Aircraft Engine Attachment Device with Vertical Pins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft engine attachment devices require complex assembly processes and specialized tooling due to inclined pins and large engine diameters, limiting the ease of mounting engines close to the wing and increasing ground clearance issues.

Innovation Solution

A load reacting device with lateral pinning relative to the load reacting mid-plane, using two link rods connected to a balance beam and intermediate fittings, allowing for vertical hoisting and simplified assembly without specific tooling, with pins orthogonal to the force transmission plane for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If inclined pins are used for attaching the engine to the box structure, then the engine can be securely attached, but the assembly process becomes complex and requires specialized tooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using inclined pins that require complex assembly tooling, the invention inverts the approach by using vertical pins with inclined attachment surfaces. The pin remains vertical for simple insertion, while the inclination is transferred to the attachment surface geometry, achieving secure attachment without complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the orientation parameter of the pin from inclined to vertical, and compensates by modifying the attachment surface geometry. This parameter change simplifies the assembly process while maintaining attachment security through the inclined bearing surface between the pin and the attachment component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of moving object

If the engine is mounted close to the wing to reduce ground clearance impacts, then ground clearance is improved, but assembly becomes more difficult due to limited space for tooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground clearanceVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional attachment approach by using vertical pins instead of inclined pins, eliminating the need for complex inclined tooling. This allows assembly in tight spaces close to the wing where ground clearance is optimized, as the simple vertical insertion requires minimal tooling access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment device is designed so that the vertical pin can be inserted and secured with minimal external tooling. The self-aligning nature of the vertical pin with the attachment surfaces allows the system to be assembled in confined spaces without requiring extensive tooling access, enabling the engine to be mounted close to the wing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If specialized tooling is used for inclined pin attachment, then secure attachment is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidtooling requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional approach by making the pin vertical rather than inclined, transferring the inclination requirement to the attachment surface geometry. This eliminates the need for specialized inclined tooling, reducing device complexity while maintaining secure attachment through the inclined bearing surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment device is designed to be self-aligning with vertical pins that naturally guide themselves into the correct position during assembly. This self-service characteristic eliminates the need for complex specialized tooling, reducing device complexity and cost while ensuring secure attachment through the geometric design of the inclined surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8146856B2Device for attaching an aircraft engine and aircraft comprising at least one such device

Publication Date: 2012.04.03 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

An attachment device for an aircraft engine that includes a rigid structure and an attachment mechanism of the engine to the rigid structure. The attachment mechanism includes a device reacting to thrust forces generated by the engine, the reacting device including two link rods mechanically connected to a balance beam at a rear end by a first mechanical connection, a main fitting fixed to the rigid structure to which the balance beam is mechanically connected, and two additional fittings fixed to the rigid structure to which the link rods are mechanically connected with play. The mechanical connections between the balance beam and the main fitting and between the link rods and the additional fittings each include a pin orthogonal to a mid-plane of transmission of the forces.