Fastening Site Tolerance Measurement for Excentre Compensator Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for compensating for tolerances at fastening sites in vehicle components, such as aircraft monuments and cabin floor support structures, are cumbersome and time-consuming, leading to inefficiencies in assembly and potential parasitic loads.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device comprising an alignment unit, a measuring unit, and an output is used to detect the geometrical relation between a through hole of a component and a hole of a support structure, providing a target value for adjusting excentre elements of an excentre-based compensator to ensure precise alignment and compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If compensation elements are provided between the component and the fastening structure to accommodate constructional tolerances, then the form-fitting contact is improved, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and marking the exact positioning of compensation elements during the design and manufacturing phase. Positioning marks are created on the component and support structure before assembly, allowing workers to quickly install compensation elements without complex measurements or adjustments during installation, thus reducing installation time while maintaining precise form-fitting contact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces positioning marks as an intermediary element that mediates between the compensation elements and the fastening structure. These marks serve as a reference system that simplifies the installation process by providing clear visual guidance for correct positioning, eliminating the need for complex measurement procedures and reducing installation complexity
2Measurement precision
If traditional measurement and adjustment methods are used for compensation elements, then alignment can be achieved, but the assembly process is cumbersome and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating physical positioning marks that replicate the ideal geometric relationship between holes on the component and support structure. These marks are essentially simplified copies of the target alignment position, allowing workers to directly position compensation elements without performing complex measurements or calculations, thus maintaining alignment precision while significantly improving assembly speed
3Reliability
If multiple attachment sites are provided to distribute loads, then the structural reliability is improved, but the complexity of measuring and adjusting each site increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the overall alignment system into independent, localized positioning marks for each attachment site. Each compensation element has its own set of positioning marks that can be measured and adjusted independently, allowing parallel processing of multiple sites and reducing the complexity of measuring and adjusting each site while maintaining structural reliability through proper load distribution
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 reduces assembly time, enables a higher number of attachment sites, accommodates larger tolerances, and significantly reduces parasitic loads, resulting in a faster, easier, and more reliable mounting process.
Implementation Method 1
the measuring unit is configured for detecting the fastening site by mechanical sensing
Implementation Method 2
The probe head is configured to enter the through hole and the hole. The probe head is configured for mechanical sensing of locations on inner surfaces at the fastening site
Implementation Method 3
the measuring unit is configured for detecting the fastening site via electromagnetic detection
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to provide for a faster, easier and more reliable and precise way to compensate for tolerances at fastening sites between components, a measuring device is provided that comprises an alignment unit (16), a measuring unit (18) and an output (20). The alignment unit is configured to hold the measuring unit in a temporarily fixed detecting position (22) in relation to the component. The measuring unit is configured to detect a geometrical relation (26) between a through hole (28) of the component overlayed to a hole (30) of the support structure, both forming a fastening site (32). The output is configured to output the geometrical relation as a target value for adjusting at least one excentre element of an excentre-based compensator configured for insertion into the through hole of the component and for receiving a fixation element for fastening the component to the support structure.