Self-Locking Bushing Structure to Prevent Migration and Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Landing gear components experience issues with bushing migration and rotation due to unwanted movement during operation, which existing bushing designs fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A self-locking bushing design featuring a cylindrical body with a bore and lock tabs extending into the bore, which are engaged by a locking pin to prevent lateral movement and rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional bushings are used in landing gear components, then the structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the bushings experience migration and rotation during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebushing stabilityVSAvoidbushing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bushing is divided into functional segments: a body portion, lock tabs extending from the body, and a bore. The lock tabs are further segmented with transverse portions that engage with the pin, creating distinct functional zones that address migration and rotation separately through structural division.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lock tabs are nested within the bore structure, with the transverse portions of the lock tabs positioned inside the bore to engage with the pin. This nested arrangement allows the locking mechanism to be integrated within the bushing body without adding external complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If lock tabs are added to prevent bushing migration, then the bushing stability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebushing stabilityVSAvoidbushing fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lock tabs are merged with the bushing body as an integrated monolithic structure rather than separate components. This combining of the body and lock tabs into a single piece eliminates the need for additional assembly steps and reduces manufacturing complexity despite adding locking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bushing design utilizes parameter optimization in the lock tab geometry, including the specific dimensions and angles of the transverse portions, to achieve effective locking with minimal material and simple fabrication processes. The parameters are tuned to provide maximum stability with minimum structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12276304B2Self-locking bushings

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 GOODRICH CORP

AI summary

A bushing is disclosed herein. The bushing includes a body having a first end and a second end, a bore formed through the body from the first end to the second end, and a lock tab coupled to the body at a point between the first end and the second end of the body and extending toward the second end of the body, the lock tab extending from the body and into the bore.