Flexible Aircraft Corner Piece for Shim-Free Sealed Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rigid corner pieces used in aircraft structural tanks require complex and time-consuming adjustments and machining to fit different aircraft geometries, leading to increased assembly times and costs, and the use of shims complicates the sealing process.
Innovation Solution
A flexible corner piece composed of three fixing plates connected by flexible edges made of hyperelastic material, such as elastomer, allowing for adjustment and sealing without machining or shims, with O-rings and peripheral sealing cords for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid corner piece is used to ensure structural strength and sealing, then the connection between walls is strong and sealed, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming due to the need for machining or shims to adapt to geometric variations
Solution Approach 1:
The corner piece incorporates flexible edges that allow dynamic adaptation to geometric variations in the aircraft structure. The flexible material enables the rigid fixing plates to adjust their relative positions, eliminating the need for machining or shims while maintaining connection strength and reducing assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the edges from rigid to flexible, allowing the corner piece to accommodate dimensional variations. This parameter change enables the structure to adapt to different geometries without additional manufacturing steps, resolving the contradiction between connection strength and assembly time.
2Manufacturing precision
If the corner piece is machined to adapt to each aircraft's geometry, then the fit and sealing are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to additional machining operations and surface treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible edges act as compliant elements that absorb geometric variations without requiring precision machining. The flexible material deforms to accommodate dimensional tolerances, achieving good fit and sealing while eliminating complex machining operations and associated surface treatments.
3Loss of time
If shims are used to adjust the corner piece fit, then machining operations are avoided, but the device complexity increases and sealing application becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the adjustment function from separate shims and integrates it directly into the corner piece through flexible edges. This eliminates the need for additional shim components and simplifies the sealing application process, as the flexible edges provide both adjustment and sealing surfaces in one integrated element.
4Strength
If a rigid corner piece is used to maintain structural integrity, then the structural strength is ensured, but the adaptability to different aircraft geometries is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The corner piece is segmented into rigid fixing plates for structural strength and flexible edges for adaptability. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function: the rigid plates maintain structural integrity while the flexible edges provide geometric adaptability, resolving the contradiction between strength and versatility.
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
Significantly reduces assembly times by accommodating geometric variations and provides a reliable fluid-tight seal, eliminating the need for machining and shim manufacturing, while maintaining surface integrity and simplifying the sealing process.
Implementation Method 1
each of the at least three fixing plates being connected to each of the other at least three fixing plates by an edge made of flexible material, the three fixing plates being made of a material more rigid than the flexible material of the edges allowing movement of one plate relative to another
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
- A flexible corner piece intended to contribute to a connection between at least three walls of at least one aircraft fuselage section, as well as to their liquid sealing. - The corner piece (1) comprises at least three fixing plates (P1, P2, P3) and at least three edges (A1, A2, A3) made of flexible material. Each of the at least three fixing plates (P1, P2, P3) is connected to each of the other at least three fixing plates (P1, P2, P3) by an edge (A1, A2, A3) made of flexible material. The edges (A1, A2, A3) made of flexible material ensure a fit of the corner piece without machining or the addition of shims.