Composite Lattice Beam Sleeve Joint for Precise Tube Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing truss beam assembly methods in aerospace structures face challenges with unreliable bonding techniques that require mechanical stress tests, leading to increased weight and cost due to the use of rivets for securing connections.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve assembly device is used to mechanically connect tubes, eliminating the need for rivets by using a sleeve with attachment zones and a filler material to ensure secure bonding without additional weight or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If diagonal tubes are assembled to main tubes before composite material is applied, then assembly precision is improved, but the complexity of the manufacturing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by assembling the diagonal tubes to the main tubes before the composite material is applied. This allows precise positioning and alignment to be established in advance, ensuring high assembly precision. The preliminary assembly creates a stable framework that guides subsequent manufacturing steps, resolving the contradiction by prioritizing precision in the preliminary stage before final composite application.
2Device complexity
If diagonal tubes are assembled after composite material is applied, then manufacturing process is simplified, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by performing the assembly action in advance, before composite material application. This preliminary assembly establishes precise alignment that would be difficult to achieve afterward, while the composite material subsequently protects and locks in these precise positions, simplifying the overall process flow.
3Productivity
If composite material is applied before diagonal tube assembly, then manufacturing steps are reduced, but positioning accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by completing the diagonal tube assembly before composite material application. This ensures that all positioning and alignment operations are performed on a clean, accessible framework, achieving high positioning accuracy. The subsequent composite application then protects these precisely positioned components, maintaining both accuracy and manufacturing efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for assembling secondary tubes on a main tube made of composite material, comprising a sleeve (10) mounted coaxially on the main tube and provided with two attachment regions (11, 13), the attachment regions being intended to be assembled rigidly together, the sleeve comprising means for connecting to at least one secondary tube. The inner surface part of the sleeve in contact with the outer surface of the main tube is peripheral and surrounds part of the inner surface (14) of the sleeve that is not in contact with the outer surface of the main tube so as to delimit a reserve (18) between the outer surface of the main tube and the sleeve that is filled with a filling agent, the assembly device comprising at least one projecting element (81) connected to the sleeve that is inserted into at least one cavity provided on the outer surface of the main tube, the projecting element being situated in the reserve (18).