Aircraft Joint Assembly With Double Eccentric Alignment Bush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airfoil structures in aircraft manufacturing face challenges with misalignment and dimensional variations, leading to shape deviations that affect aerodynamic performance and require extensive assembly time, hindering production throughput.
Innovation Solution
A joint assembly using a double eccentric bush with a spigot and spigot receptacle allows for precise adjustment and alignment of aircraft structural components in two orthogonal directions, enabling quick and robust attachment while maintaining aerodynamic precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional rigid joining methods are used to ensure precise alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but assembly time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The joint assembly incorporates adjustable elements that allow the connection to be dynamically positioned during assembly, enabling alignment adjustments without requiring complete disassembly or rework. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by allowing rapid positioning while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the joint assembly to include adjustable geometric parameters that can be modified during assembly. This allows the alignment to be optimized rapidly by adjusting parameters rather than requiring precise pre-manufacturing of all dimensions, thus reducing assembly time while maintaining precision.
2Productivity
If adjustable joint mechanisms are used to enable rapid assembly, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The joint assembly acts as an intermediary element between structural components, providing a mechanism that facilitates rapid connection while incorporating precision features. This intermediary structure enables quick assembly through standardized interfaces while maintaining alignment precision through built-in adjustment capabilities and precision manufacturing of the joint elements themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint assembly divides the connection function into separate adjustable elements, allowing each component to be optimized for both rapid assembly and precision alignment. By segmenting the joint into modular elements with specific adjustment functions, the system achieves both high productivity and manufacturing precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
A joint assembly (100) for joining a first aircraft structural component (22) to a second aircraft structural component (21). The joint assembly has a double eccentric bush (101) for mounting to one of the first and second aircraft structural components, and a spigot (102) mounted on the double eccentric bush. Rotating elements (111,112) of the double eccentric bush enable adjustment of the spigot relative to the respective aircraft structural component in two orthogonal directions normal to a longitudinal axis of the spigot prior to joining the first aircraft structural component to the second aircraft structural component. A spigot receptacle (103) is provided for mounting to, or is integrally formed with, the other of the first and second aircraft structural components. The spigot receptacle is arranged to receive the spigot. At least one fastener (130) joins the first and second aircraft structural components together when the spigot is received in the spigot receptacle.