Titanium Rivet Bonding Device for Carbon Fiber Aircraft Shielding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft structures made of carbon fiber are vulnerable to electromagnetic interference from lightning, as traditional bonding methods are ineffective, leading to increased costs and weight due to the need for additional metallic bonding strips and jumpers in areas with insufficient metallic structure.

Innovation Solution

An electrical bonding device using a metallic plate with a lug connected to a projecting lead of the shielding, fixed with titanium rivets and cadmium steel collars, directly bonds intermediate points of the shielding to the carbon fiber structure, eliminating the need for metallic strips and ensuring effective electromagnetic protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional bonding methods are used on carbon fiber structures, then electromagnetic protection is provided, but weight and device complexity increase due to additional metallic bonding strips and jumpers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic protectionVSAvoidairplane weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the bonding function from traditional metallic strips and jumpers, concentrating it into a single integrated bonding device that combines the metallic plate, lug, and lead assembly into one compact unit, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate metallic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bonding device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical bonding between the shielding and carbon fiber structure, acts as a mounting point for the shielding lead, and creates an electrical connection path through the carbon fiber composite material, replacing multiple separate components with a single multi-functional element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional bonding methods are used on carbon fiber structures, then electromagnetic protection is provided, but device complexity increases due to additional metallic bonding strips and jumpers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic protectionVSAvoidbonding system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the bonding strip, bonding jumper, and mounting hardware into a single integrated bonding device consisting of a metallic plate with integrated lug and lead assembly, thereby simplifying the bonding system from multiple separate components to one unified element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If carbon fiber composite material is used for aircraft structures, then structural properties are improved, but electrical conductivity decreases making the structure vulnerable to electromagnetic interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural propertiesVSAvoidelectrical conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding device utilizes a hybrid material approach by combining a metallic plate (for electrical conductivity) with a carbon fiber composite structure (for structural properties), creating a composite bonding solution that leverages the advantages of both material types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The metallic plate and lead assembly act as an intermediary between the shielding and the carbon fiber structure, providing a conductive path through the otherwise electrically resistive composite material by bonding to the carbon fiber laminates and conducting current through the metallic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution reduces weight and complexity while providing effective electromagnetic protection by directly bonding intermediate points of the shielding to the carbon fiber structure, maintaining electrical continuity without the need for additional metallic components.

Implementation Method 1

a metallic plate 9 with a lug 7 where connected thereto is a projecting lead 3 of the shielding 3 fixed to said area 15 by means of titanium rivets 11 installed under dry conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8263864B2Device for electrical bonding of electrical cables shielding on composite structures

Publication Date: 2012.09.11 AIRBUS OPERATIONS SL

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical bonding device of a shielding (3) of electrical cables (5) in aircraft arranged in its structure in an area (15) made with a carbon fiber-based composite, comprising a metallic plate (9) with a lug (7) where a bonding lead (1) projecting from the shielding (3) is connected, being fixed to said area (15) by means of titanium rivets (11) installed under dry conditions with cadmium steel rings (17), which are coated with a sealing material (19).