Remote Positioning Control for Aircraft Cross Beam Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in aircraft fuselage assembly is to precisely position cross beams relative to frames without manual intervention, ensuring accurate alignment and efficient workflow.

Innovation Solution

An assistance system comprising a sensor arrangement, data processing device, display device, and remote control that detects position deviations, allows for graphical output, and enables wireless control of measurement settings, facilitating precise positioning of components by displaying deviations and allowing operators to confirm alignment without leaving the assembly area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual positioning methods are used for cross beams relative to frames, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but positioning precision and alignment accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A remote control device serves as an intermediary between the operator and the sensor arrangement. The remote control transmits operator commands wirelessly to change measurement settings, eliminating the need for the operator to physically access the sensor arrangement while maintaining precise control over positioning measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated measurement system consisting of sensor arrangements and data processing devices. The system automatically detects position deviations and provides feedback, substituting mechanical manual adjustment with electronic sensing and control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If the sensor arrangement is placed in a hard-to-reach location for continuous monitoring, then positioning precision is maintained, but operator accessibility and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidoperator accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control acts as an intermediary device that the operator can easily access and operate from a convenient location. It wirelessly transmits commands to the sensor arrangement, allowing the operator to change measurement settings without physically reaching the sensor arrangement in hard-to-access locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Wireless communication replaces the need for physical access to the sensor arrangement. The operator can control measurement settings from a distance using the remote control, substituting mechanical access with electronic wireless control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple measurement settings are used for different reference points, then comprehensive positioning accuracy is achieved, but the time required for positioning increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor arrangement is designed to dynamically switch between different measurement settings based on operator input through the remote control. This allows the system to adapt measurement parameters in real-time without requiring physical reconfiguration, enabling comprehensive measurement of multiple reference points efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The remote control enables rapid switching between measurement settings without requiring the operator to manually reconfigure the sensor arrangement. This intermediary device accelerates the process of changing measurement parameters, reducing the time required to achieve comprehensive positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3901043B1Assistance system and method for positioning a first component relative to a second component and remote control for an assistance system
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 PREMIUM AEROTECH GMBH
  • EP3901043B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3901043B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3901043B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An assistance system for positioning a first component relative to a second component comprises a sensor arrangement configured to detect, in a first measurement setting, the current position of a first reference point of the first component and, in a second measurement setting, the current position of a second reference point of the first component; a data processing unit configured to control the measurement setting of the sensor arrangement and to determine a current position deviation based on the detected current position of the reference point and a target position of the reference point; a display unit configured to graphically output the current position deviation; and a remote control with a housing that has a coupling structure for detachable coupling to the first component, a control element, and an electronic signal generation circuit.which is configured to generate a confirmation signal in response to an actuation of the control element and to send it to the data processing unit. The data processing unit is configured to change the measurement setting of the sensor arrangement in response to the confirmation signal.