Aircraft Tug Cradle Compression Latch Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft tug cradle designs have excessive moving parts, leading to high manufacturing costs, maintenance difficulties, and susceptibility to malfunction under aircraft weight and movement stresses. They often use tensile force latches, which are prone to bending and unintentional release, and are incompatible with turntable tugs, resulting in larger and heavier equipment.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting cradle apparatus with fewer moving parts, utilizing a compression force latch mechanism and a hinged latch release system, mounted on pivot blocks and a turntable, to provide a stronger and more reliable locking mechanism suitable for both turntable and non-rotating tugs, allowing for a smaller and lighter aircraft tug design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cradle designs with multiple moving parts are used, then the cradle can achieve wheel retention function, but the manufacturing cost increases and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle is divided into two independent pivoting members (right side and left side) that can pivot independently on separate pivot blocks. This segmentation allows each member to function autonomously, reducing the need for complex interconnecting moving parts while maintaining wheel retention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is extracted from the traditional hook-type design and repositioned to a compression-based system located at the rear of the cradle. This removes the problematic tensile-loaded hook components and replaces them with a simpler compression latch that works in conjunction with the pivoting members.
2Reliability
If hook type latch mechanisms are used, then the cradle can lock in wheel retaining position, but the latch is prone to bending and unintentional release
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a hook-type latch that relies on tensile force (pulling), the invention inverts the approach by using a compression-based latch mechanism. The latch member is pushed against the wheel hub or axle rather than pulled, converting the loading from tension to compression which is structurally stronger and less prone to bending.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism changes the force parameter from tensile (pulling) to compressive (pushing). This parameter change fundamentally improves the strength and reliability of the latch, as compression forces are better handled by the latch structure and less likely to cause bending or unintentional release.
3Reliability
If conventional cradle designs are used, then the wheel retention function is achieved, but the cradle size increases resulting in larger and heavier tugs
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle is segmented into two independent pivoting members that can operate separately. This segmentation allows for a more compact design where the members can be smaller and lighter individually, while still providing effective wheel retention when both members are engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is inverted from a protruding hook-type design to a compression-based system that integrates more compactly into the cradle structure. This inversion reduces the overall cradle size and weight while maintaining or improving retention capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cradle designs with many moving parts are used, then the cradle can adapt to different wheel sizes, but the cradle becomes weaker and prone to malfunction under stress
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle employs dynamic pivoting members that can pivot on pivot blocks, allowing the cradle to adapt to different wheel sizes and positions through controlled movement. This dynamic capability is achieved with fewer moving parts compared to conventional designs, as the pivoting action provides adaptability without requiring multiple adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting members can change their angular position parameter to accommodate different wheel sizes and configurations. This parameter change provides versatility while maintaining structural strength, as the pivoting action is achieved through simple hinge joints rather than complex moving part assemblies.
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
The solution reduces the number of moving parts, enhances structural rigidity, and ensures a stronger and more reliable latch mechanism, enabling the cradle to function on smaller and lighter tugs while being compatible with various tug types, thus improving durability and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the cradle is biased to pivot on the first pivot block and the second pivot block toward the wheel loading position
Implementation Method 2
cradle pivots between a wheel loading position with the front connecting brace lowered, and a wheel retaining position with the front connecting brace raised
Implementation Method 3
applies a compression force for latching instead of tensile force, thus resulting in a stronger and more reliable latch
Implementation Method 4
A latch release mechanism is provided, and is configured to urge the latch mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state
Data Source
AI summary
A pivoting cradle apparatus for capturing an aircraft wheel on an aircraft tug includes a cradle sized for holding the wheel, mounted on at least one pivot block and configured to pivot between a wheel loading position and a wheel retaining position. A latch mechanism is disposed under the cradle, biased to swing into an upright position wherein it seats in a notch on the cradle, locking the cradle in the wheel retaining position. A latch release mechanism is configured to urge the latch out of the upright position, and when it does so, the latch slides along the underside of the cradle as the cradle pivots down. into the wheel loading position.