Aircraft Landing Gear Strut Welded Segmented Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of producing aircraft landing gear rods due to the need for large, expensive forging equipment to create solid T-shaped or Y-shaped parts that must withstand significant mechanical stresses during landing and braking.
Innovation Solution
A landing gear rod composed of distinct metallic materials for the tubular and axle-carrying parts, where the tubular part is made by extrusion and the axle-carrying part is forged or hot-compacted, connected by welding, allowing for reduced production costs and smaller equipment requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a solid T-shaped or Y-shaped rod is forged to withstand mechanical stresses, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the production cost and complexity increase due to the need for large, expensive forging equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is divided into two separate parts: a tubular part and an axle-carrying part. These parts are manufactured separately using different processes (extrusion for the tubular part, forging or hot compaction for the axle-carrying part) and then joined by welding. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently and manufactured with smaller, more affordable equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod uses composite construction by combining two different metallic materials with distinct properties. The tubular part uses a material optimized for its specific requirements, while the axle-carrying part uses a different material optimized for bearing loads. This allows each material to be selected and processed independently, reducing the need for expensive universal forging equipment.
2Strength
If a solid T-shaped or Y-shaped rod is forged to withstand mechanical stresses, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the production cost increases due to expensive forging equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is divided into two separate parts: a tubular part and an axle-carrying part. These parts are manufactured separately using different processes (extrusion for the tubular part, forging or hot compaction for the axle-carrying part) and then joined by welding. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently and manufactured with smaller, more affordable equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing parameters by selecting different processes for different parts: extrusion for the tubular part and forging or hot compaction for the axle-carrying part. This allows optimization of each manufacturing parameter independently, reducing overall production cost while maintaining strength requirements.
3Weight of moving object
If a T-shaped rod is bored along the main axis to form a tubular part, then the rod is lightened, but the production time is lengthened due to the extensive boring operation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of starting with a solid rod and boring it out to create a tubular section (which is time-consuming), the invention inverts the process by directly manufacturing the tubular part using extrusion. This eliminates the lengthy boring operation while achieving the same weight reduction goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular shape is created preliminarily during the extrusion process itself, rather than being created later through boring. This preliminary formation of the tubular geometry eliminates subsequent material removal operations and reduces overall production time.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the rod is made in one piece by forging, then the structural integrity is improved, but the equipment size required increases to accommodate the large forging operation
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is divided into two separate parts: a tubular part and an axle-carrying part. These parts are manufactured separately using different processes (extrusion for the tubular part, forging or hot compaction for the axle-carrying part) and then joined by welding. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured with smaller equipment that fits standard workshop sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
A welding operation serves as an intermediary process to join the two separately manufactured parts. This welding intermediary creates a structurally sound connection between the tubular part and axle-carrying part, achieving structural integrity without requiring a single large forging operation.
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 approach reduces production costs and complexity by eliminating the need for extensive forging operations, enabling the use of standard-sized equipment and optimizing material properties for each part, enhancing mechanical strength and resistance while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the tubular part and the axle-carrying part being interconnected by at least one weld
Implementation Method 2
the tubular part is made by extrusion
Implementation Method 3
the axle-carrying part is forged or hot-compacted
Data Source
Figure 1a~3b
AI summary
Aircraft landing gear strut (1) comprising a tubular part (3) to accept a shock absorber and an axle bearer part (2) situated at the end of the tubular part (3) and designed to accept a landing gear wheel support mechanism. The tubular part (3) and the axle bearer part (2) are made of metallic material different from one another, the tubular part (3) being made of a first metallic material and the axle bearer part (2) being made of a second metallic material, the tubular part (3) and the axle bearer part (2) being connected to one another by at least one weld (4).