Aircraft Wing Mockup Structure for Lightweight Maintenance Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft training mockups often employ scrap aircraft sections that require significant modifications and are heavy, making them complex and impractical for ground-based training, with no mobile support structures to install aircraft wings in a cantilever form.
Innovation Solution
A ground-based wing mockup station using a primary and secondary support structure, with additively manufactured plastic and polyurethane foam materials, simulating an aircraft wing and payload pylon, allowing easy relocation and supporting weight loads comparable to real aircraft components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If scrap aircraft sections are used for training mockups, then the visual appearance and structural complexity are preserved, but the weight increases and ease of relocation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by creating mockups that replicate the visual appearance and structural complexity of actual aircraft components using lighter materials. The mockups are designed to resemble the real components closely enough for training purposes while using materials like foam, plastic, or composite materials instead of actual aircraft metals, thereby reducing weight while maintaining training effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the material composition and physical properties of the mockup components. Instead of using authentic aircraft materials with their inherent high weight, the patent substitutes materials with altered parameters (lower density, different strength characteristics) that still provide sufficient structural integrity for ground-based training while enabling easier relocation.
2Quantity of substance
If scrap aircraft sections are used for training mockups, then the visual appearance is preserved, but the device complexity and modification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by creating mockups that replicate the visual appearance and structural complexity of actual aircraft components using lighter materials. The mockups are designed to resemble the real components closely enough for training purposes while using materials like foam, plastic, or composite materials instead of actual aircraft metals, thereby reducing weight while maintaining training effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the mockup into modular components that can be independently manufactured, assembled, and relocated. This modular approach simplifies the overall device complexity by allowing each segment to be optimized separately and reconfigured as needed for different training scenarios, rather than working with monolithic scrap sections.
3Ease of operation
If mobile support structures are added to enable wing installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by designing support structures that can transition between different states (assembled/disassembled, locked/unlocked) to facilitate easy wing installation and relocation. The support structures incorporate movable components and adjustable mechanisms that allow ground personnel to efficiently install, remove, and reposition wings without requiring permanent or complex fixed installations.
Data Source
AI summary
A ground-based wing mockup station is provided. The mockup station comprises a primary support structure removably coupled to a floor and a wing mockup coupled to the primary support structure. A secondary support structure configured to suspend the wing mockup over the floor from the primary support structure. A payload pylon mockup is coupled to the wing mockup, wherein the payload pylon mockup is configured to hold an apparatus. The primary support structure, secondary support structure, wing mockup, and payload pylon mockup are configured to support a weight at least equal to the apparatus.