Dual-Function Crawling Assembly Device for Aircraft Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated assembly systems for aircraft manufacturing face challenges such as low speed and skidding during movement and course adjustments due to inadequate securing mechanisms, which hinder efficient assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous crawling assembly system featuring a motorized device with dual function movement components that adhere and glide, allowing secure movement and precise adjustments, including a pivoting component for controlled rotation, to enhance movement speed and reliability on aircraft structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum cups are used to adhere the system to structures, then the system can be secured to the structure, but movement speed decreases and requires deactivating vacuum cups before movement
Solution Approach 1:
The movement system is divided into multiple independent dual function movement components, each capable of adhering and gliding independently. This segmentation allows different components to perform different functions simultaneously - some adhering to provide stable base while others glide to enable movement without requiring complete detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Each movement component is designed with dual function capability - the same component can both adhere to the structure for stable positioning and glide along the structure for movement. This eliminates the need for separate securing and movement mechanisms, allowing simultaneous adherence and movement operations.
2Ease of operation
If rotation of support legs or feet is used for course adjustments, then the system can change direction, but skidding occurs during adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The movement components are designed to dynamically switch between adhering mode and gliding mode during course adjustments. This dynamic operation allows the system to pivot and change direction by having some components glide while others remain adhered, providing controlled rotation without skidding of pressure feet.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual function movement components act as intermediaries between the adhering mechanism and the gliding mechanism. During course adjustments, these components mediate the transition by allowing controlled gliding motion while maintaining overall system stability through other adhering components, preventing uncontrolled skidding.
3Reliability
If automated devices are fixed on assembly line, then assembly operations can be performed, but the article must be moved to each device location
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of fixing the automated device on the assembly line and moving the article to it, the invention inverts the approach by making the automated device mobile so it can move to the article. This allows the device to bring its assembly operations to different locations on the aircraft structure, eliminating the need to move the heavy article between fixed stations.
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
The system enables faster and more controlled movement with reduced skidding, improving the efficiency of assembly operations by securing the device to the structure while allowing for precise adjustments during operation.
Implementation Method 1
some current systems may utilize vacuum cups to adhere the system to structures
Implementation Method 2
functions of each dual function movement component may comprise adhering and gliding
Data Source
AI summary
An automated motorized device may be configured to move on a structure for use in assembling of the structure. The automated motorized device may comprise an end effector configured to perform a plurality of assembling related functions; a first movement assembly, comprising a first plurality of dual function movement components; a second movement assembly, comprising a second plurality of dual function movement components; and a pivoting component connected concentrically to the end effector, and to at least one of the first movement assembly and the second movement assembly. Functions of each dual function movement component may comprise adhering and gliding; and during movement of the automated motorized device, one of the first movement assembly and the second movement assembly is secured to the structure while the other one of the first movement assembly and the second movement assembly moves over the structure.