Vertical Anti-Rollout Restraint for Non-Flat Cargo Pallets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft internal cargo system Anti Roll Out (ARO) restraints face challenges with non-flat-bottomed pallets, as over-rideable mechanisms can jam and manual actuation poses safety risks, especially in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A compact vertically actuated anti-rollout restraint assembly that includes a housing, a restraint head, a cam path drive pin, a cam path lever, and compression springs, allowing for actuation between stowed and deployed positions using a part of the body other than the hand, such as a foot, and mitigating the need for an over-rideable device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If over-rideable mechanisms are used in ARO restraints, then the restraint can be pushed down by cargo pallets traveling in one direction, but the mechanism may jam when encountering non-flat-bottomed pallets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional over-rideable mechanical mechanism with a vertically actuated cam path system. The cam path lever with its specific geometry (including the curved cam path and protruding tip) converts vertical motion into rotational motion, eliminating the jamming issue associated with horizontal over-rideable mechanisms while maintaining automatic actuation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dynamic cam path lever that rotates as the restraint head moves vertically. The cam path lever's rotation is controlled by the interaction between the cam path drive pin and the cam path geometry, allowing the system to adapt to different cargo conditions without jamming, while still providing reliable restraint engagement.
2Ease of operation
If manual actuation via hand operation is used, then the restraint can be deployed, but it poses safety risks especially in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is designed to be self-actuating through vertical motion. The cam path lever automatically converts the vertical displacement of the restraint head into rotational motion that engages or disengages the restraint, eliminating the need for manual hand operation and the associated safety risks in confined cargo spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the actuation dimension from horizontal (manual hand operation or horizontal pushing) to vertical motion. The restraint head moves vertically along the cam path lever, which then rotates to engage the restraint mechanism, providing a safer and more space-efficient operation mode.
3Reliability
If traditional ARO restraints are used, then they can restrain cargo, but they require adequate space for the restraint head to rotate between deployed and stowed states
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions the restraint head motion from horizontal rotation to vertical translation. The cam path lever converts this vertical motion into the necessary rotational engagement, significantly reducing the space required for the restraint mechanism while maintaining full restraint functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam path lever and cam path drive pin create a compact nested arrangement where the rotational engagement occurs within the vertical motion envelope. The protruding tip of the cam path lever engages with the cam path drive pin in a space-efficient manner, allowing the restraint to function within limited space constraints.
4Extent of automation
If compression springs are used to apply constant upward force, then the restraint head can be automatically actuated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the actuation force requirement from complex mechanical linkages and isolates it to the compression springs directly acting on the restraint head. This simplifies the overall system by eliminating intermediate actuation mechanisms while maintaining automatic functionality through the direct spring-restraint head-cam path interaction.
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 provides a safe and efficient means to restrain non-flat-bottomed palletized cargo, avoiding jamming issues and reducing safety hazards associated with manual actuation, while accommodating space constraints in aircraft cargo handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a set of compression springs configured to apply at least one of a constant or nearly constant upward force on the restraint head
Implementation Method 2
a set of C-springs configured to provide opposing rotational spring forces to maintain the cam path lever in a neutral state
Data Source
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AI summary
An anti-roll out restraint assembly (700) for a cargo handling system (400) is provided. The anti-roll out restraint assembly (700) including a housing (812), a restraint head (802) coupled to the housing (812), a cam path drive pin (804) coupled to the restraint head (802), a cam path lever (806) coupled to the housing (812), and a set of compression springs (808). The restraint head (802) is configured to vertically translate between a deployed position and a stowed position and between the stowed position and the deployed position. The cam path lever (806) is configured to restrain the restraint head (802) via the cam path drive pin (804) responsive to the restraint head (802) being in the stowed position. The set of compression springs (808) are configured to apply at least one of a constant or nearly constant upward force on the restraint head (802).