Profiled Rail Fastening for Aircraft Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for aircraft interior components, such as side wall panels, are complex and costly to manufacture, making them inefficient and expensive for installation.
Innovation Solution
A fastening arrangement using a profiled rail with legs and a fixing element, where the fixing element's extensions are pressed into openings in the rail to create frictional contact with the facing component, allowing for simple and cost-effective installation by holding the component in place without the need for complex retaining devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex mounting bracket with retaining pin and spring-biased slide mechanism is used, then the facing component can be securely fastened, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional elements: the U-shaped rail provides structural support and positioning, while the separate fixing element with friction mechanism provides secure attachment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex spring-biased slide mechanism and retaining pin system is extracted and replaced with a simpler friction-based fixing element. The essential function of secure fastening is retained through friction contact between the fixing element and the facing component, while eliminating unnecessary mechanical complexity.
2Reliability
If a complex mounting bracket with multiple components is used, then the facing component can be securely fastened, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides friction-based attachment to the facing component, positioning within the U-shaped rail, and resistance to vibrational loads. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate parts, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining secure fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if necessary. The friction-based mechanism uses straightforward geometric features rather than precision-machined complex mechanisms, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining adequate reliability for the application.
3Reliability
If traditional fastening systems with complex retaining devices are used, then the facing component can be securely attached, but the installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped rail is pre-installed on the aircraft structure with built-in positioning features that guide the fixing element into place. The fixing element is designed with pre-configured friction surfaces that automatically engage with the facing component upon insertion, eliminating the need for complex assembly steps during installation and reducing installation time while maintaining secure attachment.
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 simple, time-efficient, and precise installation of plate-shaped facing components with the ability to adjust for dimensional tolerances, while being cost-effective and resistant to vibrations and impact loads.
Implementation Method 1
portions thereof come into frictional contact with the peripheral portion of the facing component which is held in the intermediate space
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a fastening arrangement for plate-shaped facing components. The fastening arrangement includes at least one profiled rail comprising legs in a cross-section, an intermediate space being formed between these legs and configured to hold a peripheral portion of at least one of the facing components. A first one of the legs of the profiled rail includes at least one opening which extends into the first leg in a transverse direction of the profiled rail. The fastening arrangement also includes at least one fixing element which is equipped with at least one extension. The extension is designed such that it can be pressed into the opening in the first leg to fix the facing component so that the extension protrudes into the intermediate space and portions thereof come into frictional contact with the peripheral portion of the facing component held in the intermediate space.