Load introduction system and method for manufacturing a load introduction system

1 . A load introduction system, comprising:

an aerodynamic component having a skin section with an aerodynamic outer surface and a first protrusion;

an attachment unit for movably coupling the aerodynamic component to a base unit;

wherein the attachment unit is attached to the skin section of the aerodynamic component and to the first protrusion;

wherein the first protrusion extends away from the aerodynamic outer surface, thereby separating a space adjacent the aerodynamic outer surface into a front space fore of the first protrusion and a rear space aft of the first protrusion, the first protrusion having an outermost extent spaced from the aerodynamic outer surface;

wherein the attachment unit has a bridging area extending from the front space to the rear space over the outermost extent of the first protrusion such that the attachment unit comprises a front portion that is at least partially arranged in the front space relative to the first protrusion and a rear portion that is at least partially arranged in the rear space relative to the first protrusion,

wherein the attachment unit is attached to the first protrusion at a point on the first protrusion spaced from aerodynamic outer surface.

2 . The load introduction system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the front portion of the attachment unit and the rear portion of the attachment unit are manufactured as separate parts;

wherein the front portion of the attachment unit is connected to the rear portion of the attachment unit via at least one fastening element.

3 . The load introduction system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the front portion of the attachment unit and the rear portion of the attachment unit are manufactured as separate parts;

wherein the front portion of the attachment unit is connected to the rear portion of the attachment unit via a form fit connection.

4 . The load introduction system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the front portion of the attachment unit is connected to the rear portion of the attachment unit via a material connection.

5 . The load introduction system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the attachment unit is an integrally manufactured single-piece structure that includes the front portion and the rear portion.

6 . The load introduction system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the attachment unit is shaped to extend over the first protrusion in order to allow a load to be directly transmitted from the front portion into the rear portion of the attachment unit.

7 . The load introduction system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the front portion is attached to the skin section in the front space; or

wherein the rear portion is attached to the skin section in the rear space; or

both.

8 . The load introduction system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the front portion is attached to the first protrusion; or

wherein the rear portion is attached to the first protrusion; or

both.

9 . The load introduction system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the aerodynamic component comprises a second protrusion that extends from the aerodynamic outer surface of the skin section, and

wherein the rear portion comprises a connection element that couples the attachment unit to the second protrusion.

10 . The load introduction system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the front portion comprises a first opening for receiving a coupling mechanism of the base unit in order to movably couple the base unit with the aerodynamic component.

11 . The load introduction system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a first adjustment element for connecting the front portion of the attachment unit to the first protrusion; or

a second adjustment element for connecting the rear portion of the attachment unit to the first protrusion; or

both.

12 . The load introduction system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first protrusion which extends from the aerodynamic outer surface of the skin section is formed by a structure that extends substantially perpendicular from the aerodynamic outer surface of the skin section.

13 . The load introduction system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the base unit is a wing structure; and

wherein the aerodynamic component is a flap structure which is movably coupled to the wing structure by the attachment unit.

14 . An aircraft comprising:

the load introduction system according to claim 1 .

15 . A method for manufacturing a load introduction system, comprising:

providing an aerodynamic component having a skin section with an aerodynamic outer surface and a first protrusion, the first protrusion extending away from the aerodynamic outer surface, thereby separating a space adjacent the aerodynamic outer surface into a front space fore of the first protrusion and a rear space aft of the first protrusion, the first protrusion having an outermost extent spaced from the aerodynamic outer surface;

providing an attachment unit for movably coupling the aerodynamic component to a base unit;

attaching a front portion of the attachment unit to the skin section in the front space relative to the first protrusion;

attaching a rear portion of the attachment unit to the skin section in the rear space relative to the first protrusion such that the attachment unit extends over the first protrusion; and

attaching the attachment unit to the first protrusion at a point on the first protrusion spaced from aerodynamic outer surface,

wherein the attachment unit has a bridging area extending from the front space to the rear space over the outermost extent of the first protrusion such that the attachment unit comprises a front portion that is at least partially arranged in the front space relative to the first protrusion and a rear portion that is at least partially arranged in the rear space relative to the first protrusion.