Trolley Assembly with Accelerometer-Triggered Locking for Aircraft Restraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger restraint systems in vehicles, such as aircraft, fail to provide an effective and easily maneuverable trolley assembly with a reliable locking mechanism that can be easily triggered and released by occupants, while also easily attaching to existing harness reels.
Innovation Solution
A trolley assembly with a mounting member and rollers that ride within a rail, featuring a latch mechanism with detents for secure positioning and a handle for user engagement or disengagement, allowing for selective locking and unlocking, and incorporating an accelerometer or motion detector for automatic restraint during sudden movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional reel lock system is used, then the occupant is restrained during turbulence, but the system is difficult to manually trigger and release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely manual mechanical release system with an automated detection system using accelerometers and motion detectors. These sensors automatically trigger the reel lock during turbulence or violent aircraft movement, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining reliable restraint. The mechanical system remains for the locking function itself, but the triggering mechanism is substituted with electronic sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system performs self-service by automatically detecting turbulent conditions and triggering the lock mechanism without requiring occupant action. The accelerometers and motion detectors monitor aircraft movement and autonomously activate the restraint system when threshold conditions are met, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual operation.
2Reliability
If the occupant is restrained to prevent injury, then safety is improved, but mobility within the vehicle is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system dynamically adapts between restrained and mobile states based on aircraft conditions. During normal flight, the system allows free mobility with the trolley moving along the track. When turbulence is detected, the system automatically transitions to a locked restrained state. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing both mobility and safety at different times as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by automatically triggering restraint before injury can occur during turbulent events. The accelerometers detect impending dangerous movement and pre-activate the locking mechanism, preventing injury before it happens while maintaining freedom of movement during safe conditions.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the trolley, then positioning reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated detection system between the aircraft environment and the locking mechanism. Accelerometers and motion detectors serve as intermediaries that sense turbulent conditions and automatically trigger the lock, eliminating the need for complex manual triggering mechanisms while ensuring reliable positioning during critical events.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex manual triggering mechanisms are substituted with electronic sensing systems. The accelerometers and motion detectors provide automated triggering based on objective sensor data rather than requiring complex mechanical linkages or multiple manual operations, reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability.
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
Enables secure positioning of the reel lock at various locations within the vehicle, allowing occupants to freely move while being restrained during turbulence, and easily resetting to allow for continued mobility.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating an accelerometer or motion detector for automatic restraint during sudden movements
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a trolley assembly that is adapted to be used with a passenger restraint, such as a locking reel. The trolley assembly allows the reel lock to be securely positioned at any of a number of discrete locations along the length of an associated track. A mechanism is included for permitting the user to selectively lock and unlock the trolley as needed.