Rope Deployment Mechanism with Extraction Safety
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rope deployment systems in rotary wing aircraft face issues with safety features interfering with aircraft operations and reducing cabin space, and personnel often inadvertently disable these safety features, increasing the risk of inadvertent rope deployment.
Innovation Solution
A rope deployment mechanism with a load beam that pivots between open and closed positions, featuring a linkage assembly and locking rod system, a sliding member for unlocking, and a lever for actuation, all located proximate the access opening to minimize interference and ensure safe deployment, with additional safety features like a torsion return spring and locking pin for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If safety features are located within the cabin away from the access opening, then safety against inadvertent deployment is improved, but cabin space and clearance are reduced and aircraft operations are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The safety features (locking rod, linkage assembly, sliding member) are extracted from the cabin interior and relocated to the access opening area. This allows the safety mechanism to remain functional while eliminating the space occupation and interference with cabin operations that would occur if these features were mounted on cabin ceilings or walls.
2Reliability
If safety features are located within the cabin, then safety against inadvertent deployment is improved, but the features may be removed by personnel, reducing safety level
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the safety features from the cabin interior and placing them at the access opening, the patent eliminates the risk of personnel inadvertently removing or disabling these features. The features remain accessible for their intended safety function but are no longer subject to unauthorized removal.
3Reliability
If a complex locking and unlocking system is implemented, then safety against inadvertent deployment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding member is designed to perform a preliminary unlocking action by translating the locking rod from a locked to an unlocked position before the lever is actuated. This preliminary action simplifies the subsequent lever operation and ensures that the linkage assembly can be properly actuated without requiring the operator to manage complex interlocking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding member acts as an intermediary component between the external operator and the internal linkage assembly. By using this intermediate mechanism to first translate the locking rod, the system reduces the complexity of the main actuation mechanism while maintaining robust safety functionality.
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 allows for efficient and safe rope deployment by a single individual, reducing the risk of inadvertent deployment and eliminating the need for safety features within the cabin, thus maintaining operational space and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the lever comprises a rotatable lever having a torsion return spring biasing the rotatable lever to a position that maintains the linkage assembly in engagement with the load beam when the load beam is in the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A rope deployment mechanism includes a load beam pivotable between an open position and a closed position. Also included is a linkage assembly engaged with the load beam in the closed position and moveable to allow the load beam to pivot to the open position. Further included is a locking rod operatively coupled to the linkage assembly. Yet further included is a sliding member translatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the sliding member is engaged with the locking rod to prevent movement of the locking rod and the linkage assembly in the locked position, and wherein the locking rod and the linkage assembly are moveable in the unlocked position. Also included is a lever configured to actuate movement of the linkage assembly to allow the load beam to move to the open position.