Rotorcraft Cargo Attachment Device with Rotatable Hooks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo attachment devices for rotorcraft are not suitable for inserting and/or extracting persons and/or cargo into/from forested areas.
Innovation Solution
A human and/or non-human cargo attachment device for rotorcraft, featuring a mounting interface with a carrier device and a device body comprising a stationary body section with rotatable attachment hooks and a movable body section for locking and releasing the hooks, allowing for secure attachment and release of cargo in forested environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing cargo attachment devices (SPIE rigs, personal transport nets, personal transport platforms) are used, then cargo can be transported outside the rotorcraft, but they are not suitable for inserting and/or extracting persons and/or cargo into/from forested areas
Solution Approach 1:
The device body is divided into a stationary body section and a movable body section that can move relative to each other. The rotatable attachment hooks are integrated into the stationary body section, while the movable body section provides the actuation mechanism. This segmentation allows the device to maintain structural integrity while enabling secure attachment and release operations in forested areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable attachment hooks are nested within the device body structure, with the movable body section containing mechanisms that interact with the stationary body section's hooks. This nested arrangement allows compact design while maintaining the ability to securely attach and release cargo in challenging environments.
2Reliability
If multiple rotatable attachment hooks are provided for secure cargo attachment, then attachment security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable body section serves multiple functions: it acts as the actuation mechanism for opening and closing the rotatable attachment hooks, provides structural support, and enables the transition between locked and unlocked states. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining attachment security.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable attachment hooks are designed to rotate between open and closed states, and the movable body section provides dynamic actuation capability. This dynamic design allows the hooks to adapt to different cargo configurations while maintaining secure attachment, reducing the need for multiple static attachment points.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a human and/or non-human cargo attachment device 10 for a rotorcraft, comprising: a mounting interface 11 with a carrier device 12 and an attachment 9 that is rigidly mounted to the carrier device 12 for attachment to a rotorcraft rope or cable; and a device body 14 that is mounted to the carrier device 12 and that comprises a stationary body section 15 and a movable body section 16, wherein the stationary body section 15 is stationarily arranged on the carrier device 12 and comprises a plurality of rotatable attachment hooks 17 for attachment of human or non-human external cargo, and wherein the movable body section 16 is movably arranged on the carrier device 12 for enabling movements of the movable body section 16 relative to the stationary body section 15 between a locking position and a release position.