Adjustable Equipment Mounting System for Helicopter Air Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Helicopter Air Data Systems (HADS) equipment mounting systems lack the necessary angular adjustment precision, leading to challenges in assembly, increased manufacturing costs, and potential equipment scrapping due to manufacturing tolerance issues.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable equipment mounting system featuring a L-shaped convoluted tube with a protrusion and adjustment areas, allowing for precise angular positioning of HADS equipment by rotating the tube around its axis and adjusting the adapter and equipment along the second adjustment axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a rigid tube is used to connect HADS equipment to the helicopter body, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the angular positioning precision deteriorates due to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into multiple segments: the helicopter body, intermediate piece, L-shaped tube with first adjustment area, adapter with second adjustment area, and equipment. Each segment can be adjusted independently through fasteners that engage with adjustment areas featuring protrusions and grooves, allowing angular positioning to be achieved in stages rather than requiring single-piece precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed rigid tube to a dynamically adjustable structure. The tube and adapter include adjustment areas with protrusions that engage with fasteners, enabling angular adjustment during assembly. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and achieve precise angular positioning without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on all components
2Manufacturing precision
If high manufacturing precision is required for the tube to achieve precise angular positioning, then the angular positioning precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The precision requirement is segmented across multiple components rather than concentrated in a single tube. The intermediate piece, tube, and adapter each have adjustment areas with protrusions and grooves that work together to achieve final positioning. This allows each component to be manufactured with moderate precision while the cumulative effect achieves high angular positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses adjustable parameters (angular positions of tube and adapter) to compensate for manufacturing variations. By allowing angular adjustment through fasteners engaging with adjustment areas, the system can achieve precise positioning without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If precise angular positioning is achieved through rigid tube manufacturing tolerances, then the positioning precision is improved, but the assembly time and potential for scrapping increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows angular adjustment during assembly through fasteners that engage with adjustment areas. This dynamic adjustment capability enables workers to quickly compensate for manufacturing variations without requiring precision machining or risking scrapping of components. The adjustable protrusions and grooves provide predefined angular positions for rapid assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment areas with protrusions and grooves are pre-designed into the tube and adapter during manufacturing. These preliminary features enable quick angular adjustment during assembly without requiring additional machining or complex alignment procedures, thereby increasing assembly speed and reducing scrapping
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a body (G); an intermediate piece (2) located on the body (G) so as to extend outward from the body (G); a tube (3) in a cylindrical form removably attached to the intermediate piece (2), extending in at least two directions and/or having a bend; at least equipment (E) removably attached to the tube (3); a first fastener (4) which enables the tube (3) to be fixed to the intermediate piece (2).