Aircraft Nacelle Thrust Reverser Door Lifting Tool Attachment Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting tooling for aircraft nacelle thrust reverser doors risks damaging the doors due to direct contact between threaded screws and the door surfaces during assembly or disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a threaded screw housed in a hollow body with an orientation and positioning system, allowing rotation and translation, and a retraction system using a spring and spacer to protect the door from the screw's threaded end, enabling safe and adaptable attachment to various door shapes and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If threaded screws are used to attach lifting tooling to the door, then secure attachment is achieved, but the door surface is at risk of damage from direct contact with threaded ends
Solution Approach 1:
A hollow body is introduced as an intermediary component between the threaded screw and the door surface. The hollow body houses the threaded screw while presenting a smooth external surface to the door, thereby maintaining secure attachment through the threaded mechanism while protecting the door from damage by the sharp threaded ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded screw is nested inside the hollow body, with the screw's threaded end contained within the hollow body's cavity. This nesting arrangement allows the screw to perform its fastening function while being shielded from direct contact with the door surface, eliminating the damage risk.
2Device complexity
If fixed-position screws are used for attachment, then simple structure is maintained, but adaptability to different door shapes and sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The screw is made movable within the hollow body through a retraction mechanism that allows the screw to move along its longitudinal axis. This dynamic capability enables the screw to be retracted into or extended from the hollow body, allowing adaptation to different door configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow body serves multiple functions: it protects the door surface, houses the threaded screw, and provides a mounting interface for the lifting tooling. This multi-functionality increases adaptability to different door shapes and sizes without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the threaded screw is always exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of door damage during approach increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow body is positioned against the door surface before the threaded screw makes contact. This preliminary action of placing the protective hollow body in position first prevents the threaded screw from directly contacting and potentially damaging the door during the approach phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow body acts as an intermediary that interfaces with the door surface first, creating a protective barrier between the door and the threaded screw. This allows the screw to remain accessible for operation while the hollow body's smooth surface protects the door during the approach and contact phases.
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 device protects the door from damage by retracting the threaded screw during approach and allows for flexible positioning and orientation, ensuring secure attachment without damaging the door, thus enhancing safety and versatility in handling different door configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The device includes a retraction system configured to push the threaded screw along the longitudinal axis of the screw towards the hollow body so that the threaded end of the screw is disposed inside the hollow body
Implementation Method 2
Each threaded screw advantageously has a system of orientation of the threaded screw, thanks to a system of ball joints at the level of the link between the screw and the tooling
Data Source
AI summary
A device for fixing a lifting tooling on an aircraft component includes a threaded screw, a hollow body, an orientation and positioning system, and a retraction system. The threaded screw has a longitudinal axis and includes a distal end having a screw head. The threaded screw further includes a threaded proximal end and an intermediate part. The hollow body houses the threaded screw while allowing the rotation of the threaded screw along its longitudinal axis. The orientation and positioning system is configured to allow rotation of the threaded screw about axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the threaded screw, and translation of the threaded screw parallel to its longitudinal axis. The retraction system is configured to retract the threaded proximal end of the threaded screw in the hollow body.