Aircraft Engine Mount Assembly With Parallel Safety Rods

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft propulsion systems face complexity in design and force distribution due to the integration of spare interfaces in the engine casing and front engine mounts, complicating the management of load paths and requiring additional clevises that alter force distribution between nominal and degraded configurations.

Innovation Solution

The propulsion assembly incorporates a primary structure with a main connecting rod and safety connecting rods, eliminating clevises on the engine casing and simplifying the design by ensuring continuous load transfer through a double reinforcement connection axis and double motor link axis, maintaining force distribution consistency across nominal and degraded conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spare interfaces are integrated in the engine casing and front engine mounts, then reliability is improved through fail-safe load path transfer, but device complexity increases due to additional clevises and altered force distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefail-safe load path transferVSAvoidadditional clevises and force distribution management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the safety load path function into the existing primary structure by utilizing the front transverse reinforcement and main connecting rod assembly. Instead of adding separate spare interfaces and clevises, the design combines the safety function with the primary load-bearing elements, eliminating the need for additional components while maintaining fail-safe capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The front transverse reinforcement and main connecting rod serve dual functions: they constitute the primary load path during normal operation and simultaneously provide the safety load path capability. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate spare interfaces, as the same structural elements perform both primary and backup roles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple connecting rods and clevises are used for safety load path, then reliability is improved through redundant load transfer paths, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to complex interface alignments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveredundant load transfer pathsVSAvoidinterface alignments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the safety load path with the primary structure elements, eliminating the need for separate redundant interfaces and their associated alignment requirements. The front transverse reinforcement and main connecting rod serve both primary and safety functions, reducing the number of interfaces that require precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If clevises are added to engine casing and front engine mount, then reliability is improved through fail-safe capability, but ease of manufacture decreases due to design complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefail-safe capabilityVSAvoiddesign simplification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fail-safe capability into the existing engine mount design by utilizing the front transverse reinforcement and main connecting rod as both primary and safety load paths. This approach eliminates the need for additional clevises and spare interfaces, thereby simplifying the overall design and improving ease of manufacture while maintaining fail-safe capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The front transverse reinforcement and main connecting rod perform multiple functions: they serve as the primary load path during normal operation and simultaneously provide the safety load path capability. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components required, simplifying the design and easing manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4491518B1Aircraft propulsion assembly comprising a main connecting rod for engine attachment, and two parallel safety connecting rods connected to a front cross-member of a primary structure of a mast

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

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AI summary

An aircraft propulsion assembly comprising a main engine mounting link and two parallel safety links connected to a forward transverse reinforcement of a primary mast structure. The invention relates to an aircraft propulsion assembly comprising a forward engine mounting (60) connecting a primary mast structure and an engine, including a main connecting rod (90) positioned between a clevis (70) of the forward transverse reinforcement and a clevis (80) of the engine, two safety connecting rods (96, 98) arranged on either side of the main connecting rod and around which said clevises (70, 80) are arranged, reinforcement (108) and engine (114) connecting the main connecting rod and the safety connecting rods to the forward transverse reinforcement and the engine. This propulsion assembly minimizes the number of pending interfaces and maintains the distribution of forces between the nominal and degraded configurations of the forward engine mounting.