Sensor-Mounted Bush for Compact Aircraft Pin Detection
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lugs and brackets for mounting equipment on aircraft structures increase mass and bulk, and their geometry may not be optimal for tight spaces, while known bushes do not address weight, size, or friction issues effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bush with a sleeve, shoulder, and sensor mount is used to eliminate the need for lugs and brackets, reducing weight and size, and incorporates a barrier to prevent pin overextension, with a sensor to detect pin presence, enhancing detection and reducing friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lugs and brackets are used to mount equipment on aircraft structures, then equipment mounting capability is provided, but mass and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bush integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as a bearing for pin movement, provides a mounting platform for sensors via its sensor mount, and eliminates the need for separate lugs and brackets. This merging of functions reduces the overall number of components and reduces mass while maintaining equipment mounting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The bush is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides bearing surfaces for pin rotation, structural support within the aperture, and a platform for sensor mounting. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate parts (lug, bracket, mounting features), thereby reducing bulk and mass
2Ease of operation
If lugs and brackets are used for equipment mounting, then mounting functionality is achieved, but geometry is not optimal for tight spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The bush combines the mounting functionality and bearing functionality into a single compact component that fits within the aperture. The sensor mount is integrated directly onto the bush body, eliminating the need for external brackets and lugs that would occupy additional space, thereby optimizing the use of tight spaces
3Object-generated harmful factors
If known mechanical bushes are used, then friction reduction is provided, but weight and complexity issues are not addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The bush merges the friction-reducing bearing function with the sensor mounting function in a single integrated component. The sensor mount is formed as part of the bush body itself, allowing the same component that reduces friction through bearing surfaces to also provide a platform for sensor mounting, thereby avoiding additional weight from separate mounting structures
4Measurement precision
If a sensor is mounted to detect pin presence, then detection capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mount is integrated directly into the bush body, merging the detection capability with the existing bearing component. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces the overall device complexity while enhancing the ability to detect pin presence through the mounted sensor
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 bush reduces weight and complexity, optimizes space usage, and enhances detection of pin presence, improving the reliability of latch assemblies in aircraft wings.
Implementation Method 1
The bush may be a plain bearing. The bush may be configured to prevent or reduce wear caused by a pin moving within an aperture, for example a pin rotating or sliding within an aperture.
Data Source
AI summary
A bush is provided including a sleeve for receiving a pin; a shoulder extending from the sleeve, the shoulder for delimiting insertion of the sleeve into an aperture; and a sensor mount for mounting a sensor such that the sensor may detect the presence of a pin within the sleeve. Installing such a bush within an aperture of a component may negate the requirement for lugs and/or brackets on the component. This may enable reduction of the weight, size and/or complexity of the component.