Reversible Panel Attachment Device for Aircraft Window Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for dismantling transparent panels from aircraft structures, which use wide and resistant beads of glue, are inefficient and difficult due to the large width and small thickness of the adhesive, making it challenging to cut the glue without damaging the panel or structure.
Innovation Solution
A device with studs embedded in the bead of adhesive, each having two longitudinal holes for extraction wires to cut the glue, allowing for precise control and easy removal of the panel without damaging it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a wide bead of glue is used to bond the panel to the structure, then the bonding strength and sealing capability are improved, but the difficulty of dismantling the panel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces extraction wires that segment the wide bead of glue into multiple smaller sections. By passing wires through the adhesive bead at different positions, the continuous wide bond is divided into discrete segments that can be cut independently, making the dismantling process more manageable and less damaging to the panel or structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction wires act as intermediary tools between the operator and the wide bead of glue. Instead of directly cutting the wide adhesive bead with a saw or knife, the wires serve as mediators that can be threaded through and pulled to create clean cuts, reducing the complexity and risk of damage associated with direct cutting methods.
2Reliability
If a wide bead of glue is used to ensure proper sealing, then the sealing capability is improved, but the precision of cutting the glue without damaging the panel decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wide bead of glue is segmented by extraction wires positioned at specific intervals. This segmentation allows for precise, controlled cuts through the adhesive without requiring high-precision manual cutting, as the wires guide the separation process through predetermined paths that protect the panel edges and structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction wires are pre-positioned through the bead of glue before the bonding is complete. This preliminary action establishes predetermined cutting paths that will be used during dismantling, ensuring that when removal is needed, the cuts follow precise, pre-planned trajectories that minimize damage risk to the panel or structure.
3Ease of operation
If the bead of glue width is reduced to facilitate easier cutting, then the ease of dismantling is improved, but the sealing and pressure conditions required for aircraft panels cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing the overall width of the bead of glue, the invention segments the wide bead into multiple smaller sections using extraction wires. This allows the bead to maintain its necessary width for proper sealing and pressure distribution while creating smaller, more manageable cutting sections that are easier to dismantle without compromising the panel or structure.
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 rapid and efficient dismantling of panels with wide beads of glue by allowing the extraction wires to cut only the necessary portion of the adhesive, reducing the risk of damage to the panel or structure and simplifying the detachment process.
Implementation Method 1
Two operators grab the ends of the threadlike element in order to move this threadlike element between the panel to be detached and the structure to cut the bead of glue
Implementation Method 2
A bead of glue is then placed between the panel and the structure to perform the bonding
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to a reversible fixing device (10) for a panel (5) to a structure (2) to close a window (3) in that structure (2). This device (10) comprises a plurality of studs (15) adapted to be embedded in a bead of adhesive (50), each stud (15) having two longitudinal orifices (16), the device having two extraction wires (30) each passing through a longitudinal orifice (16) of each stud (15).