Aircraft Component Positioning Using Virtual Reference Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
The aircraft industry faces challenges in achieving high-precision assembly of structural components without using positioning jigs, particularly due to the difficulty in ensuring precision during sheet metal processing and the accumulation of tolerances when using multiple jigs.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft component positioning device comprising a detection unit, a virtual position creation unit, and a position determination unit that detects the positions of installed components, creates virtual positions, and determines the installation position of subsequent components on a planar member, allowing precise attachment without a jig.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple positioning jigs are used to attach structural components, then the workability is improved by increasing spaces between components, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to accumulation of tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the positioning function from physical jigs and transfers it to a virtual positioning system. The positioning information is extracted from the workpiece itself (through marking units) and processed virtually by a control device, eliminating the need for multiple physical positioning jigs that accumulate tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a virtual copy of the positioning information through marking units on the workpiece. Instead of using multiple physical jigs, the system creates virtual positioning data that is processed by a control device to determine precise attachment positions, thereby avoiding tolerance accumulation while maintaining workability.
2Manufacturing precision
If a single positioning jig is used to attach multiple structural components, then the manufacturing precision is improved by reducing tolerance accumulation, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to narrow spaces between components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces marking units as intermediaries between the workpiece and the positioning system. These marking units carry positioning information that is read by the detection device, allowing the system to determine precise attachment positions without requiring physical contact from positioning jigs, thus avoiding interference with worker access.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical positioning jig system with an optical/electronic detection and virtual positioning system. The detection device reads marking units to obtain positioning information, which is then processed by a control device to determine attachment positions, eliminating the need for mechanical jigs that restrict worker access.
3Manufacturing precision
If high-precision positioning jigs are used to improve assembly quality, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of manufacture increase
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece itself provides the positioning information through marking units that are attached to or formed on the workpiece. The workpiece essentially positions itself by providing detectable marking information, eliminating the need for complex external positioning jigs and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking units serve multiple functions: they provide positioning information for detection, serve as reference marks for the control device, and can be integrated into the workpiece structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate positioning jigs, reducing device complexity while maintaining assembly quality.
Data Source
AI summary
The object is to provide an aircraft component positioning device, an aircraft assembly system, and an aircraft assembly method with which it is possible to precisely dispose components on a planar member of an aircraft without using a positioning jig. A positioning device (2) includes a detection unit (5) that detects positions of a plurality of first components installed on a planar member of an aircraft, a virtual position creation unit (6) that creates a virtual position between the plurality of first components on the basis of the positions of the plurality of first components that are detected, and a position determination unit (7) that, on the basis of the virtual position that is created, determines an installation position of a second component, different from the plurality of first components, that is installed on the planar member.