External Joint Sealing for Wing Box-Fuselage Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing technique for sealing the joint between the wing box and central fuselage of an aircraft is ergonomically challenging due to restricted space within the wing box, making it difficult for operators to inject sealing product into complex and hard-to-reach openings, especially with the decreasing wing height of modern aircraft.

Innovation Solution

A sealing device comprising deformable and rigid elements with clamping means that allows for easy installation from outside the aircraft, featuring a deformable element with a cavity for sealing product and clamping mechanism to ensure secure sealing by deforming the element against the joint surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the traditional injection technique is used to seal the joint between wing box and central fuselage, then the sealing function can be achieved, but the operator must work inside the wing box in very restricted space with difficult access to openings, causing significant ergonomic problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidoperator ergonomics

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional sealing approach by moving the sealing device from inside the wing box to the outside of the aircraft. The deformable element is positioned externally and deformed from outside through the clamping means, allowing operators to work in accessible external spaces rather than confined internal spaces, thus resolving the ergonomic contradiction while maintaining sealing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable element acts as an intermediary between the external clamping means and the internal joint opening. It transmits the clamping force from outside the aircraft to seal the joint internally, enabling operators to perform sealing operations from external accessible positions while achieving internal sealing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the wing height is decreased to improve aircraft performance, then the overall aircraft performance is improved, but the space for operator access and the ease of implementing the sealing technique deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaircraft performanceVSAvoidsealing implementation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the sealing operation to be performed from outside the aircraft rather than inside, the patent eliminates the conflict between reduced wing height and sealing implementation ease. Operators work in external spaces that are not constrained by the reduced wing height, allowing modern low-wing aircraft designs to maintain both performance and ease of sealing implementation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If a deformable element with clamping means is used to seal the joint from outside the aircraft, then the ease of operation is improved by allowing installation from outside, but the device complexity increases due to the clamping mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation accessibilityVSAvoidclamping mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device is segmented into distinct functional components: the deformable sealing element and the clamping means. This segmentation allows the complex clamping function to be separated from the sealing function, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable while enabling installation from outside the aircraft

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable element automatically adapts to the joint geometry when clamped, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms. The element self-adjusts to seal the joint effectively, reducing the overall device complexity while maintaining ease of installation from external positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables reliable and simple sealing of the joint between the wing box and central fuselage, adapting to various shapes and reducing ergonomic challenges by allowing installation and sealing from outside the aircraft.

Implementation Method 1

said clamping means being movable between an inactive position, in which said clamping means do not clamp the first rigid end element and the second rigid end element towards one another and leave said at least one deformable element in an undeformed initial position, and a clamping position, in which said clamping means clamp the first rigid end element and the second rigid end element towards one another by deforming said at least one deformable element by crushing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation by crushing: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS12534180B2Device for sealing a joint between a wing box and a central fuselage of an aircraft, corresponding sealing processes and corresponding aircraft

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

A device for sealing a joint between a wall of a wing box and a wall of a central fuselage of an aircraft, the device comprising at least one deformable element clamped between a first and a second rigid end element. The device moreover comprises clamp for moving the first and second rigid end elements closer to one another so as to deform the at least one deformable element by crushing until it is pressed against the walls of the joint.