Wing-Fuselage Joint Structure for Flexible Load Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wing-fuselage joint connections in aircraft face challenges with flexibility restrictions, high manufacturing complexity, and require specialized tooling, leading to increased costs and time, while also needing rapid assembly and disassembly capabilities to handle various loads.

Innovation Solution

A wing-fuselage joint design utilizing spherical bearings and supporting structures that allow for free planar rotation and translation, reducing bending moments transferred to the fuselage and enabling quick assembly/disassembly, with four joining members configured to manage loads in multiple directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional pin joints are used to attach wing to fuselage, then structural connection is achieved, but flexibility is restricted and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies spherical bearings to enable dynamic movement between the wing and fuselage, allowing the joint to adapt to various load conditions through free planar rotation and translation. This dynamic capability provides flexibility while the modular spherical bearing design keeps manufacturing complexity manageable through standardized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The joining member is segmented into distinct functional components: spherical bearings for movement, brackets for structural connection, and platforms for mounting. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If specialized tooling is used for wing-fuselage connection, then manufacturing precision is improved, but cost and manufacturing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical bearing joint design is self-aligning, automatically positioning itself correctly through its spherical geometry without requiring specialized tooling for precise alignment. This self-service capability achieves manufacturing precision while eliminating the need for expensive specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The spherical bearing joint serves multiple functions: structural connection, load transfer, and self-alignment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized tooling for different operations, reducing both cost and manufacturing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Force

If rigid wing-fuselage connection is used, then load transfer is efficient, but assembly and disassembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload transfer efficiencyVSAvoidassembly and disassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical bearing joint maintains efficient load transfer through its spherical geometry while enabling rapid assembly and disassembly. The design allows the wing to be quickly attached or detached without requiring complex fastening operations, reducing time loss while preserving force transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If spherical bearings are used for mounting, then flexibility and load management are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload management flexibilityVSAvoidjoint structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical bearing joint is segmented into standardized, modular components that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation reduces the perceived complexity by allowing each component to be optimized separately while maintaining overall flexibility and load management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design reduces fuselage size, complexity, and manufacturing time, while enhancing assembly efficiency and load management, allowing for flexible deformation without significant performance impact, and includes fail-safe features.

Implementation Method 1

A wing-fuselage joint for an aircraft includes: a first joining member, the first joining member including a first bracket pivotally mounted to a first platform... the first platform being configured to pivot in a first plane and translate in a second direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpherical bearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP4610164A1Wing-fuselage joint

Publication Date: 2025.09.03 PIPISTREL D O O

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Figure 3A

AI summary

A wing fuselage joint (100) for an aircraft having joining members (108, 110) which include a first configuration and a second configuration. The joining members (108) of the first configuration include a platform (208) and bracket (202) configured to pivot in a lateral plane and translate in a longitudinal direction. The joining members (110) of the second configuration include a platform (308) and bracket (302) configured to pivot in a longitudinal plane and translate in a lateral direction. The joining members (108, 110) of either configuration join the fuselage structure (102) and the spar (104) of an aircraft together.