Winglet Connection Structure Using Shearing Pins for Precise Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft winglet connections face challenges in ensuring precise alignment and easy interchangeability, leading to complex manufacturing and assembly processes, and are susceptible to damage during maintenance and operations.
Innovation Solution
A connection structure featuring a joint rib and central joint with shearing pins and bushings that provide a natural positioning datum, ensuring precise alignment and easy installation/removal of the winglet, while tension bolts secure the assembly for load transfer and interchangeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 14 hinging lugs are used for connection, then the winglet can be connected to the wing box, but the alignment requires high precision and processing techniques become highly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is divided into separate components: joint ribs integrated with the wing box, central joints on the winglet, shearing pins for positioning, and tension bolts for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, eliminating the need for highly complex processing techniques while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Shearing pins and tension bolts serve as intermediary elements that facilitate the connection between the joint ribs and central joints. These intermediaries provide the necessary positioning and securing functions without requiring the mating surfaces to have high precision, thus reducing processing complexity while maintaining reliable connection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the winglet is of a closed structure, then the structure is complete and aerodynamic, but it needs to be installed/removed multiple times for maintenance and overhaul
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a fixed permanent attachment to a dynamic reversible connection using shearing pins and tension bolts. This allows the winglet to be securely attached during operation (maintaining structural integrity) while enabling easy removal and reinstallation for maintenance (improving ease of repair).
Solution Approach 2:
The shearing pins can be removed and replaced during maintenance operations, allowing the winglet to be detached from the wing box. The pins serve as disposable or replaceable elements that facilitate the discarding of the old connection and recovery of the winglet for maintenance, then reconnection using new or reused pins.
3Ease of repair
If the winglet is directly replaced when damaged, then maintenance is simplified, but the cost and aerodynamic efficiency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into the winglet, central joint, shearing pins, and tension bolts, allowing selective replacement of only the damaged component (e.g., just the shearing pin or just the winglet) rather than replacing the entire assembly. This reduces material loss while maintaining ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
When the winglet is damaged, only the necessary components are replaced (such as the shearing pins or the winglet itself), while the wing box and other intact components are recovered and reused. This minimizes material loss while keeping maintenance simple and straightforward.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an aircraft wing assembly, comprising: an aircraft wing having a wing box; a winglet disposed at a wing tip of the aircraft wing, the winglet being connected to the aircraft wing through the wing box; a connection comprises a joint rib for assembling with the wing box and a central joint for assembling with the winglet, wherein the joint rib has a first shearing pin's hole and a second shearing pin's hole, for being pressed into corresponding first and second shearing pins to form an interference fit, respectively; the central joint has a first bushing hole and a second bushing hole, for being pressed into corresponding first and second bushings to form an interference fit; a positional relationship between the first shearing pin's hole and the second shearing pin's hole is identical to a positional relationship between the first bushing hole and the second bushing hole, such that when the winglet assembled with the central joint moves towards the wing box assembled with the joint rib, and when the first and second shearing pins are inserted into the first bushing hole and the second bushing hole on the center joint, respectively, small clearance fit is achieved between the first and second shearing pins and between the first and second bushings, respectively.