Aircraft Wing Surface Connection Head for Compact Reliable Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional connection devices for aircraft moveable surfaces to wing elements are bulky, complex, and labor-intensive, often requiring blocking elements that can lead to detachment and unreliable connections.
Innovation Solution
A connection device with an elongated connection element featuring an abutting portion and a tightening portion, which constrains displacement along the connection axis, eliminating the need for bulky blocking elements and ensuring a simple, reliable, and compact assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blocking elements (retainer pins, locking rings, additional nuts) are added to traditional bolts, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and radial footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the head and blocking elements into a single integrated head structure. The head includes an abutting portion that contacts the workpiece to prevent detachment and a tightening portion that engages with the bolt, eliminating the need for separate blocking elements like retainer pins or locking rings while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The head structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the tightening interface for the bolt, acts as the blocking element to prevent detachment through the abutting portion, and maintains a compact radial footprint. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components
2Reliability
If blocking elements are added to traditional bolts, then the connection reliability is improved, but the assembly labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the blocking function into the head structure, the assembly process is simplified to a single operation. The head is attached to the bolt in one step, eliminating the need for separate installation of retainer pins, locking rings, or additional nuts, thereby reducing assembly labor intensity while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If traditional bolts with blocking elements are used, then the connection reliability is improved, but the radial footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of blocking elements into the head structure eliminates the need for additional radial space that would be required for separate blocking components. The abutting portion extends axially rather than radially, maintaining a compact radial footprint while providing effective detachment prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking function is achieved through axial extension of the abutting portion rather than radial expansion. This dimensional shift allows the head to prevent detachment in the axial direction without increasing the radial footprint, solving the space constraint problem
Data Source
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AI summary
This connection device (20) is configured for connecting an aircraft moveable surface (18) to an aircraft wing element (16), comprises a connection element (34) being elongated along a connection axis (A-A') and comprises: - a body (48); and - a head (50), comprising: + an abutting portion (52), configured for abutting with one of the aircraft moveable surface (18) and aircraft wing element (16), the abutting portion (52) being configured for constraining a displacement of the connection element (34) along the connection axis (A-A') relative to the aircraft moveable surface (18) and the aircraft wing element (16), and + a tightening portion (54), radially larger than the abutting portion (52) and the body (48), the tightening portion (54) being arranged between the abutting portion (52) and the body (48).