Noninvasive Hidden Fastener Position Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

In industries such as aircraft manufacturing, there is a need to noninvasively determine the positioning of hidden fasteners beneath substrates, as they are concealed and cannot be visually inspected to ensure correct locking or identify failed fasteners without damaging the panel.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method using an inspection device to detect the activated or deactivated position of a component, such as a fastener, beneath a substrate by analyzing its position relative to an accessible surface, providing a user-perceptible indication of its status without physically altering the substrate or component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If hidden fasteners are used to avoid surface irregularities, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but inspection capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic performanceVSAvoidinspection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary indicator mechanism that transfers the hidden fastener's position information to the visible surface. The indicator extends through the substrate and provides visual feedback about the fastener's latched or unlatched state, allowing inspection without compromising the hidden fastener design's aerodynamic benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct visual inspection of mechanical fasteners with an optical/electronic detection system. The inspection device uses non-contact methods (such as optical sensors or electromagnetic fields) to detect the position of indicators associated with hidden fasteners, substituting mechanical visual inspection with a more sophisticated detection mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Shape

If fasteners are concealed beneath the substrate, then surface smoothness is improved, but detectability of fastener position deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface smoothnessVSAvoiddetectability of fastener position

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary indicator mechanism that transfers the hidden fastener's position information to the visible surface. The indicator extends through the substrate and provides visual feedback about the fastener's latched or unlatched state, allowing inspection without compromising the hidden fastener design's aerodynamic benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs indicators that change their visual properties (such as color, reflectivity, or optical characteristics) to indicate the fastener's position. This allows the surface to remain smooth while providing detectable information about the hidden fastener's state through optical property changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Strength

If noninvasive inspection methods are used, then substrate integrity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate integrityVSAvoidposition detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct visual inspection of mechanical fasteners with an optical/electronic detection system. The inspection device uses non-contact methods (such as optical sensors or electromagnetic fields) to detect the position of indicators associated with hidden fasteners, substituting mechanical visual inspection with a more sophisticated detection mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary indicator mechanism that transfers the hidden fastener's position information to the visible surface. The indicator extends through the substrate and provides visual feedback about the fastener's latched or unlatched state, allowing inspection without compromising the hidden fastener design's aerodynamic benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9581722B2Apparatus and method for noninvasively determining positioning of a component beneath a substrate

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

A method of noninvasively determining desired positioning of a component beneath a substrate is described. The component has a concealing surface longitudinally separated by a substrate body from an accessible surface of the substrate. A component having longitudinally differing activated and deactivated positions is provided. The component is located longitudinally beneath the concealing surface of the substrate. The accessible surface of the substrate is inspected with an inspection device while the component is beneath the concealing surface. With the inspection device, at least one of an activated and a deactivated position of the component is detected. The detected activated and/or deactivated position of the component is indicated, in a user-perceptible format. An apparatus for noninvasively determining desired positioning of a component beneath a substrate is also provided.