Landing Gear Light Multi-Axis Rotation Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing landing gear lights face challenges in efficient alignment due to reliance on shims, which require laborious and time-consuming processes, and result in inadequate illumination from small angular errors, especially at significant distances.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a light assembly with a first and second spherical portion that allows for multi-axis rotation relative to a light fixture, utilizing pivots and locking mechanisms to constrain rotational movements once aligned, eliminating the need for shims and enabling independent rotational control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If shims are used to align the lights, then the lights can be oriented to the correct angle, but the alignment process becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spherical interface between the light assembly and light fixture, where a spherical portion on the light assembly fits into a corresponding spherical recess in the fixture. This curved geometry naturally guides the light assembly into proper angular alignment when brought together, eliminating the need for iterative shim adjustments and significantly reducing alignment time while maintaining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple shims are used to achieve proper alignment, then the lights can be oriented correctly, but the complexity of the alignment system increases due to interplay between multiple shims
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the shim component entirely from the alignment system. By designing a spherical interface that provides self-alignment through its geometry, the complex interplay between multiple shims is removed, simplifying the alignment system while maintaining the ability to achieve precise light orientation.
3Illumination intensity
If the lights are designed to illuminate at significant distances, then the illumination effectiveness is improved, but small angular alignment errors are magnified
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical interface design provides inherent angular alignment guidance through its curved geometry. When the light assembly is positioned on the spherical interface, the curvature naturally constrains the possible angular deviations, ensuring that even at significant illumination distances, small angular errors are minimized rather than magnified.
Data Source
AI summary
Landing gear lights having multiple degrees of rotation are described herein. One disclosed example apparatus includes an aircraft landing gear light fixture having a first spherical portion, and a light assembly coupled to the light fixture, where the light assembly includes a second spherical portion adjacent the first spherical portion. The disclosed example apparatus also includes first and second pivots to allow the light assembly to rotate relative to the light fixture about two axes, where the rotation of the light assembly relative to the light fixture occurs by the first and second spherical portions moving relative to one another.