Aircraft Fuselage Splice Straps for Modular Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The one-piece barrel configuration of aircraft fuselage bodies complicates assembly and integration processes, requiring more time and increasing manufacturing complexity due to the difficulty in accessing and installing systems within the cylindrical structure.
Innovation Solution
The aircraft fuselage is constructed in two sections, an upper body section and a lower body section, with a curved cross-section configuration, allowing for easier access and installation of systems by using splice straps to join the sections, eliminating the need for separate fittings and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a one-piece barrel configuration is used for the aircraft fuselage, then structural strength is maintained, but assembly complexity and manufacturing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The fuselage is divided into multiple modular sections (forward section, aft section, and intermediate sections) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled using splice straps. This segmentation allows parallel manufacturing of sections and simplifies assembly operations while maintaining the structural integrity of the complete fuselage.
2Reliability
If a one-piece barrel configuration is used, then structural integrity is preserved, but installation time for floor grids and systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuselage is segmented into modular sections with open ends that allow direct access to interior surfaces. This enables floor grids and systems to be installed by simply dropping them into position rather than maneuvering them through a closed barrel structure, dramatically reducing installation time while maintaining structural integrity through the splice strap connections.
Solution Approach 2:
Floor grids and systems are prepared and positioned outside the fuselage sections before assembly. The modular section design allows these components to be pre-assembled and then easily installed by dropping them into the open-ended sections, eliminating the time-consuming process of maneuvering them through a closed barrel structure.
3Strength
If separate fittings are used to connect floor grid to fuselage frames, then connection strength is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The splice straps serve dual functions: they join the fuselage sections together structurally and simultaneously provide the attachment points for floor grids and systems. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate connection fittings, reducing device complexity and weight while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice straps are designed as multi-functional components that perform both structural joining of fuselage sections and attachment of interior systems. This universal application replaces multiple specialized fittings with a single versatile component, simplifying the overall structure and reducing weight.
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft fuselage body is constructed of an upper body section (14) having a curved cross-section configuration and a lower body section (16) having a curved cross-section configuration. The upper body section (14) and the lower body section (16) are joined together to form an aircraft fuselage body by splice straps (88) that are secured, end to end along interior surfaces of the upper body section (14) and the lower body section (16). The aircraft fuselage body being constructed of an upper body section (14) and a lower body section (16) enables installation of systems separately into the upper body section (14) and the lower body section (16) prior to the upper body section (14) and lower body section (16) being joined together.