Eccentric Bushing Link Bar Assembly for Fast Fail-Safe Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional link bar assemblies in aircraft designs face challenges with slow and iterative adjustment processes due to high torque requirements for locking, which can be time-consuming and prone to loosening, especially in critical applications where quick and fail-safe connections are necessary for high load transfer and damage tolerance.
Innovation Solution
The link bar assembly features a multi-faceted flange bushing with an eccentric aperture and a lock ring system that allows for quick alignment and locking, enabling rapid length adjustment and secure connection between structural components, utilizing a bolt and pin assembly with adjustable bushings and lock rings to facilitate quick assembly and prevent rotational movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional threaded nuts are used to adjust link bar length, then length adjustment is possible, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and iterative
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing incorporates an eccentric aperture that enables dynamic adjustment of the link bar length through rotational movement. The eccentric geometry allows the operator to quickly change the effective length by rotating the bushing to different positions, eliminating the need for iterative threading and nut adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing is pre-configured with multiple predetermined length positions through its eccentric aperture geometry. This allows the operator to select from pre-established length options without performing iterative adjustments, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining precise length control.
2Strength
If high torque is applied to lock threads, then connection strength is improved, but the risk of loosening and loss of torque increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the threading mechanism from the connection system and replaces it with an eccentric aperture-bushing interface. This eliminates the threaded connection that is prone to loosening under high torque, while maintaining strong mechanical connection through the eccentric geometry and associated locking features.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing acts as an intermediary element between the link bar and connection lugs. It provides a controlled interface that distributes loads and prevents direct high-torque threading, thereby reducing the risk of loosening while maintaining connection strength through its eccentric aperture design and locking mechanism.
3Reliability
If redundant load paths are designed for damage tolerance, then safety is improved, but structure weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The eccentric aperture bushing changes the mechanical parameters of the connection by providing controlled movement and load distribution capabilities. This allows the structure to tolerate damage better through the compliant nature of the eccentric connection, potentially reducing the need for overly redundant heavy structures while maintaining damage tolerance.
Data Source
AI summary
Link bar assemblies are provided to connect adjacent structural components (e.g., components of an aircraft such as connecting an underwing engine to the wing structure) having respective connection lugs. The link bar assemblies will include a link bar having opposed terminal ends which include circular bearings, bushings operatively received by the circular bearings of the link bar, and a bolt and pin assembly inserted through the bushings to connect the terminal ends of the link bar to the respective connection lugs of the adjacent structural components. At least one of the bushings includes a multi-faceted flange and defines an eccentric aperture (e.g., an elliptical aperture having major and minor axes) such that rotation of the bushing allows the eccentric aperture to become aligned with the mounting opening of a respective connection lug.