Interlocking Clamp Feet for Surface-Safe Robotic Fuselage Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for building fuselage assemblies are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and ergonomically challenging, often requiring manual fastening operations that can damage surfaces and do not allow for efficient automation, especially when using clamps that may scratch or mar materials.
Innovation Solution
A robotic fastening device with a clamping system featuring a clamp and a foot where the foot is adhesively bonded to the clamp with interlocking features that increase cohesive strength, allowing for mechanical interlocking and acting as a shock absorber, and is made of a material like polyurethane to prevent surface damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual fastening operations are used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but labor intensity increases, assembly time increases, and surface damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical fastening operations with an automated robotic system that applies clamps equipped with protective feet. The robotic system can automatically position and apply multiple clamps to skin panels during assembly, significantly increasing productivity while the protective feet prevent surface damage that was previously caused by manual handling and metallic clamps直接接触
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protective foot as an intermediary element between the metallic clamp and the skin panel surface. This foot acts as a mediator that allows the clamp to apply necessary clamping force while preventing direct contact between the metallic clamp and the painted surface, thereby avoiding scratches and marks during automated high-speed assembly
2Force
If metallic clamps are used to apply clamping force, then sufficient clamping strength is achieved, but surface damage such as scratches and marks occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective foot as an intermediary element between the metallic clamp and the skin panel surface. This foot acts as a mediator that allows the clamp to apply necessary clamping force while preventing direct contact between the metallic clamp and the painted surface, thereby avoiding scratches and marks
Solution Approach 2:
The protective foot is made from a flexible elastomeric material that can deform under clamping force to conform to the surface geometry while maintaining sufficient clamping strength. The flexible material absorbs contact stresses that would otherwise be transmitted directly to the skin panel surface
3Device complexity
If adhesive bonding alone is used to attach the foot to the clamp, then simplicity is maintained, but bond strength is insufficient under clamping loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two attachment methods: adhesive bonding and mechanical interlocking. The clamp features protrusions that engage with corresponding recesses in the protective foot, while adhesive is applied to enhance the bond. This combination provides superior attachment strength compared to adhesive alone, while maintaining reasonable simplicity in the attachment process
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system uses a composite approach combining chemical bonding (adhesive) with mechanical bonding (interlocking protrusions and recesses). This composite attachment method leverages both chemical and mechanical principles to achieve sufficient bond strength under the dynamic loads experienced during clamping operations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient, automated fuselage assembly with reduced manual labor, improved precision, and protection of surfaces from damage during clamping, enhancing compliance with mold line requirements and reducing assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
a foot (630) adhesively bonded to an edge (640) of the clamp (628)
Implementation Method 2
The attachment (600) may include a clamp (628) and a foot (630)... made of a material like polyurethane to prevent surface damage
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An attachment (600) for an end effector (602). The attachment (600) may include a clamp (628) and a foot (630) adhesively bonded to an edge (640) of the clamp (628) and having a set of interlocking features (642) that form a mechanical interlock (644) with the clamp (628).