Mobile Support Structure for Fuselage Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aircraft fuselage assembly installations are bulky and require significant space due to the need for cranes and precise positioning of stations, limiting the compactness and efficiency of the assembly process.

Innovation Solution

A mobile support structure with a rotating core that allows for the assembly of fuselage sections, reducing the need for cranes and enabling more flexible station positioning, featuring multiple work platforms for operator access and adjustable fasteners for efficient assembly operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cranes and gantries are used to move fuselage sections between stations, then the fuselage section can be transported and positioned, but the installation footprint increases significantly due to the bulky nature of these lifting structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement of fuselage sectionVSAvoidinstallation footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is made mobile rather than fixed, allowing it to move between stations autonomously. This eliminates the need for overhead cranes and gantries, significantly reducing the installation footprint while maintaining the capability to transport fuselage sections between assembly stations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A mobile support structure acts as an intermediary carrier that transports fuselage sections between stations. This mediator replaces the need for bulky lifting structures by providing a dedicated platform that moves the workpiece systematically through the assembly process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If precise relative positioning of stations is implemented, then assembly precision is maintained, but the overall footprint of the installation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelative positioning of stationsVSAvoidinstallation footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Mechanical positioning systems that require large fixed distances between stations are replaced with a mobile support structure that maintains precise positioning through controlled movement. This substitution allows stations to be positioned more compactly while preserving assembly precision through the mobility and control system of the support structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Area of stationary object

If a mobile support structure is used instead of fixed cranes, then the installation footprint is reduced, but the complexity of the support structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation footprintVSAvoidsupport structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile support structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a transport platform, a positioning system, and a support for assembly operations. By consolidating these functions into a single mobile unit, the overall system complexity is managed more effectively than having separate fixed installations for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11312505B2Mobile support structure for assembling a fuselage section, and procedure for assembling such a section

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 AIRBUS (SAS)

AI summary

To reduce the footprint of an installation for assembling a fuselage section, a support structure includes a chassis and a core mounted so that it can rotate relative to the chassis about an axis of rotation of the core. The core includes a fastener(s) for holding the longitudinal fuselage portions around the core, with a view to assembling them to form the fuselage section. The support structure includes one or more rolling elements provided on the chassis, in order to allow the movement of this support structure within the installation.