Aircraft Floor Panel Connection System with Segmented Load Resisting Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fastening systems for airplane floor panels are inefficient in distributing loads, as they often result in concentrated forces due to flanges, leading to higher vertical load capacity than needed and inadequate resistance to shear loads, which can cause stress on the floor panels.
Innovation Solution
A floor panel connection system that includes a vertical load resisting coupling device and a shear load resisting coupling device, featuring a rotatable latch and a shear plate with protruding elements, respectively, to effectively distribute and resist forces perpendicular and parallel to the panel's surface without overlapping functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single fastener is configured to resist both vertical and shear loads, then the fastener can provide comprehensive load resistance, but the vertical load capacity exceeds what is needed and shear loads are not adequately resisted
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into two separate coupling devices: a vertical load resisting coupling device (latch mechanism) and a shear load resisting coupling device (sleeve insert with protrusions). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific load type, eliminating the inefficiency of a single fastener attempting to handle both vertical and shear loads simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor panel connection system achieves multi-functionality by integrating two specialized coupling devices that work together: one dedicated to vertical loads and another dedicated to shear loads. This universal system handles all load types efficiently without the compromises inherent in single-function fasteners.
2Strength
If a flange is included on the sleeve insert, then the fastener can provide structural support, but it causes a gap between the floor panel bottom face sheet and the seat track, leading to concentrated forces
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful flange that caused gaps and concentrated forces is completely removed from the design. Instead, the sleeve insert uses a flush-mounted configuration with protrusions that engage directly with apertures in the floor panel and seat track, eliminating the gap problem while maintaining structural support through the protrusion engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve insert features localized protrusions at specific engagement points rather than a continuous flange structure. This local quality approach provides structural support exactly where needed (at the aperture engagement points) while maintaining a flush profile that prevents gaps and distributed force application across the floor panel surface.
3Ease of operation
If a rotatable latch mechanism is used for vertical load resistance, then the coupling device can be easily installed and removed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical load resisting coupling device employs a rotatable latch mechanism that transitions between an open position (for installation/removal) and a closed position (for load resistance). This dynamic element provides easy operation while maintaining structural integrity during use, balancing simplicity of operation with functional effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A floor panel connection system for attaching a floor panel to an aircraft airframe is disclosed. The connection system includes a vertical load resisting coupling device and a shear load resisting coupling device to connect the floor panel to the airframe and resist forces applied to the panel. The vertical load resisting coupling device is configured to resist forces perpendicular to a top facial plane of the floor panel, without significantly resisting lateral forces. The shear load resisting coupling device is configured to resist forces parallel to the top facial plane of the floor panel, without significantly resisting vertical forces.