Torque Button Lock Clip Structure for Brake Plate Separation Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft disk brake systems face challenges in securely coupling torque plates to end plates, leading to potential vibration transfer and separation issues during operation.

Innovation Solution

A clip design is introduced that couples a torque plate to an end plate, featuring a raised end angled relative to the same plane, with an inner portion extending through a rounded coupling feature and an outer portion that encircles it, providing secure attachment and reducing the likelihood of separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional clips are used to couple torque plates to end plates, then the coupling function is provided, but vibration transfer occurs and separation issues arise during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling stabilityVSAvoidvibration transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clip incorporates a rounded portion that receives a rounded coupling feature (torque button), creating curved contact surfaces that distribute vibrational loads more evenly compared to conventional flat or sharp-edged coupling features. This curvature reduces stress concentration and minimizes vibration transfer while maintaining secure coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The clip is divided into distinct functional portions: an inner portion with parallel elongate members for insertion through the opening, an outer portion with parallel legs for engagement, and a rounded portion for receiving the coupling feature. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall coupling reliability while reducing harmful vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the clip structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the likelihood of separation during operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclip fabricationVSAvoidseparation resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clip utilizes a flexible, elastic body design that can be formed from a single piece of material through forming operations rather than complex assembly. This flexible construction allows the clip to deform during installation and operation, ensuring continuous contact and engagement with the coupling feature, thereby preventing separation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functional features are merged into a single integrated clip structure: the inner portion for insertion, the outer portion with legs for lateral engagement, and the rounded portion for axial engagement. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate components, simplifying manufacture while ensuring comprehensive engagement that prevents separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the clip design is optimized for secure engagement, then separation is prevented, but the complexity of the clip structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement securityVSAvoidclip structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clip is designed to be self-installing and self-adjusting. The raised end automatically guides the clip into proper orientation during installation, and the elastic material allows the clip to self-adjust to the coupling feature geometry. This self-service design achieves secure engagement without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple installation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing the clip to force the coupling feature into a specific position, the design inverts the approach: the rounded coupling feature guides the clip into proper engagement. The rounded portion of the clip receives the rounded coupling feature, allowing the coupling feature to dictate the engagement geometry, simplifying the clip structure while ensuring reliable engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3540259B1Torque button lock clip

Publication Date: 2021.10.20 GOODRICH CORP

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AI summary

A clip for coupling a torque plate (34) to an end plate of a disk brake system in accordance with various embodiments includes an inner portion (200) having two parallel elongate members (202, 204). The clip further includes an outer portion (206) at least partially including a rounded portion that is located outward from the inner portion and has a raised end (210), wherein the inner portion is entirely in a same plane as the rounded portion of the outer portion, and wherein the raised end extends away from the rounded portion.