Universal Threaded Insert for Pneumatic De-icer Air Connections

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional pneumatic de-icer designs for aircraft require custom molds for unique air connections, leading to high production costs and extended lead times due to the need for precise tolerances and complex tooling.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic de-icer assembly featuring a common molded base with a universal threaded fitting that can attach to fittings of any bent shape, eliminating the need for custom molds and allowing for standard configuration and flexible installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If custom molds are used for unique air connections, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production cost increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair connection toleranceVSAvoidproduct development time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a standardized air connection interface that can be used across multiple de-icer applications. The common molded base with standardized threading allows the same mold and base design to serve multiple functions and configurations, eliminating the need for custom molds for each unique connection while maintaining precise manufacturing tolerances through standardized production processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If custom molds are used for unique air connections, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair connection toleranceVSAvoidtooling cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a standardized air connection interface that can be used across multiple de-icer applications. The common molded base with standardized threading allows the same mold and base design to serve multiple functions and configurations, eliminating the need for custom molds for each unique connection while maintaining precise manufacturing tolerances through standardized production processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by separating the air connection function into a standardized interface component (common molded base with threading) that is independent of the specific de-icer configuration. This allows the standardized base to be manufactured separately using economical processes while maintaining precision, and then integrated with various de-icer designs without requiring custom tooling for each application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If complex tooling is used for unique air connections, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair connection toleranceVSAvoidmold complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a standardized air connection interface that can be used across multiple de-icer applications. The common molded base with standardized threading allows the same mold and base design to serve multiple functions and configurations, eliminating the need for custom molds for each unique connection while maintaining precise manufacturing tolerances through standardized production processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3712072B1Threaded insert base for pneumatic de-ICER air connections

Publication Date: 2023.01.18 GOODRICH CORP

Figure 1

AI summary

An assembly for connecting an air connection fitting to a pneumatic de-icer (18) of an aircraft includes a molded base (12) and a machined insert (14). The molded base includes a flexible material and forms a sealing interface with a portion of the pneumatic de-icer. The machined insert is set into the molded base and includes a radially inward threaded surface (16) that forms an opening extending axially through the machined insert. The radially inward threaded surface is configured to mate with a terminal end of the air connection fitting.