Aircraft Flight Control Suspension Fixture for Safer Maintenance Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional maintenance and repair processes for aircraft flight control apparatuses pose a high injury risk to personnel due to manual lifting, rotation, and carrying, and may cause damage to the apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

A device with a spine, supports, and fixtures that allows for the suspension and manipulation of aircraft flight control apparatuses using existing attachment points, enabling safer and more efficient maintenance and repair operations by reducing physical effort and preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual lifting, rotation, and carrying of flight control apparatuses is used, then maintenance and repair operations can be performed, but personnel injury risk increases and apparatus damage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handlingVSAvoidpersonnel injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device introduces an intermediary support structure with fixtures that couple to the flight control apparatus, transferring the weight-bearing function from personnel to the device. The spine and support structure act as a mediator between the apparatus and the ground, eliminating the need for manual lifting while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device segments the handling function into distinct components: fixtures for secure attachment, a spine for structural support, and supports for stable positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with fixtures providing secure coupling and the spine providing rigid support without requiring manual manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If manual manipulation of flight control apparatuses is performed, then maintenance access is achieved, but apparatus damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to apparatusVSAvoidapparatus damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device acts as an intermediary support system that provides stable positioning of the flight control apparatus during maintenance. The fixtures and support structure mediate between the apparatus and the maintenance environment, providing secure support that prevents accidental drops or improper handling while allowing full access to all parts of the apparatus for maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If traditional suspension methods are used, then flight control apparatuses can be supported, but personnel must exert significant physical effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidphysical effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device creates an equipotential support system where the spine and supports provide stable positioning at a convenient working height. This eliminates the need for personnel to continuously adjust their position or exert effort to maintain the apparatus in a workable position, as the device inherently provides stable support at the optimal height for maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Data Source

PatentUS10982805B2Ergonomic device for suspending aircraft flight control apparatuses

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP

AI summary

In one embodiment, a device includes a spine, a first support coupled to a first end of the spine, a second support coupled to a second end of the spine, and a plurality of fixtures coupled to the spine. The plurality of fixtures are configured to couple an aircraft flight control apparatus to the spine.