Aircraft Nose Cone Assembly Using a Floor Module Shape Former

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing method for assembling aircraft nose cones is complex and requires precise alignment and molding operations, making it time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially since the final shape of the fuselage must be established incrementally during assembly.

Innovation Solution

The method involves assembling fuselage parts to form a body, introducing a floor module with a predetermined width to give the fuselage its final shape, and fixing the floor module to the fuselage body, allowing for deformation to achieve the desired shape, simplifying the assembly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional molding/rigging operations are used to assemble fuselage components, then the final shape of the fuselage can be established incrementally during assembly, but the assembly process becomes lengthy and relatively complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinal shape establishmentVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the shape-forming function from the traditional molding/rigging operations and transfers it to the floor module. The floor module is pre-formed with the final fuselage shape, and when installed, it passively shapes the fuselage body through its predetermined geometry, eliminating the need for complex incremental molding operations during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The floor module is prepared in advance with the final desired shape of the fuselage. By pre-forming the floor module to match the final fuselage contour, the shaping action is performed beforehand rather than during assembly, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional molding/rigging operations are used to assemble fuselage components, then the fuselage components can be assembled step by step, but the process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuselage shape accuracyVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The time-consuming molding and rigging operations are extracted from the assembly process and replaced by the pre-formed floor module. The floor module's predetermined shape automatically defines the fuselage contour upon installation, eliminating lengthy shaping operations and significantly improving assembly productivity while maintaining shape accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The shaping operation is performed in advance during floor module manufacturing rather than during fuselage assembly. The floor module is produced with the final fuselage shape already embedded, so when installed, it immediately provides the accurate fuselage contour without requiring time-consuming incremental molding operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If precise alignment means are used to align fuselage components during assembly, then the desired shape can be maintained, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent alignment accuracyVSAvoidalignment means complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for complex alignment means by transferring the alignment function to the floor module itself. The floor module's predetermined shape and rigid structure serve as the reference for alignment, eliminating the need for separate molding/rigging tools and complex alignment procedures during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The floor module serves itself as the alignment reference. Its predetermined shape and rigid construction provide the necessary geometric constraints for proper fuselage alignment automatically, without requiring external alignment tools or complex positioning means

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4197919A1Method for assembling a nose cone of an aircraft using a floor module as a shape shaper
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
  • EP4197919A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4197919A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4197919A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

- Method for assembling the nose section of an aircraft using a floor module as a shape former. - The assembly method comprises a series of assembly steps consisting of assembling a plurality of fuselage parts of the aircraft fuselage section, for example the nose section of the aircraft, so as to form a fuselage body (2), an assembly step consisting of introducing into the fuselage body (2) thus formed a floor module (7) having at least a predetermined width, and preferably equipped with fittings, and a fastening step consisting of attaching the fuselage body (2) to the floor module (7) so that the floor module (7) conforms to the final shape of the fuselage body (2) and the assembled fuselage section is obtained, the floor module (7) having at least a suitable predetermined width allowing, when integrated into the fuselage body (2),to give the latter, which is slightly flexible, its desired and final shape corresponding to the desired and final shape of the assembled fuselage section.