Adjustable Cantilevered Paint Actuation System for Contoured Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for treating and coating structural surfaces, such as those on commercial aircraft, are time-consuming and resource-intensive due to the complexity of applying coatings on large, contoured surfaces, requiring multiple masking and painting operations.

Innovation Solution

An automated surface treatment assembly system featuring a circular array of base structures and finger structures with phalange joints and actuators, equipped with sensors and applicator heads, which can adjust to conform to the shape of the surface, allowing for efficient application of surface treatment layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional masking and painting operations are used on large contoured surfaces, then coating coverage is achieved, but the process requires significant time and resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface treatment speedVSAvoidtime for masking and painting operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The painting system is divided into multiple independent robotic manipulators, each with its own applicator head, allowing simultaneous painting of different surface sections. This segmentation enables parallel processing of large contoured surfaces, dramatically reducing total painting time compared to sequential traditional methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional manual masking and painting operations are replaced with an automated robotic system that uses sensors, actuators, and computer control to perform surface treatment. This mechanical substitution eliminates manual labor constraints and enables continuous, high-speed operation without the time losses associated with manual setup and execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple masking operations are performed serially, then precise coating application is achieved, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating precisionVSAvoidmasking operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Physical masking operations are replaced with a digital control system that uses sensors to detect surface geometry and computer algorithms to calculate precise applicator head positions. This substitution eliminates the complexity of physical masking setup while maintaining or improving coating precision through digital precision control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters including applicator head position, orientation, and movement speed based on real-time surface geometry data. This parameter adaptation allows precise coating application on complex contoured surfaces without requiring complex physical masking structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed painting equipment is used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to contoured surfaces is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to surface geometryVSAvoidadjustable mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic manipulators are designed with multiple degrees of freedom and adjustable components that allow dynamic reconfiguration to match various surface geometries. Each manipulator can independently adjust its position, orientation, and applicator head angle, providing adaptability to different contoured surfaces while using standardized mechanical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The painting system is designed as a universal platform capable of treating various surface types and geometries using the same basic manipulator structure. The adaptability is achieved through software control and actuator adjustment rather than requiring different specialized equipment for each surface type, balancing versatility with equipment simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10953417B2Adjustable cantilevered paint actuation system

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A surface treatment assembly for treating a contoured surface includes a surface treatment array formed from a plurality of base structures, each base structure operably coupled to a first phalange structure and a first phalange structure first end. A second phalange structure operatively coupled to each first phalange structure and a phalange joint disposed between each first phalange structure and each second phalange, thereby forming a finger structure. Moreover, at least one applicator head is coupled to a second phalange structure second end of each finger structure and configured to treat the contoured surface. A base structure actuator and a phalange joint actuator operatively coupled to and configured to manipulate the first phalange structure and the second phalange of each finger structure to adjust the surface treatment array relative to the contoured surface.