Flap control method and system

Abstract

The invention discloses a flap control method and system.The system comprises a controller, a flexible shaft, a left driving unit, a left transmission mechanism, a left flap, a right driving unit, a right transmission mechanism and a right flap, the controller is in signal connection with the left driving unit and the right driving unit, and the right driving unit drives the right flap through the right transmission mechanism; the flexible shaft is connected between the left transmission mechanism and the right transmission mechanism, and the left driving unit drives the left flap through the left transmission mechanism. According to the method capable of being achieved through the system, deflection of flaps on the two sides is controlled, and the safety of the system is guaranteed when the driving unit breaks down or is clamped through flexible shaft linkage and controller control. The flap control method and system are high in safety and reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aircraft control, and in particular to a flap control method and system. Background Art

[0002] The flap control system of an aircraft can mainly change the curvature and area of ​​the wing by controlling the flaps to increase the lift of the aircraft during takeoff and the lift and drag during landing, thereby shortening the takeoff and taxiing distance of the aircraft. Most of the existing flap control system architectures are driven by a flap drive device to simultaneously drive the mechanical transmission devices on the left and right sides of the aircraft to achieve flap deflection control. For example, the Chinese invention patent with the announcement number CN111516856B discloses a wing surface drive mechanism, which drives the deflection of the flaps on the left and right sides of the aircraft simultaneously through an electromechanical actuator and a connecting rod slider mechanism.

[0003] However, this flap control architecture relies on only one drive device to drive the flaps on both sides of the aircraft. The transmission line is long and there are too many components, which can easily cause the flap transmission system to get stuck or disengage. When a jam or disengagement failure occurs, this control architecture and system cannot adaptively get rid of the fault and maintain the flap in the current fault position, which leads to the loss of the entire flap retractable function, posing a great safety risk. Summary of the invention

[0004] A first object of the present invention is to provide a flap control method with high safety and reliability.

[0005] A second object of the present invention is to provide a flap control system with high safety and reliability.

[0006] The first object of the present invention provides a flap control method, which adopts the above-mentioned flap control system, and the flap control method includes the following steps: the controller calculates and generates a control signal according to the control signal from the control device, the left displacement detection signal from the left line displacement sensor, and the right displacement detection signal from the right line displacement sensor; the controller controls the left brake to release the brake on the left drive unit, and the controller controls the right brake to release the brake on the right drive unit; the controller controls the left drive unit and the right drive unit to rotate according to the control signal; when it is determined by the left displacement detection signal and the right displacement detection signal obtained in real time that the left ball screw assembly and the right ball screw assembly have reached the target position, the controller controls the left drive unit and the right drive unit to stop running, and the controller controls the left brake and the right brake to brake the left drive unit and the right drive unit respectively; when the left drive unit fails, the controller controls the left brake to release the brake on the left drive unit, the controller controls the right drive unit to rotate, and drives the left transmission mechanism through the flexible shaft; or; when the right drive unit fails, the controller controls the right brake to release the brake on the right drive unit, the controller controls the left drive unit to rotate, and drives the right transmission mechanism through the flexible shaft.

[0007] It can be seen from the above scheme that the controller needs to collect the control signal of the control device and the displacement detection signal of the linear displacement sensors on both sides, thereby generating a control signal for controlling the drive unit, and detects the ball screw assembly in real time through the displacement detection signal. The drive unit stops when the target position is reached. During the operation of the drive unit, the controller needs to control the brakes on both sides to release the brakes on the drive unit, and re-brake the drive unit after the operation is completed and keep the flaps in the current position; when one side of the drive unit fails, the controller controls the brake on that side to release the brakes on the drive unit, so that the drive unit on that side can idle, and the drive unit on the other side can drive the transmission mechanism on the current side through the flexible shaft to operate and allow the flaps on both sides to deflect.

[0008] A preferred solution is that in the step of the controller controlling the rotation of the left drive unit and the right drive unit according to the control signal: the left speed detection signal is obtained in real time through the left speed sensor, and the right speed detection signal is obtained in real time through the right speed sensor; the control signal is updated according to the numerical difference between the left speed detection signal and the right speed detection signal to make the left drive unit and the right drive unit rotate synchronously.

[0009] It can be seen that the rotation speeds of the drive units on both sides may be inconsistent during operation. At this time, the control unit can obtain the current rotation speeds of the drive units on both sides according to the rotation speed sensors on both sides and adjust and update the control signals to make the drive units on both sides rotate synchronously.

[0010] A further solution is that when the controller controls any one of the left drive unit and the right drive unit to rotate and become stuck, the controller controls the left brake and the right brake to brake the left drive unit and the right drive unit respectively.

[0011] It can be seen that when the drive unit on one side is stuck, in order to ensure the safety of the system, the controller controls the brakes on both sides to brake simultaneously so that the drive units on both sides are locked in the current position.

[0012] The second purpose of the present invention provides a flap control system, which is used for the above-mentioned flap control method. The flap control system includes a controller, a flexible shaft, a left drive unit, a left transmission mechanism, a left flap, a right drive unit, a right transmission mechanism and a right flap. The controller signal is connected to the left drive unit and the right drive unit. The left drive unit drives the left flap through the left transmission mechanism, and the right drive unit drives the right flap through the right transmission mechanism. The flexible shaft is connected between the left transmission mechanism and the right transmission mechanism.

[0013] It can be seen from the above scheme that the present application adopts two drive units to drive the left flap and the right flap independently, shortening the transmission line from the drive unit to the flap, and reducing the problem of a single drive unit driving two flaps with a long transmission line and too many components, which is prone to jamming. In addition, the left transmission mechanism and the right transmission mechanism are connected by a flexible shaft. When an abnormality occurs in the drive unit on one side, the other drive unit can drive the flaps on both sides to operate through the flexible shaft, thereby improving flight safety. At the same time, the flexible shaft allows the transmission speed of the transmission mechanism on both sides to be inconsistent due to inconsistent external pressure on the flaps on both sides, thereby providing redundant space for the controller to update the control instructions and coordinate the rotation of the drive units on both sides.

[0014] The preferred solution is that the left transmission mechanism includes a left reduction assembly, a left ball screw assembly and a left connecting rod assembly, the right transmission mechanism includes a right reduction assembly, a right ball screw assembly and a right connecting rod assembly, the left drive unit is sequentially connected to the left reduction assembly, the left ball screw assembly, the left connecting rod assembly and the left flap, the right drive unit is sequentially connected to the right reduction assembly, the right ball screw assembly, the right connecting rod assembly and the right flap, and the flexible shaft is connected between the left reduction assembly and the right reduction assembly.

[0015] It can be seen that the transmission mechanisms on both sides can reduce the output torque of the drive unit through the reduction assembly and output it to the ball screw assembly. The ball screw assembly can convert the rotational motion of the reduction assembly into linear motion, and then drive the flaps to deflect through the connecting rod assembly. The flexible shaft is connected between the reduction assemblies on both sides so that when the drive unit on one side fails, the torque sent to the reduction assembly by the drive unit on the other side can be transmitted to the reduction assembly on this side in time, thereby driving the flaps on both sides to deflect at the same time.

[0016] A further solution is that it also includes a left speed sensor, a left linear displacement sensor, a right speed sensor and a right linear displacement sensor. The controller signal is connected to the left speed sensor, the left linear displacement sensor, the right speed sensor and the right linear displacement sensor. The left speed sensor and the right speed sensor are used to detect the speeds of the left drive unit and the right drive unit, respectively. The left linear displacement sensor and the right linear displacement sensor are used to detect the displacement of the left ball screw assembly and the right ball screw assembly, respectively.

[0017] It can be seen that the speed sensor can output the speed signal of the drive unit to the controller, and the controller can update the control signal accordingly to make the speeds of the drive units on both sides consistent. The linear displacement sensor can output the displacement signal of the ball screw assembly to the controller, and the controller can determine the current position of the flap and whether it has deflected to the target position based on the signal.

[0018] A further solution is that it also includes a left brake and a right brake, the controller signal is connected to the left brake and the right brake, the left brake is used to brake the left drive unit, and the right brake is used to brake the right drive unit.

[0019] It can be seen from this that the controller can brake or release the left drive unit and the right drive unit through the left brake and the right brake. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention is further described using the accompanying drawings, but the embodiments in the accompanying drawings do not constitute any limitation to the present invention. A person skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on the following drawings without creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a flap control system of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of some components on the right side of an embodiment of a flap control system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The technical solution of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments 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 creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a flap control system, including a controller, a flexible shaft 3, a left drive unit, a left transmission mechanism, a left flap, a right drive unit 51, a right transmission mechanism and a right flap, wherein the left transmission mechanism includes a left reduction assembly, a left ball screw assembly and a left connecting rod assembly, and the right transmission mechanism includes a right reduction assembly 521, a right ball screw assembly 522 and a right connecting rod assembly 523, and the controller is connected to the left drive unit and the right drive unit 51 by signal, and the controller can send a control signal to the left drive unit and the right drive unit 51 to make the left drive unit and the right drive unit 51 rotate and control the deflection of the left flap and the right flap respectively, and the left drive unit and the right drive unit 51 are drive motors. In addition, this embodiment also includes a control device, which is connected to the controller by signal, and the control device can send a control signal to the controller to control the deflection of the left flap and the right flap.

[0025] The driving torque of the left driving unit is decelerated by the left reduction assembly in sequence, the left ball screw assembly converts the rotational motion into linear motion, and the left connecting rod assembly is driven to finally control the deflection of the left flap. The driving torque of the right driving unit 51 is decelerated by the right reduction assembly 521 in sequence, the right ball screw assembly 522 converts the rotational motion into linear motion, and the right connecting rod assembly 523 is driven to finally control the deflection of the right flap. A flexible shaft 3 is connected between the left reduction assembly and the right reduction assembly 521 so that when an abnormality occurs in one of the driving units, the driving unit on the other side can drive the flaps on both sides to deflect simultaneously.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the flap control system under this embodiment also includes a left speed sensor, a left linear displacement sensor, a right speed sensor 621 and a right linear displacement sensor 622 which are respectively connected to the control unit signal. The left speed sensor is used to detect the speed of the left drive unit, the right speed sensor 621 is used to detect the speed of the right drive unit 51, the left linear displacement sensor is used to detect the displacement size of the left ball screw assembly, and the right linear displacement sensor 622 is used to detect the displacement size of the right ball screw assembly 522. The signals of these four sensors are all sent to the control unit. It should be noted that, with reference to Figure 2 In this embodiment, the right ball screw assembly 522 includes a screw portion and a threaded portion, the threaded portion is threadedly connected to the screw portion, the threaded portion can be driven to rotate by the reduction assembly but its relative position remains unchanged, and at this time the screw portion can move along its extension direction, thereby converting the rotational motion into linear motion and driving the right connecting rod assembly 523, the linear displacement sensor can be used to detect the position of the threaded portion on the screw portion, and the control portion determines the current deflection position of the flap according to the relative position of the threaded portion and the screw portion.

[0027] This embodiment also includes a left brake and a right brake 72, both of which are connected to the control unit signal. The left brake is used to brake or release the left drive unit, and the right brake 72 is used to brake or release the right drive unit 51.

[0028] This embodiment also provides a flap control method, which adopts the above-mentioned flap control system. The flap control method includes the following steps: The controller collects the left displacement detection signal from the left displacement sensor and the right displacement detection signal from the right displacement sensor, and can obtain the current deflection position of the left flap and the right flap according to the detection signal. At the same time, the controller also combines the control signal from the control device to calculate the control signal for controlling the left drive unit and the right drive unit. Before controlling the left drive unit and the right drive unit, the controller first controls the left brake to release the left drive unit and controls the right brake to release the right drive unit; After the brake is released, the controller controls the left drive unit and the right drive unit to rotate according to the calculated control signal and drives the left flap and the right flap to deflect to the target position; During the deflection of the left flap and the right flap, the controller obtains the left displacement detection signal and the right displacement detection signal in real time. When the signal shows that the left ball screw assembly and the right ball screw assembly have reached the target position, the controller controls the left drive unit and the right drive unit to stop running, and the left flap and the right flap stop at the target position; Finally, the controller controls the left brake and the right brake to brake the left drive unit and the right drive unit respectively, so that the left flap and the right flap are maintained at the target position.

[0029] In this embodiment, since the left flap and the right flap may be affected by the external airflow and cause uneven force, which in turn causes a difference in the deflection speed of the left flap and the right flap, during the process of the controller controlling the rotation of the left drive unit and the right drive unit according to the control signal, the controller will also receive in real time the left speed detection signal obtained in real time from the left speed sensor and the right speed detection signal obtained in real time from the right speed sensor. The controller will adjust the control signal in real time according to the difference between the left speed detection signal and the right speed detection signal. The specific implementation method is to adjust the duty cycle of the PWM wave of the two drive units to control the speed of the two drive units so that the left drive unit and the right drive unit rotate synchronously.

[0030] In addition, under the present embodiment, when the left drive unit fails, the controller will control the left brake to release the brake on the left drive unit so that the rotor of the left drive unit can idle. When the operating device sends a signal requiring deflection, the controller controls the right drive unit to rotate and drive the right transmission mechanism. At this time, the left transmission mechanism can be driven by the flexible shaft connected between the left reduction assembly and the right reduction assembly, thereby enabling the right drive unit to drive the left flap and the right flap to deflect together. The processing logic when the right drive unit fails is the same as that of the left drive unit and will not be repeated here.

[0031] In this embodiment, when any one of the left drive unit and the right drive unit is stuck in rotation, the controller will simultaneously control the left brake to brake the left drive unit and control the right brake to brake the right drive unit to ensure the safety of the current system.

[0032] The above embodiment only expresses one implementation mode of the present invention, and its description is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this field, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be based on the attached claims.

Claims

1. A flap control method, characterized in that: The flap control method comprises the following steps: The controller calculates and generates a control signal according to a manipulation signal from the manipulation device, a left displacement detection signal from the left line displacement sensor, and a right displacement detection signal from the right line displacement sensor; The controller controls the left brake to release the brake on the left drive unit, and the controller controls the right brake to release the brake on the right drive unit; The controller controls the left driving unit and the right driving unit to rotate according to the control signal; When it is determined through the left displacement detection signal and the right displacement detection signal acquired in real time that the left ball screw assembly and the right ball screw assembly have both reached the target position, the controller controls the left drive unit and the right drive unit to stop running, and the controller controls the left brake and the right brake to brake the left drive unit and the right drive unit respectively; When the left drive unit fails, the controller controls the left brake to release the brake of the left drive unit, and the controller controls the right drive unit to rotate and drive the left transmission mechanism through the flexible shaft; or; When the right driving unit fails, the controller controls the right brake to release the brake on the right driving unit, and the controller controls the left driving unit to rotate and drives the right transmission mechanism through the flexible shaft.

2. A flap control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the step of the controller controlling the left driving unit and the right driving unit to rotate according to the control signal: The left speed detection signal is obtained in real time through the left speed sensor, and the right speed detection signal is obtained in real time through the right speed sensor; The control signal is updated according to the numerical difference between the left rotation speed detection signal and the right rotation speed detection signal to make the left drive unit and the right drive unit rotate synchronously.

3. A flap control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When the controller controls any one of the left driving unit and the right driving unit to rotate and become stuck, the controller controls the left brake and the right brake to brake the left driving unit and the right driving unit respectively.

4. A flap control system, characterized in that: The flap control system is used to implement the flap control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and the flap control system includes the controller, the flexible shaft, the left drive unit, the left transmission mechanism, the left flap, the right drive unit, the right transmission mechanism and the right flap, the controller signal is connected to the left drive unit and the right drive unit, the left drive unit drives the left flap through the left transmission mechanism, the right drive unit drives the right flap through the right transmission mechanism, and the flexible shaft is connected between the left transmission mechanism and the right transmission mechanism.

5. A flap control system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The left transmission mechanism includes a left reduction assembly, a left ball screw assembly and a left connecting rod assembly; the right transmission mechanism includes a right reduction assembly, a right ball screw assembly and a right connecting rod assembly; the left drive unit is sequentially connected to the left reduction assembly, the left ball screw assembly, the left connecting rod assembly and the left flap; the right drive unit is sequentially connected to the right reduction assembly, the right ball screw assembly, the right connecting rod assembly and the right flap; the flexible shaft is connected between the left reduction assembly and the right reduction assembly.

6. A flap control system according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a left rotation speed sensor, a left linear displacement sensor, a right rotation speed sensor and a right linear displacement sensor. The controller signal is connected to the left rotation speed sensor, the left linear displacement sensor, the right rotation speed sensor and the right linear displacement sensor. The left rotation speed sensor and the right rotation speed sensor are respectively used to detect the rotation speeds of the left drive unit and the right drive unit. The left linear displacement sensor and the right linear displacement sensor are respectively used to detect the displacement sizes of the left ball screw assembly and the right ball screw assembly.

7. A flap control system according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes the left brake and the right brake, the controller signal is connected to the left brake and the right brake, the left brake is used to brake the left drive unit, and the right brake is used to brake the right drive unit.

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