Eccentric Bushing Wing Coupling for Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The misalignment of through-holes in wing structures due to thermal expansion and machining errors, leading to undesired thermal stress and manufacturing difficulties, particularly when using heat-resistant materials with different coefficients of linear thermal expansion.
Innovation Solution
The use of an eccentric bushing with a cylindrical shape and a circular through-hole, along with a coupling member, to couple the main structural member and the leading-edge member, allowing for adjustable alignment and absorption of thermal expansion differences, and incorporating rivet-based coupling mechanisms with slotted holes and gap structures to mitigate misalignment and stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If through-holes are formed through the main structural member and the leading-edge member by stack drilling, then misalignment of through-holes caused by machining errors is mitigated, but process control becomes difficult for large-sized members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling member with a specific structure that includes a first hole and a second hole, where the first hole is formed in the leading-edge member and the second hole is formed in the main structural member. The coupling member acts as an intermediary element that connects these two members, allowing for alignment adjustment and mitigating the difficulty of process control while maintaining through-hole alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member is divided into multiple parts with distinct functions: the first hole for receiving the leading-edge member, the second hole for receiving the main structural member, and the coupling structure that connects them. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving overall alignment precision while simplifying manufacturing process control.
2Temperature
If the main structural member and the leading-edge member are formed of materials with different coefficients of linear thermal expansion, then the leading edge can tolerate high temperature environment due to aerodynamic heating, but misalignment of through-holes occurs due to thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between materials as a design parameter. The coupling member is designed with specific geometric parameters and compliance features that allow it to accommodate the differential thermal expansion between the heat-resistant leading-edge member and the main structural member, thereby maintaining through-hole alignment across temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling structure incorporates dynamic compliance that allows for thermal expansion movements. The design enables the coupling member to flex or adjust its configuration in response to thermal stresses, maintaining alignment of through-holes even when the connected members expand at different rates due to temperature changes from aerodynamic heating.
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
This solution effectively reduces thermal stress and manufacturing errors by allowing for adjustable alignment of through-holes, absorbing thermal expansion differences, and minimizing wobbling between structural members, thereby enhancing the reliability and accuracy of wing assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The main structural member and the leading-edge member exhibit thermal expansion when the temperature of the wing increases due to the aerodynamic heating. If the main structural member and the leading-edge member are formed of materials with different coefficients of linear thermal expansion, this may cause misalignment of the through-holes formed through the main structural member and the leading-edge member.
Data Source
AI summary
A wing includes: a main structural member; a leading-edge member formed of material with a coefficient of linear thermal expansion different from that of material of the main structural member; an eccentric bushing that has a circular through-hole and is shaped in a cylindrical shape; and a coupling member. The leading-edge member has a first hole prolonged in a specific direction. The main structural member has a second hole. The center axis of the eccentric bushing and the center axis of the through-hole are parallel to and offset from each other. The eccentric bushing is inserted to the first hole. The first coupling member is inserted to the through-hole and the second hole to couple the main structural member and the leading-edge member.