Fastener Receptacle Insert Layout for Structured Aircraft Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing receptacles are unsuitable for structured deposition of fastening elements used in aircraft assembly, particularly in automated conveying systems, as they cannot accommodate fastening elements of varying shapes, sizes, and materials effectively.

Innovation Solution

A receptacle designed with a foil-like insert and frame-like cover element, featuring uniformly spaced openings to accommodate different fastening elements, ensuring they are elevated and securely held, with optional features like through-bores for fluid access and interchangeable inserts for easy maintenance and chemical treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If arbitrarily composed containers with projections and recesses are used for depositing small parts, then the containers can be joined together for storage, but they prove to be unsuited for structured depositing of fastening elements required in aircraft construction with automated conveying systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuitability for structured depositing of fastening elementsVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle is divided into multiple compartments, each designed to hold specific types of fastening elements. This segmentation allows for structured organization of different fastening elements (screws, bolts, nuts, etc.) while maintaining a unified receptacle structure that can be integrated into automated conveying systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle design serves multiple functions: it organizes different types of fastening elements, facilitates automated feeding through standardized interfaces, enables proper positioning during assembly operations, and allows for integration with conveying systems. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized container types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If fastening elements are stored in a unified receptacle for automated conveying systems, then structured depositing is enabled, but the receptacle must accommodate fastening elements of varying shapes, sizes, and materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of automated feeding systemVSAvoidaccommodation of diverse fastening elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different compartments within the receptacle are designed with specific local characteristics suited to the type of fastening elements they hold. This includes varying compartment dimensions, opening configurations, and positioning features to accommodate screws, bolts, nuts, and other fastening elements with different shapes, sizes, and orientations while maintaining overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If multiple different fastening elements are received separately in the receptacle, then coordinated allocation to connection sites is improved, but the number of openings and compartments must correspond to the number of fastening elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallocation accuracy of fastening elements to connection sitesVSAvoidnumber of openings and compartments
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Fastening elements are pre-positioned in their respective compartments during receptacle assembly or loading, before the actual assembly operation. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the receptacle is presented to the assembly station, each fastening element is already in its correct position and orientation, enabling accurate and efficient allocation to the appropriate connection sites without requiring complex real-time selection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2292386B1Receptacle for receiving fastening elements
Publication Date: 2014.03.12 BROETJE AUTOMATION
  • EP2292386B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2292386B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2292386B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a receptacle (1, 1', 1") for receiving fastening elements (50) which are used for connecting two components of a unit which is to be assembled, wherein the receptacle (1, 1', 1") is constructed for the separate reception of different fastening elements (50) which differ from each other with regard to shape and/or size and/or material, wherein the different fastening elements (50) with which the receptacle (1, 1', 1") is charged are coordinated with the components which are respectively to be connected and the number of fastening elements (50) able to be received by the receptacle (1, 1', 1") corresponds at least to the number of connection sites on the components.