Aircraft Structural Element With Integrated Photogrammetry Tracking

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft assembly is an intensive, time-consuming, and expensive process, and existing methods of attaching temporary photogrammetry targets increase assembly time and require removal before flight, while lacking accurate positioning and monitoring of structural elements.

Innovation Solution

Integrally forming photogrammetry targets on aircraft structural elements made from the same material, allowing precise tracking and monitoring during assembly, and incorporating sensors to measure parameters like force, stress, and deformation for improved assembly accuracy and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If temporary photogrammetry targets are attached onto aircraft structural elements, then tracking during assembly is enabled, but assembly time increases and targets must be removed before flight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The photogrammetry target is merged with the aircraft structural element by being integrally formed as part of the same component. This eliminates the need for separate attachment and removal operations, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining tracking capability throughout the aircraft's operational life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The photogrammetry target is formed during the initial manufacturing process of the aircraft structural element, before assembly begins. This preliminary formation eliminates subsequent attachment steps and ensures the target is permanently integrated, reducing overall assembly time and eliminating removal requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If temporary photogrammetry targets are attached onto aircraft structural elements, then tracking during assembly is enabled, but the targets require removal prior to flight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidassembly efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The photogrammetry target is merged with the aircraft structural element by being integrally formed as part of the same component. This eliminates the need for separate attachment and removal operations, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining tracking capability throughout the aircraft's operational life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The photogrammetry target is formed during the initial manufacturing process of the aircraft structural element, before assembly begins. This preliminary formation eliminates subsequent attachment steps and ensures the target is permanently integrated, reducing overall assembly time and eliminating removal requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If photogrammetry targets are placed after formation of aircraft structural elements, then tracking is enabled, but positioning accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The photogrammetry target is formed during the initial manufacturing process of the aircraft structural element, before assembly begins. This preliminary formation eliminates subsequent attachment steps and ensures the target is permanently integrated, reducing overall assembly time and eliminating removal requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The photogrammetry target is merged with the aircraft structural element by being integrally formed as part of the same component. This eliminates the need for separate attachment and removal operations, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining tracking capability throughout the aircraft's operational life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4631865A1Aircraft structural element

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3f

AI summary

Disclosed is an aircraft structural element (100) configured to be assemblable into an aircraft structure, the aircraft structural element (100) comprising an external surface (105) having an integrally formed photogrammetry target (182). A photogrammetry system (180), aircraft assembly system (10) and method of assembly based on the same are also disclosed.