Adjustable Aircraft Floor Module for Nose-Cone Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of a floor module in a fuselage portion of an aircraft, particularly a nose cone, is complicated due to alignment defects and misalignments between fuselage parts, leading to tolerance issues.
Innovation Solution
A floor module comprising forward and aft sub-modules connected by connecting elements allowing relative movement in the longitudinal and transverse directions, with articulations and ball joints to adjust geometry and transmit forces without generating relative movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the floor module is fastened to two different fuselage parts, then assembly efficiency is improved through parallel workstation operation, but alignment defects and misalignments between fuselage parts cause tolerance issues and complicate the fastening step
Solution Approach 1:
The floor module employs a dynamic connection system between sub-modules that allows relative movement and adjustment. The connecting elements enable the floor module to adapt to misalignments between fuselage parts through controlled relative displacement, while still maintaining structural integrity and force transmission in the vertical direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the floor module by allowing relative movement between sub-modules. This enables the overall geometry of the floor module to adjust and compensate for alignment defects in the fuselage assembly, transforming a rigid structure into an adaptable one that can accommodate tolerance variations.
2Strength
If sub-modules are rigidly connected to maintain structural integrity, then force transmission is ensured, but relative movement between sub-modules is prevented, making it impossible to adjust for tolerance defects
Solution Approach 1:
The floor module is divided into multiple sub-modules that are connected through articulations rather than rigid connections. This segmentation allows each sub-module to move independently relative to others, enabling geometry adjustment while maintaining overall structural integrity through the connected articulated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Articulation elements serve as intermediaries between sub-modules, allowing relative movement while maintaining force transmission. These intermediary connection elements enable both adaptability (through relative movement) and structural integrity (through force transmission), resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If connecting elements allow relative movement between sub-modules, then geometry adjustment is enabled to overcome tolerance defects, but force transmission between sub-modules may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system exhibits different mechanical properties in different directions: it allows relative movement in longitudinal and transverse directions for geometry adjustment, while maintaining rigid force transmission in the vertical direction. This local differentiation of connection qualities enables both adaptability and structural integrity simultaneously.
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 enables the floor module to adapt to tolerance defects, simplifying assembly, reducing costs, and preventing undesirable force transmission, while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
each of the articulations of the link of each of the connecting elements comprises at least one articulation pin arranged in the corresponding fastening lug and on which the link is mounted so as to form at least one simple hinged connection between the link and the corresponding fastening lug
Implementation Method 2
each of the articulations of the link of each of the connecting elements comprises at least one ball joint mounted on an articulation pin arranged through the corresponding fastening lug, the ball joint being gripped between two spacers having a suitable shape so as to form at least one ball joint connection between the link and the corresponding fastening lug
Data Source
AI summary
A floor module includes a forward sub-module and a aft sub-module arranged relative to each other in a longitudinal direction of the floor module, the sub-modules connected together by connecting elements configured to allow relative movement between the sub-modules at least in the longitudinal direction and to allow the transmission of forces between the sub-modules in a vertical direction substantially orthogonal to the floor module without generating relative movement, the sub-modules thus connected by the connecting elements being structurally decoupled, that is, they can be moved slightly relative to each other, which makes it possible to adjust the geometry of the floor module, for example to overcome tolerance defects of the fuselage portion on which it is intended to be installed.