Aircraft Load Relief Tie Rod with Obround Slot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tie rods in aircrafts cause door binding and other undesirable conditions by transferring tension or compression loads, leading to costly and time-consuming test flights and component modifications for correction.
Innovation Solution
A load relief tie rod with a body, rod, and pins extending through obround slots, allowing the rod to move and absorb loads, providing tension or compression relief without transferring these forces to connected components, using energy-absorbing components like springs or gels within a cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional tie rods are used to connect components to the fuselage, then structural connection is achieved, but tension or compression loads are transferred causing door binding and undesirable conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The load relief tie rod introduces an intermediary mechanism (the relief rod moving within the cavity between the first and second ends) that mediates between the connected components and the fuselage. This intermediary absorbs load changes through its movement, preventing direct load transfer to the fuselage that would cause door binding, while still maintaining the structural connection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The tie rod design allows for parameter changes in the form of the relief rod's position within the cavity. As loads vary, the relief rod moves to different positions (proximal to first end, proximal to second end, or centered), changing the effective length and load-bearing characteristics of the tie rod assembly. This dynamic parameter adjustment enables the system to adapt to varying load conditions without transferring harmful forces.
2Strength
If conventional tie rods transfer loads, then structural support is provided, but costly and time-consuming test flights and modifications are required for correction
Solution Approach 1:
The load relief tie rod incorporates preliminary action by pre-configuring the relief rod and cavity mechanism to automatically absorb load variations during normal operation. This preliminary design prevents the need for subsequent corrective actions, extensive test flights, and modifications that would otherwise be required to address door binding issues caused by conventional rigid tie rods.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the rod is allowed to move within the cavity, then load absorption and relief is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tie rod assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the main tie rod body, the movable relief rod, the cavity housing, and the pin mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as a system. The relief rod can move independently within the cavity to absorb loads, while the pin constrains movement to the intended degree of freedom, achieving load relief without excessive complexity.
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 load relief tie rod effectively reduces or prevents door binding and other issues by dynamically adjusting to absorb loads, reducing the need for costly modifications and test flights, and providing repeatable relief without transferring tension or compression to connected components.
Implementation Method 1
a rod configured to extend longitudinally within the cavity
Implementation Method 2
at least one pin extending from and perpendicular to the rod, wherein the at least one pin extends through the two obround slots
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided. A load relief tie rod comprises a body, a rod, and at least one pin extending from and perpendicular to the rod. The body has a cavity extending longitudinally through a cylindrical section of the body and two obround slots in the cylindrical section. The rod is configured to extend longitudinally within the cavity. The at least one pin extends through the two obround slots.