Flap system, wing and aircraft

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flap system, a wing, and an aircraft, the flap system (2) for driving a leading-edge flap (28) between a retracted position and an extended position, the flap system (2) comprising a leading-edge flap (28) having a first flap joint (34) and a second flap joint (36), a first scissor rod (8), a second scissor rod (24), a first connecting rod (18), and an actuator (48). The actuator (48) is coupled to the first scissor rod (8) or to the first connecting rod (18), wherein the first scissor rod (8) includes a first support joint (14) for rotatably supporting the first scissor rod (8) on a first structural fixing point (10), and wherein the actuator (48), the first scissor rod (8), the second scissor rod (24), and the first connecting rod (18) are arranged to actively move the leading-edge flap (28) from the retracted position to the extended position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for driving flap devices between a retracted position and an extended position, a wing having such a system, and an aircraft. Background Technology

[0002] In commercial aircraft, wings are typically equipped with so-called high-lift systems, which increase the lift-generating area and camber of the wing. These high-lift systems primarily include trailing-edge flaps and leading-edge flaps. For example, a leading-edge flap includes a flap that extends from a recess on the underside of the wing to a position on the upper side of the wing. Many different actuation mechanisms exist for this so-called Kruger flap.

[0003] Kruger flaps are typically located on the underside of the wing, with the trailing edge pointing forward and the leading edge pointing backward. During deployment, the flap generally follows a rotational motion to reach a position ahead of the wing's leading edge while creating a gap with the wing's leading edge, where the leading edge points in the direction of flight and the trailing edge points backward.

[0004] DE102011018906A1 exemplarily illustrates a leading-edge flap system with Kruger flaps. Here, an additional retaining element is attached to the trailing edge of the flap to affect the clearance between the flap and the leading edge of the wing.

[0005] EP2509859B1 illustrates a high-lift system that may also include a Kruger flap having a specific design that shapes the gap between the flap and the leading edge of the wing into a strictly convergent shape. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The common kinematics used to extend leading-edge flaps in the form of Kruger flaps typically provide a strict motion of the leading-edge flap attached to a lever that rotates about an axis of rotation. Therefore, the angle between the flap's chord axis and the wing's chord axis is roughly proportional to the position of the lever. However, it may be advantageous to provide different motions to optimize the clearance between the leading-edge flap and the wing's leading edge, as well as to optimize airflow over the flap and the wing.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved flap system for providing movement of the leading edge flap, which improves airflow in the flap region, while the system should be as simple as possible.

[0008] This objective is achieved by the flap system according to this application. Advantageous embodiments and further improvements can be obtained from the following description.

[0009] A flap system for driving a leading-edge flap between a retracted position and an extended position is proposed. The system includes a leading-edge flap having a first flap joint and a second flap joint, a first scissor-type rod, a second scissor-type rod, a first connecting rod, and an actuator. The actuator is coupled to either the first scissor-type rod or the first connecting rod. The first scissor-type rod includes a first support joint for rotatably supporting the first scissor-type rod on a first structural fixing point. The end of the first scissor-type rod opposite to the first support joint is coupled to the first flap joint. The first connecting rod includes a first connecting rod for connecting the first connecting rod to the first connecting rod. The connecting rod is rotatably supported on a second support joint at a second structural fixing point, wherein the end of the first connecting rod opposite to the second support joint is rotatably connected to the end of the second scissor rod, wherein the end of the second scissor rod opposite to the end connected to the first connecting rod is connected to a second flap joint, wherein, in addition, the first scissor rod and the second scissor rod are rotatably connected to each other to form a scissor device, and wherein the actuator, the first scissor rod, the second scissor rod and the first connecting rod are arranged to actively move the leading edge flap from the retracted position to the extended position.

[0010] The main advantage of the flap system according to the invention is that it eliminates the proportional or strict coupling between the leading-edge flap angle and the flap deployment state. A scissor-like device, connected to a first structural anchor point at only one end of one of the scissor-like rods, will rotate about the first structural anchor point and change the angle between the flap and the wing chord until a specific relationship exists between the rotational position of the scissor-like device and its closed state. This can be considered an intermediate position. In this respect, the scissor-like device is "closed" if the scissor-like rods are not approximately closed at a certain angle and are positioned flush with each other. The closed state is considered to be the degree to which the scissor-like device is closed. After reaching the intermediate position, the flap angle can remain approximately constant or change only slightly. This means that the desired flap deployment angle can be almost reached before the flap is fully deployed. After this, the flap can provide approximately translational movement. This improves the shape of the gap in the earlier stages of deployment compared to a conventional Kruger flap device.

[0011] The main flap can be an elongated fluid with leading and trailing edges. This main flap can bend in a manner similar to a conventional Kruger flap or another type of airflow-affecting control surface on an aircraft. The main flap is a leading-edge flap designed to move relative to the leading edge of the wing. In the retracted state, the flap is positioned in a recess located on the underside of the wing. The movement mentioned in this application refers to a deployment movement from said recess to a position located in front of the leading edge of the wing.

[0012] The flap system according to the invention is based on a scissor-like device consisting of two scissor-like rods, wherein one of these rods is rotatably supported on a structural fixing point, and the other rod is supported on a first connecting rod. The first connecting rod is rotatably connected to another structural fixing point. By moving the first connecting rod, the end of the second scissor-like rod rotates about the first structural fixing point. The movement of the flap is caused by the length of the first connecting rod, the distance between the first and second structural fixing points, and the dimensions of the two scissor-like rods. The components are described in more detail below.

[0013] The actuator can be a rotary actuator, which is exemplarily directly coupled to the first connecting rod. The actuator can also be coupled to a structural anchor point in its mounted state on the wing. By rotating the actuator, the first connecting rod rotates about the second structural anchor point and thus moves the second scissor rod. However, the actuator can also be coupled to both the first scissor rod and the structural anchor point to allow the first scissor rod to rotate along a circular path.

[0014] The first scissor-type lever includes two ends, one of which is rotatably connected to a first structural fixing point. Therefore, the first scissor-type lever is capable of rotating about the first structural fixing point. The end of the first scissor-type lever opposite to the first structural fixing point is connected to a first flap connector. Thus, the first scissor-type lever is not necessarily directly connected to the first flap connector. Instead, an intermediate part or component may be provided between the first flap connector and the first scissor-type lever.

[0015] The second scissor lever also includes two ends, one of which is rotatably connected to the first connecting rod, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second flap connector. Therefore, the second scissor lever is capable of rotating about the end of the first connecting rod opposite to the end connected to the first structural fixing point. Thus, when the first connecting rod rotates by the actuator, the second scissor lever is also propelled into motion.

[0016] Both scissor levers are equipped with another connector, which will be referred to as a scissor connector. This scissor connector is located in the region between the two ends of each scissor lever and results in the creation of the scissor mechanism. This means that the two scissor levers cross each other and can take different angles relative to each other.

[0017] By moving the first connecting rod, the entire scissor mechanism is thus propelled to rotate about the end of the first scissor rod that is rotatably connected to the first structural fixing point. The dimensional relationship between the rod and the connecting member of the rod determines the final movement of the scissor rod—that is, the angle between the two scissor rods—and determines the rotation of the first scissor rod about its inner end connected to the first structural fixing point. Therefore, the flap system according to the invention can be adjusted such that even when the trailing edge of the flap is below the chord axis of the wing to which the flap system can be attached, the leading edge of the flap is in a relatively far forward position. Thus, the gap between the flap and the leading edge of the wing can be achieved while the flap is still exactly below the chord axis of the wing in the intermediate position.

[0018] As the flap position changes to the desired extended position, the subsequent movement of the flap to the fully extended position maintains a specific clearance dimension. This may include a slight rearward movement and a slight further rotation.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the first scissor bar is connected to the flap via a second connecting rod, which is rotatably supported to both the first scissor bar and the first flap connector. This allows the flap angle to remain substantially constant within a specific deployment range. Preferably, the second connecting rod is shorter than the first connecting rod. In particular, the second connecting rod is significantly shorter than the first connecting rod, and its length is one-third or less of the length of the first connecting rod. This typically increases the compactness of the flap system because, with a considerable angle between the scissor bars, the leading-edge flap fits tightly against the underside of the wing when all the bars are folded over or in the middle of each other. Furthermore, the flap system allows for over-locking of the second connecting rod, ensuring that the flaps move more translatorily than rotationally from the intermediate position to their final fully deployed configuration.

[0020] Preferably, one of the first and second scissor bars includes a recess along the main extension direction, through which the other scissor bar passes, and wherein the first and second scissor bars are rotatably connected in the region of the recess. The recess may exemplarily include the shape of a slot or slit and may extend through the main portion of the respective scissor bar. Therefore, the main portion of the respective scissor bar may be designed in the form of a forked head, wherein two limbs of the forked head enclose a gap through which the other scissor bar extends. A connector for connecting the scissor bars may be arranged in the space between the limbs.

[0021] The first and second scissor bars may each include a scissor joint for connecting the first and second scissor bars, wherein the scissor joint is arranged in a central region of each scissor bar. The term "central region" should be understood as the area of ​​the respective bar located between the two ends and extending approximately 50% of the total length of the single scissor bar, i.e., approximately 25% of the length from the center of the bar in each direction. The scissor joint may be arranged at any point in this central region. Dimensional relationships relate to the central axis of the scissor joint.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the second scissor lever is directly connected to the second flap connector. By directly connecting the second scissor lever to the flap, i.e., rotatably connecting it directly to the flap, the second flap connector moves solely through the movement of the second scissor lever. Therefore, no additional guiding components such as linear guides are required. This simplifies the mechanical design of the system according to the invention.

[0023] Furthermore, a single actuator can be used. Therefore, the advantages of the flap system can be achieved by moving only one of the levers, without needing a second actuator for, for example, changing the angle or translational position of the flap relative to the wing on which the flap system is mounted. The flap system according to the invention provides the desired movement of the flap simply but effectively.

[0024] Preferably, the actuator, the first scissor lever, the second scissor lever, and the first connecting lever are arranged to actively move the leading-edge flap from a retracted position to an intermediate position, in which the flap's chord axis is adjusted to the desired angle, and the first scissor lever, the second scissor lever, and the first connecting lever are arranged to provide a subsequent generally translational movement along the flap's chord axis, the orientation of which remains generally constant or slightly increased, for example, by about 10° to 15°. Therefore, all levers used in the flap system should be designed in a manner that enables this characteristic. Thus, the flap presented in the above description will be moved to a forward position, in which the local flap chord has already taken the desired angle just before the local chord axis of the wing is reached. Subsequently, the flap can be moved to a fully extended position in a generally translational manner along the chord axis with a specific gap between the leading edge of the wing and the leading-edge flap.

[0025] As further explained below, the specific angle in the intermediate position can be approximately 117°. In the extended position, this angle can be approximately 130°. However, these angles can be slightly varied, for example, by approximately ±2°.

[0026] The present invention also relates to a wing having a leading edge region and a trailing edge region and having at least one flap system according to the above description.

[0027] Advantageously, the system is arranged in the leading edge region.

[0028] Preferably, the flap system is designed to move the flaps to a midpoint below the wing leading edge until the angle between the local flap chord and the local wing chord is 117°. This prevents airflow separation on the upper side of the wing. The position of the flaps exactly below the wing leading edge is considered to be the midpoint mentioned above and further mentioned below.

[0029] During the subsequent extension from the intermediate position to the extended position, the partial flap chord reaches an exemplary angle of 130° with the partial wing chord. Then, while maintaining the clearance, the flap has moved in a manner of generally translating along the leading edge of the wing.

[0030] The flap system is also designed to limit the gap between the trailing edge of the flap and the leading edge of the wing to 2% of the local wing chord. This harmonizes the airflow from the flap to the upper wing. The gap between the trailing edge of the flap and the leading edge of the wing should not exceed 2% of the local wing chord. This prevents airflow separation on the wing during flap deployment. This can include an intermediate position. Additionally, this can include a deployed position.

[0031] Finally, the present invention relates to an aircraft having at least one such wing. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Other features, advantages, and potential applications of the invention arise from the following description of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In this respect, all described and / or graphically illustrated features also individually and in any combination form the object of the invention, regardless of their configuration in a single claim or their reference to other claims. Furthermore, in the drawings, identical or similar objects are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic side view shows the flap system according to the invention in a retracted state at the leading edge of the wing.

[0034] Figure 2 A schematic side view shows the flap system according to the invention in an intermediate state at the leading edge of the wing.

[0035] Figure 3 A schematic side view shows the flap system according to the invention in an extended state at the leading edge of the wing.

[0036] Figure 4 A three-dimensional diagram illustrates the flap system according to the invention in an extended state at the leading edge of the wing.

[0037] Figure 5An aircraft having a wing including at least one flap system according to the invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Figure 1 A flap system 2 is shown installed in the leading edge region 4 of the wing 6. The flap system 2 includes a first scissor lever 8, which is rotatably mounted on a first structural fixing point 10. For example, the inner end 12 of the first scissor lever 8 includes a swivel joint 14 connected to the first structural fixing point 10 of the wing 6. The first scissor lever 8 also includes an outer end 16 opposite to the first end 12.

[0039] The flap system 2 also includes a first connecting rod 18, which is rotatably mounted on the second structural fixing point 20. For this purpose, the first connecting rod 18 includes a rotary joint 22.

[0040] The first connecting rod 18 and the first scissor rod 8 are connected by a second scissor rod 24. The outer end 26 of the first connecting rod 18 is rotatably connected to the second scissor rod 24, and this outer end 26 is located at the end of the second scissor rod 24. The other end of the second scissor rod 24, opposite to the outer end 26, is rotatably connected to the flap 28. The outer end 16 of the first scissor rod 8 is connected to the second connecting rod 30 via a rotary joint 32. The end of the second connecting rod 30, opposite to the outer end 16, is connected to the flap 28 via another rotary joint 34. In the following description, the connection point between the second connecting rod 30 and the flap 28 is referred to as the first flap joint 34. Similarly, the rotary joint 36 located between the second scissor rod 24 and the flap 28 is referred to as the second flap joint 36.

[0041] Furthermore, the first scissor lever 8 and the second scissor lever 24 include a scissor joint 38, through which the scissor lever 8 and the scissor lever 24 are rotatably supported relative to each other.

[0042] Figure 1 The flap 28 is shown in its fully retracted position. Here, the leading edge 40 of the flap 28 is in the rearward position, while the trailing edge 42 of the flap 28 is in the forward position. The flap 28 provides a continuous surface for the surrounding portion of the wing 6. For this purpose, the wing 6 includes a recess 44 at its lower side 46.

[0043] When according to Figure 2When the flap system 2 is moved, the actuator 48, exemplarily identified at the second structural fixing point 22, causes the first connecting rod 18 to move clockwise. Therefore, the outer end 26 of the first connecting rod 18 pushes the second scissor rod 24 forward. In this case, the second flap connector 36 also moves forward. Due to the support at the first structural fixing point 10, the first scissor rod 8 follows the movement of the second scissor rod 24, because the two scissor rods are connected to each other via the scissor connector 38. The angle γ, represented as γ, between the extension direction 50 of the first scissor rod 8 and the extension direction 52 of the second scissor rod 24 decreases as the movement of the first connecting rod 18 increases. Figure 2 In the position shown, the extension direction of the second connecting rod 30 is approximately parallel to the extension direction 50 of the first scissor rod 8. When the first connecting rod 18 is moved further in a clockwise direction, the angle γ will decrease and the second connecting rod 30 will be over-locked. Figure 2 The dimensions of all the rods are defined such that the trailing edge 42 of the flap 28 is approximately at the same height as the partial wing chord 54, while the angle α between the partial flap chord 56 and the wing 6 is approximately 117°. This is considered the intermediate position. Here, the gap 58 between the trailing edge 42 of the flap 28 and the leading edge 60 of the wing 6 is at most equal to 2% of the partial wing chord.

[0044] Figure 3 This demonstrates that as the first connecting rod 18 moves further, the angle γ decreases, thus causing the second connecting rod 30 to rotate about the outer end of the first scissor rod 8. This results in a further upward, approximately translating movement of the leading-edge flap 28 while maintaining the gap 58 between the leading edge 60 of the wing 6 and the lower side 62 of the flap 28. In this position, the angle α between the partial flap chord 56 and the wing 6 is approximately 130°, which is considered the extended position. Therefore, a simple mechanism can provide a very advantageous movement of the flap 28 by providing a considerable angle between the partial flap chord 56 and the partial wing chord 54, and this simple mechanism can provide the flap 28 in an intermediate state of extended movement while maintaining the gap 58 between the intermediate and extended positions. This improves airflow and prevents airflow separation on the upper side of the wing 6.

[0045] Figure 4The design of the flap system 2 is shown in a three-dimensional view. Here, it is evident that the first connecting rod 18 may comprise two separate sub-rods 64 and 66, which together form the first connecting rod. The first scissor rod 8 is designed with a fork-shaped head 68 at its outer end 16, thereby forming a recess 70 through which the second scissor rod 24 extends. Furthermore, the second connecting rod 30 is fitted between the two limbs 72 and 74 of the first scissor rod 8. This provides a symmetrical arrangement of the rods, eliminating tilting or constraint stresses, etc.

[0046] at last, Figure 5 An aircraft 76 is shown with two wings 78 and 80 as described below: such a flap system 2 can be mounted to said wings 78 and 80 at the leading edge region 4.

[0047] Furthermore, it should be noted that "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Additionally, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one exemplary embodiment of the foregoing exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. A flap system (2) for driving a leading-edge flap (28) between a retracted position and an extended position, the flap system (2) comprising: Leading edge flap (28) having a first flap joint (34) and a second flap joint (36); First scissor-type lever (8); Second scissor bar (24); First connecting rod (18); Second connecting rod (30); and Actuator (48) The actuator (48) is connected to the first connecting rod (18). The first scissor bar (8) includes a first support joint (14) for rotatably supporting the first scissor bar (8) on a first structural fixing point (10). The end of the first scissor bar (8) opposite to the first support joint (14) is connected to the leading edge flap (28) via a second connecting rod (30). The second connecting rod (30) is rotatably supported to the first scissor bar (8) and rotatably supported to the first flap joint (34). The first connecting rod (18) includes a second support joint (22) for rotatably supporting the first connecting rod (18) on the second structural fixing point (20), and wherein the end (26) of the first connecting rod (18) opposite to the second support joint (22) is rotatably connected to the end of the second scissor rod (24). The end of the second scissor-type rod (24) opposite to the end connected to the first connecting rod (18) is connected to the second flap joint (36). The first scissor lever (8) and the second scissor lever (24) are rotatably connected to each other to form a scissor-like device. The actuator (48), the first scissor lever (8), the second scissor lever (24), and the first connecting rod (18) are arranged to actively move the leading edge flap (28) from the retracted position to the extended position. When the leading edge flap (28) is moved from the retracted position to the intermediate position, the actuator (48) causes the first connecting rod (18) to move clockwise. The end (26) of the first connecting rod (18) opposite to the second support joint (22) thus pushes the second scissor bar (24) forward. The first scissor bar (8) follows the movement of the second scissor bar (24), such that the angle (γ) between the extension direction (50) of the first scissor bar (8) and the extension direction (52) of the second scissor bar (24) decreases as the movement of the first connecting rod (18) increases. Furthermore, when the leading edge flap (28) is in the intermediate position, the extension direction of the second connecting rod (30) is approximately parallel to the extension direction (50) of the first scissor bar (8). When the leading edge flap (28) is moved from the intermediate position toward the extended position, the actuator (48) causes the first connecting rod (18) to move further clockwise, causing the angle (γ) to decrease further and thus causing the second connecting rod (30) to rotate about the end of the first scissor rod (8) opposite to the first support joint (14) and be overlocked, which results in a further upward generally translating movement of the leading edge flap (28).

2. The flap system (2) according to claim 1. in, The length of the second connecting rod (30) is shorter than the length of the first connecting rod (18).

3. The flap system (2) according to claim 2, wherein, The length of the second connecting rod (30) is less than one-third of the length of the first connecting rod (18).

4. The flap system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, One of the first scissor bar (8) and the second scissor bar (24) includes a recess (70) along the main extension direction, and the other of the first scissor bar (8) and the second scissor bar (24) passes through the recess (70), and The first scissor bar (8) and the second scissor bar (24) are rotatably connected in the region of the recess (70).

5. The flap system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. in, The first scissor bar (8) and the second scissor bar (24) include a rotary scissor joint (38) for connecting the first scissor bar (8) and the second scissor bar (24), wherein the scissor joint (38) is arranged in the central region of each scissor bar (8, 24).

6. The flap system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. in, The second scissor bar (24) is directly connected to the leading edge flap (28).

7. The flap system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Only a single actuator (48) is used.

8. A wing (6) having a leading edge region (4) and a trailing edge region and having at least one flap system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the flap system (2) being mounted within the wing (6).

9. The wing (6) according to claim 8, wherein, The flap system (2) is arranged in the leading edge region (4).

10. The wing (6) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The flap system (2) is designed to move the leading edge flap (28) below the leading edge point (60) of the wing until the angle between the partial flap chord (56) and the partial wing chord (54) is 117°.

11. The wing (6) according to claim 10, wherein, The flap system is further designed to limit the gap (58) between the trailing edge (42) of the leading edge flap (28) and the leading edge point (60) of the wing (6) to 2% of the chord (54) of the partial wing.

12. An aircraft (76) having at least one wing (6) according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

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