Panel Support Frame With Sliding Clamps for Distortion Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large components in manufacturing environments, such as aircraft panels, warp and distort due to gravity, leading to misalignment and assembly difficulties, increased rework, and tolerance issues.
Innovation Solution
A support frame with multiple clamps, including one with a nominal clearance interface and another with a slotted interface, allows for flexible attachment to a panel, reducing distortion by enabling movement and rotation of the clamps relative to the frame, thereby supporting the panel without imparting significant forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support frame with fixed clamps is used to hold the panel, then the panel is securely positioned, but gravity causes the panel to warp and distort, leading to misalignment and assembly difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly incorporates a sliding mechanism that allows the clamp to move dynamically along the support frame. This dynamic adjustment enables the clamp to accommodate panel distortion caused by gravity while maintaining secure positioning, resolving the contradiction between stable positioning and alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changes in the clamp's position parameter along the support frame. By adjusting the clamp's location, the panel can be supported at optimal points that minimize gravity-induced warping while maintaining precise alignment for assembly operations
2Strength
If multiple clamps are used to secure the panel, then the panel is firmly held, but the panel experiences increased forces that can cause distortion and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly applies clamping force at specific localized points on the panel rather than distributed forces. This localized clamping maintains firm holding strength while minimizing overall distortion of the panel, preserving alignment precision for assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding mechanism allows the clamp to dynamically adjust its position and force application points. This enables the system to maintain strong holding while accommodating and reducing the distorting effects of clamping forces through positional adjustment
3Device complexity
If the clamp is rigidly fixed to the support frame, then the assembly is simple and stable, but the clamp cannot accommodate panel movement or distortion, causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism provides a simple yet effective dynamic adjustment capability. The clamp can move along the support frame to accommodate panel distortion, maintaining aperture alignment precision without requiring complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding interface acts as an intermediary between the rigid support frame and the clamp. This intermediary element allows relative movement that accommodates panel distortion while maintaining the simplicity of the overall assembly structure
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for determinant assembly support are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to support a panel component for determinant assembly thereof includes a support frame that is releasably couplable to a jig, a first clamp to support the panel component at a first position of the panel component, a first body of the first clamp or the support frame including a nominal clearance opening to receive a first fastener to operatively couple the first clamp to the support frame, and a second clamp to support the panel component at a second position of the panel component different from the first position, a second body of the second clamp or the support frame including a slotted opening to receive a second fastener to operatively couple the second clamp to the support frame, the second fastener movable about the slotted opening to enable the second clamp to reduce forces imparted to the panel component while held by the support frame.