Aircraft Engine Thrust Lever Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft engine control devices face challenges in achieving mechanical strength, reducing weight and cost, while maintaining precise locking and automatic return functions, often requiring complex designs and high assembly tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a locking lever system that includes a primary cam track and a bearing face, allowing mechanical locking and automatic return of levers without a connecting rod system, enhancing structural strength and precision, and incorporating an 'engaging roller' system for redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a mechanical prevention system with multiple components (cam tracks, connecting rods, fingers) is used to block lever manipulation, then the mechanical strength is good, but the weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the blocking function and automatic return function into a single integrated mechanism using the locking lever, bearing face, and cam track system. This eliminates the need for separate connecting rods and multiple fingers, reducing weight while maintaining mechanical strength through the unified structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components such as connecting rods and multiple fingers from the mechanism. By removing these redundant parts, the design achieves weight reduction while preserving the essential blocking and automatic return functions through the simplified locking lever system.
2Strength
If a mechanical prevention system with multiple components is used to block lever manipulation, then the mechanical strength is good, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the blocking function and automatic return function into a single integrated mechanism. The locking lever works in conjunction with the bearing face and cam track to simultaneously achieve both functions, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever system serves multiple functions: it blocks lever manipulation when the thrust lever is actuated beyond the dead zone, and it automatically returns the thrust lever to idle position when the thrust reverser lever is actuated. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall device architecture.
3Weight of moving object
If an 'engaging roller' system is used to provide automatic return function, then the number of parts and weight are reduced, but the mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a cam track with a curved profile that works in conjunction with the locking lever's bearing face. This curved geometry provides smooth mechanical engagement and force distribution, maintaining mechanical strength while achieving the automatic return function with minimal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam track is pre-configured with a specific geometric profile that automatically guides the locking lever to return the thrust lever to the idle position. This preliminary design of the cam track geometry ensures that the mechanical strength is maintained through proper force distribution while achieving the automatic return function.
4Strength
If a complex mechanical prevention system is used to achieve precise locking, then the mechanical strength is good, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam track employs a carefully designed curved profile that inherently guides the locking lever through the correct motion path. This geometric design provides precise locking angles and automatic return functionality while being more tolerant of manufacturing variations compared to complex multi-component mechanical linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the geometric parameters of the cam track profile to control the locking and return functions. By optimizing the cam track's curvature and dimensions, precise locking angles are achieved while maintaining robustness against manufacturing tolerances, reducing the stringency of precision requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling the power of an engine and of a thrust reverser device. The invention includes a frame on which a primary cam track is formed, a thrust lever hinged to the frame, a thrust reverser lever hinged to the thrust lever, a bearing face arranged on the thrust reverser lever, a locking lever hinged to the thrust lever and comprising a first end and a second end. When the thrust lever has been pivoted by a predefined angle relative to the idle position of same, actuation of the thrust reverser lever is blocked, both by the second end of the locking lever pressing against the bearing face of the thrust reverser lever, and by the first end of the locking lever pressing against the primary cam track.