Aircraft Joining Structure With Serrated Hole Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for coupling aircraft components require precise alignment of through holes, which is time-consuming and costly, especially when eccentric bushings are used, increasing the number of components and production costs.
Innovation Solution
The coupling assembly features insertion holes with different diameters and serrations that allow for quick alignment and adjustment, eliminating the need for boring and simplifying the coupler configuration, using a shaft structure, contact structure, and pressing structure to ensure precise alignment and surface contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If through holes are formed beforehand in frame and beam, then coupling process is simplified, but alignment precision between through holes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested insertion holes where a first insertion hole with larger diameter contains a second insertion hole with smaller diameter. The shaft structure is inserted through both holes in sequence, with the second hole providing precise positioning while the first hole facilitates easier access and alignment. This nested configuration allows pre-formed holes to achieve precise alignment without requiring complex boring operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion process is segmented into two distinct stages: first inserting the shaft through the larger diameter first insertion hole for rough alignment and access, then refining the position through the smaller diameter second insertion hole. This segmentation of the insertion function into two hierarchical holes resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and alignment precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If eccentric bushings are used to achieve precise alignment, then alignment precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for eccentric bushings by directly forming two precision insertion holes in the coupling members. The shaft structure with its two-tiered insertion hole configuration provides the alignment function that would otherwise require separate eccentric bushing components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the coupling element, provides alignment through the nested insertion holes, and eliminates the need for separate positioning components like eccentric bushings. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components while achieving precise alignment.
3Manufacturing precision
If boring process is performed inside aircraft fuselage to achieve precise alignment, then alignment precision improves, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two insertion holes are pre-formed in the frame and beam before the coupling operation. The shaft structure is designed with corresponding pre-formed insertion holes that accept the shaft without requiring on-site boring operations inside the fuselage. This preliminary preparation of holes eliminates time-consuming boring operations during assembly while maintaining precise alignment through the nested hole configuration.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An aircraft component coupling assembly includes first and second plate structures placed on each other and a coupler coupling the first and second plate structures. The first plate structure includes a first insertion hole and a first serration located on an outer surface of the first plate structure and surrounding the first insertion hole, the outer surface facing away from the second plate structure. The second plate structure includes a second insertion hole differing in inner diameter from the first insertion hole. The coupler includes: a contact structure including a second serration and a third insertion hole; a shaft structure inserted into the first, second, and third insertion holes, the shaft structure including a fixed engagement portion fixedly engaged with an outer surface of one of the second plate structure and the contact structure; and a pressing structure engaged with the shaft structure and pressing an outer surface of the other of the second plate structure and the contact structure.