Aircraft Covering Device Rib Structure for Movement and Penetration

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft components experience relative movements due to aerodynamic conditions, leading to gaps that allow dirt and object concealment, and existing covering devices either restrict movement or are penetrable.

Innovation Solution

A covering device with a sealing element and rib structure that allows high bendability parallel to the surface while restricting movement perpendicular to the surface, using a combination of materials like rubbery-elastic and injection-molded plastic with reinforcing ribs, to accommodate relative movements while preventing penetration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the covering device is manufactured from flexible material, then major relative movement between components is possible, but penetration or perforation by passengers can be prevented only with difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelative movement capabilityVSAvoidpenetration resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The covering device combines a flexible sealing element (rubber-like material) with a rigid rib structure (injection-molded plastic with reinforcing ribs). This composite construction allows the sealing element to accommodate relative movements between aircraft components while the rib structure provides penetration resistance, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The rib structure is disposed on the surface of the sealing element, creating regions of different properties: the sealing element provides flexibility for movement accommodation, while the rib structure provides localized rigidity for penetration prevention. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between overall flexibility and localized strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the covering device is manufactured from hard material, then penetration prevention is improved, but relative movement between components is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration resistanceVSAvoidrelative movement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The covering device combines a flexible sealing element (rubber-like material) with a rigid rib structure (injection-molded plastic with reinforcing ribs). This composite construction allows the sealing element to accommodate relative movements between aircraft components while the rib structure provides penetration resistance, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The rib structure is disposed on the surface of the sealing element, creating regions of different properties: the sealing element provides flexibility for movement accommodation, while the rib structure provides localized rigidity for penetration prevention. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between overall flexibility and localized strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a gap is provided between components to prevent collision, then relative movement is accommodated, but dirt and object concealment become possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelative movement accommodationVSAvoiddirt and object concealment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The covering device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it covers the gap to prevent dirt and object concealment, accommodates relative movements through the flexible sealing element, and provides structural reinforcement through the rib structure. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between gap necessity and harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables full relative movement between aircraft components while preventing object concealment and penetration, providing optimal flexibility and resistance to movement changes.

Implementation Method 1

the bendability of the ribs parallel to the surface of the sealing element is high, and perpendicular to the surface of the sealing element is low

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2602188B1Covering device and aircraft area comprising covering device

Publication Date: 2019.07.31 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

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Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4

AI summary

A covering device (20, 30) comprises a sealing element (8) and a rib structure (11) which is disposed on a surface of the sealing element (8). The rib structure (11) comprises a plurality of ribs (12) which extend parallel to the surface of the sealing element (8), wherein the bendability of the ribs (12) parallel to the surface of the sealing element (8) is high, and perpendicular to the surface of the sealing element (8) is low.