Ball-and-Socket Panel Support for Precise Aircraft Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large components, such as aircraft panels, experience warping and misalignment due to weight distribution, leading to challenging hoist operations and increased rework time in assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A support frame with a ball and socket joint, where the socket has a conical portion and a slot, allows the frame to rotate relative to an assembly jig, mitigating gravitational forces and enabling precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional hoisting methods are used for large aircraft panels, then the panels can be transported to assembly locations, but the panels experience warping and misalignment due to weight distribution and gravitational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame incorporates a ball-and-socket joint mechanism that allows dynamic rotation and adjustment of the panel during assembly. The socket includes a slot on its sidewall that enables the support frame to rotate relative to the assembly jig, accommodating gravitational forces and preventing warping while maintaining precise alignment. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction between panel weight and manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise location and constraint methods are implemented for large panels, then assembly precision can be maintained, but the complexity of hoist operations increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable support frame with ball-and-socket joint provides automatic adaptation to gravitational forces and panel weight distribution. The slot in the socket enables the frame to rotate and self-align, eliminating the need for complex precision hoisting operations while maintaining accurate part location and assembly precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support frame is rigidly fixed to the assembly jig, then structural stability is maintained, but the frame cannot accommodate gravitational distortion and misalignment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The ball-and-socket joint with a slotted sidewall provides controlled rotational freedom, allowing the support frame to adjust its orientation in response to gravitational forces on the panel. This dynamic adjustment mechanism maintains both frame stability and panel alignment precision simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between rigid fixation and alignment accommodation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates efficient assembly by reducing distortion and misalignment, minimizing rework, and improving manufacturing time for large components.
Implementation Method 1
the conical surface for contacting and guiding a ball pin of a support frame
Implementation Method 2
the placement of the ball to the conical portion to rotationally couple the support frame to the support jig
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for determinant assembly support are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus to orient, locate and support a panel component for assembly thereof includes a ball extending from an arm of a support frame for carrying the panel component, and a socket having a conical portion to receive the ball to couple the support frame to an assembly jig, the socket including a slot on at least one sidewall thereof to enable a clearance of the socket to the arm of the support frame.