A drive mechanism for changing the angle of attack of a winglet

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drive mechanism for changing the tilt angle of a winglet, the drive mechanism comprising a linear actuator, one end of which is fixed to the wingtip and configured to output a linear load; a conversion mechanism connected to the linear actuator and configured to rotate in response to the linear load to output torque; and a transmission mechanism connected to the conversion mechanism and the winglet to transmit torque to the winglet to change the tilt angle of the winglet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aircraft functional structure design technology, and more specifically to a drive mechanism for changing the tilt angle of winglets. Background Technology

[0002] For the modern air transport industry, drag reduction technology is one of the effective ways to reduce aircraft fuel consumption. Specifically, during flight, wingtip vortices are generated at the wingtips, increasing drag and thus fuel consumption. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize this drag as much as possible for aircraft.

[0003] Studies have shown that adding winglets can reduce the intensity of vortices at the wingtips, thereby effectively reducing induced drag on aircraft. Therefore, winglets are widely used in aircraft structures.

[0004] Currently, the most commonly used winglets are fixed winglets. However, traditional fixed winglets are only designed for cruise conditions and cannot provide good drag reduction during non-designed phases such as takeoff / climb when induced drag accounts for a larger proportion, resulting in lower aerodynamic benefits. Therefore, a winglet with a variable tilt angle is desired to effectively reduce drag under different conditions.

[0005] There is currently no winglet structure with variable tilt angle that has entered practical application. A stable and reliable drive device is required to enable the winglet to change its tilt angle, sweep angle, etc. according to the flight status during the flight.

[0006] Most existing variable tilt winglet deformation modes use electric motor torsion drive, which greatly increases the structural weight, increases the complexity of the mechanism, and also increases the development cost and technical difficulty.

[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a drive structure that can change the angle of the winglet, making the drive structure simpler and lighter. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To overcome the problems of complexity and heavy weight of existing mechanisms for changing the tilt angle of winglets, this invention designs a drive mechanism for changing the tilt angle of winglets. This drive mechanism converts linear input into torsional output and has the advantages of stable function, high control precision, and light weight.

[0009] Specifically, the drive mechanism includes a linear actuator, one end of which is fixed to the wingtip and configured to output a linear load; a conversion mechanism connected to the linear actuator and configured to rotate in response to the linear load to output torque; and a transmission mechanism connected to the conversion mechanism and the wingtip winglet to transmit torque to the wingtip winglet to change the wingtip winglet's tilt angle.

[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, the wingtip has a receiving recess, and the drive mechanism is mounted in the receiving recess of the wingtip.

[0011] In one embodiment, the conversion mechanism includes a first end plate, a second end plate, and a chiral metamaterial between the first and second end plates, the first end plate engaging a linear actuator.

[0012] Furthermore, chiral metamaterials are composed of arrays of unit cell structures.

[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the transmission mechanism includes a driving component and a driven component that engage with each other, the driving component being fixed relative to the conversion mechanism, and the driven component being fixed relative to the winglet.

[0014] Furthermore, the driving component includes a driving block and a driving shaft, the driving block being fixed to the conversion mechanism, and the driving shaft being fixedly connected to the driving block.

[0015] Preferably, the drive block has an internal spline section, and one end of the drive shaft has an external spline section, with the internal spline section matching the external spline section to facilitate torque transmission.

[0016] Optionally, the driving component includes a driving gear fixedly mounted on a driving shaft, and the driven component is a gear shaft with a driven gear, the driving gear meshing with the driven gear to transmit torque from the driving component to the driven component.

[0017] Advantageously, in order to facilitate the positioning of the drive shaft drive gear, a protruding section is provided, and the drive gear is mounted against the protruding section.

[0018] Additional features and advantages of the described drive mechanism will be set forth in the detailed description below, and will be recognized by those skilled in the art from the following description or from practice of the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] With reference to the above objectives, the technical features of the present invention are clearly described in the following specification, and its advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention by way of example, without limiting the scope of the inventive concept.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a drive mechanism for changing the tilt angle of a winglet according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Exploded view of the drive mechanism used to change the tilt angle of the winglet;

[0022] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the torsion structure of the drive mechanism used to change the tilt angle of the winglet;

[0023] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A three-dimensional image of a chiral metamaterial in a torsional structure;

[0024] Figure 5 The composition is shown Figure 4 A three-dimensional diagram of the unit cell structure of a chiral metamaterial.

[0025] Figure 6 It shows Figure 2 A perspective view of the drive block of the drive mechanism used to change the tilt angle of the winglet;

[0026] Figure 7 It shows Figure 2 A perspective view of the drive shaft of the drive mechanism used to change the tilt angle of the winglet; and

[0027] Figure 8 It shows Figure 2 A perspective view of the driven component of the drive mechanism used to change the tilt angle of the winglet.

[0028] Figure Labels

[0029] 1 Wing tip

[0030] 2 Winglets

[0031] 3. Receiving recess

[0032] 10 Linear Drivers

[0033] 20. Conversion mechanism

[0034] 21 First end plate

[0035] 22 Second end plate

[0036] 23 Chiral Metamaterials

[0037] 231 Single-cell structure

[0038] 2311 Top

[0039] 2312 Bottom

[0040] 2313 Inclined support component

[0041] 30 Transmission Mechanism

[0042] 310 Drive Components

[0043] 311 Driver Block

[0044] 3111 base plate

[0045] 3112 Internal spline section

[0046] 312 drive shaft

[0047] 3121 External spline shaft section

[0048] 3122 Prominent Section

[0049] 3123 Keyway

[0050] 313 Drive Gear

[0051] 320 Driven Part

[0052] 321 Driven Gear

[0053] 322 Driven Shaft

[0054] 3221 spline section

[0055] Bearing housings 41, 42, and 43 Detailed Implementation

[0056] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so as to better understand the purpose, features and advantages of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 1 A drive mechanism for changing the tilt angle of a winglet 2 at the wingtip 1 of an aircraft wing is shown according to an embodiment of the invention. The drive mechanism is mounted between the wingtip 1 and the winglet 2. In this embodiment, the wingtip 1 has a receiving recess 3, and the drive mechanism is shown mounted in the receiving recess 3. However, it should be understood that the drive mechanism can also be mounted between the wingtip 1 and the winglet 2 by other fixing devices.

[0058] Reference Figure 1The drive mechanism includes a linear actuator 10, a conversion mechanism 20, and a transmission mechanism 30. One end of the linear actuator 10 is fixed to the wingtip 1, specifically in the receiving recess 3, and configured to output a linear load. For example, the linear actuator 10 can be a telescopic member configured to extend or retract. The conversion mechanism 20 is coupled to the linear actuator 10 and configured to rotate in response to the linear load to output torque. For example, in the case where the linear actuator 10 is a telescopic member. The transmission mechanism 30 is coupled to the conversion mechanism 20 and the wingtip 2 to transmit the torque output by the conversion mechanism 20 to the wingtip 2, causing the wingtip 2 to rotate, thereby changing the tilt angle of the wingtip 2.

[0059] Figure 2 An exploded view of the drive mechanism of this embodiment is shown, illustrating the various components that make up the conversion mechanism 20 and the transmission mechanism 30. The various components of the conversion mechanism 20 and the transmission mechanism 30 will be described in detail below.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the conversion mechanism 20 includes a first end plate 21, a second end plate 22, and a chiral metamaterial 23 between the first end plate 21 and the second end plate 22. The first end plate 21 engages with the linear actuator 10, such that the linear load output by the linear actuator 10 is transmitted to the conversion mechanism 20. The first end plate 21, the second end plate 22, and the chiral metamaterial 23 are formed using 3D printing technology.

[0061] Reference Figure 4-5 Chiral metamaterial 23 is a three-dimensional single-cell chiral metamaterial capable of achieving tension-torsion coupling conversion, composed of an array of single-cell structures 231 (see...). Figure 5 The unit cell structure 231 includes, for example, a top 2311, a bottom 2312, and an inclined support 2313. The inclined support 2313 is connected between the top 2311 and the bottom 2312 in a parallel manner and at an angle relative to the top 2311 and the bottom 2312, such that when the top 2311 and the bottom 2312 are subjected to a linear force such as compressive or tensile force, the angle of inclination of the inclined support 2313 changes, causing the top 2311 and the bottom 2312 to rotate relative to each other. Thus, the unit cell structure 231 converts the linear load it receives into a torque. Adjacent unit cells in the array of unit cell structures 231 constituting the chiral metamaterial 23 can share the top 2311 and the bottom 2312, such as... Figure 4 As shown. It should be understood that chiral metamaterials with other structures may also be included within the scope of this invention, as long as they can be subjected to torsion under tension or compression.

[0062] In other embodiments, the conversion mechanism 20 may have other configurations, as long as they can convert linear motion into rotational motion, and these configurations are all included within the scope of the present invention. For example, the conversion mechanism may include a rotating sleeve, in which a linear actuator is inserted. The linear actuator has a tab, and the inner wall of the rotating sleeve has an inclined guide groove extending circumferentially around the sleeve. The tab engages with the inclined guide groove, such that when the linear actuator performs a telescopic movement, the tab moves relative to the inclined guide groove, thereby converting the linear motion of the tab into the rotational motion of the rotating sleeve.

[0063] Reference Figure 2 And refer to in detail Figure 6 and 7 The transmission mechanism 30 includes a driving component 310 and a driven component 320 that engage with each other. The driving component 310 is designed in the shape of, for example, a circular flat plate, and is fixed relative to the conversion mechanism 20. Specifically, the driving component 310 includes a driving block 311 and a driving shaft 312. The driving block 311 has a base plate 3111 and an inner splined cylindrical section 3112. The base plate 3111 of the driving block 311 is fixed to the conversion mechanism 20 by fasteners (not shown), specifically connected to the second end plate 22 of the conversion mechanism 20, so that the conversion mechanism 20 and the driving block 311 rotate together. The driving shaft 312 is fixedly connected to the driving block 311. Specifically, one end of the driving shaft 312 has an outer splined shaft section 3121, which matches the inner splined cylindrical section 3112, so that the driving block 311 transmits torque to the driving shaft 312. In other words, the linear driver 10 outputs a linear load to make the conversion mechanism 20, the drive block 311 and the drive shaft 312 rotate together.

[0064] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 30 is a gear transmission mechanism. Specifically, the driving component 310 includes a driving gear 313 fixedly mounted on the driving shaft 312, and the driven component 320 is a gear shaft having a driven gear 321 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 8 The drive gear 313 meshes with the driven gear 321 to transmit torque.

[0065] In an embodiment where the transmission mechanism 30 is a gear transmission mechanism, the drive shaft 312 is a stepped shaft design. Specifically, the drive shaft 312 has a protruding section 3122, and the drive gear 313 can be mounted against the protruding section 3122 to facilitate axial positioning of the drive gear 313. Further, a keyway 3123 is provided between the external spline shaft section 3121 and the protruding section 3122 near the protruding section 3122 for placing a flat key (not shown) and driving the drive gear 313 to rotate via the flat key. The other end of the drive shaft 312, excluding the external spline shaft section 3121, can be assembled with a bearing seat 41 fixed in the receiving recess 3.

[0066] Figure 8 The driven component 320 of the transmission mechanism 30 is shown; in this embodiment, it is a gear shaft. The driven component 320 is fixed relative to the winglet 2. Specifically, the driven component 320 has a driven gear 321 and a driven shaft 322, the driven gear 321 meshing with the drive gear 313 as described above. On both sides of the driven gear 321, splined sections 3221 are arranged on the driven shaft 322 for transmitting torque to the winglet 3. The driven shaft 322 can be assembled with bearing seats 42, 43 fixed in the receiving recess 3.

[0067] The drive mechanism of the present invention is implemented as follows: the linear actuator 10 outputs a linear drive load to stretch or compress the conversion mechanism 20, causing the chiral metamaterial 23 in the conversion mechanism 20 to generate a positive or negative torsion, converting the linear drive into a torsional drive, and acting on the drive block 311; the drive plate 311 transmits the torsional drive to the drive shaft 312, and the drive shaft 312 drives the drive gear 313 to rotate through a flat key; the drive gear 313 drives the driven gear 321 on the driven component 320 to rotate, thereby driving the driven component 320 to rotate, and finally the driven component 320 outputs a torsional torque to the winglet 3 to rotate the winglet 3, thereby achieving the tilt angle deflection of the winglet.

[0068] While the structure of the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above examples are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the invention. Therefore, modifications and variations can be made to the present invention, all of which will fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A drive mechanism for changing the tilt angle of a winglet, the drive mechanism being mounted between the wingtip of an aircraft and the winglet, the drive mechanism comprising: A linear actuator, one end of which is fixed to the wingtip and configured to output a linear load; A conversion mechanism, coupled to the linear actuator and configured to rotate in response to the linear load to output torque, the conversion mechanism comprising a first end plate, a second end plate, and a chiral metamaterial between the first and second end plates, the first end plate engaging the linear actuator, the chiral metamaterial being an array of unit cell structures; and A transmission mechanism, connected to the conversion mechanism and the winglet, transmits the torque to the winglet to change the winglet's tilt angle.

2. The drive mechanism for changing the tilt angle of the winglet as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The wingtip has a receiving recess, and the drive mechanism is mounted in the receiving recess of the wingtip.

3. The drive mechanism for changing the tilt angle of the winglet as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism includes a driving component and a driven component that engage with each other, the driving component being fixed relative to the conversion mechanism, and the driven component being fixed relative to the winglet.

4. The drive mechanism for changing the tilt angle of the winglet as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The driving component includes a driving block and a driving shaft. The driving block is fixed to the conversion mechanism, and the driving shaft is fixedly connected to the driving block.

5. The drive mechanism for changing the tilt angle of the winglet as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The drive block has an internal splined section, and one end of the drive shaft has an external splined section, the internal splined section matching the external splined section.

6. The drive mechanism for changing the tilt angle of the winglet as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The driving component includes a driving gear fixedly mounted on the driving shaft, and the driven component is a gear shaft with a driven gear, the driving gear meshing with the driven gear.

7. The drive mechanism for changing the tilt angle of the winglet as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The drive shaft has a protruding section, wherein the drive gear is mounted against the protruding section.

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