Split Landing Gear Fairing Assembly Without Wheel Removal

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft landing gear fairing systems require the removal of multiple parts for installation, lack adequate fastening means, and are time-consuming and costly, hindering maintenance and increasing aerodynamic drag and noise.

Innovation Solution

A fairing system comprising an annular wall with fastening means, split coupling elements, and connecting members that allow assembly without removing wheels, using couplings such as bolts, nuts, or adhesives for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the fairing system is installed using conventional methods, then the aerodynamic drag is reduced, but the installation requires removal of multiple landing gear parts which increases time and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic dragVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fairing system is divided into multiple modular components including a first fairing portion, a second fairing portion, and a coupling element that can be assembled separately and then attached to the landing gear without removing wheels or other major components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling element serves as an intermediary component that connects the fairing portions to the landing gear structure, enabling installation without direct attachment to the wheel assembly or removal of existing landing gear parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the fairing system is installed using conventional methods, then the aerodynamic drag is reduced, but the installation requires removal of multiple landing gear parts which increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic dragVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fairing system is divided into multiple modular components including a first fairing portion, a second fairing portion, and a coupling element that can be assembled separately and then attached to the landing gear without removing wheels or other major components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling element serves as an intermediary component that connects the fairing portions to the landing gear structure, enabling installation without direct attachment to the wheel assembly or removal of existing landing gear parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If the fairing system uses simple attachment methods, then the installation is faster, but adequate fastening means are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation timeVSAvoidfastening reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling element features a curved or contoured geometry that complements the landing gear structure, providing natural alignment and distribution of fastening forces across multiple attachment points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple fastening functions are combined into an integrated coupling element that simultaneously provides structural attachment, alignment, and load distribution through a unified component design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4685049A1Landing gear fairing system and landing gear component assembly method

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 ALVES BARRETO LUNARDELLI ANTONIO

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AI summary

The present invention refers to a landing gear fairing system comprising an annular wall comprising fastening means, a first and a second split coupling elements, and a first and second connecting members, and a method of assembling parts for landing gear. With the use of the invention, it is possible to install the parts in landing gears without the need to remove the wheels, facilitating access to the other components of the landing gears and reducing costs and time required for maintenance.