Aircraft Support Stay with Segmented Load Paths

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft support systems for movable parts, such as high-lift devices and control surfaces, are cumbersome and require multiple struts or stays to ensure failsafe operation, which is not feasible in modern aircraft design due to space constraints, leading to a need for a more efficient and compact failsafe configuration.

Innovation Solution

A support stay with a primary and secondary body providing separate load paths, connected by a mechanical fastener system that prevents structural compromise of either body from affecting the other, allowing for sliding contact surfaces and reduced disengagement risk, enabling a single part to distribute loads effectively and maintain functionality even if one body is structurally compromised.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple struts or stays are used to ensure failsafe operation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailsafe operationVSAvoidnumber of struts or stays

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support stay is divided into a primary body and a secondary body, each providing separate load paths. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain functionality even if one body becomes structurally compromised, as the other body can continue to carry loads independently through its separate load path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple load paths into a single integrated support stay structure. The primary body and secondary body are connected through a mechanical connection that allows them to function together as one component while maintaining independent load-bearing capabilities, reducing the total number of separate struts or stays needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple struts or stays are used to ensure failsafe operation, then reliability is improved, but the space required in modern aircraft wings increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailsafe operationVSAvoidspace in aircraft wing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support stay is divided into a primary body and a secondary body, each providing separate load paths. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain functionality even if one body becomes structurally compromised, as the other body can continue to carry loads independently through its separate load path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple load paths into a single integrated support stay structure. The primary body and secondary body are connected through a mechanical connection that allows them to function together as one component while maintaining independent load-bearing capabilities, reducing the total number of separate struts or stays needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If separate load paths are provided in a single support stay, then device complexity is reduced, but the mechanical connection must prevent force transfer that could compromise structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of partsVSAvoidstructural compromise prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A mechanical connection acts as an intermediary between the primary body and secondary body. This connection is specifically designed to prevent the transfer of forces that could cause structural compromise from one body to the other, while still allowing the two bodies to function together as an integrated support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support stay is divided into a primary body and a secondary body, each providing separate load paths. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain functionality even if one body becomes structurally compromised, as the other body can continue to carry loads independently through its separate load path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11780558B2Support stay and support arrangement for supporting a movable part of an aircraft

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A support stay is provided to improve failsafe configurations for movable parts of an aircraft. The support stay supports the movable part with a primary body and a separate secondary body. The primary body and the secondary body provide separate load paths. The secondary body is attached to the primary body by a mechanical connection, e.g., rivets. If one of the bodies becomes structurally compromised, for example by a crack, this configuration does not transfer shear load between the primary and secondary body, so that the other body does not become structurally compromised.