Landing Gear Pintle Assembly Using Funnel-Guided Self-Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling aircraft landing gear assemblies are time-consuming and risk damage due to the need for precise alignment and maneuvering, often requiring heavy machinery that is difficult to control accurately, and do not allow operators to view critical components during installation.
Innovation Solution
The use of a funnel device to guide and shield the component, combined with a tapered pintle pin and a support apparatus, facilitates easier, quicker, and more accurate assembly by allowing self-alignment of mounting orifices without the need for complex machinery, reducing the risk of impact and enabling manual control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If heavy machinery such as hoists or hydraulically powered trolley lifts is used to lift and position landing gear assemblies, then the ability to handle heavy components is improved, but the ease of operation and control accuracy deteriorate due to difficulty in controlling speed and force, and operators cannot view key portions during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical lifting and positioning systems (hoists, hydraulically powered trolley lifts) with a simple manual insertion method using a pintle pin with a tapered end portion. The tapered geometry provides self-aligning and self-centering functionality, eliminating the need for heavy machinery while improving operator control and visibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional alignment methods are used to bring landing gear assemblies into precise position, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the time required for assembly increases and the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pintle pin with tapered end portion performs self-alignment and self-centering functions during insertion. The tapered geometry automatically guides the pin into the correct axial position, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual alignment procedures while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered end portion of the pintle pin is designed to perform alignment actions during the insertion process itself. The geometry pre-establishes the correct axial position and orientation as the pin is being inserted, rather than requiring separate alignment steps before insertion.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional pin insertion methods are used with small clearances and low tolerances, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but the risk of damage increases due to potential impact during maneuvering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harmful impact force into a beneficial self-aligning force. The tapered end portion of the pintle pin is designed to gradually engage with the orifice, transforming what could be a damaging impact into a controlled, self-centering insertion process that maintains precision while reducing damage risk.
4Weight of moving object
If complex machinery with multiple controls is used to position landing gear assemblies, then the ability to handle heavy loads is improved, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex machinery (hoists, trolley lifts, multiple controls) from the assembly process. The solution uses only a simple pintle pin with tapered geometry, removing all unnecessary mechanical complexity while still enabling the assembly of heavy landing gear components.
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
This method simplifies and accelerates the assembly process, reduces the risk of damage, and allows for precise alignment with lower operational forces, making it suitable for both lightweight and heavy landing gear assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
axially moving a pin, having a gradually tapering end portion, through the orifices such that the tapering surface of the pin drives and guides the landing gear assembly to bring the respective center axes of the orifices into alignment with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling a component to an aircraft body portion comprises using a funnel device to guide a portion of the component relative to the body portion for movement into a desired position for assembly. Also a funnel device which is configured to be supported by a body portion in a predetermined position and orientation relative to an orifice of the body portion during an assembly process. Also, a pintle mounting portion of an aircraft landing gear assembly is funneled into a predetermined position relative to a pintle mount portion of an aircraft body.