Spring-Guided Hand Actuator for Stable Aircraft Cable Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft hand actuators lack efficient mechanisms for guiding and locking the handle structure's movement, leading to increased wear and instability in actuating aircraft components like cowl openings and locks.
Innovation Solution
The proposed aircraft assembly incorporates a guide system with pivotally coupled guide elements and spring elements, which guide the handle structure between positions while minimizing vertical loads on the tracks and slides, reducing wear and providing positive locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional hand actuator mechanism is used to actuate aircraft components, then the actuator can perform the basic actuation function, but the handle structure experiences increased wear and instability due to lack of effective guiding mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system is segmented into multiple independent guide elements (first guide element with first spring element, second guide element with second spring element) that are pivotally coupled to the handle structure at different locations. Each guide element independently guides movement along a specific axis, distributing the guiding function across multiple components rather than relying on a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Spring elements are integrated into the guide elements to counterbalance gravitational forces and vertical loads acting on the handle structure. The first spring element and second spring element provide elastic counter-forces that compensate for weight variations and external vertical loads, maintaining stable guide element positioning and reducing wear on the track and slide interfaces.
2Reliability
If the guide system uses multiple pivotally coupled guide elements with spring elements, then wear on tracks and slides is reduced and handle structure stability is improved, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each guide element serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical guidance along a specific axis, incorporates a spring element for load compensation, and pivots to accommodate handle structure movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving reliable actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements are designed to pivot dynamically as the handle structure moves between positions. This dynamic pivoting capability allows the guide elements to adapt to varying movement trajectories and load conditions, ensuring smooth actuation while maintaining simplicity in the overall mechanism design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the guide system is designed to minimize vertical loads on tracks and slides, then wear is reduced and movement is stabilized, but the structural complexity of the guide elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
Spring elements are integrated into the guide elements to counterbalance gravitational forces and vertical loads acting on the handle structure. The first spring element and second spring element provide elastic counter-forces that compensate for weight variations and external vertical loads, maintaining stable guide element positioning and reducing wear on the track and slide interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements are arranged in a spatial configuration where they pivot about axes perpendicular to the primary movement direction. This spatial arrangement allows the guide elements to redirect vertical loads into lateral forces that are better accommodated by the track and slide interface, effectively minimizing vertical load components through geometric transformation.
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
This design reduces wear on the tracks and slides, stabilizes the handle structure's movement, and effectively actuates aircraft components by minimizing vertical loads and providing secure locking positions.
Implementation Method 1
The first guide element includes a spring element biased toward a neutral position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An assembly (10) is provided for an aircraft. This aircraft assembly (10) includes an actuator (12) and a cable assembly (16). The actuator (12) includes a support structure (18), a handle structure (20) and a guide system (22) configured to guide movement of the handle structure (20) longitudinally along the support structure (18) between a first position and a second position. The guide system (22) includes a first guide element (80A) and a second guide element (80B). The first guide element (80A) includes a first spring element (84) and is pivotally coupled to the handle structure (20) at a handle structure pivot axis (92). The second guide element (80B) includes a second spring element (84) and is pivotally coupled to the handle structure (20) at the handle structure pivot axis (92). The cable assembly (16) includes a sleeve (100) and a cable (98) projecting longitudinally out of the sleeve (100). The sleeve (100) is attached to the support structure (18). The cable (98) is coupled to the handle structure (20).