Aerospace Clip With Prying Access For Reversible Rail Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment devices for aircraft stringers, particularly those with 'L'-shaped cross-sections, face challenges in achieving a rigid coupling and intentional disengagement due to spontaneous dislodging and access issues, and often require a clean surface for adhesion, which is not flexible or repositionable.
Innovation Solution
The proposed attachment device features a clip with an interference fit to the rail, allowing access to the locking portions for easy disengagement, made of plastic materials like nylon to avoid corrosion, and includes a barbed spike or alternative fastening mechanisms for secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a basic attachment device with pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to attach to aircraft skin, then the fastener can be easily applied, but it cannot be removed or repositioned and requires a clean surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the adhesive-based mechanical attachment system with a mechanical interlocking system. The clip features engagement surfaces that mate with corresponding features on the stringer, creating a mechanical connection that can be installed and removed without adhesives. This substitution enables both ease of application and repositionability, as the mechanical clips can be quickly attached and detached by simple manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attachment mechanism from permanent adhesive bonding to reversible mechanical engagement. The engagement surfaces are designed with specific geometric parameters that allow for easy insertion and secure holding, while also permitting controlled removal. This parameter change in the attachment mechanism enables the fastener to be both easily applied and repositioned multiple times.
2Reliability
If clips are designed to couple to L-shaped stringers, then they can attach to the rail, but they spontaneously dislodge when twisted and are difficult to intentionally disengage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the engagement mechanism into distinct functional segments: engagement surfaces for secure attachment, locking features for preventing spontaneous dislodging, and release mechanisms for intentional disengagement. The clip is segmented into parts that can independently perform attachment, retention, and release functions, allowing reliable security during normal use while enabling easy intentional removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary features between the clip and stringer, such as engagement surfaces with specific geometries that provide both secure attachment and controlled release. These intermediary elements act as mediators that translate between the need for strong attachment and the need for easy disengagement, allowing the clip to remain securely attached during normal operation but be easily removed when intentionally activated.
3Strength
If metal components are used in the attachment device, then the structure can be strong, but galvanic corrosion risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic (such as nylon), fundamentally altering the material properties of the attachment device. This parameter change eliminates the galvanic corrosion issue entirely, as plastics are immune to electrochemical corrosion. The plastic material is engineered to provide sufficient structural strength through optimized geometry and material selection, maintaining the required strength while avoiding corrosion problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs plastic materials with composite properties that combine strength, flexibility, and corrosion resistance. By using engineered plastics with specific mechanical properties, the attachment device achieves the necessary structural strength without the harmful galvanic corrosion associated with metal components, particularly in the aerospace environment where different metals would be in contact.
4Device complexity
If the clip body blocks access to the prongs, then the structure is compact, but intentional disengagement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional design approach by positioning the release mechanism externally accessible rather than internally hidden. Instead of requiring access to internal prongs blocked by the clip body, the design provides external access points or release features that can be operated from the outside. This inversion maintains structural compactness while dramatically improving ease of operation for intentional disengagement.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are attachment devices including a fastener (102) and a clip (104) coupled to the fastener, along with methods related thereof. The clip has first and second members (110, 112) with respective first and second engagement surfaces (116, 118) that oppose each other and define a gap (120) sized to receive a portion of the rail. The clip further includes a bridging member (114) that connects the first and second members to each other. The bridging member can have at least one opening (130) aligned with the gap and providing access for a prying tool to resiliently deflect the first and/or second engagement surface and facilitate detachment of the clip from the rail. Optionally, the bridging member includes a third engagement surface (122) with a configuration that enables a rigid coupling between the clip and the rail.