Telescoping Canopy Support Segments for Aircraft Evacuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inflatable evacuation devices for aircraft lack efficient and compact canopy support systems that can easily deploy and interlock for enhanced beam strength and space-saving storage during emergency evacuations.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of telescoping canopy support segments made of lightweight materials like aluminum or polyamide, which interlock and extend to provide increased beam strength and compact stowage, featuring a stowed height of 10.2-15.2 cm and deployed height of 50.8-88.9 cm, with self-interlocking mechanisms for ease of deployment and installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional rigid canopy support members are used, then beam strength is sufficient, but storage space requirements increase and deployment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam strengthVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The canopy support is divided into multiple telescoping segments that can nest within each other during storage, reducing the overall storage volume while maintaining full extended length for operational beam strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescoping segments are designed to nest within each other like nested dolls, with each segment fitting inside the previous one, maximizing space efficiency during storage while allowing full extension when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional fixed canopy support members are used, then structural stability is maintained, but ease of deployment and installation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The canopy support transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic telescoping structure that can easily extend and lock into place, improving deployment ease while maintaining structural stability through interlocking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The telescoping segments include self-interlocking features that automatically engage and lock when extended, allowing the support structure to deploy itself without requiring complex fastening operations or tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If heavy duty support materials are used, then beam strength is sufficient, but weight of the evacuation device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam strengthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The canopy support utilizes composite construction combining lightweight materials with strategic reinforcement at critical interlocking points, achieving adequate beam strength while minimizing overall weight compared to traditional heavy-duty solid materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3335994B1An inflatable evacuation device

Publication Date: 2021.01.27 GOODRICH CORP

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Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A canopy support for an inflatable evacuation device may comprise a first canopy support segment (82a) and a second canopy support segment (82b) configured to fit at least partially within the first canopy support segment when the canopy support is in a stowed state and configured to interlock with the first canopy support segment in an extended position when the canopy support is in a deployed state. The first canopy support segment may include a first interlocking portion (102). The second canopy support segment may include a second interlocking portion (104). The second interlocking portion may be configured to mate with the first interlocking portion.