Electro-Mechanical Unlocking Assembly for Fast High-Load Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electro-mechanical unlocking devices for aircraft doors either rely on passive mechanisms that cannot withstand significant loads or active mechanisms that consume high power, are heavy, and slow to react, making them unsuitable for rapid decompression events and intrusion scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An electro-mechanical unlocking device with a decoupled arming and holding mechanism, utilizing two solenoids to separate the functions of storing energy for rapid release, where the arming solenoid applies large force for quick unlocking and the holding solenoid maintains the locked state with minimal energy, allowing for efficient pressure equalization across aircraft compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If passive mechanisms relying on pressure applied to a diaphragm are used, then the device can release quickly, but it cannot withstand significant loads applied to the barrier wall
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking device is segmented into distinct functional components: a striker for maintaining the panel, a sear for blocking striker movement, and a crank mechanism with arming and holding solenoids. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in either speed or strength functions, resolving the contradiction between quick release and load withstanding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The crank mechanism acts as an intermediary between the solenoids and the striker/sear assembly. It translates the rapid movement from the arming solenoid into controlled motion that engages the holding solenoid, mediating between the fast response requirement and the strength requirement of the locking mechanism
2Strength
If active devices use electro-magnets to latch and hold the device in a locked state, then the device can withstand significant loads, but it results in large electromagnets with high power consumption, heat generation, and slow reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The arming solenoid performs preliminary action by rapidly moving the crank to compress the spring and position the sear and striker for locking. This preliminary fast action prepares the system for the holding phase, separating the high-power brief action from the low-power sustained holding requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The unlocking operation occurs in distinct periodic phases: a brief high-power arming phase followed by a sustained low-power holding phase. This periodic action pattern allows the system to meet both high strength and low power consumption requirements by concentrating energy use in short intervals
3Strength
If active devices use electro-magnets to maintain locked state, then the device can withstand significant loads, but it requires secondary holding electromagnet(s) with very small degree of engagement and high precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the secondary holding electromagnet approach with a purely mechanical holding system using a spring-loaded sear and crank mechanism. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for high-precision electromagnetic engagement while maintaining load withstanding capability through mechanical advantage and geometric constraints
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 device achieves a fast and reliable unlocking mechanism capable of withstanding significant loads, ensuring structural integrity during decompression events and intrusion attempts while minimizing power consumption and weight.
Implementation Method 1
An arming solenoid and a holding solenoid
Data Source
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AI summary
An electro-mechanical unlocking device that includes a locking state, a holding state and an unlocking state. The unlocking device includes an arming solenoid and a holding solenoid. In the locking state the arming solenoid moves an arming assembly, which moves a crank and which moves a holding armature from a second position to a first position. In the holding state the holding solenoid is energized and the arming solenoid is de-energizing, which allows the arming armature to moves from the first position to the second position. In the unlocking state the holding solenoid is de-energized, which allows the holding armature and the arming link to move from the first position to the second position. In the locking and holding states a sear blocks the path of the striker and in the unlocking state the sear does not block the path of the striker.