A universal hinged hub structure with hub elastic support and its working method

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of helicopter structural design, and discloses a universal hinged hub structure with a hub elastic support and a working method thereof; wherein the universal hinged hub structure includes: a ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub, a hub elastic support, a pitch change assembly, and a connecting bracket; the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub is used to connect to the rotor shaft of the helicopter; the pitch change assembly is installed on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub and is used to connect to the helicopter's blades; the hub elastic support is installed on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub, and the hub elastic support is installed with a connecting bracket, and the connecting bracket is used to connect to the helicopter's rotor shaft; the hub elastic support is used to support the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub and provide operating torque for the helicopter. The technical solution of the present invention discloses a ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub structure with a hub elastic support, which can overcome the technical defect that the existing traditional constant velocity universal hinged hub is difficult to provide operating torque.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of helicopter structural design, and in particular relates to a universal hinged propeller hub structure with propeller hub elastic support and a working method thereof. Background Art

[0002] The constant velocity universal hinged hub structure can weaken the aeroelastic coupling of the rotor, nacelle, and wing, improve aeroelastic stability, and avoid the problems of "ground resonance" and "air resonance" in helicopter mode. It is suitable for use in small and medium-sized helicopters or tilt-rotor aircraft.

[0003] In the current existing technology, the constant velocity universal hinge hub fully releases the hub's tilting direction of freedom, and the hub operating torque it can provide is almost zero, making it difficult to quickly and accurately control the hub's tilt. Further explanation: helicopters using constant velocity universal hinge hubs will basically lose their operational effectiveness, which is detrimental to the overall control of the helicopter and seriously affects the helicopter's maneuverability. In addition, during the tilting process, tilt-rotor aircraft (for explanation, a tilt-rotor aircraft is a type of helicopter) need to apply a tilting torque to the hub to achieve the transition between helicopter mode and fixed-wing flight mode. The defects of the above-mentioned existing technology limit the application of constant velocity universal hinges in tilt-rotor aircraft. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a universal hinged hub structure with elastic hub support and its operating method to address one or more of the above-mentioned technical problems. The technical solution provided by the present invention, specifically a ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub structure with elastic hub support, overcomes the technical drawback of conventional constant velocity universal hinged hubs, which have difficulty in providing operating torque.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a universal hinged propeller hub structure with a propeller hub elastic support, comprising: a ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub, a propeller hub elastic support, a pitch change assembly and a connecting bracket; wherein,

[0007] The ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub is used to connect with the rotor shaft of the helicopter;

[0008] The pitch-changing assembly is mounted on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub and is used to connect with the helicopter blades;

[0009] The propeller hub elastic support is installed on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub, and the propeller hub elastic support is installed with the connecting bracket, and the connecting bracket is used to be connected to the rotor shaft of the helicopter; wherein, the propeller hub elastic support is used to support the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub and provide operating torque for the helicopter.

[0010] A further improvement of the present invention is that the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub comprises: a star-shaped sleeve, a retaining frame, a steel ball and a trident; wherein,

[0011] The star-shaped sleeve is used to connect with the rotor shaft of the helicopter;

[0012] The three-pronged member is used to connect with the pitch-changing assembly;

[0013] The tripod is provided with a raceway, the steel ball contacts the raceway of the star sleeve and the tripod respectively, and the retaining frame is used to maintain the position of the steel ball; the steel ball is used to transmit torque from the star sleeve to the tripod; the tripod can tilt around the star sleeve to enable the helicopter blades to achieve cyclic pitch change.

[0014] A further improvement of the present invention is that the star sleeve is used to be connected to the rotor shaft of the helicopter. Specifically, the star sleeve is used to be connected to the rotor shaft of the helicopter through a spline.

[0015] A further improvement of the present invention is that the hub elastic support comprises: a lower gasket, an elastic body and an upper connecting plate; wherein,

[0016] The elastomer is fixedly arranged between the lower gasket and the upper connecting plate, the lower gasket is used to be connected to the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub, and the upper connecting plate is used to be connected to the connecting bracket; wherein, when the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub is tilted, the elastomer is compressed to provide operating torque.

[0017] A further improvement of the present invention is that the lower gasket, the elastic body and the upper connecting piece are vulcanized and formed into one piece.

[0018] A further improvement of the present invention is that the elastomer is a rubber elastomer.

[0019] A further improvement of the present invention is that the pitch change assembly includes two deep groove ball bearings, a thrust ball bearing and a pitch change housing; wherein,

[0020] The deep groove ball bearing and the thrust ball bearing are used to support the pitch change housing on the tripod member, and the pitch change assembly can rotate around the extended shaft of the tripod member;

[0021] The variable pitch housing is used to be connected to the blades.

[0022] A further improvement of the present invention is that the helicopter is a tilt-rotor aircraft.

[0023] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for operating the universal hinged hub structure with hub elastic support according to the first aspect of the present invention, comprising:

[0024] The ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub is connected to the rotor shaft of the helicopter; the pitch change assembly is installed on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub and is connected to the helicopter blade; the propeller hub elastic support is installed on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub, the propeller hub elastic support is installed with the connecting bracket, and the connecting bracket is connected to the rotor shaft of the helicopter;

[0025] When the helicopter maneuvers, the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub tilts under the action of external force, and the hub elastic support is compressed to generate elastic torque, which provides operating torque, suppresses the tilt of the propeller disc, and prompts the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub to follow the movement of the helicopter, making the helicopter move according to the predetermined trajectory.

[0026] A further improvement of the present invention is that the helicopter maneuvers in the form of turning, flying forward or tilting.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0028] In response to the problem that it is difficult for existing traditional constant velocity universal hinged hubs to apply operating torque to the hub, the present invention provides a universal hinged hub structure with a hub elastic support, which adds a hub elastic support to the ball cage type constant velocity universal hub, and uses the elastic deformation of the hub elastic support when the hub is tilted to provide a reverse support force, which can effectively provide an operating torque for the hub; it can solve the problem that traditional constant velocity universal hinged hubs are difficult to provide operating torque, can improve the operating efficiency of universal hinged hub helicopters, and can be applied to tilt-rotor aircraft, providing an effective method for the development of new tilt-rotor aircraft in my country. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art; obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention, and for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0030] Figure 1 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a universal hinged propeller hub structure including propeller hub elastic support in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram of the assembly effect of a universal hinged propeller hub structure including propeller hub elastic support in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Explanation of the reference numerals in the figures:

[0033] 1. Ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub; 11. Star sleeve; 12. Cage; 13. Steel ball; 14. Trident piece;

[0034] 2. Hub elastic support; 21. Lower gasket; 22. Elastomer; 23. Upper connecting plate;

[0035] 3. Pitch change assembly; 31. Deep groove ball bearing; 32. Thrust ball bearing; 33. Pitch change housing;

[0036] 4. Connecting bracket; 5. Rotor shaft; 6. Propeller blade. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solutions of the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like in the specification and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or precedence. It should be understood that the numbers used in this manner are interchangeable where appropriate so that the embodiments of the present invention described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having," as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0039] The present invention is described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0040] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The embodiment of the present invention provides a universal hinged propeller hub structure with a hub elastic support, specifically a ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub structure with a hub elastic support for a helicopter, comprising: a ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub 1, a hub elastic support 2, a pitch change assembly 3 and a connecting bracket 4; wherein,

[0041] The ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub 1 is used to connect with the rotor shaft 5;

[0042] The pitch-changing assembly 3 is mounted on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub 1 for connecting with the blade 6; for explanation, the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub 1 is used to support the blade 6, transmit the torque of the rotor shaft 5 to the blade 6, and drive the blade 6 to rotate;

[0043] The hub elastic support 2 is installed on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub 1 (specifically, it can be installed by screw connection), and the hub elastic support 2 is used to be connected to the rotor shaft 5 through the connecting bracket 4 (specifically, it can be connected by bolts); explanatory, the hub elastic support 2 is used to support the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub 1 and provide operating torque for the helicopter to improve the operating performance of the helicopter.

[0044] Specifically explaining an embodiment of the present invention, the propeller hub elastic support 2 is connected to a connecting bracket 4, which is used to connect to the rotor shaft 5. The propeller hub elastic support 2 provides axial support and positioning for the ball-jointed constant velocity universal joint propeller hub 1, providing operating torque when the ball-jointed constant velocity universal joint propeller hub 1 is tilted. Furthermore, the pitch control assembly 3 is mounted on the ball-jointed constant velocity universal joint propeller hub 1, and the blades 6 are mounted on the pitch control assembly 3. The helicopter drive unit sequentially transmits power to the blades 6 through the rotor shaft 5, the ball-jointed constant velocity universal joint propeller hub 1, and the pitch control assembly 3, driving the blades 6 to rotate and providing lift for the helicopter.

[0045] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub 1 comprises: a star sleeve 11, a retainer 12, a steel ball 13, and a trident 14. The steel ball 13 contacts the raceways of the star sleeve 11 and the trident 14, respectively. The star sleeve 11 transmits torque to the trident 14 via the steel ball 13. The retainer 12 is used to maintain the position of the steel ball 13, preventing it from slipping out of the star sleeve 11 and the trident 14 raceways. To further explain, the star sleeve 11 is used to connect to the rotor shaft 5 and transmit torque to the rotor shaft 5. The trident 14 is used to connect to the pitch control assembly 3 and transmit torque transmitted from the steel ball 13 to the pitch control assembly 3. The trident 14 can tilt around the star sleeve 11, enabling the helicopter blades 6 to achieve cyclic pitch control. Specifically, the star sleeve 11 can be connected to the rotor shaft 5 via a spline to transmit torque to the rotor shaft 5.

[0046] In a further preferred technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention, the hub elastic support 2 includes a lower gasket 21, an elastic body 22 and an upper connecting piece 23; wherein, the elastic body 22 is located between the lower gasket 21 and the upper connecting piece 23. After the lower gasket 21, the elastic body 22 and the upper connecting piece 23 are assembled, they can be placed in a mold for vulcanization and integrally formed to form the hub elastic support 2; the lower gasket 21 can be connected to the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub 1 by screws, and the upper connecting piece 23 can be connected to the connecting bracket 4 by screws, and the connecting bracket 4 is used to connect to the rotor shaft 5. Explanatoryally, by adopting the connection method of the embodiment of the present invention, the hub elastic support 2 can achieve flexible support for the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub 1. When the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub 1 tilts, the elastic body 22 is compressed to provide operating torque, thereby improving the operating performance of the helicopter. To further explain, due to its own strong flexibility, the elastomer 22 is difficult to connect directly to the hub and rotor shaft. By adopting the connection scheme of the embodiment of the present invention, the lower gasket 21 and the upper connecting plate 23 can be flexibly adjusted according to the universal hub structure to connect to the hub without changing the elastomer structure, which is highly flexible and adaptable. In addition, the elasticity of the elastomer can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual control torque requirements of the helicopter to adapt to different helicopter operating conditions. In summary, in the embodiment of the present invention, the elastomer structure is simple, the elasticity adjustment is simple and easy, the connection structure is stable and reliable, and the applicability is strong, which is conducive to promotion and application.

[0047] To explain in further detail, the lower gasket 21 is connected to the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub 1, the upper connecting plate 23 is connected to the rotor shaft 5 through the connecting bracket 4, and the hub elastic support 2 supports the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub 1; wherein, when the helicopter is maneuvering (for example, such as the helicopter turning, flying forward or tilting, etc.), since the pitching freedom of the blade disc of the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub 1 is released, the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub 1 will tilt under the action of external force, and the elastic body 22 is compressed to generate elastic torque, providing operating torque, suppressing the tilting of the blade disc, and prompting the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub 1 to follow the movement of the helicopter, so that the helicopter moves according to the predetermined trajectory, improving the operational performance of the helicopter, and ensuring the flight quality of the helicopter. If there is no hub elastic support, the helicopter will lose operational control of the hub during maneuvering, and the helicopter faces the risk of losing control. Therefore, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention can effectively improve the flight quality of the helicopter.

[0048] In a further preferred technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention, the pitch change assembly 3 includes two deep groove ball bearings 31, a thrust ball bearing 32 and a pitch change housing 33; wherein, the deep groove ball bearings 31 and the thrust ball bearing 32 support the pitch change housing 33 on the tripod 14, and the axial positioning of the deep groove ball bearings 31 and the thrust ball bearing 32 is completed by using round nuts and shaft shoulders. Using this structure, the pitch change assembly 3 can rotate around the axis extending from the tripod 14 to realize the pitch change function of the blade 6; the pitch change housing 33 is connected to the blade 6 to realize the support of the blade 6, and transmits the torque of the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub 1 to the blade 6, realizing the pitch change and rotation function of the blade 6 around the rotor shaft 5.

[0049] The embodiment of the present invention discloses a ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub structure, comprising a ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub, a hub elastic support, a pitch control assembly, a rotor shaft, and a connecting bracket. The ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub is connected to the rotor shaft, the pitch control assembly is mounted on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub, the blades are connected to the pitch control assembly, the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub is used to support the blades, transmit rotor shaft torque to the blades, and drive the blades to rotate. The hub elastic support is mounted on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub, connected to the rotor shaft via a connecting bracket, and the hub elastic support is used to support the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub to provide operating torque for a helicopter. The present invention can enhance helicopter operating performance and suppress blade vibration. In particular, it can provide hub tilting torque for a tiltrotor during tilting, providing a reference for the design of a helicopter ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub structure.

[0050] In summary, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention is a ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub structure with elastic hub support for helicopters, which can overcome the disadvantage that traditional constant velocity universal hinged hubs are difficult to provide operating torque; when the helicopter is maneuvering, the universal hub can be effectively controlled to follow the movement of the helicopter, preventing the hub from freely tilting under the action of external force due to the lack of operating torque, causing the risk of the helicopter losing control, and can greatly enhance the operating performance of the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub helicopter, improve the maneuverability of the helicopter, and significantly improve the effect. In addition, the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub structure with elastic hub support provided by the present invention can promote the application of constant velocity universal hinged hubs to tilt-rotor aircraft, increase the application range of constant velocity universal hinged hubs, provide technical support for the development of small and medium-sized helicopters, and have high commercial value and promotion value.

[0051] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, ordinary technicians in the field should understand that the specific implementation methods of the present invention can still be modified or replaced by equivalents. Any modification or equivalent replacement that does not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be covered by the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A universal hinged hub structure with hub elastic support, characterized in that: include: A ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub (1), a propeller hub elastic support (2), a pitch change assembly (3) and a connecting bracket (4); wherein, The ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub (1) is used to be connected to the rotor shaft (5) of the helicopter; The pitch-changing assembly (3) is mounted on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub (1) and is used to connect with the helicopter blade (6); The propeller hub elastic support (2) is mounted on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinge propeller hub (1), and the propeller hub elastic support (2) is mounted with the connecting bracket (4), and the connecting bracket (4) is used to be connected to the rotor shaft (5) of the helicopter; wherein the propeller hub elastic support (2) is used to support the ball cage constant velocity universal hinge propeller hub (1) and provide operating torque for the helicopter; in, The ball cage constant velocity universal hinged hub (1) comprises: a star sleeve (11), a retainer (12), a steel ball (13) and a trident (14); wherein the star sleeve (11) is used to be connected to the rotor shaft (5) of the helicopter; the trident (14) is used to be connected to the pitch change assembly (3); the trident (14) is provided with a raceway, the steel ball (13) is in contact with the raceways of the star sleeve (11) and the trident (14) respectively, and the retainer (12) is used to maintain the position of the steel ball (13); the steel ball (13) is used to transmit torque from the star sleeve (11) to the trident (14); the trident (14) can tilt around the star sleeve (11) to enable the helicopter blade (6) to achieve cyclic pitch change; The propeller hub elastic support (2) comprises: a lower gasket (21), an elastic body (22) and an upper connecting piece (23); wherein the elastic body (22) is fixedly arranged between the lower gasket (21) and the upper connecting piece (23); the lower gasket (21) is used to connect with the ball cage constant velocity universal hinge propeller hub (1), and the upper connecting piece (23) is used to connect with the connecting bracket (4); wherein, when the ball cage constant velocity universal hinge propeller hub (1) tilts, the elastic body (22) is compressed to provide an operating torque; the lower gasket (21), the elastic body (22) and the upper connecting piece (23) are vulcanized and integrally formed; the elastic body (22) is a rubber elastic body; The helicopter is a tilt-rotor aircraft.

2. A universal hinged propeller hub structure with propeller hub elastic support according to claim 1, characterized in that: The star-shaped sleeve (11) is used to be connected to the rotor shaft (5) of the helicopter. Specifically, the star-shaped sleeve (11) is used to be connected to the rotor shaft (5) of the helicopter via a spline.

3. A universal hinged propeller hub structure with propeller hub elastic support according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pitch change assembly (3) comprises two deep groove ball bearings (31), a thrust ball bearing (32) and a pitch change housing (33); wherein, The deep groove ball bearing (31) and the thrust ball bearing (32) are used to support the pitch change housing (33) on the three-pronged member (14), and the pitch change assembly (3) is capable of rotating around the extended axis of the three-pronged member (14); The variable pitch housing (33) is used to be connected to the blade (6).

4. A method for operating the universal hinged hub structure with hub elastic support according to claim 1, characterized in that: include: The ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub (1) is connected to the rotor shaft (5) of the helicopter; the pitch change assembly (3) is mounted on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub (1) and connected to the helicopter blade (6); the propeller hub elastic support (2) is mounted on the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub (1), the propeller hub elastic support (2) is equipped with the connecting bracket (4), and the connecting bracket (4) is connected to the rotor shaft (5) of the helicopter; When the helicopter is maneuvering, the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub (1) tilts under the action of an external force, and the propeller hub elastic support (2) is compressed to generate an elastic torque, providing an operating torque to suppress the tilting of the propeller disc, thereby prompting the ball cage constant velocity universal hinged propeller hub (1) to follow the movement of the helicopter, so that the helicopter moves according to a predetermined trajectory.

5. The working method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The helicopter maneuvers are performed in the form of turning, flying forward or banking.

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