Aircraft Structural Assembly With Wavy Inner Flange Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft structural assemblies require space for lugs outside the inner flange during assembly, limiting usable space and complicating access for inspection and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A continuous structural element with an inner flange featuring a wavy shape and a fitting with a through hole that fits into the wavy portion of the inner flange, allowing assembly without covering the through hole and enabling easy access for inspection and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lugs are placed outside the inner flange for assembly access, then assembly is possible, but usable space is reduced and access for inspection is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is nested within the web structure of the continuous structural element. The fitting comprises at least one through hole and is configured to fit one portion of the web corresponding to one portion of the inner flange with a wavy shape, allowing the fitting to be integrated into the existing structure without requiring external lugs that would occupy additional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner flange is given a wavy shape in at least one portion, creating dimensional variation that allows the fitting to be positioned and accessed from available spaces without requiring lugs to extend outside the inner flange. This dimensional change enables alternative access paths for assembly and inspection.
2Ease of manufacture
If lugs are placed outside the inner flange, then joining is possible, but access for inspection and maintenance is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting with through holes is nested within the web structure, allowing connecting means to pass through the fitting and join elements without requiring external lugs. This nested configuration maintains joining capability while keeping the through holes accessible for inspection and maintenance from the available space.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting acts as an intermediary component between the continuous structural element and the elements to be joined. The fitting comprises at least one through hole and is configured to fit one portion of the web, serving as a mediator that enables joining while maintaining access for inspection through its through holes.
3Strength
If the through hole is covered by the web, then structural integrity is improved, but inspection and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wavy shape is applied locally to specific portions of the inner flange rather than the entire structure. This localized geometric modification creates space in specific areas to accommodate the fitting and keep through holes accessible, while maintaining structural integrity in other critical areas of the continuous structural element.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner flange features a wavy shape (curved geometry) in at least one portion, which creates dimensional variation and space for the fitting to be positioned without covering the through holes completely. This curvature allows the through holes to remain accessible for inspection while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly with a continuous structural element for aircraft and a fitting. The continuous structural element has an outer flange, an inner flange and a web between the flanges. The inner flange has at least one portion with a wavy shape such that the height of the web increases or decreases in that portion. The fitting has at least one through hole and is configured to fit the web at the portion of the inner flange with a wavy shape so that in an assembled state the fitting is joined to the web in such a way that the at least one through hole of the fitting is not covered by the web.