Aircraft Wheel Heat Shield Spacer Assembly for Tool-Free Rim Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat shields for aircraft wheels face challenges in preventing contact with the wheel rim during rotation, leading to potential damage and degradation, and current spacer solutions are difficult to install and may compromise thermal protection.
Innovation Solution
A heat shield assembly with spacers featuring a drop-shaped opening and cylindrical clamping elements allows for tool-free installation and improved retention, using polymer material spacers that project from the heat shield to prevent contact with the wheel rim, with short and long studs providing point and linear contact respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional studs with annular grooves are used to prevent contact between the heat shield and wheel rim, then contact prevention is achieved, but installation becomes difficult requiring special tools and may damage the stud
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deforming the stud base to create retention (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by using the enlarged free end of the clamping element to naturally engage with the opening and provide retention through its geometry alone, eliminating the need for special installation tools
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element with its enlarged free end is designed to self-retain in the opening through its own geometry, without requiring external tools or additional deformation steps. The enlarged end naturally engages with the opening periphery to provide secure retention
2Ease of operation
If rectangular studs are used for tool-free installation, then installation ease is improved, but the elongate shape prevents installation in restricted spaces and reduces heat shield stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a clamping element with an enlarged free end that has a curved or rounded geometry, allowing it to pass through the opening more easily while maintaining compact dimensions. This curved geometry enables installation in restricted spaces without compromising the retention capability
Solution Approach 2:
The heat shield is designed with localized openings of specific geometry (water drop shape) at the installation points, rather than requiring changes to the entire heat shield structure. This localized approach maintains the overall stiffness and thermal protection of the heat shield while enabling easy spacer installation
3Ease of operation
If larger openings are used to accommodate long studs, then installation is facilitated, but thermal protection and structural integrity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is designed with an asymmetric water drop shape rather than a symmetric circular or rectangular form. This asymmetric geometry is optimized to accommodate the clamping element's enlarged free end while minimizing the opening size, thus preserving thermal protection and structural integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A heat shield assembly for a braked aircraft wheel is provided. The heat sheild assembly includes a heat shield and at least one spacer having both a main body projecting from an outwardly-facing surface of the heat shield and a clamping element of generally cylindrical shape projecting from the body and passing perpendicularly through an opening in the heat shield. The clamping element can include an enlarged free end so as to co-operate with the body to form an annular groove engaged with the opening in the heat shield.