Pivotable Spacer Interface for Wing-Pylon Curvature Mismatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for attaching aircraft engine mounting pylons to wings face challenges due to the mismatch in curvature between the flat upper surface of the pylon and the curved lower surface of the wing, requiring custom-made interface plates that are time-consuming and difficult to produce, especially for high-load applications.
Innovation Solution
A modular assembly system using a pivotable spacer component that self-aligns between the wing and engine mounting pylon, allowing for effective contact and load transmission without needing to match the exact curvature, and optionally utilizing a magnetic attachment mechanism for retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flat upper surface of the pylon is attached directly to the curved lower surface of the wing, then the attachment area is small, but the manufacturing complexity and time for creating custom interface plates is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer component is introduced as an intermediary element between the flat pylon surface and the curved wing surface. This spacer has a first interface surface that contacts the pylon and a second interface surface that contacts the wing, mediating the geometric mismatch and enabling effective load transmission without requiring custom-made interface plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer component is designed to be pivotable relative to the first interface surface, allowing it to self-align between the wing and pylon. This dynamic capability enables the spacer to adapt to curvature mismatches and achieve optimal contact orientation automatically during assembly, eliminating the need for precise pre-machining of custom interface plates.
2Reliability
If custom-made interface plates are used to match curvature, then the contact area and load transmission are improved, but the manufacturing time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer component performs self-alignment through pivoting motion, automatically adapting its orientation to match the curvature between the wing and pylon surfaces. This self-service capability eliminates the need for time-consuming custom machining operations while ensuring reliable load transmission through optimal contact area engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer component serves multiple functions: it bridges the geometric gap between mismatched surfaces, provides a pivotable self-aligning mechanism, and creates effective load transmission paths. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require multiple custom-machined components, reducing both manufacturing time and complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spacer component is made pivotable to self-align, then the adaptability to curvature mismatch is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for retention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic attachment mechanism replaces traditional mechanical retention systems (such as bolts, clips, or interlocking features) with a magnetic field-based retention system. The magnet embedded in the spacer component attracts ferromagnetic material in the wing or pylon, providing secure retention while allowing the spacer to remain pivotable and self-aligning, thus reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of magnetic force changes the retention mechanism from a mechanical constraint system to a field-based force system. This parameter change allows the spacer to maintain adaptability through pivoting while being retained securely, as the magnetic force acts along the field lines and does not constrain the pivot motion, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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
Enables more efficient and cost-effective formation of joints between surfaces of differing curvature, facilitating better contact and load transfer in high-load applications like aircraft engine mounting pylons and wings, reducing manufacturing complexity and time.
Implementation Method 1
one of the first component and the spacer component comprises a magnet and the other one of the first component and the spacer component comprises a ferromagnetic material, such that an attractive magnetic force exists between the first component and the spacer component
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is disclosed including a first component, a second component, and a spacer component. The first component has a first interface surface. The second component has a second interface surface with a curvature different to the curvature of the first interface surface. The second component is connected to the first component such that the second interface surfaces faces the first interface surface. The spacer component is disposed between the first interface surface and the second interface surface and is configured to be pivotable relative to the first interface surface.