Fixation Glove Assembly for Stress-Free Aircraft Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing assembly methods for large vehicles, such as aircraft, fail to adequately prevent the introduction of parasitic moments during the joining of mounting structures to support structures, leading to built-in stresses and increased assembly time.

Innovation Solution

A fixation glove with an arch-shaped fixing section is used to receive the mounting head of a mounting strut, allowing for relative rotational micro-movements and mechanical decoupling of the mounting structure from the support structure, while compensating for manufacturing tolerances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional assembly methods are used to join mounting structures to support structures, then the structures can be connected, but parasitic moments and built-in stresses are introduced into the support structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical independence of support structureVSAvoidparasitic moments and built-in stresses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation glove acts as an intermediary element between the mounting head and the support slot. It provides a compliant interface that absorbs misalignments and prevents direct transmission of parasitic moments from the mounting structure to the support structure, thereby maintaining mechanical independence of the support structure while still achieving secure connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixation glove changes the mechanical parameters of the connection by introducing compliance and degrees of freedom. It transforms a rigid connection into a flexible one that can accommodate manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansions, preventing the buildup of harmful stresses while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional rigid fixation methods are used, then strong mechanical connection is achieved, but assembly time increases due to tolerance compensation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly timeVSAvoidtolerance compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation glove introduces dynamic capability to the assembly process by allowing controlled movements and adjustments during assembly. The compliant material enables real-time adaptation to manufacturing variations without requiring precise pre-alignment, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fixation glove segments the connection function into multiple degrees of freedom, allowing independent adjustment in different directions. This segmentation enables tolerance compensation in each dimension separately, making the assembly process more efficient and less demanding on manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the mounting structure is rigidly fixed to the support structure, then structural stability is improved, but the support structure loses mechanical independence and becomes susceptible to parasitic moments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmechanical independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation glove modifies the connection parameters to provide both stability and adaptability. It maintains sufficient structural stability for load-bearing while introducing compliant degrees of freedom that preserve the mechanical independence of the support structure, allowing it to respond independently to external forces without transmitting parasitic moments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The proposed solution enables gap-free and stress-free assembly of vehicle components, reducing assembly time and ensuring mechanical independence of the support structure, thus improving the efficiency and reliability of the assembly process.

Implementation Method 1

The proposed solution enables gap-free and stress-free assembly of vehicle components, reducing assembly time and ensuring mechanical independence of the support structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a fixation glove with an arch-shaped fixing section is used to receive the mounting head of a mounting strut, allowing for relative rotational micro-movements and mechanical decoupling of the mounting structure from the support structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge mechanism: Wedge

Data Source

PatentEP4563462A1Fixation glove, fixation arrangement, vehicle comprising same, and method for fixing a mounting structure to a support structure
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP4563462A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4563462A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4563462A1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

A fixation glove (13), a fixation arrangement (10), a vehicle (1) and a method for fixing a mounting structure (8) to a support structure (2) of a vehicle (1), in particular a fuselage of an aircraft, are provided, the fixation glove (13) having an arch-shaped fixing section (34) bordering a receptacle portion (30) for receiving a mounting head (14) of a mounting strut (11) to bear the mounting head (14) while wedging it within a support slot (24) of a support element (20) of the support structure (2).