Ground-Based Component Moving System for Aircraft Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of aircraft is bottlenecked by the time-consuming process of using overhead cranes to sequentially move large and heavy components, such as wings and landing gear, within a manufacturing facility, leading to delays in the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A ground-based component moving system with a cart and component support assembly that allows for movement in seven degrees of freedom, including linear and rotational directions, using drive wheel assemblies and independently steerable support wheel assemblies to efficiently transport and maneuver components around obstacles without the need for overhead cranes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If overhead cranes are used to transport large components sequentially, then components can be moved within the facility, but manufacturing time increases due to sequential transportation delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the component transportation function into multiple independent ground-based carts instead of using a single overhead crane for all transports. Each cart can independently transport components, allowing parallel operations and eliminating the sequential bottleneck of the crane system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ground-based carts as intermediary transport devices between the component storage areas and assembly locations. These carts serve as mediators that can move components without requiring the overhead crane, thereby decoupling the crane from the transportation bottleneck and enabling simultaneous operations.
2Area of stationary object
If a single overhead crane transports multiple components sequentially, then facility space utilization is maintained, but the transportation process becomes a bottleneck that delays assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static overhead crane system to dynamic ground-based cart systems that can move independently across the facility floor. This dynamic approach allows multiple carts to operate simultaneously at different locations, eliminating the sequential time loss while maintaining effective space utilization through coordinated cart movements.
3Speed
If overhead cranes are dedicated to component transportation, then large components can be moved efficiently, but other assembly tasks cannot proceed in parallel
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation function is segmented into multiple independent cart units that can operate simultaneously across different parts of the facility. This segmentation allows component transportation to occur in parallel without blocking other assembly tasks, as each cart operates independently and can be deployed where needed without waiting for crane availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A component moving system may include a cart, and a component support assembly coupled to the cart. The component support assembly may include a component cradle moveable in first linear translational directions, second linear translational directions that are orthogonal to the first linear translational directions, third linear translation directions that are orthogonal to the first and second linear translational directions, and first rotational directions.