Aircraft Fuselage Jig with Movable Adapters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft fuselage modeling jigs are static and inflexible, requiring new mock-ups for geometry modifications, leading to delayed development and increased costs due to the inability to adapt to changing fuselage geometries.
Innovation Solution
A modular jig with a framework structure and movable adapters for stiffening elements and profile modeling, allowing flexible adaptation to various fuselage geometries without the need for pre-manufactured complex frames, enabling realistic modeling of complex geometries and reducing development time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static mock-ups are constructed in wood or aluminium with specific fuselage geometry, then the mock-up provides structural stability and defined geometry, but it becomes impossible to adapt to modifications in fuselage geometry, requiring construction of further mock-ups which delays aircraft development and increases manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The mock-up is divided into a framework structure and separate adapter components. The framework provides the basic structure while adapters are added or modified to change fuselage geometry. This segmentation allows individual adapters to be adjusted without reconstructing the entire mock-up, enabling adaptation to different fuselage geometries while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the static mock-up into a dynamic system by introducing movable adapters that can be repositioned along the framework structure. These adapters can slide or be adjusted to different positions, allowing the mock-up to dynamically adapt to various fuselage cross-sections and geometries during the development process, eliminating the need for complete reconstruction.
2Manufacturing precision
If new mock-ups are constructed for each fuselage geometry modification, then the correct geometry is achieved, but aircraft development time increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The framework structure is prepared in advance with predetermined positions and mounting points for adapters. This preliminary setup allows adapters to be quickly installed or repositioned when geometry changes are needed, rather than constructing entire mock-ups from scratch. The framework serves as a reusable base that anticipates future geometry requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework structure is designed as a universal base that can support multiple types of adapters for different fuselage geometries. Rather than building specialized mock-ups for each geometry, a single universal framework can accommodate various adapters, allowing the same structure to serve multiple functions across different development stages and geometry requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex fuselage frames are pre-manufactured, then accurate fuselage geometry is achieved, but manufacturing costs and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing complete complex fuselage frames, the invention uses adapters that copy or replicate only the essential geometric features needed for modeling. These adapters trace out the profile of fuselage frames and can be simpler in construction while still achieving accurate geometry representation, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential geometric modeling function from complete fuselage frame manufacturing. Rather than building entire frames with all their structural details, the adapters extract and represent only the necessary profile and cross-sectional characteristics needed for fuselage geometry modeling, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a jig for the modelling of at least one section of an aircraft fuselage, with a framework structure and with a multiplicity of adapters for the connection of stiffening elements to the framework structure, which can be moved relative to the framework structure, and/or with a multiplicity of adapters for the modelling of profiles of stiffening elements, which can be moved relative to the framework structure.