Engine Pylon Lateral Load Transfer Structure for Wing Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structures for transferring lateral loads from an engine pylon to an aircraft wing fail to effectively restrain lateral movement, leading to undesirable displacement and potential structural instability.
Innovation Solution
A structure comprising a first component with a flange and a second component with raised portions and a bushing, arranged to restrain the engine pylon against lateral movement by interposing the bushing between the components, with optional spacers to minimize gaps and enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing structures are used for transferring lateral loads, then the engine pylon can be attached to the wing, but lateral movement is not effectively restrained leading to displacement and structural instability
Solution Approach 1:
A bushing is introduced as an intermediary component between the engine pylon and wing structure. The bushing includes a body with a lateral load transfer feature that interfaces with both the pylon and wing, effectively restraining lateral movement while distributing loads. This mediator component resolves the contradiction by providing positive lateral restraint without requiring direct rigid attachment between the pylon and wing.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral load transfer structure is divided into separate functional components: the bushing body, the lateral load transfer feature, and associated fastening elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the bushing provides lateral restraint while the fastening elements secure the assembly, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and ease of assembly.
2Reliability
If a bushing is introduced to restrain lateral movement, then lateral stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides lateral movement restraint, load transfer, and positional alignment. The lateral load transfer feature integrated into the bushing body performs multiple functions in a single component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved lateral stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral load transfer feature is merged directly into the bushing body as an integrated structure rather than being a separate component. This merging reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while providing effective lateral restraint, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A structure for transferring a lateral load of an engine pylon to an aircraft wing includes a first component having a generally longitudinally oriented first flange extending outward from a first base portion that is attachable to or integrated with the wing, a second component having one or more raised portions extending outward from a second base portion that is attachable to or integrated with the engine pylon, and a bushing with a base plate and one or two arms. The bushing may be disposed in contact with a wall portion with part of the first flange disposed within the bushing, or in contact with a raised portion with part of the bushing disposed between the first flange and a second flange, such that the engine pylon is substantially restrained against lateral movement with respect to the wing.