Method for improving the efficiency of the interface of a vertical stabilizer with a rudder product

Abstract

The application provides a method for improving the docking efficiency of vertical stabilizer and rudder products, which is used for the assembly of tail wing large components made of composite materials of domestic large aircraft, realizes the rapid docking of the rudder assembly and the vertical tail assembly in the flight attitude under the rudder hanging point connection state, and belongs to the technical field of aircraft assembly. The pressure maintaining gas tank on the lifting clamp and the lifting connection mechanism ensure that the lifting joint can be connected, the design form that does not need to be connected to the gas source at all times ensures the flexibility of the lifting clamp movement, a storage battery is installed on the lifting device, and the angle of the product can be adjusted at any time by using a motor device and a wireless remote control device. The method of using the cylindrical bearing stop device improves the docking efficiency and protects the parts from damage, and the docking work can be completed by 4 people in 2 hours, and the efficiency is improved by more than 100%. It belongs to a semi-automatic docking scheme.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application provides a method to improve the docking efficiency of vertical stabilizer and rudder products, which is used for the assembly of large composite material tail components of domestic large aircraft. It enables the rapid docking of the rudder assembly and the vertical tail assembly in flight attitude with the rudder in a pointless connection state, and belongs to the field of aircraft assembly technology. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in the assembly of domestically produced aircraft, the assembly of large components such as the vertical tail requires the vertical stabilizer to be docked with the rudder assembly. The docking process generally involves positioning the vertical stabilizer to a stable state, using lifting tools to connect it to the lifting joint of the rudder assembly, and using specific fasteners to secure the lifting joint to the rudder. The lifting process typically involves hoisting the rudder unit, which is lying flat on the ground, to a flight attitude, requiring at least eight people to slowly lift the rudder assembly. After lifting, a crane is used to slowly move the rudder unit to the hinge area of ​​the vertical stabilizer for docking. Because the vertical stabilizer is fixed, the docking process only requires continuously adjusting the position of the rudder hinge axis to match the rudder hinge axis; once the axes are aligned, bolts are inserted to complete the docking. Since the rudder lifting clamp is a fixed-point lifting device, its angle and position cannot be adjusted in the air. After approaching the vertical stabilizer, manual pushing and pulling are required to adjust the angle of the rudder unit. Typically, the vertical stabilizer and rudder have 7-11 hinges. During the docking process, it's crucial to ensure the concentricity of these hinge points. Manual pushing and pulling methods result in significant wobbling, making stable and rapid docking difficult. Furthermore, the wobbling during docking often damages the hinge bearings between the two products, leading to bearing failure. Vertical stabilizer hinges are often designed with cylindrical bearings; even slight deviations in the docking angle can cause these bearings to rotate, preventing bolt installation in the docking holes. Therefore, high docking precision is required.

[0003] The problems encountered during the actual docking of the vertical stabilizer and rudder products in terms of improving product quality and assembly efficiency can be summarized as follows: traditional lifting and docking methods require fixed connection points on the rudder product for installing lifting joints, increasing the assembly workload and offering poor adjustability of the fixed lifting points. High hinge coaxiality is required during lifting, and relying on manual angle adjustment by the operator is inefficient and prone to damaging bearing parts. The design of the vertical stabilizer's cylindrical bearing is prone to rotation and difficult to fix; after rotation, the hinge bearing cannot be concentric, making it impossible to install docking fasteners. The rudder product must be removed, the cylindrical bearing position repositioned, and docking re-attempted. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the problem of difficult angle adjustment during the lifting and docking process of the rudder product, and also to address the issue of rotation of the vertical stabilizer's cylindrical bushing under stress. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of this application, a method for improving the docking efficiency of a vertical stabilizer and a rudder product is provided, which employs an adjustable-angle lifting clamp without a lifting joint and a stop device that restricts the rotation of a cylindrical bushing.

[0005] The adjustable-angle lifting clamp without lifting joint is composed of a lifting connection frame (1), a motor device (2), a wireless remote control device (3), a pressure-holding gas tank (4), a linkage mechanism (5), a lifting connection mechanism (6), and a safety rope accessory (7).

[0006] The lifting connection frame (1) is a metal frame with a lifting joint point for connecting to the factory crane hook. The lifting connection frame (1) is fixed with bolts to the motor device (2), wireless remote control device (3), pressure tank (4), and linkage mechanism (5).

[0007] The motor device (2) rotates through the gear-driven linkage mechanism (5). The motor device (2) is equipped with an electronic system that receives signals from the wireless remote control device (3) to achieve remote control drive.

[0008] The pressure-holding air tank (4) converts the compressed air in the factory air source device into a negative pressure vacuum state, and connects it to the lifting connection mechanism (6) through a hose, using the principle of negative pressure vacuum to suck up the skin of the rudder product;

[0009] The linkage mechanism (5) is driven by the motor device (2) to change the angle of the rudder product;

[0010] The lifting connection mechanism (6) is connected to the linkage mechanism (5). The change in the structure of the linkage mechanism (5) drives the change in the angle of the rudder product. The structure connected to the rudder product is a vacuum suction cup, which uses the principle of negative pressure to achieve adsorption connection.

[0011] The stop device for limiting the rotation of the cylindrical bushing is an integral shell structure with a round hole for limiting the rotation of the cylindrical bushing. The stop device is designed as an open cover device based on the structural characteristics of the cylindrical bearing itself. The device can be designed and fitted with tolerances according to the product's own structural form. It is modeled using CATIA software and manufactured using a 3D printer.

[0012] The method includes the following steps:

[0013] Before the rudder product is connected to the vertical stabilizer, after the vertical stabilizer is fixed, a stop device is installed at the hinge cylindrical bearing of the tail stabilizer to limit the rotation of the cylindrical bushing, so as to ensure that the cylindrical bearing does not rotate during the docking process.

[0014] Connect the adjustable-angle lifting clamp without lifting joint to the air source device in the factory. Align the lifting connection mechanism (6) with the skin of the rudder product to be lifted. Open the air pressure valve of the air source device in the factory and use compressed air to draw a vacuum negative pressure between the pressure tank (4) and the lifting connection mechanism (6). After connecting the skin of the rudder product, close the valve of the pressure tank (4) and disconnect the pressure tank (4) from the air source device in the factory. Use the crane to connect the lifting connection frame (1) to lift the rudder product in a horizontal position to the air. The lifting height is sufficient to make the rudder product flip to the docking state. Use the wireless remote control device (3) and the motor device (2) to drive the linkage mechanism (5) to make the rudder product flip to the docking state.

[0015] Fine-tune the docking angle to make the hinge axis of the rudder product parallel to the hinge axis of the vertical stabilizer. Move the rudder product using the factory crane, and complete the docking by the guiding action of the stop device that restricts the rotation of the cylindrical bushing.

[0016] The safety rope accessory (7) is connected to the lifting connection mechanism (6) and is used to bind the rudder product to prevent the rudder product from falling after the lifting connection mechanism (6) fails.

[0017] The pressure-holding gas tank (4) has a pressure-holding function after the gas source device in the factory is disconnected, which can ensure that the lifting connection mechanism (6) is secure for 10 to 20 hours.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows:

[0019] This application enables rudder products to adjust the docking angle during the docking process without the need for a separately designed or installed lifting joint. A stop device mounted on the cylindrical bushing of the vertical stabilizer hinge restricts the rotation of the cylindrical bearing, allowing for rapid docking. Compared to traditional docking methods, this eliminates the risk of damaging the product joints during the installation and removal of lifting joints. Traditional lifting equipment, lacking angle adjustment devices, requires more than eight people to coordinate angle adjustments, taking over eight hours to ensure concentricity of all ten hinge points. Furthermore, the impact damage caused by shaking during docking increases rework and parts scrap costs. This application's lifting clamp, with its pressure-holding air tank and lifting connection mechanism, allows for docking without a lifting joint. The design, which eliminates the need for a constant air supply, ensures the lifting clamp's mobility. The installation of a battery allows for on-the-spot angle adjustment via a motor and wireless remote control. The use of a cylindrical bearing stop device improves docking efficiency while protecting parts from damage. This method reduces the docking work to just four people in two hours, more than doubling efficiency. This is a semi-automated docking solution. The successful application of this solution has provided verification experience and ideas for subsequent research on fully automated docking in aircraft assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 A simplified diagram of the lifting clamp structure;

[0021] Figure 2 Simplified diagram of the stop device;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a simplified diagram after docking;

[0023] Figure 4 Create a 3D model of the lifting device;

[0024] The components include: 1. Lifting connection frame; 2. Motor unit; 3. Wireless remote control device; 4. Pressure tank; 5. Linkage mechanism; 6. Lifting connection mechanism; 7. Safety rope accessories; A. Rudder product; B. Vertical stabilizer. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present application is described in detail below with reference to the embodiments, but the present application is not limited to these embodiments.

[0026] Example 1

[0027] Detailed design scheme for lifting clamps: such as Figure 1 As shown, the lifting connection frame 1 is a metal frame with a lifting joint point designed to connect with the factory overhead crane hook. The metal frame can be used to install and fix the motor device 2, wireless remote control device 3, pressure-holding air tank 4, and linkage mechanism 5, all secured with bolts. The motor device 2 is fixed to the lifting connection frame 1 and drives the linkage mechanism 5 to rotate via a gear structure. The motor may have an electronic system that can receive signals from the wireless remote control device 3 for remote control operation. The wireless remote control device 3 mainly includes a remote controller that can control the motor's forward rotation, rotation, and stop. A signal receiver is connected to the motor device 2. The pressure-holding air tank 4 is connected to the lifting connection frame 1 and has an air inlet that converts compressed air from the factory's air supply device into a negative pressure vacuum state within the tank. This vacuum is then connected to the lifting connection mechanism 6 via a hose, utilizing the negative pressure vacuum principle to hold the steering wheel product skin. The pressure-holding gas tank has a pressure-holding function after the gas source device is disconnected, which can ensure the reliability of the lifting connection mechanism 6 for 10-20 hours; the linkage mechanism 5 is connected to the lifting connection frame 1, and is also connected to the motor device 2 and the lifting connection mechanism 6. Driven by the motor device 2, it can realize the angle change of the connected rudder product through the linkage mechanism principle, thereby realizing the angle adjustment during the docking of the rudder product; the lifting connection mechanism 6 is connected to the linkage mechanism 5. It relies on the structural change of the linkage mechanism 5 to drive the angle change of the rudder product. The structure connected to the rudder product is a vacuum suction cup, which uses the negative pressure principle to achieve an adsorption connection; the safety rope accessory 7 is connected to the lifting connection mechanism 6. The rope design can be used to bind the rudder product to prevent the rudder product from falling after the lifting connection mechanism 6 fails.

[0028] Detailed design scheme of the stopping device: such as Figure 2As shown, based on the structural form of the cylindrical bearing on the vertical stabilizer, the bearing base has a flange device. The flange is fixed to the hinge support on the vertical stabilizer and cannot be moved. The cylindrical bearing is installed inside the flange, with both ends protruding from the flange surface. The cylindrical bearing rotates after being subjected to force inside the flange. The principle of the stop device design is to use the immovable flange as the connection point to fix the stop device, and to utilize the structural form of the cylindrical bearing on both sides being higher than the flange as the stop connection point to restrict the rotation of the cylindrical bearing. The shell structure is the main structure of the stop device. The shell structure is installed on the flange surface in a wrap-around manner, and is connected to the flange through an interference fit. The dimensions are the actual dimensions of the flange, with a tolerance of -0.05~0mm. A circular hole 0.2mm larger than the cylindrical bearing is opened in the center of the shell structure, with the dimensions of the cylindrical bushing and a tolerance of 0.1-0.2mm. The shell structure has a material thickness on the side with the circular hole equal to the dimension on both sides of the cylindrical bearing that is higher than the flange, with a tolerance of -0.3 to -0.1 mm. This negative tolerance ensures that the stop device does not interfere with the hinge bushing of the rudder product during docking. The circular hole wall restricts the rotation of the cylindrical bearing, thus achieving the functions of stopping and protecting the sidewalls of the cylindrical bearing. The stop device is modeled using the vertical stabilizer B cylindrical bearing structure and is 3D printed using resin-based materials.

[0029] Implementation process description:

[0030] Install the stop device: After fixing the vertical stabilizer B, install the stop device on the cylindrical bushing. Align the round hole with the cylindrical bearing and fit the part of the cylindrical bearing that extends out of the flange. Then, fit the shell structure onto the flange surface. During the fitting process, take advantage of the cylindrical bearing's ability to rotate in any direction to align the cylindrical bearing axis with the mating axis. After fitting the flange, the stop device and the flange form an integral structure that cannot move. The round hole wall will restrict the rotation of the cylindrical bearing, achieving the stopping effect.

[0031] Lifting clamp usage method: Use the crane hook to connect the lifting clamp to the lifting ring on the lifting connecting frame 1, raising the entire lifting clamp to the lifting connecting mechanism 6, which can be connected to the skin of the rudder product A. Manually attach the vacuum suction cup device on the lifting connecting mechanism 6 to the skin of the rudder component A. Turn on the air source switch to create a negative pressure environment using compressed air to connect the lifting connecting mechanism 6 to the skin of the rudder product A. Maintain the suction cup pressure using the pressure holding air tank 4, and connect the safety rope accessory 7 to the rudder product A. Use the crane to raise the rudder product A to a height where the vertical attitude can be adjusted. Use the wireless remote control device 3 to control the motor device 2 to drive the linkage mechanism 5 to adjust the attitude of the rudder component from a horizontal to a vertical attitude. After the rudder product is pre-adjusted to be nearly parallel to the hinge axis of the vertical stabilizer B, the wireless remote control device 3 controls the motor device 2 to drive the linkage mechanism 5 to fine-tune the docking angle until the axis is almost parallel. The moving trolley then uses a lifting clamp to move the rudder product A close to the hinge of the vertical stabilizer B until the rudder product's fork lug contacts the stop device on the cylindrical bearing, after which it slides into the docking position. After installing the docking fasteners, the docking is complete. The rudder product A can be removed by using a lifting tool in the reverse direction.

[0032] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for improving the docking efficiency between a vertical stabilizer and a rudder product, characterized in that, An adjustable-angle lifting clamp without a lifting joint and a stop device that restricts the rotation of the cylindrical bushing are used. The adjustable-angle lifting clamp without lifting joint is composed of a lifting connection frame (1), a motor device (2), a wireless remote control device (3), a pressure-holding gas tank (4), a linkage mechanism (5), a lifting connection mechanism (6), and a safety rope accessory (7). The lifting connection frame (1) is a metal frame with a lifting joint point for connecting to the factory crane hook. The lifting connection frame (1) is fixed with bolts to the motor device (2), wireless remote control device (3), pressure tank (4), and linkage mechanism (5). The motor device (2) rotates through the gear-driven linkage mechanism (5). The motor device (2) is equipped with an electronic system that receives signals from the wireless remote control device (3) to achieve remote control drive. The pressure-holding air tank (4) converts the compressed air in the factory air source device into a negative pressure vacuum state, and connects it to the lifting connection mechanism (6) through a hose, using the principle of negative pressure vacuum to suck up the skin of the rudder product; The linkage mechanism (5) is driven by the motor device (2) to change the angle of the rudder product; The lifting connection mechanism (6) is connected to the linkage mechanism (5). The change in the structure of the linkage mechanism (5) drives the change in the angle of the rudder product. The structure connected to the rudder product is a vacuum suction cup, which uses the principle of negative pressure to achieve adsorption connection. The stop device for limiting the rotation of the cylindrical bushing is an integral shell structure with a round hole for limiting the rotation of the cylindrical bushing. The method includes the following steps: Before the rudder product is connected to the vertical stabilizer, after the vertical stabilizer is fixed, a stop device is installed at the hinge cylindrical bearing of the tail stabilizer to limit the rotation of the cylindrical bushing, so as to ensure that the cylindrical bearing does not rotate during the docking process. Connect the adjustable-angle lifting clamp without lifting joint to the air source device in the factory. Align the lifting connection mechanism (6) with the skin of the rudder product to be lifted. Open the air pressure valve of the air source device in the factory and use compressed air to draw a vacuum negative pressure between the pressure tank (4) and the lifting connection mechanism (6). After connecting the skin of the rudder product, close the valve of the pressure tank (4) and disconnect the pressure tank (4) from the air source device in the factory. Use the crane to connect the lifting connection frame (1) to lift the rudder product in a horizontal position to the air. The lifting height is sufficient to make the rudder product flip to the docking state. Use the wireless remote control device (3) and the motor device (2) to drive the linkage mechanism (5) to make the rudder product flip to the docking state. Fine-tune the docking angle to make the hinge axis of the rudder product parallel to the hinge axis of the vertical stabilizer. Move the rudder product using the factory crane, and complete the docking by the guiding action of the stop device that restricts the rotation of the cylindrical bushing.

2. The method for improving the docking efficiency between the vertical stabilizer and the rudder product according to claim 1, characterized in that, The safety rope accessory (7) is connected to the lifting connection mechanism (6) and is used to bind the rudder product to prevent the rudder product from falling after the lifting connection mechanism (6) fails.

3. The method for improving the docking efficiency between the vertical stabilizer and the rudder product according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure-holding gas tank (4) has a pressure-holding function after the gas source device in the factory is disconnected, which can ensure that the lifting connection mechanism (6) is secure for 10 to 20 hours.

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