Aircraft Component Positioning Tables for Flexible Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft assembly systems are cost-intensive and require complex maintenance due to the need for precise orientation of components, which is dependent on the precision of the assembly frame. Additionally, conventional systems struggle with efficient storage and movement of components, leading to high costs and reduced flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising carriers, positioning tables, a location device, a transport device, and a position control unit, which allows for cost-effective storage, movement, and precise orientation of aircraft components on a floor, enabling flexible assembly planning and implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional fixed assembly frames with indexing are used to ensure precise orientation of aircraft components, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the assembly framework into multiple independent positioning tables, each equipped with its own mobile unit and location device. This segmentation allows each table to be controlled independently, reducing the complexity of the overall system while maintaining precision through coordinated control of individual units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical indexing system with an electronic positioning system using location devices, mobile units with motors, and computer-controlled movement. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical indexing mechanisms while achieving comparable or superior positioning precision through electronic control.
2Device complexity
If cost-effective carriers and transport devices are used for component storage and movement, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates location devices on both the mobile units and carriers that continuously provide position feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the computer to calculate precise positions and adjust movements accordingly, ensuring high positioning precision is achieved despite using simpler, more cost-effective carriers and transport devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mobile units as intermediaries between the simple transport devices/carriers and the final positioning requirement. These mobile units equip the carriers with positioning capabilities while the carriers themselves remain simple and cost-effective structures, thus bridging the gap between simplicity and precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functions (storage, movement, positioning) are combined in single equipment, then device complexity increases, but flexibility and cost-effectiveness improve
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning tables are designed as multi-functional units that can store carriers, transport them to assembly locations, and precisely position components during assembly. This universality allows a single type of equipment to perform multiple functions, increasing system flexibility while avoiding the need for separate specialized equipment for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for positioning vehicle components relative to each other on a floor to prepare an assembly. A plurality of carriers receive a vehicle component. A plurality of positioning tables have a lower portions which can be fixed to the floor and a upper portions which receive a carrier. A location device having at least one base and mobile units moveable relative to the base. At some of the positioning tables moves the respective upper portion along at least two movement axes relative to the respective lower portion to position a carrier located thereon. A transport device guides the carriers from an external position to a positioning table and to place them on the upper portion. The location device determines the positions of the respective mobile units relative to the at least one base. A position control unit controls a movement of the upper portions to a predetermined target position.