Underfloor Pallet Locking Mechanism for Aircraft Cargo
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft cargo restraint systems fail to effectively restrain cargo during taxi, takeoff, and landing, as existing systems lack selective and secure mechanisms to prevent cargo shifting within the cargo bay.
Innovation Solution
A cargo restraint system featuring a driveshaft with drive pins, first restraints that can move between raised and lowered positions, and a handle to actuate these restraints, utilizing drive disks and locking mechanisms to securely lock the restraints in place, ensuring cargo stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing restraint systems are used, then cargo restraint is provided, but the restraint mechanism cannot selectively and securely prevent cargo shifting during taxi, takeoff, and landing
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is divided into multiple independent first restraints (102) and second restraints (104), each capable of being individually actuated between raised and lowered positions. This segmentation allows selective restraint of different cargo positions and types, enabling operators to configure restraint based on specific cargo loading requirements while maintaining secure restraint effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system employs dynamic positioning capability where restraints can be moved between raised (restraining) and lowered (non-restraining) positions. The drive disks (214, 216) with notches and drive pins enable controlled movement to different positions, while locking disks (224) with spring-loaded tabs provide secure locking in each position. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different operational phases (taxi, takeoff, landing) and cargo configurations.
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then cargo stability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases with multiple drive disks, locking disks, and drive pins
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple functional components into integrated assemblies. Drive disks (214, 216) are coupled to the same shaft (206) and work together with a single locking disk (224) to control the head (204) positioning. The spring (230) is integrated with the locking disk to provide automatic locking force. This merging of components reduces the number of separate actuators and control mechanisms needed, managing complexity while maintaining secure locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking disk (224) incorporates a spring-loaded tab (227) that automatically engages with notches in the drive disks to lock the head in position. The spring (230) provides continuous locking force without requiring external actuators or complex control systems. This self-locking mechanism enhances cargo stability through reliable positioning while minimizing the complexity of the actuation and locking system.
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo restraint system includes a driveshaft having a plurality of drive pins and a plurality of first restraints each configured to actuate between a lowered position and a raised position. Each of the plurality of first restraints includes a head to actuate between the lowered position and the raised position, a drive disk rotatably coupled to the head and having a notch to receive a respective drive pin of the plurality of drive pins, and a locking disk to be received by the drive disk in response to the head being in the raised position. The cargo restraint system further includes a handle coupled to the driveshaft and configured to translate the driveshaft and to actuate such that the respective drive pin is received by the notch of the respective first restraint to move the respective first restraint between the lowered position and the raised position.