Aircraft Aerodynamic Surface Segmentation for Reusable Equipment Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft fin tips with personalized molded structures become obsolete upon purchaser reassignment, leading to costly scrapping of entire components rather than reusable equipment, as they are difficult to reallocate due to their size and customization.
Innovation Solution
A hollow, elongated aerodynamic surface with a perforated support means and interchangeable fixing plates allows for reversible mounting of equipment such as anti-collision lights, antennas, and GPS antennas, enabling easy replacement of equipment without scrapping the entire molded structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If equipment is permanently embedded in a molded fin tip structure, then the equipment is securely fixed and protected, but the entire molded structure must be scrapped when equipment needs to be changed or upgraded
Solution Approach 1:
The fin tip structure is segmented into three main parts: the molded structure (11), the support means (13) integrated into it, and the interchangeable fixing plate (12). This segmentation allows the fixing plate with equipment to be separated from the molded structure, enabling equipment replacement without scrapping the entire assembly. The support means provides secure attachment while the interchangeable nature of the fixing plate ensures flexibility for future upgrades.
2Manufacturing precision
If a customized molded structure is manufactured for each purchaser's specific equipment needs, then the equipment can be precisely positioned and integrated, but the structure cannot be reallocated to another purchaser and becomes waste upon reassignment
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the generic molded structure (11) from the customized equipment assembly (fixing plate (12) with equipment), the invention allows the molded structure to be treated as a reusable platform. The customization is achieved through different fixing plates rather than custom molded structures, enabling the same molded structure to serve multiple purchasers with different equipment configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The molded structure (11) is designed as a universal platform with an integrated support means (13) that can accommodate various types of equipment through interchangeable fixing plates (12). This multi-functionality allows the same molded structure to serve different purchasers with different equipment needs, preventing waste upon reassignment.
3Ease of repair
If the entire molded structure is scrapped when equipment needs replacement, then simple replacement procedures are used, but significant costs are incurred and environmental waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the system into a permanent molded structure (11) and a removable fixing plate (12) with equipment allows for simple equipment replacement by detaching only the fixing plate. This maintains the ease of repair benefit while eliminating the waste of discarding the entire molded structure, as the support means (13) remains integrated and reusable.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The surface (10) has a hollow and elongated molded structure (11) extending from a connecting section (11') for fixing a structure of a body of aircraft (1) towards a free section (11''), where the structure is formed from composite materials. An openwork support unit is arranged in a reception section distinct from the connecting section. An interchangeable fixing plate (12) is fixed reversibly to the support unit. The fixing plate includes a positioning equipment (20) e.g. global positioning system antenna, for positioning the aircraft.