Modular Stanchion System for Aircraft Wing Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support systems for elongated structures like aircraft wings require custom-made stanchions of varying heights, which are expensive, labor-intensive, and disrupt production schedules, and struggle to maintain structural integrity during transport over uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A modular stanchion system with a predetermined height upper section and movable slide table, along with interchangeable base sections of different heights, equipped with load cells and a control system for load distribution and alignment adjustments, allowing for quick reconfiguration and adaptive support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If custom-made stanchions of varying heights are used for each aircraft wing model, then the support precision and alignment are improved, but the manufacturing cost and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stanchion is divided into multiple interchangeable base sections of different heights that can be combined with a standardized upper section. This segmentation allows the same upper section to work with different base configurations, reducing the need for custom-made stanchions for each wing model while maintaining precise height adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized upper section design serves multiple functions across different aircraft wing models when combined with various base sections. This universal component can be used repeatedly across different configurations, eliminating the need to manufacture entirely custom stanchions for each wing type, thereby reducing both cost and production time.
2Manufacturing precision
If custom-made stanchions are manufactured for each wing model, then the support accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the stanchion into standardized upper sections and interchangeable base sections, the system reduces manufacturing complexity. Instead of manufacturing entirely custom stanchions for each wing model, only the base sections need to be varied, while the expensive upper section with precision components can be manufactured once and reused.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal upper section design allows a single manufactured component to serve multiple wing models when paired with different base sections. This significantly reduces the total number of custom components that need to be manufactured, lowering overall manufacturing costs while maintaining support accuracy.
3Device complexity
If fixed-height stanchions are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different wing models and terrain conditions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The stanchion is segmented into interchangeable base sections of different heights that can be selected based on the specific wing model or terrain conditions. This segmentation provides adaptability without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms, as the appropriate base section is simply selected and attached to the standardized upper section.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic adaptability through interchangeable base sections that can be quickly swapped to match different support height requirements. This allows the stanchion configuration to be dynamically adjusted to different wing models and terrain conditions without requiring complex active control systems or adjustable mechanisms.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple custom stanchions are manufactured for different wing locations, then the alignment precision is improved, but the production schedule is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The stanchion system is segmented into a standardized upper section and interchangeable base sections. This allows the same precision upper section to be used across multiple wing locations by simply changing the base sections, eliminating the need to manufacture multiple custom stanchions and reducing production scheduling disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal upper section can be deployed to multiple wing locations when paired with appropriate base sections, reducing the total number of custom components that need to be manufactured and delivered. This accelerates the production schedule while maintaining alignment precision through the standardized precision components in the upper section.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A
AI summary
An apparatus for supporting a wing assembly (152,154) at a wing assembly support height. Base sections (220) are provided, each having a different predetermined height with respect to one another. A movable platform carries a plurality of base sections, and a plurality of wing assembly support sections (208) rest on base sections and include wing assembly connectors (358), which are movable in a first plane and a second plane generally perpendicular relative to the first plane. A differential height is defined between the wing assembly support height and the combined heights of the platform and the height of wing assembly connector, relative to the bottom of the wing assembly support section. At least one of the base sections is of a predetermined height approximating the differential height and is carried on the platform. The wing assembly support section is carried on such base section.