Rotatable Through-Shaft Assembly for Approximate Orifice Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of orifices for shaft passage in aircraft propulsion units and support pylons is complex due to the absence of clearance and the bulkiness of the parts, making assembly challenging, especially when the orifices are only approximately aligned.
Innovation Solution
A shaft with a constant section and external surface featuring diametrically opposed arcs with a thickened diameter, allowing it to adopt two angular positions for clearance-free connection or easy fitting, and a mechanism for turning the shaft to adjust its position, facilitating alignment and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shaft is designed with constant section and no clearance to ensure stress resistance and connection stability, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the difficulty of alignment and assembly increases due to the bulkiness of parts and limited access
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is designed with the ability to rotate within the orifices, transitioning from a static alignment problem to a dynamic solution. During assembly, the shaft can be inserted at an angle and then rotated into its final position, making the assembly process more flexible and easier to perform despite the no-clearance design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the angular parameter of the shaft's position during assembly. By allowing rotational movement, the shaft can approach the orifices at different angles and then rotate to the correct orientation, effectively changing the assembly approach from requiring precise initial alignment to allowing angular adjustment during the process
2Strength
If the orifices are designed with no clearance to prevent relative rotation and withstand stresses, then the strength of the connection is improved, but the manufacturing precision required for perfect alignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft's rotational capability transforms a static alignment precision problem into a dynamic positioning problem. The no-clearance design maintains strength, while the rotational freedom during assembly compensates for minor misalignments, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft can be preliminarily inserted into the orifices at a convenient angle before final rotation into position. This preliminary insertion action does not require perfect alignment, as the subsequent rotation will achieve the correct final position and engagement
3Reliability
If multiple connections are made between parts to ensure structural integrity, then the reliability of the assembly is improved, but the complexity of aligning multiple orifices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational capability of the shaft simplifies the alignment of multiple connections. Instead of requiring all multiple orifices to be perfectly aligned simultaneously, each shaft can be independently inserted and rotated, breaking down the complex multi-orifice alignment problem into simpler individual alignment tasks
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly of parts assembled with one another by a shaft passing through orifices formed in the parts is disclosed. The shaft has a base diameter (DB) and a thickened diameter (DE) over diametrically opposed arcs at two different sections. The orifices are aligned with one another and each have a periphery having a first diameter (D1) on first diametrically opposed portions, the first diameter (D1) corresponding to the thickened diameter (DE), and a second diameter (D2), greater than the first diameter (D1), on second portions of the periphery. This allows the shaft to be fitted easily even when the orifices are only approximately aligned, and also makes removal easier.