Double Eccentric Bush Joint for Fast Aircraft Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airfoil structures in aircraft manufacturing face challenges with misalignment and dimensional variations, leading to shape deviations that affect aerodynamic performance and require extensive assembly time, hindering production throughput.
Innovation Solution
A joint assembly using a double eccentric bush with a spigot and spigot receptacle allows for precise adjustment and alignment of aircraft structural components in two orthogonal directions, facilitated by rotating elements and fasteners, ensuring correct alignment and rapid attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional rigid joining methods are used to ensure precise alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but assembly time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The joint assembly incorporates adjustable elements (shims, eccentrics, or positionable spigots) that allow the alignment to be dynamically adjusted during assembly rather than being fixed beforehand. This enables workers to achieve precise alignment quickly by making on-the-fly adjustments rather than relying on pre-aligned rigid components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the alignment parameters from fixed dimensional tolerances to adjustable positional parameters. The adjustable component allows the alignment to be modified after the fact, transforming the problem from one of precise manufacturing to one of easy adjustment, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If adjustable alignment mechanisms are added to improve alignment precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joint assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a spigot for location, a receptacle for reception, adjustable elements (shims or eccentrics) for alignment, and fasteners for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, avoiding the need for a single complex adjustable mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary elements (shims or eccentric bushes) that mediate between the spigot and receptacle to achieve precise alignment. These intermediaries are simple, standardized components that provide adjustment capability without requiring complex integrated mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment degrees of freedom are provided, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable component (such as an eccentric bush) uses asymmetric geometry to provide adjustment capability. The eccentric shape naturally provides radial adjustment in multiple directions through rotational movement, achieving adaptability through a simple asymmetric form rather than a complex multi-axis adjustment mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint assembly for joining a first aircraft structural component to a second aircraft structural component. The joint assembly has a double eccentric bush for mounting to one of the first and second aircraft structural components, and a spigot mounted on the double eccentric bush. Rotating elements of the double eccentric bush enable adjustment of the spigot relative to the respective aircraft structural component in two orthogonal directions normal to a longitudinal axis of the spigot prior to joining the first aircraft structural component to the second aircraft structural component. A spigot receptacle is provided for mounting to, or is integrally formed with, the other of the first and second aircraft structural components. The spigot receptacle is arranged to receive the spigot. At least one fastener joins the first and second aircraft structural components together when the spigot is received in the spigot receptacle.