Pivot Arm Floor Beam Bracket Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques for installing floor beams in aircraft structures, particularly with composite materials, face challenges such as misalignment and increased complexity due to the need for precise fastening and alignment with hoop frames, which are not efficiently addressed by existing methods.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves using pivot arms and pads attached to the structure to align and secure floor beams without fasteners, allowing for pre-assembly with floor panels and using adhesives to attach pads to floor beam brackets, which can pivot to align with the beams, reducing misalignment and installation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fastening methods with mate-drilled holes are used to attach floor beams to hoop frames, then the joint can bear transverse and shear loads, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and prone to misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint strengthVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The floor beam brackets are pre-assembled with the floor beams before installation, with adhesive pre-applied to the mating surfaces. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site alignment and fastening operations, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining joint strength through the pre-positioned adhesive bonding system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical fastening system (mate-drilled holes with fasteners) with an adhesive bonding system. The adhesive applied to the bracket mating surfaces provides the necessary joint strength to bear transverse and shear loads, eliminating the time-consuming mechanical fastening process while maintaining structural reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If precise mate-drilled holes are required for fastener alignment between floor beams and hoop frames, then proper load bearing is achieved, but the manufacturing and installation precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidhole alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive bonding system replaces the mechanical fastening system that requires precise mate-drilled holes. The adhesive is applied to the bracket mating surfaces and provides load bearing capacity without requiring precise hole alignment, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The floor beam bracket acts as an intermediary component between the floor beam and the hoop frame. The bracket includes a mating surface with adhesive that facilitates the connection, eliminating the need for direct precise hole alignment between the floor beam and hoop frame while maintaining load bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If floor beams are individually installed and then floor panels are attached separately, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but the overall installation process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor beam bracket integrates multiple functions into a single component: it attaches to the floor beam, provides a mating surface for adhesive bonding, and connects to the hoop frame. This merging of functions into the bracket simplifies the overall installation process while maintaining the flexibility to work with composite floor beam materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This method enables efficient and accurate installation of floor beams, reducing the need for precise hole alignment and fasteners, thus simplifying the process and minimizing the risk of misalignment, while accommodating misalignment and supporting loads effectively.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive applied to each pad and/or a mating surface of each floor beam bracket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

at least one pivot arm pivotally attached to the structure. In addition, the assembly includes a pad attached to the at least one pivot arm, wherein the at least one pivot arm is configured to pivot the pad to a position proximate to a respective floor beam bracket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivoting motion: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS7775478B2Floor beam assembly, system, and associated method

Publication Date: 2010.08.17 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A floor beam assembly, system, and method for installing floor beams within a structure are provided. According to one embodiment, a floor beam assembly for installing a floor beam within a structure is provided. The assembly includes at least one floor beam and at least one floor beam bracket attached to a respective floor beam. The assembly also includes at least one pivot arm pivotally attached to the structure. In addition, the assembly includes a pad attached to the at least one pivot arm, wherein the at least one pivot arm is configured to pivot the pad to a position proximate to a respective floor beam bracket to be attached thereto.