Reversible Fixator for Fiber Composite Stiffening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for stiffening fiber composite components, particularly in the aerospace industry, face challenges with accurate positioning and fixing of pressure elements during the curing process, leading to positioning inaccuracies and geometric deviations, especially for large and long components, and result in the pressure elements often being irreversibly attached to the component.
Innovation Solution
A method and arrangement that utilize a reversible fixing device with a pressure element adapted to the geometry of the stiffening element's receiving area, allowing reproducible fixation and removal of the stiffening and pressure elements, enabling precise positioning and handling of large components without additional weight or mechanical clamping, using electrostatic forces, adhesives, or magnetic elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pressure elements are attached to the fiber composite component during curing, then the fiber composite can be compacted effectively, but the pressure elements may become irreversibly attached or shift position leading to geometric deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure elements are pre-positioned and fixed to the stiffening elements before the curing process begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the pressure elements remain in the correct location throughout curing without shifting, while the fixation method allows for clean removal after curing completes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a fixation method whose properties change during the curing process. The fixation is strong enough during curing to prevent shifting but becomes removable after curing, utilizing the transformation of material states or bonding characteristics during the curing cycle.
2Ease of manufacture
If pressure elements are manually positioned and fixed during assembly, then they can be attached to the component, but positioning inaccuracies and geometric deviations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure elements are integrated with the stiffening elements to form a combined assembly. This merging ensures that the pressure elements and stiffening elements move and position together as a single unit, eliminating relative positioning errors and ensuring accurate placement on the fiber composite component.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffening element acts as an intermediary carrier that holds the pressure elements in the correct position. By using the stiffening element as a mediator, the pressure elements are indirectly positioned with high accuracy through the precise placement of the stiffening element assembly.
3Reliability
If additional fixation devices are used to secure pressure elements, then positioning stability is improved, but the component weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening elements serve multiple functions: they provide structural stiffening to the fiber composite component and simultaneously serve as carriers for the pressure elements during curing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fixation devices, maintaining low weight while ensuring stable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffening elements perform the dual role of both structural reinforcement and positioning fixtures for the pressure elements. The system uses its own components (stiffening elements) to accomplish the fixation task, rather than requiring additional dedicated fixation devices.
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
This solution ensures reliable and accurate positioning of stiffening elements and pressure elements, allowing for the handling of large components with reduced risk of shifting or being trapped, and enables complete removal of the pressure elements post-curing, maintaining component integrity and reducing manufacturing errors.
Implementation Method 1
using electrostatic forces, adhesives, or magnetic elements
Implementation Method 2
using electrostatic forces, adhesives, or magnetic elements
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for reinforcing a fiber composite component (1) for aerospace, wherein a reinforcing element (3) having a receiving area (9) and a compression element (4) adapted to the geometry of the receiving area (9) are provided. The compression element (4) is inserted into the receiving area (9) of the reinforcing element (3). The reinforcing element (3) and the inserted compression element (4) are thereby reproducibly affixed to each other by means of a reversible fixator device (5). The reversible fixator device (5) comprises at least one first fixator segment (6) applied to the compression element (4) and at least one second fixator segment (7) that can be applied to the reinforcing element (3). The reinforcing element (3), together with the compression element (4) affixed thereto, is then reproducibly applied to the fiber composite component (1) to be reinforced in order to form a molded segment (8). The molded segment so formed (8) is cured to the fiber composite component (1) in order to bind the reinforcing element (3) thereto. The reversible fixator device (5) and the compression element (4) are then removed from the reinforced fiber composite component (1).