Aircraft Component Support Adapter With Winch Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current process for removing and reinstalling aircraft components like shock struts and side brace actuators is cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multiple technicians to handle and move heavy components, which poses a risk of injury and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a winch subassembly with an adapter that allows for the removably coupling to aircraft components, enabling a single or dual technician to efficiently position, rotate, and support the components during removal, inspection, and reinstallation using a lift and support structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple technicians manually handle and move heavy aircraft components, then the component can be positioned and moved, but the process becomes cumbersome and inefficient with increased risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary support system consisting of a support table with a support surface positioned adjacent to the aircraft gear well. This support table acts as a mediator between the aircraft and the technicians, providing stable support for heavy components during removal, inspection, and reinstallation. The system includes positioning mechanisms that allow the support table to be moved into and out of the gear well area, eliminating the need for technicians to manually carry heavy components across the workspace.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical handling system (technicians physically carrying components) with a mechanical support system. The support table with its positioning mechanisms substitutes for human physical effort in moving and positioning heavy components. This mechanical substitution eliminates the cumbersome manual handling while maintaining precise positioning capability throughout the component lifecycle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If technicians manually carry heavy components from gear well to support table and back, then component inspection and maintenance can be performed, but the process requires multiple technicians and increases time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The support table is pre-positioned adjacent to the gear well area before component removal begins. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for subsequent movement of the support table during the maintenance process. The support table is prepared in advance to receive and hold components at the optimal location for inspection and maintenance, preventing time loss from repositioning activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The support table serves as a stationary intermediary workspace that remains in place throughout the entire maintenance process. Instead of moving components between multiple locations, the support table provides a fixed intermediate position where all inspection and maintenance activities can be completed without requiring component transport back and forth, significantly reducing time consumption.
3Ease of operation
If technicians support components from waist level to above heads position, then component reinstallation can be performed, but the risk of injury increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support table acts as a safe intermediary that bears the full weight of heavy aircraft components during all handling operations. By positioning the support surface at an ergonomically appropriate height, the system eliminates the need for technicians to support components above their heads or at awkward angles. The support table absorbs all mechanical loads, protecting technicians from injury while enabling smooth component positioning operations.
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
This solution reduces the need for multiple technicians, minimizes manual handling of heavy components, and streamlines the process by allowing a single or two technicians to safely and efficiently remove, inspect, and reinstall aircraft components, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A first gear is operatively coupled to the axle to drive the axle to rotate about the longitudinal axis for rotating the adapter
Implementation Method 2
The winch subassembly is configured to couple to a lift to position the adapter adjacent to the aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses for supporting an aircraft component adjacent to an aircraft and methods for the same are provided. In one example, the apparatus includes an adapter for removably coupling to the aircraft component. A winch subassembly includes an axle that is coupled to the adapter and has a longitudinal axis. A first gear is operatively coupled to the axle to drive the axle to rotate about the longitudinal axis for rotating the adapter. The winch subassembly is configured to couple to a lift to position the adapter adjacent to the aircraft.