Heat Shield Panel Retainer With Local Reinforcement Against Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat shield retainers for aircraft wheels are prone to deformation and deflection under high temperature and stress conditions, leading to potential contact with the wheel tube well and resulting in abrasion, especially with larger carbon disc brakes which increase the risk of damage to the heat shield and wheel.

Innovation Solution

A modified retainer design featuring reinforcement features such as strips or beads on the central elongate panel and wings to enhance stiffness and strength, specifically at vulnerable areas, while maintaining a minimal profile to prevent deformation and deflection, thereby ensuring the heat shield panels remain spaced from the wheel tube well.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If thin metal panels are used for heat shields to minimize weight, then the weight of the heat shield assembly is reduced, but the heat shield becomes more prone to deformation and deflection under high temperature and stress conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of heat shield assemblyVSAvoidstability of heat shield panels

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer design incorporates local reinforcement through extended side panels that protrude beyond the edges of the heat shield panels. These extended portions provide localized structural support at the most vulnerable areas (edges and corners) without requiring the entire retainer structure to be thick and heavy. This resolves the contradiction by providing stability exactly where needed while maintaining overall lightweight construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the heat shield is made as a single thick piece to increase strength, then the strength and resistance to deformation is improved, but the weight and size of the wheel assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of heat shieldVSAvoidweight of wheel assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shield is divided into multiple separate panels rather than being a single thick piece. These panels are connected by retainers that provide structural support. The segmentation allows each panel to remain thin and lightweight while the retainer system distributes and manages the structural load, achieving overall strength without the weight penalty of a monolithic thick structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat shield assembly uses a composite structure combining thin metal panels with retainer components that have reinforcement features. This composite approach allows the thin panels to maintain their lightweight advantage while the retainer system provides the necessary structural integrity, achieving strength without excessive weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Volume of moving object

If retainers are made of thin sheets to maintain a low profile, then the size of the wheel assembly is minimized, but the retainers become areas of weakness where greatest deflection and plasticity occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume of wheel assemblyVSAvoidstrength of retainer

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer is designed with non-uniform thickness through extended side panels that protrude beyond the heat shield edges. The extended portions are thicker and provide localized reinforcement at the most vulnerable areas, while the central portion remains thin to maintain low profile. This resolves the contradiction by strategically placing strength where needed without increasing overall volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer design adds a dimensional feature by extending side panels beyond the plane of the heat shield panels. This creates a three-dimensional structure where the extended portions provide structural reinforcement without significantly increasing the overall footprint or volume of the assembly, as the reinforcement extends in a direction that utilizes available space efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Stability of the object's composition

If reinforcement features are added to the retainer to increase strength, then the resistance to deformation is improved, but the complexity of the retainer design increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of retainerVSAvoidcomplexity of retainer design

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than adding complex reinforcement throughout the entire retainer structure, the design applies reinforcement locally through extended side panels at the edges. This localized approach provides the necessary stability at the most vulnerable points while keeping the overall design relatively simple and avoiding unnecessary complexity in areas that don't require reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4289638A1Heat shield panel retainer

Publication Date: 2023.12.13 GOODRICH CORP

Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 4A

AI summary

A retainer for connecting two panels of a heat shield assembly, the retainer comprising: a central elongate panel (101) having a length I and a width w, a top end, a bottom end and first and second long sides extending from the top end to the bottom end; a first side panel (102) extending along the first long side of the central elongate panel and a second side panel (102') extending along the second long side of the central elongate panel; and wherein reinforcement features are applied to a surface of the central elongate panel.