Aircraft Assembly Locating Tool with Adjustable Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft assembly fixtures face challenges in accurately positioning and orienting components due to the need for precise tolerances and structural integrity, with existing solutions often requiring bespoke components and limited adjustability.
Innovation Solution
The aircraft assembly locating tool features a multi-part configuration with adjustable and lockable tool parts that allow for movement along various degrees of freedom, enabling precise positioning and orientation of aircraft components, including translational, yaw, pitch, and roll adjustments, using a combination of urging elements and locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bespoke solid locating tools are used to support large loads, then load carrying capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locating tool is divided into multiple modular components: a base part, an intermediate part with adjustment mechanism, and a locating part. Each component serves a specific function and can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall complexity while maintaining load-bearing capacity through distributed structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating tool incorporates adjustable elements that allow dynamic repositioning of the locating surface relative to the base part. This adjustability enables the same tool to adapt to different positioning requirements while maintaining structural integrity under load, eliminating the need for multiple bespoke solid tools.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid fixed locating tools are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different positioning requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locating tool features an adjustable intermediate part that can be positioned at multiple locations along the base part using threading mechanisms. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same tool to achieve precise locating for different component positions while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating tool is designed as a universal fixture that can accommodate various positioning requirements through its adjustment mechanism. The same tool can be used for different aircraft components and assembly stages, replacing multiple dedicated rigid locating tools with a single multi-functional device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable locating mechanisms are used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into discrete functional elements: threading features for linear adjustment, locking mechanisms for position fixation, and guiding surfaces for controlled movement. This segmentation simplifies the overall design by breaking down the complex adjustment function into manageable, well-understood mechanical sub-systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating tool incorporates self-locking threading mechanisms that automatically maintain the adjusted position without requiring additional active control systems. The adjustment mechanism uses passive mechanical elements such as friction locks and interference fits to maintain position, reducing the need for complex active control systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to an aircraft assembly locating tool (30). In particular, the application relates to an aircraft assembly locating tool (30) for locating an aircraft component (15) during assembly of an aircraft (10). The aircraft assembly locating tool (30) has a base tool part (40) and a positionable tool part (60). The base tool part (40) is configured to mount on a support (22). An interface arrangement arranged to mount with an aircraft component is configured to move with the positionable tool part relative to the base tool part. The positionable tool part (60) is movable relative to the base tool part (40). When mounted on the aircraft assembly locating tool (30), the aircraft component (15) is configured to move with the positionable tool part (60) relative to the base tool part (40). The tool (30) also has a locking arrangement configured to selectively lock the positionable tool part in a position relative to the base tool part, and an adjustment arrangement configured to act on the positionable tool part to adjust the position of the positionable tool part relative to the base tool part. The present invention also relates to a mounting assembly and an aircraft assembly fixture.