Aircraft Cargo Floor Support Elements for Non-Flat Module Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for assembling cargo hold floors in aircraft are complex and space-restrictive, particularly when dealing with non-flat floor modules that have superstructures reaching below the cargo hold ceiling, limiting the ease and feasibility of installation.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of support elements that can be assembled within the aircraft before the floor modules are installed, featuring position compensation elements for tolerance adjustment and designed for easier handling and connection, allowing for collision-free installation and increased stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If floor modules with superstructures reaching below the cargo hold ceiling are installed using conventional methods, then the structural complexity and space requirements increase, but the assembly becomes extremely difficult and space-restrictive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to install non-flat floor modules with superstructuresVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements are pre-assembled inside the aircraft cargo hold before the floor modules are installed. This preliminary assembly creates the necessary support structure in advance, allowing floor modules with superstructures to be installed without spatial conflicts during the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The floor system is divided into separate floor modules and support elements that can be assembled independently. The support elements are installed and positioned first, then the floor modules are connected to them, allowing each component to be optimized and assembled separately

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If support elements are firmly connected to the aircraft body before floor module installation, then the stability of the floor structure improves, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of floor structureVSAvoidcomplexity of assembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements are pre-assembled and firmly connected to the aircraft body structure before the floor modules are installed. This preliminary action ensures structural stability is established in advance, simplifying the subsequent floor module installation while maintaining high structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support elements serve as intermediary components between the aircraft body structure and the floor modules. They are firmly connected to the aircraft body and provide standardized connection points for the floor modules, simplifying the overall assembly process while ensuring stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If position compensation elements are added to support elements for tolerance compensation, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensation capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of support element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements incorporate position compensation elements that allow for adjustment and compensation of manufacturing tolerances. These elements enable the support structure to adapt to variations in positioning, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining assembly quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2228296B1Freight area base for a freight area of an airplane and method for fitting same
Publication Date: 2014.05.21 TELAIR INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP2228296B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a cargo hold floor for a cargo hold (9) of an aircraft and a method for assembling such a floor. Cargo hold floors are known which comprise panels or similar floor elements (22) for attaching roller elements, ball elements, locking elements, or similar functional elements. Support elements, in particular floor beams (25), are provided which support the planar floor elements, wherein the floor elements are rigidly connected to the support elements to form prefabricated floor modules (20), and the floor modules can be installed in the aircraft.To facilitate assembly, it is proposed that separate support elements (30) be provided for bracing the floor modules (20) against and connecting the floor modules to a body or skin (11) of the aircraft. These support elements can be connected to the aircraft body or skin before the floor modules are installed in the aircraft and to the support elements during installation. This can result in significant simplifications during assembly in certain cases.