Load Bearing Rail Tie-Down Ring Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cargo pallets face issues with difficult fastener removal, high repair costs due to fixed tie-down ring and bracket assemblies, and concentrated stress points, which lead to inefficient load distribution and potential damage under heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A load bearing rail and ring assembly with protruding bosses that allow for a reusable tie-down ring and pin system, distributing loads and eliminating stress concentrations, enabling easy assembly and disassembly, and made from strong materials like aluminum or composites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional one-time use fasteners are used to attach tie-down rings to outer rails, then the assembly is simple to manufacture, but the fasteners are difficult to remove and both the tie-down ring and bracket must be replaced when one component is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The tie-down system is divided into separate reusable components: the tie-down ring, the bracket assembly, and the fastener system. This segmentation allows individual components to be replaced independently rather than replacing the entire assembly, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and repair ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener system transitions from a static one-time use design to a dynamic reusable design with controlled assembly and disassembly mechanisms. The bracket assembly includes features that enable repeated attachment and detachment of tie-down rings, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling component replacement.
2Device complexity
If conventional fixed tie-down ring and bracket assemblies are used, then the structure is simple, but concentrated high stress loading points occur at the attachment points between the outer rail and tie-down ring
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket assembly extends the attachment interface from a single-point connection to a distributed multi-point connection system. By adding dimensional complexity to the bracket structure with multiple attachment points and load path routes, stress is distributed across a larger area rather than concentrated at single points, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and stress distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assembly acts as an intermediary component between the outer rail and tie-down ring, providing a load-distributing interface. This intermediate structure with its multiple attachment points and geometric design redistributes stresses away from concentrated points, resolving the contradiction while maintaining overall assembly simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional tie-down ring and bracket assemblies are used, then the design is straightforward, but point loads incur when force is applied and high levels of stress are experienced at attachment points
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket assembly is designed with dynamic load path capabilities that adapt to forces applied from different directions. The geometric configuration and multiple attachment points allow the structure to dynamically redistribute loads based on application direction, maintaining strength while providing load direction flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket structure adds dimensional complexity with multiple attachment points arranged in specific geometries, creating multiple load paths that can accommodate forces from various directions. This dimensional approach distributes stresses across multiple routes rather than single concentrated points, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo restraint system having a load bearing perimeter rail and a tie-down ring assembly. The load bearing perimeter rail further comprised of a plurality of protruding bosses with a hole within each boss. Further, a tie-down ring assembly comprised of a tie-down ring and a pin wherein the tie-down ring is inserted through the hole in the plurality of protruding bosses of the load bearing perimeter rail.