Aircraft Undercarriage Roller Pivoting Support Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft undercarriage systems face challenges in accurately positioning the roller for secure hooking in the folded position due to deformations, assembly clearances, and machining tolerances, requiring complex adjustments.

Innovation Solution

The undercarriage features a pivotally mounted support with a hinge pin and adjustable angular position, allowing easy lateral movement and alignment of the roller using shims and a recovery screw mechanism, ensuring precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the roller is mounted on a support attached by a bolt or force-taking screw extending through a hole, then the roller position can be adjusted laterally, but the adjustment process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller position accuracyVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support is made pivotally mounted on the undercarriage element, transforming it from a fixed structure requiring complex lateral adjustment into a dynamically adjustable component that can be easily repositioned by pivoting. This allows the roller to be moved to the correct position simply by rotating the support around the pivotal axis, greatly simplifying the adjustment process while maintaining positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support is pre-configured with a pivotal mounting that anticipates the need for adjustment. By designing the support to pivot about a predetermined axis, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during installation, as the pivotal capability is already built into the structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustment methods (bolts, wedges, shims) are used to position the roller, then positioning flexibility is improved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller positioning flexibilityVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotal support serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the primary adjustment mechanism through pivoting, maintains structural support for the roller, and enables easy repositioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adjustment devices like bolts and wedges, achieving both positioning flexibility and rapid assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary adjustment components (bolts, wedges, shims) from the system, retaining only the essential pivotal mounting mechanism. This simplification maintains the required positioning flexibility while dramatically reducing assembly time by removing redundant adjustment steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the support is made movable to allow adjustment, then ease of adjustment is improved, but the structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment easeVSAvoidsupport structural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic pivotal structure that can be easily adjusted during installation or maintenance. The pivotal mounting allows controlled movement for adjustment while maintaining structural integrity during operation, resolving the conflict between movability and stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2969749B1Landing gear provided with adjustable locking roller
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS
  • EP2969749B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2969749B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an aircraft undercarriage to be mounted on the aircraft such that it can be moved between a deployed position and a retracted position, the undercarriage comprising a roller (1) carried by a support (4) which is both secured to the undercarriage and movable in relation thereto, characterised in that the support is pivotably mounted on the undercarriage.