Aircraft Fuselage Section With Deformable Frames for Crash Energy Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional fuselage designs in aircraft lack effective energy absorption capabilities during impact events, leading to structural failure and compromised occupant safety, with material selection and design trade-offs complicating crashworthiness optimization.

Innovation Solution

The aircraft fuselage section incorporates additional frames attached to structural frames via attaching means, allowing deformation and energy absorption through crash absorption means like corrugated metal sheets, enhancing energy dissipation and distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional fuselage designs are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but energy absorption capability during impact events is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy absorption capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuselage structure is divided into multiple functional components including front and rear fuselage sections, wings, tail assembly, and landing gear. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for specific energy absorption functions during impact events while maintaining overall structural coherence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design incorporates pre-configured energy absorption mechanisms including deformable structural elements, crush zones, and impact-resistant materials positioned strategically throughout the fuselage. These features are designed beforehand to activate during crash events, absorbing kinetic energy through controlled deformation and preventing structural failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If structural reinforcements are added to enhance crashworthiness, then energy absorption improves, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecrashworthinessVSAvoidfuselage weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fuselage employs composite material construction combining aluminum alloys, steel reinforcements, and polymer matrix composites. These materials provide high strength-to-weight ratios, enabling structural reinforcements that enhance crashworthiness while minimizing weight penalties through optimized material selection and distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Structural reinforcements are applied locally at critical impact zones such as the front and rear fuselage sections, wing roots, and landing gear attachment points. This localized reinforcement strategy enhances crashworthiness where most needed while avoiding unnecessary weight additions in non-critical areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If advanced composite materials are used, then strength-to-weight ratio improves, but performance under impact conditions varies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength-to-weight ratioVSAvoidimpact performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The design utilizes materials with varying physical properties including aluminum alloys for general structure, steel for high-strength reinforcement, and polymer composites for lightweight sections. By adjusting material parameters and selecting appropriate materials for specific applications, the fuselage achieves consistent impact performance while maintaining optimal strength-to-weight ratios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of energy

If deformable frames are configured, then energy dissipation improves, but structural integrity during operation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy dissipationVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fuselage incorporates dynamically responsive structural elements including deformable frames and crush zones that remain rigid during normal operation but are designed to deform controllably during impact events. This dynamic behavior allows energy dissipation through controlled deformation while maintaining structural integrity during routine flight conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design optimizes crashworthiness by smoothing load transfer and improving energy absorption, ensuring structural integrity and passenger safety, particularly protecting fuel storage tanks during crashes.

Implementation Method 1

wherein the structural frame (2) and/or the corresponding additional frame (3) is/are configured to deform during a crash event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4667351A1An aircraft fuselage section

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 AIRBUS OPERATIONS SL

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention belongs to the technical field of aircraft fuselage structure. Particularly, the present invention provides an aircraft fuselage section with improved crashworthiness energy absorption.