Tolerance Analysis of Over-Constrained Assembly Considering Gravity Influence: Constraints of Multiple Planar Hole-Pin-Hole Pairs

Abstract

Over-constrained assembly of rigid parts is widely adopted in aircraft assembly to yield higher stiffness and accuracy of assembly. Unfortunately, the quantitative tolerance analysis of over-constrained assembly is challenging, subject to the coupling effect of geometrical and physical factors. Especially, gravity will affect the geometrical gaps in mechanical joints between different parts, and thus influence the deviations of assembled product. In the existing studies, the influence of gravity is not considered in the tolerance analysis of over-constrained assembly. This paper proposes a novel tolerance analysis method for over-constrained assembly of rigid parts, considering the gravity influence. This method is applied to a typical over-constrained assembly with constraints of multiple planar hole-pin-hole pairs. This type of constraints is non-linear, which makes the tolerance analysis more challenging. Firstly, the deviation propagation analysis of an over-constrained assembly is conducted. The feasibility of assembly is predicted, and for a feasible assembly, the assembly deviations are determined with the principle of minimum potential energy. Then, the statistical tolerance analysis is performed. The probabilities of assembly feasibility and quality feasibility are computed, and the distribution of assembly deviations is estimated. Two case studies are presented to show the applicability of the proposed method.