Rotorcraft Cover Locking Device with Segmented Retaining Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sliding covers in rotorcrafts face difficulties in opening due to high friction between centering fingers and their reception means, caused by manufacturing tolerances, leading to jamming and making it hard for operators to slide the covers, especially under aerodynamic forces during flight.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a latch and retaining pin featuring first and second transverse branches separated by a space, where the locking arm has a contact finger with opposing surfaces for closure and extraction, allowing the latch to move novelly and disengage from centering fingers, facilitating the sliding of covers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single transverse branch retaining pin is used with conventional latch design, then the locking device is simple in structure, but the latch cannot be extracted from centering fingers and becomes jammed
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining pin is divided into two separate transverse branches (first and second branches) that are spatially separated. This segmentation allows the latch to interact differently with each branch: the first branch provides locking engagement while the second branch enables extraction, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and extraction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch is designed as an intermediary element that bridges the two transverse branches of the retaining pin. By incorporating engagement surfaces for both branches, the latch acts as a mediator that coordinates locking and extraction functions, enabling the latch to be extracted from centering fingers while maintaining secure locking during normal operation.
2Reliability
If high friction between centering fingers and reception means is present, then secure locking is achieved, but the cover becomes difficult to slide and open
Solution Approach 1:
The latch is designed to perform a preliminary extraction action from the centering fingers before the cover needs to be fully opened. By engaging the second transverse branch to extract the latch from the centering fingers, the system prepares the cover for easy sliding operation while maintaining secure locking during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch is designed with dynamic engagement characteristics, allowing it to transition between locked and extracted states. The dual transverse branch design enables the latch to adapt its engagement level, providing secure locking when needed and easy extraction when the cover needs to be opened, thus resolving the contradiction between locking security and operational ease.
3Reliability
If the latch is designed to engage firmly with the retaining pin for secure locking, then accidental opening is prevented, but the latch cannot be extracted to allow cover opening
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining pin is segmented into two functionally distinct transverse branches. The first branch provides firm engagement for secure locking and prevention of accidental opening, while the second branch provides a separate engagement point that enables controlled extraction of the latch when the cover needs to be opened.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the latch are designed with different engagement qualities: the first engagement surface (for the first transverse branch) provides firm, reliable engagement for locking, while the second engagement surface (for the second transverse branch) provides a mechanism for controlled extraction. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between secure locking and extractability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a locking device provided with a latch (10) and a retaining pin (100), said latch (10) having a handle (11) and a locking arm (20) hinged to said handle (11) by a pivot peg (13). The retaining pin (100) comprising a first transverse branch (101) and a second transverse branch (102) separated by a space (103), a second end (22) of said locking arm (20) has a contact finger (23) provided with a first surface and with a second surface (25) opposite from said first surface (24), said first surface (24) comprising closure means for co-operating with said first transverse branch (101), said second surface (25) comprising extractor means of said latch (10) for co-operating with said second transverse branch.