Aircraft Rail Mounting Lock for Tool-Free Cabin Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail mounting arrangements in vehicles, such as aircraft, lack flexibility and efficiency in reconfiguring cabin components like seats, and fail to effectively compensate for manufacturing tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A rail mounting arrangement featuring a disengagement locking mechanism and a securing mechanism, allowing for tool-free reconfiguration of cabin components along a mounting rail, while ensuring secure attachment and compensating for manufacturing tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional mounting arrangements are used, then manufacturing tolerances are difficult to compensate, but the patent enables tolerance compensation through the form-fitting engagement of vertical locking portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs form-fitting engagement between the first vertical locking portion on the mounting member and the second vertical locking portion on the mounting profile portion. This geometric parameter matching allows automatic compensation for manufacturing tolerances while maintaining precise positioning and secure attachment.
2Ease of operation
If secure attachment is ensured through locking mechanisms, then reconfiguration becomes difficult, but the patent enables tool-free reconfiguration through disengagement of the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic locking mechanism where the disengagement locking member can transition between locked and unlocked states. When disengaged, the first and second vertical locking portions can engage to prevent removal in the transversal direction while allowing longitudinal movement. When engaged, they provide form-fitting secure attachment. This dynamic state change enables both easy reconfiguration and reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the locking function into distinct components: the disengagement locking mechanism with its locking member, and the securing mechanism with the two vertical locking portions. This segmentation allows independent control of release and securement functions, enabling tool-free operation while maintaining attachment security.
3Productivity
If rapid reconfiguration is enabled, then secure attachment may be compromised, but the patent achieves both through the combined locking and securing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a disengagement locking member that can be预先 positioned to engage with the mounting member and mounting profile portion. This preliminary locking action prevents removal in the transversal direction before the final securement, enabling rapid setup while ensuring attachment security through the subsequent form-fitting engagement of the vertical locking portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two mechanisms into one integrated system: the disengagement locking mechanism for preventing transversal removal and the securing mechanism with vertical locking portions for form-fitting secure attachment. This merging allows rapid reconfiguration through a single operational sequence while maintaining both prevention of removal and secure attachment simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting member configured to support a cabin component to be mounted to a mounting rail. The rail mounting arrangement comprises a disengagement locking mechanism that prevents a removal of the mounting member along a transversal direction of the mounting rail, while still allowing movement along the longitudinal direction. The rail mounting arrangement includes a securing mechanism that is configured to secure the mounting member at the desired location along the mounting rail.