Portable Aircraft Towbar With Direct-Drive Drill Roller
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electric towbars for general aviation aircraft are complex, expensive, and heavy due to the use of mechanisms like chains, gears, and driveshafts to transfer rotational motion, lacking simplicity, reliability, and affordability.
Innovation Solution
A direct-drive configuration using a drill mounted to a drive roller without additional motion transfer components, controlled by a remote trigger mechanism, reducing complexity and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex mechanisms like chains, gears, and driveshafts are used to transfer rotational motion, then the towbar can transfer power from the motor to the drive roller, but the device becomes heavy, complicated, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes intermediate motion transfer components (chains, gears, driveshafts) from the power transmission path, directly coupling the drill motor to the drive roller. This extraction of unnecessary components simplifies the mechanism while maintaining reliable power transfer through direct mechanical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill motor and drive roller are merged into a direct-drive configuration where the motor shaft is directly coupled to the roller shaft. This combining of functions eliminates the need for separate motion transfer mechanisms, reducing complexity while ensuring reliable power delivery.
2Reliability
If complex mechanisms like chains, gears, and driveshafts are used to transfer rotational motion, then the towbar can transfer power from the motor to the drive roller, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes heavy intermediate components (chains, gears, driveshafts) from the system, retaining only the essential direct mechanical connection between the drill motor and drive roller. This significantly reduces the overall weight while maintaining effective power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the motor and drive roller into a direct-drive assembly, the patent eliminates the weight of separate motion transfer components. The combined structure uses only the necessary elements (motor, roller, mounting hardware) to achieve reliable power transmission at minimal weight.
3Reliability
If complex mechanisms like chains, gears, and driveshafts are used to transfer rotational motion, then the towbar can transfer power from the motor to the drive roller, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex, expensive intermediate components (chains, gears, driveshafts, bearings, lubrication systems) from the design, leaving only the essential direct mechanical connection. This dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable power transfer through the simplified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct-drive configuration merges the motor and drive roller into a single integrated assembly, eliminating the need for multiple separate components and their associated manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance costs. This results in a more affordable device with reliable power transmission.
4Ease of operation
If the drill is mounted near the handle for operator control, then the operator can easily control the drill, but the device becomes more complex requiring additional motion transfer mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote trigger mechanism as an intermediary control system. The trigger is mounted near the handle for easy operator access, while a mechanical linkage (string or rod) transmits the control signal to the drill located near the drive roller. This mediator enables convenient control without requiring the drill to be positioned at the handle.
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 results in a lightweight, reliable, and affordable portable electric towbar with improved ease of use and reduced manufacturing costs, enhancing portability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a drill that directly drives a drive roller
Data Source
AI summary
A general aviation portable electric towbar that uses a frame to couple to the aircraft on one end, has a handle on the other end for the operator to press a drive roller against the wheel to be driven. The chuck of a drill directly mounts to a drive roller shaft without any other method of motion transfer. Since the drill is mounted on the opposite end as the handle, the drill is controlled by a remote trigger mechanism. Since this configuration can use a drill that is commonly available that directly drives a drive roller without any other method of motion transfer, this device has few parts which reduces weight, costs and complexity, making for a simple, reliable, lightweight and affordable portable electric towbar for general aviation use.