Aircraft Workpiece Positioning Drive With Locking Slider Precision
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to rapidly accommodate the diverse sizes and irregular shapes of aircraft components for inspection, maintenance, and qualification, lacking infinite adjustability and precision in positioning mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A drive system comprising a slider with a fixture and a powered positioning mechanism, utilizing an axially rotatable drive member and complementary non-rotatable driven member to lock the slider in a predetermined position, enabling precise and adaptable positioning of aircraft workpieces on a support bar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed-position support structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to accommodate various sizes and shapes of aircraft components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure employs movable sliders that can translate along support bars and rotate to different positions, transforming a static fixed-position structure into a dynamic adjustable system. This allows the same structure to accommodate various sizes and shapes of aircraft components by changing the position and orientation of sliders, thereby improving adaptability without requiring multiple fixed structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into modular components including support bars, sliders, and fixtures that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each slider can be moved to different locations along support bars and locked in place, creating a segmented adjustable system that adapts to different component sizes and shapes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual positioning methods are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and positioning accuracy of 0.001 inches cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual positioning mechanisms with a powered drive system that uses a motor to rotate a drive member, which in turn moves the slider along the support bar. This mechanical-to-power substitution enables precise positioning of 0.001 inches through controlled motor movement, eliminating the limitations of manual adjustment while maintaining reasonable device complexity through the use of a straightforward motor-driven mechanism.
3Manufacturing precision
If a powered positioning system is implemented, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation in austere environments without external power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system incorporates a self-contained motor unit that integrates the power source, drive mechanism, and control functions into a single self-sufficient assembly. This self-service design allows the system to operate independently without requiring external power sources or complex external control systems, making it suitable for austere environments while maintaining positioning accuracy through the integrated motor-driven mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive system in combination with a stand for positioning an aircraft workpiece in position for maintenance. The drive system comprises a slider configured to move on a support bar, a fixture removably disposed on the slider and a powered drive system for positioning the slider on the support bar, and an axially rotatable drive member and complementary non-rotatable driven member, whereby relative movement between the rotatable drive member and the driven member causes responsive movement of the slider along the support bar. The drive system can lock the slider in a predetermined position for maintenance on an aircraft workpiece. The drive member and driven member may be a jackscrew and nut pair or a pinion and rack gear pair.