Automated Riveting Device for Aircraft Fuselage Collar Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The manual installation of collars on pins in aircraft fuselages, particularly in composite materials, is labor-intensive and costly, with operators often adopting non-ergonomic positions due to the laborious nature of the process using pneumatic or electric tools.
Innovation Solution
An automated riveting device with a head equipped for collar installation, featuring artificial vision for pin recognition, cleaning capabilities, and a modular design with interchangeable tools and a robot arm for accessing hard-to-reach areas, utilizing electric or pneumatic motors and vacuum systems for efficient collar placement and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual collar installation with pneumatic or electric tools is used, then the installation can be performed with simple tooling, but the process becomes highly labor intensive and increases manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The automated head performs collar installation operations autonomously without requiring manual threading or tool handling. The system feeds collars automatically, positions them on pins, and executes the fastening operation, allowing the process to serve itself rather than requiring continuous human intervention for each collar installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated mechanical system. The automated head uses controlled mechanical feeders, positioning mechanisms, and actuated fastening tools to substitute the manual threading and tool handling operations, thereby improving labor efficiency while maintaining tool functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual collar installation is performed, then operators can handle various collar types, but operators must adopt non-ergonomic positions for collar installation operations
Solution Approach 1:
The automated head performs all collar installation operations autonomously, eliminating the need for operators to adopt non-ergonomic positions. The system's robotic positioning and automated tool handling allow it to access various locations without human physical constraint, thereby resolving the ergonomic issue while maintaining versatility through programmable adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated head incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities with multiple degrees of freedom, allowing it to adapt its position and orientation to reach various pins throughout the fuselage structure. This dynamic adaptability replaces static human positioning, enabling access to difficult-to-reach areas without compromising operator ergonomics.
3Productivity
If automated collar installation is implemented, then labor costs are reduced, but the device complexity increases with multiple components including vision systems, cleaning means, and supply ducts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated automated head assembly. The vision system, collar supply mechanism, cleaning means, and fastening tool are combined into one coordinated system mounted on the robotic arm, allowing automated collar installation while consolidating complexity into a unified modular unit rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated head is designed as a multi-functional universal tool that performs pin recognition, cleaning, collar feeding, positioning, and fastening operations. This universal design allows a single device to handle various collar types and pin locations, achieving high automation while managing complexity through functional integration rather than multiple specialized devices.
4Productivity
If operators perform manual collar installation in parallel, then the installation can be distributed across multiple operators, but the order of collar installation is not controlled and requires random area distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The automated head incorporates vision systems and control means that detect pin positions and track installation progress in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically determine the optimal installation sequence, maintain precise positioning for each collar, and coordinate operations without requiring human judgment or communication, thereby achieving controlled parallel processing with complete sequence information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and planning of the collar installation sequence before execution. The vision system identifies all pin locations in advance, the control system calculates the optimal installation order, and the robotic arm prepositions itself for each operation, allowing coordinated parallel operations with predetermined sequence control rather than random installation order.
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
The solution automates the collar installation process, reducing labor costs and improving ergonomics by enabling precise and efficient installation of collars on pins in aircraft fuselages, even in areas with limited accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
said head also comprises a vacuum duct connected to the collar installation tool. Hereby it is achieved a head capable of holding a collar which allows an effective installation of the collar on the pin
Data Source
Figure 1a~3
Figure 4
Figure 5a~7
AI summary
A head (25) of a riveting device -for Hi-Lite type rivets- of at least two components of a structure for installing automatically collars (13) on pins (11) previously inserted in the structure is provided. The head (25) comprises: a collar installation tool (31, 31'); collar supply means (41, 45, 55) to said collar installation tool (31, 31'); tool actuating means (35); linear displacement means during the threading operation; withdrawal means (57, 45) of the second part (17) of the collars (13); control means arranged to automatically perform the installation of collars (13) on pins (11) and after this the withdrawal of the second part (17) of it, using tools (31, 31') and collars (13) appropriate for the pins (11). The invention also refers to a robot having as end-effector the head (25) and to a method of riveting two components of an aircraft fuselage.