Trapezoidal Panel Pin Joint for Aircraft Fuselage-Wing Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft fuselage and wing attachment structures face design and durability issues due to large deflections between the wing and fuselage, leading to induced stresses and increased weight, as they often restrict rotational freedom and require additional structural support.

Innovation Solution

A trapezoidal panel pin joint design incorporating a vertically oriented pin, vertical and horizontal flexible tee members, which allows two rotational degrees of freedom, reducing induced stresses and enabling efficient deflection absorption without high loads, thereby optimizing weight and space utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If stiffened fuselage panels and physical separation are used to enable deflection, then deflection capability is improved, but weight increases and vertical distance for deflection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeflection capabilityVSAvoidaircraft weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible tee members (both vertical and horizontal) that act as flexible connections between the fuselage and wing structures. These flexible members allow the necessary deflection and rotation without requiring heavy stiffened panels, thereby achieving deflection capability while reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the structural parameters by introducing pin joints with rotational degrees of freedom and flexible connections. This allows the structure to accommodate deflection through controlled movement rather than rigid resistance, eliminating the need for additional weight-bearing stiffened panels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If physical separation is used to enable deflection, then deflection is allowed, but induced stresses increase and durability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeflection freedomVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible tee members serve as compliant connections that absorb deflection movements without creating high stress concentrations. The flexibility allows the structure to move with the deflection rather than resist it, preventing durability issues while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic capability to the rigid fuselage-wing connection by implementing pin joints that allow rotation and flexible members that accommodate movement. This dynamic design allows the structure to adapt to deflection loads in real-time, preventing stress accumulation and improving durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If known pin joint designs are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but only one rotational degree of freedom is released

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint structure simplicityVSAvoidrotational freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the connection system into multiple independent flexible components (vertical flexible tee member, horizontal flexible tee members, and pin joint). Each component provides a specific degree of freedom, and their combination achieves two rotational degrees of freedom without creating a single complex joint mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible tee members serve multiple functions: they provide structural connection, allow deflection, and enable rotation. By making these components multi-functional, the patent achieves high adaptability without adding specialized complex mechanisms for each function separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 trapezoidal panel pin joint design effectively reduces weight and durability issues by allowing free rotation and flexible deflection, minimizing induced loading and enabling efficient space utilization within the aircraft structure.

Implementation Method 1

the pin joint and vertical and horizontal flexible tee members, in combination, release two rotational degrees of freedom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2061698B1Trapezoidal panel pin joint allowing free deflection between fuselage and wing

Publication Date: 2018.06.20 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

The invention is directed a trapezoidal panel pin joint (10) for allowing deflection of an aircraft between a fuselage section (14) and a wing section (12), wherein the pin joint comprises a vertical pin portion (16), a lug portion (18), and a clevis portion (20); wherein at least one vertical flexible tee member (26) is positioned below the pin joint; and wherein the pin joint is coupled to at least two horizontal flexible tee members, such that the pin joint and vertical and horizontal flexible tee members, in combination, release two rotational degrees of freedom.