Mobile Work Station for Aircraft Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reliance on enclosed hangars for aircraft maintenance creates space limitations and hazardous work environments due to the use of overhead cranes, which can delay services and pose risks to workers.

Innovation Solution

A mobile work station with a wheeled base, adjustable platform jacks, and stabilizing jack stands allows for safe and flexible positioning of work platforms adjacent to aircraft, enabling maintenance without the need for hangars and reducing hazards from overhead cranes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If enclosed hangars are used for aircraft maintenance, then workers are protected from wind and weather, but hanger space is limited causing delays and no hanger facilities are available at remote locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from wind and weatherVSAvoidavailability at remote locations and flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance system is divided into mobile work stations that can be independently positioned and deployed at different locations, eliminating the need for a single large enclosed hangar. Each work station provides localized protection and can be moved to different aircraft or locations as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The work platforms are designed to be mobile rather than fixed, allowing them to be moved to different locations and repositioned as needed. This dynamic capability enables maintenance operations at remote locations without requiring permanent hangar facilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If overhead cranes are used to lift heavy aircraft components, then components can be positioned for installation, but heavy components can swing unpredictably striking workers or pinching hands between components and aircraft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent positioning capabilityVSAvoidworker safety hazards from swinging components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of lowering components from overhead cranes onto the aircraft, the mobile work station brings the component up to the aircraft at platform level. This reverses the traditional lifting approach and eliminates the hazard of overhead suspended components swinging and striking workers below.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile work station acts as an intermediary platform between the ground and the aircraft, providing a stable intermediate position for component installation. This eliminates the need for direct overhead crane-to-aircraft component transfer that creates safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If overhead cranes are used for component installation, then heavy components can be lifted and positioned, but workers face inherent hazards whenever passing beneath suspended components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent installation efficiencyVSAvoidhazards to workers passing beneath suspended components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The component installation process is inverted by bringing the component to the work platform level rather than lowering it from overhead. This allows workers to assemble components at a safe, accessible height without passing beneath suspended loads, maintaining installation efficiency while eliminating safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11535399B2Method and system for aircraft assembly and maintenance

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Methods of performing assembly or maintenance on an aircraft, systems for performing desired assembly or maintenance on an aircraft, and mobile work stations useful for such systems and methods, where the mobile work stations include a work platform, including an accessway providing access to the work platform; and a moveable base supporting the work platform with one or more platform jacks that can adjustably raise and lower the work platform.