Aircraft Wing Systems Module Bracket Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft wing construction methods require sequential construction of structural and systems elements, making the process time-consuming and necessitate breaking the fuel tank seal for system removal, which is complex and undesirable.

Innovation Solution

Aircraft wing structure with a spar and releasable systems modules secured to brackets, allowing parallel construction and easy removal without breaking the fuel tank seal, using brackets that can be fastened or bonded to the spar.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If individual systems components are equipped to the wing structure after construction of structural elements, then the wing structure can be built first, but the systems installation becomes time-consuming and removal requires breaking the fuel tank seal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewing construction processVSAvoidsystems installation and removal time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wing assembly process is segmented into independent parallel tracks: structural elements (wing box, spar) are constructed separately while systems modules are pre-assembled separately, then both are integrated through brackets that attach to the spar. This segmentation allows simultaneous construction without sequential dependencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Brackets serve as intermediary components that connect systems modules to the spar structure. These brackets provide standardized attachment points that enable quick connection and disconnection of systems modules without requiring access to the fuel tank interior or complex disassembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If systems are installed requiring fuel tank seal breaking for removal, then systems can be securely mounted, but removal becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystems mounting securityVSAvoidsystems removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket acts as an intermediary attachment mechanism between the systems module and the spar. It provides secure mounting through robust connection to the structural spar while enabling easy removal from the exterior without compromising the fuel tank seal integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The removal procedure extracts only the necessary action (unscrewing bracket fasteners from the exterior) while leaving the fuel tank seal intact. The bracket design allows the systems module to be extracted from the wing assembly without requiring extraction or damage to the fuel tank seal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4725830A2Improvements relating to wing construction
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD
  • EP4725830A2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4725830A2 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4725830A2 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An aircraft wing structure (100) comprising a spar (101) and a systems module (200) is disclosed. The systems module (200) is releasably secured to a plurality of brackets (300) on a first side of the spar (101) and the second, opposite side of the spar is configured to define a wall of a fuel tank of an aircraft wing. The systems module (200) is releasably secured to at least one bracket (300) of the plurality of brackets (300) by a fastener (207) comprising a bolt (211) and a barrel nut (209). The barrel nut (209) is configured to engage with a part of the bracket (300) to prevent rotation of the barrel nut (209) when rotating the bolt (211) within the barrel nut (209) to tighten or untighten the fastener (207). Methods of installing and removing the systems module are also described.