Multipiece Wing Rib Assembly for Faster Skin Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Assembling aircraft wings is time-consuming due to the difficulty in attaching upper and lower wing skins to ribs, especially when both skins are already in place, limiting accessibility to the interior of the wing.
Innovation Solution
The wing ribs are constructed from multiple pieces or portions, allowing for improved accessibility and alignment by forming complementary engagement surfaces through mechanical separation of a single unitary rib structure, which can be cut using methods like plasma cutting or water jet cutting, and utilizing shims and strong backs for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unitary ribs are used in wing assembly, then structural integrity is maintained, but assembly time increases and accessibility to interior becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure is divided into multiple segments (first rib portion and second rib portion) that can be assembled separately and then joined together. This segmentation allows workers to access and attach the rib portions from opposite sides of the wing assembly, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining structural integrity through the joining mechanism.
2Stability of the object's composition
If both upper and lower wing skins are attached before rib installation, then complete wing structure is formed, but accessibility to interior for rib attachment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the rib into first and second rib portions, the design enables attachment operations to be performed from opposite sides of the wing assembly. This segmentation allows workers to access the attachment locations even when both wing skins are in place, as each rib portion can be approached from its respective side without requiring disassembly of the wing skins.
3Ease of operation
If multiple rib portions are used, then assembly accessibility improves, but rib structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rib is divided into a minimal number of segments (first and second rib portions) that are joined through a straightforward mechanism. This segmentation improves accessibility during assembly while keeping the structural complexity relatively low, as the segments are connected through standard attachment methods rather than complex mechanical joints.
Data Source
AI summary
A wing assembly includes an upper wing skin, a lower wing skin, and ribs extending between an upstream spar and a downstream spar with the upper wing skin and the lower wing skin at least partially enclosing the ribs. Each of the ribs includes a first rib portion having an upper wing skin engagement surface and a first rib engagement surface located on an opposite side of the first rib portion for the upper wing skin engagement surface and a second rib portion having a lower wing skin engagement surface and a second rib engagement surface. The second rib engagement surface on the second rib portion is secured to the first rib engagement surface on the first rib portion with rib fasteners.