Receiver-Fastener Turret Assembly for Confined Panel Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
In aerospace manufacturing, existing fastening systems face challenges in accessing and installing fasteners in confined, overhead, or difficult-to-reach areas, particularly for joining panels like those in a wing-box, where manual operation is restricted.
Innovation Solution
A shank-fastener apparatus and receiver-fastener apparatus system that includes a shank-fastener housing, turret, indexing-pin assembly, drill, and delivery assembly, and a receiver-fastener housing, turret, indexing-collet assembly, anvil, delivery assembly, and swager assembly, allowing for secure positioning and operation in limited spaces through rotational and translational movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hand-operated tools are used for fastening panels, then installation flexibility is maintained, but accessibility to confined areas becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hand-operated mechanical fastening tools with an automated robotic system that uses a programmable end effector. This robotic system can be precisely positioned and oriented using automated control systems, enabling access to confined overhead areas where manual operation is difficult while maintaining installation flexibility through programmable motion sequences and adaptive positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces automated positioning systems that operate in multiple spatial dimensions, allowing the fastening apparatus to reach confined areas by moving along robotic manipulators with multiple degrees of freedom. This dimensional approach enables access to overhead and restricted spaces that are inaccessible to hand-held tools operated by human personnel.
2Productivity
If automated fastening systems are implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal end effector design that can perform multiple fastening operations (drilling, fastener insertion, sealing) through a single integrated apparatus. This multi-functional tool head reduces the need for multiple specialized devices while maintaining high productivity through automated sequencing of operations, thereby increasing assembly efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions (drilling, fastener placement, sealing application) into a single integrated automated system. By merging these operations into one coordinated apparatus rather than using separate tools for each function, the system achieves high productivity through continuous automated operation while managing complexity through integration rather than multiplication of components.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise positioning is achieved for drilling and fastening, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary indexing mechanism that interfaces between the robotic positioning system and the fastening tools. This indexing system provides precise repeatability for tool positioning and orientation by using indexed slots and engagement features, achieving high manufacturing precision for hole alignment while keeping the overall positioning system manageable through standardized indexing rather than complex continuous control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates self-aligning features and automated tool registration systems that enable the fastening apparatus to automatically position itself relative to panel features. The system uses sensors and registration mechanisms to detect panel locations and automatically adjust positioning, achieving high precision without requiring complex manual positioning procedures or overly sophisticated control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver-fastener apparatus comprises a receiver-fastener housing, a receiver-fastener turret, an indexing-collet assembly, an anvil, a receiver-fastener delivery assembly, and a swager assembly. The receiver-fastener turret is selectively rotatable relative to the receiver-fastener housing about a receiver-fastener-turret rotation axis (Z). The indexing-collet assembly is selectively movable relative to the receiver-fastener housing between an indexing-collet-assembly extended position and an indexing-collet-assembly retracted position along an indexing-collet-assembly axis (Y) that is parallel to the receiver-fastener-turret rotation axis (Z). The anvil is selectively movable relative to the receiver-fastener turret along an anvil axis (X) that is parallel to the receiver-fastener-turret rotation axis (Z). The receiver-fastener delivery assembly is configured to operatively position receiver fasteners for operative placement on shank fasteners, corresponding to the receiver fasteners. The swager assembly is movable relative to the receiver-fastener turret along a swaging axis (W) that is parallel to the receiver-fastener-turret rotation axis (Z).