Aircraft Wing Transport Carriage With Integrated Lifting and Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft wing transport carriages require significant space and are difficult to maneuver, necessitating the use of bridge cranes for wing placement on aircraft structures, which limits production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A transport carriage with a vertical median plane, featuring pivotable wheels, cradles, positioning and support cylinders, a central frame, and a lifting system, controlled by a unit that adjusts movement based on pressure sensor data, allowing for secure and efficient loading and placement of wings without the need for bridge cranes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional transport carriages are used for aircraft wings, then the wings can be transported from storage to fitting location, but the carriages take up large space and are difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The transport carriage employs pivotable wheels that can rotate between a transport position and a placement position, allowing the carriage to adapt its configuration dynamically. This dynamic adjustment enables the carriage to maneuver through tight spaces while maintaining adequate support surface area when needed for wing transport and placement operations
2Productivity
If traditional transport carriages are used for aircraft wings, then the wings can be transported, but bridge cranes are required for wing placement which limits production rate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the transport carriage with a lifting system into a single integrated device. The carriage includes lifting means capable of raising and lowering wings directly at the fitting location, eliminating the need for separate bridge cranes. This combination streamlines the workflow and improves production rate by allowing continuous operation without equipment transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The transport carriage is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a transport vehicle and as a placement mechanism. The lifting system integrated into the carriage enables it to perform both transportation and wing installation functions, reducing the number of specialized devices needed and enhancing overall system efficiency
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple support cylinders and positioning mechanisms are used, then precise wing placement is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into multiple independent support cylinders distributed at different locations on the carriage. Each cylinder independently adjusts the position of specific carriage components, allowing precise control of wing placement through coordinated action of multiple simple units rather than one complex mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates pressure sensors that provide feedback to the control unit about the position and load distribution on the carriage. The control unit uses this feedback information to automatically adjust the support cylinders, achieving precise wing placement through closed-loop control that simplifies the overall positioning system
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
Enables efficient loading and movement of wings, reducing space requirements and improving production rates by eliminating the need for bridge cranes, while ensuring precise placement and avoiding aircraft structure deformation during assembly.
Implementation Method 1
for each cradle, a positioning cylinder, wherein the cradle is mounted on the stem of the positioning cylinder
Implementation Method 2
two front support cylinders and two rear support cylinders, each of which has a support that is mounted on the stem of the support cylinder
Implementation Method 3
the frame is mounted so as to be vertically movable with respect to the chassis between a retracted position and a lifted position, a third actuator that moves the frame from the retracted position to the lifted position and vice versa
Implementation Method 4
each arm is movable vertically in translation on the mast between a low position and a high position, for each arm, a fifth actuator that moves the arm from the low position to the high position and vice versa
Data Source
AI summary
A transport carriage for wings that are secured together, wherein the transport carriage comprises a chassis mounted on wheels, cradles mounted on positioning cylinders, support cylinders that each have a support mounted on the stem of the support cylinder, a central support having a frame and, for each wing, a rotatable lateral cradle, wherein the frame is movable vertically, for each wing, a lifting system with a mast and an arm, wherein each arm is movable vertically on the mast between a low position and a high position, and for each arm, at least two bearing points for the wing. The use of different movable elements allows good loading of the wings and makes it easier to move the wings thus loaded.