Nested Spring Assembly for Aircraft Landing Gear Redundancy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft landing gear systems require multiple springs for redundancy, which increases space usage, component cost, and maintenance complexity, and are prone to failure due to natural frequencies.

Innovation Solution

A spring assembly configuration featuring a first and second spring member with elongate members that extend along a longitudinal direction, allowing for independent operation and reduced contact, thereby minimizing stress and fatigue, and enabling space-saving design without compromising functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple springs are used for redundancy in landing gear, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and space usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveredundancyVSAvoidspring configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple spring members into a single integrated spring assembly where first and second spring members are connected through elongate members that extend through each other. This merging approach maintains the redundancy function while reducing overall device complexity and space requirements compared to using separate, independent springs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring assembly features a nested configuration where the first elongate member extends through the second spring member and the second elongate member extends through the first spring member. This nesting arrangement allows multiple spring components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, significantly reducing the overall space required while maintaining individual spring functionality and redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If multiple springs are used for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveredundancyVSAvoidcomponent cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple spring members into a single integrated assembly with shared elongate members, the patent reduces the total number of discrete components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This approach maintains redundancy while lowering manufacturing costs through reduced part counts and simplified assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If traditional spring configuration is used, then redundancy is achieved, but maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveredundancyVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated spring assembly design combines multiple spring members into a unified structure, which simplifies maintenance by reducing the number of separate components that need to be inspected, disassembled, and reassembled during maintenance operations, while still providing redundancy functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If highly loaded springs are used, then redundancy is reduced, but space usage decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveredundancyVSAvoidspring assembly space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The nested configuration where elongate members extend through opposing spring members allows the spring assembly to occupy reduced volumetric space while maintaining multiple independent spring members for redundancy. This nesting arrangement enables compact packaging without compromising the redundancy function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring assembly utilizes a three-dimensional nested arrangement where components are distributed along the longitudinal direction with elongate members extending through each other. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows compact volume utilization while maintaining the redundancy of multiple spring members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 spring assembly reduces working stress on individual springs, improves fatigue life, and allows for increased redundancy without the need for highly loaded springs, thus enhancing the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the landing gear system.

Implementation Method 1

springs are used in various aircraft components... a first spring that includes a first spring member... a second spring including a second spring member... providing a biasing force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9676474B2Spring assembly for aircraft components

Publication Date: 2017.06.13 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A spring assembly elongate along a longitudinal direction includes a first spring that includes a first spring member and a first elongate member that extends from the first spring member along the longitudinal direction. The spring assembly includes a second spring including a second spring member and a second elongate member that extends from the second spring member along the longitudinal direction. The second elongate member extends through the first spring member, and the first elongate member extends through the second spring member such that the first and second spring members are spaced apart with respect to each other along the longitudinal direction.