Index Pin Locking Apparatus for Automated Aircraft Wing Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
In robotic assembly of large structures like aircraft wings, human interaction is required to connect and release support hardware, increasing costs, time, and injury risks due to the need for manual operation at coupling locations.
Innovation Solution
An index pin locking apparatus with a movable pin lock that automatically engages and disengages an index pin, allowing for automated positioning and retention of structural components, reducing the need for human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual hardware connection and release is used to support structural components, then the component can be retained at desired location, but human interaction increases cost, time, and injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The index pin locking apparatus enables automated self-servicing through robotic operation. The pin lock mechanism automatically engages and disengages the index pin without human intervention, allowing the robotic system to independently perform support hardware operations while maintaining component retention reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced by an automated robotic system. The robotic apparatus uses a controlled pin lock mechanism to engage and disengage the index pin, substituting human-operated mechanical actions with automated robotic control, thereby eliminating the need for human interaction while maintaining operational reliability
2Manufacturing precision
If manual hardware connection and release is used, then component positioning can be achieved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated pin lock mechanism performs positioning and retention operations independently through robotic control. The system automatically engages the index pin to precisely position components and maintains this positioning throughout the manufacturing process, eliminating manual intervention while preserving positioning precision and improving manufacturing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The index pin is pre-positioned and the pin lock mechanism is designed to automatically engage with it. This preliminary setup allows the robotic system to quickly secure components at precise locations without manual adjustment, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while significantly reducing the time and cost associated with manual positioning operations
3Ease of operation
If hardware is moved away from coupling location for processing, then component processing can be performed, but the hardware must be reconnected after processing
Solution Approach 1:
The automated robotic pin lock system replaces manual hardware operations. The robotic apparatus can quickly engage and disengage the index pin through automated control, providing component processing accessibility while minimizing the time required for hardware connection and disconnection cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The pin lock mechanism is designed with movable components that can rapidly transition between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic design allows the hardware to be quickly moved away from the coupling location for processing and just as quickly reconnected, maintaining ease of operation while reducing the time loss associated with repeated connection and disconnection operations
Data Source
AI summary
A method for supporting a structure includes coupling an index pin to the structure, moving an index head relative to the structure to receive the index pin within a bore extending through the index head, and actuating a pin lock of the index head to retain the index pin within the bore.