Push-lock Pin for Aircraft Insulation Tile Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fastener designs for insulation tiles in aircraft engines require removal of the engine to access and replace tiles, significantly increasing costs due to the need for backside access.
Innovation Solution
A push-lock connector pin system with a cylindrical pin housing, ball lock mechanism, and push-down pop-up mechanism, featuring a cap and spring, allowing for secure locking and easy unlocking of ceramic tiles to the engine walls, enabling tile replacement without disassembling the engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current fastener designs are used for insulation tiles, then the tiles can be securely attached to the engine, but the engine must be removed to access and replace the tiles
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener design inverts the traditional approach by providing access to the locking mechanism from the front side of the tile rather than requiring backside access. The push-button actuator is located on the front surface, allowing technicians to operate the fastener without removing the engine, thus resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
A push-button actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism that translates simple frontal pressure into the complex locking/unlocking actions. This intermediary allows the user to operate the fastener through a simple push motion on the front side, eliminating the need for complex backside access while maintaining secure attachment functionality.
2Ease of repair
If the engine is removed to replace insulation tiles, then tile maintenance can be performed, but maintenance costs and time significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener system inverts the maintenance approach by enabling tile replacement from the front side of the engine rather than requiring engine removal. The push-button actuator on the front surface allows direct access to the locking mechanism, reducing maintenance time and costs while maintaining full repair capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener design enables self-service maintenance by allowing technicians to independently replace tiles without requiring engine removal or specialized equipment. The simple push-button operation empowers maintenance personnel to perform tile replacements quickly and efficiently, significantly reducing both time and cost.
3Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is used for insulation tiles, then the tiles remain firmly attached during operation, but the mechanism becomes complex and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The push-button actuator serves as an intermediary that simplifies the user interface while maintaining the complexity of the internal locking mechanism. The button translates simple frontal pressure into the complex sequence of locking actions, providing secure attachment without requiring the user to understand or manipulate complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener mechanism performs self-service by automatically executing the locking and unlocking sequences without user intervention beyond the simple push-button action. The internal components self-adjust and self-lock, maintaining secure attachment while requiring minimal user input, thus resolving the contradiction between security and operational simplicity.
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
Facilitates maintenance by allowing ceramic tiles to be securely locked in place during operation and easily unlocked for replacement, reducing maintenance costs and time without requiring engine removal.
Implementation Method 1
a spring connected to a second axial end of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
the shaft comprises a ball lock mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A push-lock pin for connecting a plate to surface includes a cylindrical pin housing and a shaft within the housing. The shaft has a ball-lock mechanism and a push-down pop-up mechanism.