Aircraft Support Grid Installation with Guided Pivot Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex and time-consuming process of manually assembling structural and equipment components in aircraft final assembly, particularly in underfloor areas, due to the size and complexity of aircraft systems.
Innovation Solution
A structural and equipment system comprising vertical supports, a rail device, guide elements, swivel joints, and locking devices that allow for the easy alignment and locking of a grid arrangement within the aircraft fuselage, enabling quick formation of a load-bearing support structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual assembly of vertical supports and equipment components is used, then flexibility in handling individual components is maintained, but assembly time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the assembly into modular components: vertical supports with integrated guide elements, rail devices mounted on aircraft structure, and locking mechanisms. Each vertical support is a separate module that can be independently positioned and secured, transforming the complex manual assembly process into a systematic modular installation procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements and rail devices serve as intermediary components that facilitate the installation process. The guide elements attached to vertical supports interact with the rail devices on the aircraft structure, providing a controlled path for insertion and automatic alignment, thereby simplifying the overall assembly operation
2Manufacturing precision
If individual components are handled and installed manually, then precise alignment can be achieved, but installation time and labor effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements are pre-attached to the vertical supports before installation. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the vertical supports are inserted into the aircraft structure, they automatically follow the correct path defined by the rail devices, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual alignment operations during final installation
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual alignment operations with a mechanical guidance system. The geometric constraint provided by the guide elements engaging with the rail devices automatically ensures precise positioning, substituting human skill and time with a self-aligning mechanical mechanism
3Adaptability or versatility
If vertical supports are installed individually, then adaptability to different positions is maintained, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical supports are designed with universal features: guide elements that can engage with rail devices at multiple positions along the aircraft structure, and locking mechanisms that can secure at various locations. This universal design allows the same component type to be installed at different positions while maintaining efficient assembly through the standardized insertion and locking procedure
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
Significantly reduces installation time and simplifies the effort required for assembling load-bearing structures inside the aircraft fuselage by enabling precise and efficient positioning of components.
Implementation Method 1
the pivot joints are attached to upper ends of the vertical supports and are designed to pivot the vertical supports about their upper end
Implementation Method 2
the locking devices each have a first locking element, which is arranged at a lower end of a vertical support and can be locked into a second locking element positionable on the structure
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A structural and equipment system (4) for installation in an aircraft, wherein a grid arrangement (18) can be inserted into a structure (6) of the aircraft to an installation position by means of guide elements (32) on a rail device (12) with vertical supports (14) pivoted upwards from the vertical, and can lock first locking elements (22) in correspondingly arranged second locking elements (20) by pivoting downwards into a vertical orientation, so that a load-bearing support structure can be formed.