Implementation Method 1
spring means adapted to push the inflatable pilot chute outside the container when said container is opened
Implementation Method 2
spring means having the specificity of being disposed apart from the inflatable pilot chute
Implementation Method 3
The drag involved by the pilot chute device when expelled from the container is then very low
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A pilot chute device (1) is connected to a parachute canopy for deploying the parachute canopy out of a container (5) adapted to be closed and opened and within which the parachute canopy is foldable. The pilot chute device includes an inflatable pilot chute (9) adopted to assist the deployment of the parachute canopy, the inflatable pilot chute being foldable into the container, and a spring device (110) adopted to push the inflatable pilot chute outside the container when the container is opened. The spring device is dispensed apart from the inflatable pilot chute, between the pilot chute and the parachute canopy.