Needle Connecting Device with Tip Elevations for Aerospace Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting devices in the aerospace sector face challenges with spreading tongues that cover a notable part of the hole cross-section, transferring tensioning force inefficiently and requiring adaptation to part thickness, and needle tips that do not effectively minimize area pressing during connection.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with two needles connected to separate carriers, featuring integrated elevations and depressions on the needle tips that nest and slide to spread apart, overlapping the connection area, and a drive element for axial adjustment, ensuring the needles cover a larger cross-section of the assembly hole, thus minimizing area pressing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spreading tongue is used to transfer tensioning force, then the connection is secured, but the spreading tongue covers a notable part of the hole cross section, reducing the effective area for needle guidance and increasing area pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the force transfer function into two separate elements: the spreading tongue provides connection security through hook-shaped abutments, while the needle carrier with multiple needles distributes the tensioning force across multiple discrete contact points. This segmentation allows the spreading tongue to be narrower without compromising connection reliability, thereby increasing the effective hole cross section.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle tips are designed with localized hook-shaped abutments that concentrate the connection force at specific points rather than across a broad spreading tongue. This local quality approach allows the majority of the hole cross section to remain free for needle guidance, while still achieving secure connection at the critical abutment locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the spreading tongue length is adapted to part thickness, then adaptability to different parts is improved, but the device complexity increases and the effective needle guidance area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The needle carrier is designed with axial adjustability, allowing the needles to be positioned at different axial levels relative to the spreading tongue. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same device to accommodate various part thicknesses without requiring multiple fixed-length spreading tongues, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreading tongue is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the hook-shaped abutments for connection security, guides the needles through its structure, and allows axial adjustment to accommodate different part thicknesses. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall device complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If needle tips are positioned close together to minimize area pressing, then area pressing is reduced, but the supporting areas may not adequately cover the connection zone
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-plane needle arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration where multiple needles are distributed both radially and axially. The hook-shaped abutments extend in multiple directions, allowing the supporting areas to cover the connection zone comprehensively while maintaining minimal area pressing through optimized spatial distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device to connect two parts, which is characterized by at least two needles which are connected on a base side to separate carriers, of which at least one carrier is operatively connected to the drive element for adjusting the needles, wherein in an initial position of the needles the needle tip are axially displaced with respect to one another and in a bracing position the needle tips are opposite one another in such a way that the supporting areas thereof are situated at the same axial level. The needles have in the region of their tips relative to their mutually facing areas integrated elevations and depressions in order to thereby control the spreading of the needle tips when the needles are actually displaced with respect to one another.