Pneumatic Check Pin Handling for Aircraft Blue-Pinning Ergonomics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual hammering process for inserting and removing tapered check pins from aircraft components is labor-intensive and leads to operator injury and strain, especially when testing thousands of holes during the blue-pinning process.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatically actuated apparatus with press and remove actuators that automatically insert and remove a check pin from tapered holes in a workpiece surface, eliminating the need for manual hammering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual hammering is used to insert and remove check pins, then the blue-pinning process can be performed, but operator injury and strain increase due to labor-intensive repeated hammering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical hammering system with an automated pneumatic system. A pneumatic actuator drives a hammer mechanism that automatically inserts and removes check pins, eliminating the need for operators to perform repeated manual hammering motions. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining productivity through automation while dramatically improving operator ergonomics.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated check pin insertion and removal system performs the task independently without requiring continuous operator intervention. The pneumatic actuator and hammer mechanism constitute a self-service system that automatically executes the repetitive hammering operations, allowing the operator to simply load check pins and retrieve results without physical strain.
2Ease of operation
If automated pneumatic actuators are used to insert and remove check pins, then operator ergonomics improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the automated system into distinct functional modules: a pneumatic actuator for power delivery, a hammer mechanism for impact delivery, a check pin holder for storage, and a control system for coordination. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance while achieving the goal of automated operation.
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 apparatus significantly reduces ergonomic risks to operators by automating the check pin insertion and removal process, enhancing efficiency and safety during the blue-pinning process for aircraft component inspections.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatically actuated apparatus having a pair of press actuators that are selectively operated to press a check pin attached to a check pin holder of the apparatus into a tapered fastener hole
Implementation Method 2
After sufficient interference fit between the tapered hole and the tapered check pin has been achieved
Implementation Method 3
The check pin has a blue dye applied to its tapered interior surface. The check pin is then hammered into the tapered hole in the workpiece
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is selectively controlled to insert a check pin into a fastener hole in a workpiece surface and remove the check pin from the fastener hole. The apparatus is a pneumatically actuated apparatus having a pair of press actuators that are selectively operated to press the check pin attached to a check pin holder of the apparatus into a fastener hole in a workpiece, and a pair of remove actuators that are selectively operated to push against the workpiece surface and move the apparatus away from the workpiece surface to remove the check pin attached to the check pin holder from the fastener hole in the workpiece.