Continuous Rib Foot Structure for Aircraft Wing Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional aircraft wing structures are complex, time-consuming to assemble, heavy, and inefficient in using modern aerospace materials, requiring many components and external fasteners which increase weight and vulnerability to lightning strikes.
Innovation Solution
A structure comprising a panel, stringer, and rib with a continuous rib foot construction that integrates multiple flange angles, reducing component count and weight, and using co-cured or co-bonded joints to eliminate the need for drilling and bolting, allowing for efficient load transfer and simplified manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional wing box construction with multiple components (upper and lower covers, spars, ribs) is used, then structural strength and load bearing capacity are achieved, but device complexity and assembly time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rib foot flange, rib foot web, and rib foot base parts into a single continuous constructed rib foot component. This integration reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the structural strength and load bearing capacity through continuous material flow and integrated corner layers that provide robust load transfer paths.
2Reliability
If traditional assembly processes with drilling and bolting are used, then reliable mechanical connections are achieved, but manufacturing time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (drilling and bolting) with co-cured or co-bonded joints. These joints are created by curing adhesive or co-curing composite layers directly between components, eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners and significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining reliable connections through integrated load transfer paths.
3Strength
If traditional metal construction is used, then structural strength is achieved, but weight increases and modern aerospace material efficiency is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials (such as carbon fiber reinforced polymer) to construct the rib foot and other components. These composite materials provide high strength-to-weight ratios, achieving the required structural strength while significantly reducing the overall weight compared to traditional metal construction. The continuous construction and integrated corner layers optimize material distribution for maximum efficiency.
4Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used, then ease of manufacturing individual parts is maintained, but overall manufacturing complexity and tolerance control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components (rib foot flange, web, and base parts) into a single continuous constructed component. This eliminates the need for precise tolerance control and fit-up between separate joints, as the continuous construction inherently provides alignment and integrates all connection surfaces into one manufactured part.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a structure having a panel, a stringer and a rib. The stringer has a stringer flange that is joined to an inner surface of the panel and a stringer web that extends away from the stringer flange. The rib has a rib web and a rib foot. The rib foot has a rib foot flange that is joined to the stringer web, first and second rib foot base parts that are joined to the inner surface of the panel or to the stringer flange and a rib foot web that is joined to the rib web. The rib foot is formed as a single folded piece such that the rib foot flange is connected to the rib foot web by a first folded corner, the first rib foot base part is connected to the rib foot flange by a second folded corner and the second rib foot base part is connected to the rib foot web by a third folded corner.