Telescopic half cart retainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft trolley retainers are limited to accommodating only standard trolley sizes, requiring new designs when non-standard trolleys are introduced, and lack flexibility to adapt to varying trolley heights and widths.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic half cart retainer with an extendible and adjustable turn handle, featuring an extender component that allows the length to be modified, accommodating trolleys of different sizes and heights by securing at various positions along a slot, using a brass bushing and nut for fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length locking means is used in the retainer, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the retainer can only accommodate standard trolley sizes and lacks adaptability to varying trolley dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means is designed with a telescopic mechanism that allows it to dynamically adjust its length between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the retainer to accommodate trolleys of varying dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the telescopic mechanism uses basic components like slots, extenders, and securing means rather than complex systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a telescopic locking means with extender component is used, then the retainer can accommodate trolleys of different sizes, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means is segmented into multiple components: a base structure, an extender component with slot, and securing means (bushing and nut). This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard machining processes, and then assembled together. The modular design simplifies manufacturing compared to creating a single complex adjustable mechanism, while still achieving universal fitment for trolleys of different sizes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the locking means length is fixed, then manufacturing precision requirements are low, but the retainer cannot adapt to non-standard trolley sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic mechanism provides continuous length adjustment within a defined range, allowing the locking means to adapt to various trolley sizes without requiring high-precision manufacturing for each specific dimension. The slot and extender design allows for straightforward positioning and securing at different lengths, reducing manufacturing precision requirements compared to creating multiple fixed-size retainers or complex precision adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A retainer (200) for retaining an aircraft galley container trolley in an aircraft galley compartment (20) is described herein. The aircraft galley compartment has a hollow interior and is configured to receive said aircraft galley container trolley in said hollow interior. The retainer comprises a first section (110) configured to be attached to an interior surface of said hollow interior of said aircraft galley compartment (20), and a second section (120) comprising an elongated shaft (6) extending between from a first end at said first section (110) and a second end, and comprising a rotatable knob (4) at said second end of said elongated shaft (6). The first section (110) comprises a rotatable turn handle (2), connected to said first end of said shaft (4) and said shaft (6) has a central axis and said rotatable locking means (220) is configured to rotate about said central axis due to rotation of said knob (4), thereby moving said locking means (220) between a first, locked position, and a second, unlocked position, and wherein said rotatable locking means (220) has a length that is configured to be increased or decreased.