Wing for aircraft, high-lift assembly, roller unit and aircraft

Abstract

The invention relates to a wing for an aircraft, a high lift assembly, a roller unit, and an aircraft. The wing comprises a main wing and a high-lift assembly, and the high-lift assembly comprises a high-lift body and a connecting assembly. A connection assembly connects the high lift body to the main wing such that the high lift body is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The connection assembly includes an elongate rail extending along a rail longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end and having an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end. The first end and / or intermediate portion is mounted to the high lift body and the second end and / or intermediate portion is mounted to the main wing by a roller support such that the track is movable along the track longitudinal axis. The roller support device includes a roller unit mounted to the main wing and having a circumferential roller surface that engages an engagement surface provided at the track. The roller unit includes a resilient support that allows the roller surface to adjust its orientation or form.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a wing for an aircraft, a high lift assembly and a roller unit associated with the wing, and an aircraft comprising the wing. Background Art

[0002] The described wing for an aircraft comprises a main wing and a high lift assembly, the high lift assembly comprising a high lift body and a connection assembly, the connection assembly movably connecting the high lift body to the main wing so that the high lift body can move between a retracted position and at least one extended position (e.g., can move relative to the main wing). The high lift body can be a leading edge slat or a trailing edge flap for a wing of an aircraft, or can include a leading edge slat or a trailing edge flap for a wing of an aircraft.

[0003] The connection assembly includes an elongated track extending along a track longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end and having a middle portion located between the first end and the second end. At least one or both of the first end and the middle portion of the elongated track are mounted to the high lift body.

[0004] The first end may correspond to the front end of the connection assembly, for example, the end positioned toward the expected direction of forward movement of the wing during flight of the aircraft. Alternatively, the first end may correspond to the rear end of the connection assembly, for example, the end positioned to sense the expected direction of forward movement of the wind during flight of the aircraft. In the case where the high-lift body is a leading edge slat or includes a leading edge slat, then the first end may correspond to the front end of the connection assembly. In the case where the high-lift body is a trailing edge flap or includes a trailing edge flap, then the first end may correspond to the rear end of the connection assembly.

[0005] The first end of the elongated track can be preferably mounted to the leading edge slat or the trailing edge flap by any appropriate means, for example, by one or more spherical bearing devices. As will be described, the second end of the elongated track can be preferably mounted to the main wing by a roller bearing device, so that the elongated track and the leading edge slat or the trailing edge flap can move relative to the main wing. The elongated track can be in the form of, for example, a C-shape, so that its surface is relatively positioned with the circumferential surface of the roller bearing device, wherein the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface of the elongated track is greater than the diameter of the roller bearing device, so that the roller bearing device can only engage with one of the upper surface or the lower surface of the elongated track at any time. That is, the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface of the elongated track is selected so that a gap is provided between the roller bearing device and the upper surface or the lower surface of the elongated track, so that the roller bearing device cannot engage with the upper surface and the lower surface of the elongated track at the same time and thus wedge into it.

[0006] At least one of the second end and the middle portion of the track is mounted to the main wing by a roller bearing arrangement such that the track is movable along a longitudinal axis of the track, for example along a predetermined path on the longitudinal axis of the track, such as between a stowed position in which the high-lift body is in a retracted position and a deployed position in which the high-lift body is in one of at least one extended position.

[0007] The roller support device comprises at least one roller unit which is mounted to the main wing and can rotate about a roller rotation axis. In addition, the roller support device comprises a circumferential roller surface which engages with an engagement surface provided on the elongated track. Preferably, the engagement surface may be provided on the middle portion and / or the second end of the elongated track. The roller unit may be mounted to the main wing in any suitable manner, for example may be fixed or fastened to the main wing, for example may be bolted to the main wing.

[0008] It is known that a wing for an aircraft having a connection assembly that movably connects a high-lift body to a main wing includes a roller bearing. In an ideal scenario, a conventional roller bearing will be provided to enable the high-lift body to perform rolling motion relative to the wing of the aircraft via the connection assembly. The conventional roller bearing may be generally cylindrical in shape and may include a curved roller surface that is defined by a constant diameter along the length of the roller bearing. Under ideal loads, the roller surface of a conventional roller forms an elongated contact area between the roller bearing and the engagement surface, wherein the load is evenly distributed along the contact area. However, in the case of an angular misalignment between the axis of the roller and the engagement surface, the length of the contact area may be significantly reduced, and may even be reduced to a point load, resulting in a large stress concentration in the contact area. This may result in damage to one or both of the roller bearing and the engagement surface.

[0009] One possible way to avoid this problem is to use a crowned roller bearing, wherein the diameter of the roller bearing is variable along the length of the roller bearing, so that the shape of the roller bearing surface is convex in the longitudinal direction of the bearing, and the convex surface has a predetermined constant radius along its length. The use of a crowned roller bearing means that a small alignment of the axis of the roller bearing relative to the engagement surface still enables normal engagement or at least functional engagement of the roller bearing with the engagement surface. However, this solution has the disadvantage that the contact area between the bearing and the engagement surface is still severely limited in size. Therefore, this solution helps to avoid point loads, but still causes a moderate degree of stress concentration in the contact area. Therefore, over time, such a bearing may still cause damage to the roller bearing or the engagement surface. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a roller bearing that can be used to provide or facilitate movement between an aircraft wing and a high-lift assembly under conditions in which the axis of rotation of the bearing is angularly misaligned relative to the engagement surface, so as to avoid damage to the roller bearing or the engagement surface. Summary of the invention

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple, lightweight and low maintenance design of the main wing and the associated high lift body and roller units.

[0011] The object is achieved in the following manner: the roller unit comprises an internal elastic support which allows the roller surface to adjust its orientation or form when viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller rotation axis. For example, the internal elastic support may allow the roller surface to be reoriented relative to the roller rotation axis, such as allowing a change in the angle of the roller surface relative to the roller rotation axis. In the case where the roller surface is in a straight form in the longitudinal direction, the elastic support may allow the surface to be reoriented away from or towards an orientation parallel to the roller rotation axis. In the case where the roller surface has a curved form, the elastic support may allow the angle of the curved portion relative to the roller rotation axis to be reoriented so as to achieve a change in the section of the curved surface that is maintained parallel to the roller rotation axis. For example, a section of the curved portion that is longitudinally centered on the curved surface may be reoriented from being parallel to the roller rotation axis to being maintained at a certain angle relative to the roller rotation axis.

[0012] The internal elastic support may be in the form of an elastomeric support. In addition, the roller unit may comprise a radially outer portion and a radially inner portion, wherein the elastic support may be arranged between the radially outer portion and the radially inner portion such that the radially outer portion may be tilted around a tilting axis perpendicular to the roller rotation axis. The tilting of the radially outer portion may be in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the tilting may be meaningful when viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller rotation axis. Thus, this configuration may help to adapt the orientation of the roller surface to the orientation of the elongated track during engagement between the roller surface and the elongated track. Thus, a larger contact area may be provided during use.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, when viewed in a cross section parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller, the roller surface may have a convex curved form such that the radius of curvature increases continuously from the lateral edge as it approaches the center of the roller surface. Thus, the contact area between the roller surface and the engagement surface increases, in particular, the contact area between the roller surface and the engagement surface may increase with an increase in the radius of curvature at the contact area.

[0014] The roller surface may have a convex curved form without kinks, e.g. smooth, and / or without abrupt changes in geometry resulting in ribs, dimples, etc. The radius of curvature may increase continuously to infinity, i.e. such that the roller surface is flat and / or parallel to the roller rotation axis.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the connection assembly may be a first connection assembly, and the wing may include a second connection assembly, which connects the high-lift body to the main wing in a position spaced apart from the first connection assembly in a direction along the span of the wing (for example, in the span direction of the wing), wherein the second connection assembly is formed in the same manner as the first connection assembly, for example, wherein the second connection assembly is geometrically identical to the first connection assembly and / or includes the same structure as the first connection assembly.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, when viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller's axis of rotation, the roller surface may be convexly curved such that the radius of curvature increases continuously from the lateral edge to the center of the roller surface (e.g., continuously from the lateral edge until, until the center of the roller surface). In an alternative embodiment, when viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller's axis of rotation, the roller surface may be convexly curved such that the radius of curvature increases from the lateral edge to a flat section without curvature (e.g., increasing from the lateral edge until, until the flat section), the flat section starting laterally from the center of the roller surface (e.g., laterally offset relative to the center of the roller surface). In some examples, the flat section without curvature may provide an area with an infinite radius of curvature, such as providing a surface extending parallel to the roller's axis of rotation, which surface may be considered a flat surface. Having such a geometry may help provide a force that forces the roller unit to be in an orientation in which the roller surface is adapted to the orientation of the elongated track, i.e., such that the contact area may be moved toward the center of the roller surface, and thereby may help provide a larger contact area when in use.

[0017] In some embodiments, the roller surface can be straight and can be parallel to the roller rotation axis when viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller rotation axis. In such examples, the diameter of the roller support device can be constant along the length of the roller support device, or can be substantially constant along the length of the roller support device, excluding details such as chamfers at the edges of the roller support device.

[0018] In one embodiment, the roller unit may comprise a stationary part and a movable part, wherein the stationary part may be formed as or may comprise an axle mounted to the main wing, and wherein the movable part may be formed as or may comprise a sleeve arranged to rotate around the axle. The axle may be fixedly mounted to the main wing. The movable part may comprise a radially outer part and a radially inner part.

[0019] The movable part can be supported in a manner that it can rotate around the stationary part by a low-friction lining arranged between the stationary part and the radially inner part of the movable part. The low-friction lining can be in the form of a sliding pad, a roller support device, a lubricant, etc. The elastic support can be formed by a roller unit including one or more grooves, which are arranged in the movable part. Preferably, one or more grooves arranged in the movable part can be arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller. The stationary part can be an elastic support or can include an elastic support. In particular, the stationary part can be such a shaft or can include such a shaft, which can be elastically deformed along its longitudinal axis, in particular can be bent along its longitudinal axis, thereby adjusting the tilt position of the roller unit.

[0020] The roller unit may be a first roller unit, and the roller support device may include a second roller unit spaced apart from the first roller unit along the longitudinal axis of the track. The second roller unit may be formed in the same manner as the first roller unit (e.g., the second roller unit may be geometrically identical to the first roller unit and / or may have a similar or identical structure to the first roller unit). Alternatively, the second roller unit may be mounted to the end of the elongated track and may engage with a guide rail mounted to the main wing, for example so that the second roller does not contact the engagement surface, or does not always contact the engagement surface.

[0021] The track may have a profile that may include an upper flange portion, a lower flange portion, and at least one web portion connecting the upper flange portion with the lower flange portion. The roller unit may be arranged in a recess between the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion, and may engage with an engagement surface provided at the upper flange portion and / or at the lower flange portion.

[0022] The track may have a profile in which a first recess is formed between the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion at a first side of the web portion, and a second recess is formed between the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion at a second side of the web portion, wherein the second side may be opposite to the first side. The profile of the track may be in the form of, for example, an I-shape, a II-shape, a double C-shape or a double T-shape or may take the form of, for example, an I-shape, a II-shape, a double C-shape or a double T-shape, thereby providing the first recess and the second recess.

[0023] Preferably, the roller unit may include a first roller element and a second roller element. The first roller element may be arranged in the first recess, and the second roller element may be arranged in the second recess. The first roller element and the second roller element may preferably be arranged coaxially and may have the same radius. The second roller unit may include a third roller element and a fourth roller element. The third roller element may be arranged in the first recess, and the fourth roller element may be arranged in the second recess. The third roller element and the fourth roller element may be arranged coaxially and may have the same radius.

[0024] Another aspect of the invention relates to a high lift assembly as described in the preceding paragraphs with respect to a wing.The high lift assembly may be in the form of a leading edge high lift assembly, or may be in the form of a trailing edge high lift assembly.

[0025] The high lift assembly comprises a high lift body, such as a leading edge slat or a trailing edge flap, and a connection assembly, which is configured to connect the high lift body to the main wing in a movably manner so that the high lift body can move relative to the main wing, such as being able to move between a retracted position and at least one extended position. The connection assembly comprises an elongated track, which extends between a first end and a second end along a track longitudinal axis, and the elongated track has a middle portion between the first end and the second end. As described above with reference to the first aspect, the first end may correspond to the leading end of the connection assembly (in this case, the rear end will correspond to the second end, which is also the same as the situation described in the first aspect), or the first end may correspond to the rear end of the connection assembly (in this case, the leading end will correspond to the second end, which is also the same as the situation described in the first aspect).

[0026] According to a second aspect, a first end and / or a middle portion of the track is mounted to the high lift body, and a second end and / or a middle portion of the track is configured to be mounted to the main wing via a roller bearing arrangement such that the track is movable along a longitudinal axis of the track, for example, the track is movable along a predetermined path, for example, movable along a predetermined path on the longitudinal axis of the track, such as between a stowed position in which the high lift body is in a retracted position and a deployed position in which the high lift body is in an extended position.

[0027] Furthermore, according to a second aspect, the roller bearing arrangement comprises at least one roller unit configured to be mounted to the main wing and to be rotatable about a roller rotation axis. The roller bearing arrangement has a first circumferential roller surface configured to engage with an engagement surface provided on the elongated track, for example, on a middle portion and / or an end portion of the elongated track. The roller unit comprises an internal elastic bearing that allows the roller surface to adjust its orientation or form when viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller rotation axis.

[0028] The roller surface may have a convex curved form without kinks, e.g. smooth, and / or without abrupt changes in geometry resulting in ribs, dimples, etc. The radius of curvature may increase continuously to infinity, i.e. such that the roller surface is flat and / or parallel to the roller rotation axis.

[0029] Another aspect relates to a roller unit for a wing for an aircraft as described above, or for a high-lift assembly as described above.

[0030] According to this aspect, the roller unit is configured to be mounted to the main wing and is rotatable about the roller rotation axis. The roller unit has a circumferential roller surface configured to engage with an engagement surface provided on the elongated track. The circumferential roller surface may be configured to engage with an engagement surface provided on the middle portion and / or the second end of the elongated track. The roller unit includes an internal resilient support that allows the roller surface to adjust its orientation or form when viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller rotation axis.

[0031] As in the previous aspect, the roller surface may have a convexly curved form without kinks, e.g. smooth, and / or without abrupt changes in geometry resulting in ribs, dimples, etc. The radius of curvature may increase continuously to infinity, i.e. such that the roller surface is flat and / or parallel to the roller rotation axis.

[0032] Another aspect relates to an aircraft comprising a wing for an aircraft as described in any of the preceding paragraphs, comprising a high lift assembly as described above, and / or comprising a roller unit as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aircraft showing a wing of the aircraft;

[0034] Figures 2 to 5 Various views of a connection assembly in an aircraft wing are illustrated;

[0035] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional roller bearing device according to the prior art;

[0036] Figure 7 The distribution of Hertzian contact stress on the surface of three different roller bearing arrangements is shown;

[0037] Figures 8a to 8f Six cross sections of a bearing device and an engagement surface according to the invention are shown;

[0038] Fig. 9 is a cross-section of a portion of another embodiment of a support device;

[0039] Fig.10 2 are cross sections of another embodiment of a support device at different load levels. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] exist Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , an aircraft 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The aircraft 1 comprises a wing 3 formed according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the connection assembly 9 relates to a first connection assembly 91, and the wing 3 includes a second connection assembly 93, which connects the slat 7 to the main wing 5 in a position spaced apart from the first connection assembly 91 along the wing span direction 95, and wherein the second connection assembly 93 is formed in the same manner as the first connection assembly 91. Figure 1 The wing thickness direction 67 is also shown. Figure 1 The central connection assembly 9 is illustrated as connecting the slat 7 to the main wing 5 , but it should also be understood that the connection assembly 9 may be used to connect the trailing edge flap 2 to the wing 5 of an aircraft.

[0042] Figure 2 A connection assembly 9 for a wing of an aircraft is shown, the connection assembly 9 being configured to connect a slat to a main wing of the aircraft. The connection assembly 9 may be combined with Figure 1 A wing 1 similar to the wing described in is used, wherein the wing 1 comprises a main wing 5, a slat 7 and a connection assembly 9 (according to the present disclosure), which connects the slat 7 to the main wing 5 in a movably manner so that the slat 7 can move between a retracted position and at least one extended position.

[0043] exist Figure 2 In, the connection assembly 9 includes a slat track 17, which extends between a front end 21 and a rear end 23 along a track longitudinal axis 19 and has a middle portion 25 located between the front end 21 and the rear end 23. The front end 21 of the slat track 17 is fixedly mounted to the slat 7. The rear end 23 and the middle portion 25 of the slat track 17 are movably mounted to the main wing 5 by means of a roller support device 27, so that the slat track 17 can move along the track longitudinal axis 19. The roller support device 27 includes a guide rail 29 fixedly mounted to the main wing 5 and a first roller unit 31 fixedly mounted to the rear end 23 of the slat track 17 and engaged with the guide rail 29. The roller support device 27 includes a second roller unit 33, which is fixedly mounted to the main wing 5 and engaged with a joint surface 35 provided at the middle portion 25 of the slat track 17. As shown Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the slat track 17 has a profile 37, which includes an upper flange portion 39, a lower flange portion 41 and at least one web portion 43 connecting the upper flange portion 39 to the lower flange portion 41. The second roller unit 33 is arranged in a recess 45 between the upper flange portion 39 and the lower flange portion 41 and engages with the engagement surfaces 35 provided at the upper flange portion 39 and the lower flange portion 41.

[0044] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the profile 37 of the slat track 17 provides a first recess 45a and a second recess 45b, the first recess 45a is formed between the upper flange portion 39 and the lower flange portion 41 at the first side 47 of the web portion 43, and the second recess 45b is formed between the upper flange portion 39 and the lower flange portion 41 at the second side 49 of the web portion 43 opposite to the first side 47. The second roller unit 33 includes a first roller element 51 and a second roller element 53. The first roller element 51 is arranged in the first recess 45a, and the second roller element 53 is arranged in the second recess 45b. The first roller element 51 and the second roller element 53 are coaxially arranged and have the same radius. The first roller element 51 is mounted on a first shaft 55, and the second roller element 53 is mounted on a second shaft 57 separated from the first shaft 55. The first shaft 55 and the second shaft 57 are independently supported at the main wing 5.

[0045] Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the slat track 17 includes a first track portion 59 and a second track portion 61 formed separately from each other. Each of the first track portion 59 and the second track portion 61 is formed integrally and extends from the rear end portion 23 along the track longitudinal axis 19 to the front end portion 21. The first track portion 59 and the second track portion 61 are mounted to each other by bolts 63 and rest against each other along a contact plane 65 spanned by the track longitudinal axis 19 and the wing thickness direction 67. Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the first roller unit 31 includes a third roller element 69 and a fourth roller element 71 . The third roller element 69 and the fourth roller element 71 are coaxially arranged and have the same radius. The third roller element 69 is mounted to the first track portion 59 , and the fourth roller element 71 is mounted to the second track portion 61 .

[0046] Figure 6 An example of a conventional roller unit 133 according to the prior art is illustrated. In this case, the roller unit 133 may form part of a prior art aircraft wing and may form part of a roller bearing device according to the prior art.

[0047] The roller unit 133 comprises a stationary portion 182 and a movable portion 184, wherein the movable portion 184 is rotatable about a roller rotation axis 180. The movable portion 184 comprises a roller surface 186, which is configured to contact the engagement surface so as to provide a rolling contact between the roller unit 133 and the engagement surface, and in this case, the movable portion 184 is generally cylindrical in shape, so that the diameter of the movable portion 184 is generally constant over its length. The roller surface 186 is located on the curved cylindrical surface of the movable portion 184, and in this case is located between the two chamfered axial ends of the movable portion 184. The roller unit also includes a liner 188 positioned between the stationary portion 182 and the movable portion 184. The liner 188 forms a sliding bearing between the stationary portion 182 and the movable portion 184, and is known to be formed of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).

[0048] according to Figure 6 The disadvantages of the roller unit 133 mainly manifest themselves in situations where the roller axis of rotation 180 is misaligned relative to the bearing surface. In this case, the load is typically concentrated on one area (particularly one side) of the roller surface 186, rather than being distributed over the entire length (or a large part of the length) of the roller surface 186. This then reduces the size of the contact area between the roller surface 186 and the bearing surface, such as the size of the contact area on the elongated rails of the connection assembly in an aircraft wing, thereby significantly increasing the Hertzian contact stresses in both the roller surface 188 and the bearing surface. The increased Hertzian contact stresses have the undesirable effect of reducing the life of both the roller unit 133 and the bearing surface.

[0049] Figure 7 2 shows a diagram of the contact stresses in three different roller units 133, 233, 33. In each case, the roller units 133, 233, 33 shown are oriented such that their roller rotation axes are misaligned relative to the engagement surface 135. Figure 7 The left side of the diagram shows Figure 6 The roller unit 133 shown in the figure also forms part of the prior art. The intermediate roller unit 233 also forms part of the prior art, but in this case the roller unit 233 is a crowned roller unit. In the case of a crowned roller unit 233, the diameter of the roller bearing is variable along its length, so that the shape of the roller surface is convex in the longitudinal direction of the bearing, the convex surface having a predetermined constant radius along its length. Finally, the third roller unit 33 corresponds to the disclosure of the present invention and will be described in more detail in the preceding paragraphs.

[0050] As shown, the contact stress in roller unit 133 is highly concentrated near its leftmost end, because the misalignment of the roller rotation axis positions the left side of roller unit 133 closer to engagement surface 135. The maximum contact stress in roller unit 133 is reduced somewhat due to the convex surface of crowned roller unit 233, but is still large and concentrated on a relatively small area of ​​engagement surface 135. In contrast, the maximum contact stress of roller unit 33 according to the present invention is significantly smaller and, as shown, is also distributed over a larger contact area. In each case, the size of the contact area is related to the area of ​​the roller surface of each roller unit 133, 233, 33 that is in contact with engagement surface 135.

[0051] exist Figures 8a to 8c In the figure, the roller unit 33 according to the invention is shown in three different configurations, and Figure 8d to Figure 8f The diagram shows a method according to the present invention and in Figures 8a to 8c Another roller unit 33 of the same configuration. Figure 8a The first configuration illustrated in shows a roller unit 33 having a roller rotation axis 80 aligned with an engagement surface 35. The engagement surface 35 may, for example, be located on the elongated track 17 of the connection assembly 9 described above.

[0052] like Figures 8a to 8c As shown in each of the figures, the roller unit 33 includes a stationary portion 82 and a movable portion 84. In the context of the present invention, the stationary portion 82 may be formed to be mounted to Figure 1 The stationary part 82 may be fixedly mounted to the main wing 5 so as to prevent translational movement between the stationary part 82 and the main wing 5. The movable part 84 is formed as a sleeve arranged around the stationary part 82 (for example, arranged radially outside the stationary part 82) so as to be rotatable around the stationary part 82.

[0053] In order to facilitate the rotation of the movable part 84 around the stationary part 82, a lining 85 is provided between the movable part 84 and the stationary part 82. The lining 85 may be a low friction lining. The lining 85 may be in the form of a sliding bearing and may facilitate the rotational movement between the stationary part 82 and the movable part 84. The lining 85 may be made of any suitable material, for example, the lining may be a sliding pad, a roller bearing, a lubricant, a PTFE lining, etc., or may include a sliding pad, a roller bearing, a lubricant, a PTFE lining, etc. The lining 85 is located radially inside the movable part 84 and radially outside the stationary part 82.

[0054] The roller unit 33 also includes an internal elastic support member 92. Figures 8a to 8cAs shown, the inner resilient support 92 (e.g., an elastomeric support) may be located between the radially outer portion 84a of the movable portion 84 and the radially inner portion 84b of the movable portion 84. Figures 8a to 8c In the example shown, the movable part 84 comprises an elastic bearing 92 and both a radially inner part 84a and a radially outer part 84b. The radially inner part 84b may be in the form of a rotating ring, for example made of steel.

[0055] The configuration of the internal elastic support 92 in the roller unit 33 can allow the radially outer portion (e.g., the movable portion 84, in particular the radially outer element 84a of the movable portion 84) to tilt about a tilting axis perpendicular to the roller rotation axis (e.g., when viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller rotation axis). Figures 8a to 8c In the illustration of , such axis extends vertically out of the page. Thus, the resilient support 92 allows the movable portion 84 (particularly the roller surface 86) to adjust the orientation of the movable portion 84 relative to the engagement surface 35 during engagement with the engagement surface 35. Figure 8d to Figure 8f In FIG. 1 , the same concept is illustrated, but with Figure 8d to Figure 8f The cross section shown is a flat, for example straight roller surface 86. As can be seen, Figure 8f , the orientation of the roller surface 86 is adjusted so that the flat surface 86 is inclined about the tilt axis in the illustrated cross-sectional plane and is in full contact with the engagement surface 35 .

[0056] Return to Figures 8a to 8c In an example, the roller support device 33 includes a circumferential roller surface 86, which is convexly curved, when viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller rotation axis, so that the radius of curvature increases continuously from the lateral edges 94a, 94b to the center of the roller surface. That is, the radius of curvature of the roller surface 86 increases from one axial end or from each axial end in the axial direction to the center of the roller surface. In one example, the roller surface 86 is convexly curved, so that the radius of curvature increases continuously from the lateral edges to provide a flat section (e.g., a flat non-curved section) of the roller surface 86, which is free of any curvature or, for example, can be considered to have an infinite radius of curvature. In this case, the flat section begins laterally at the center of the roller surface (e.g., offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the center of the roller surface 86).

[0057] like Figures 8a to 8cAs described above, the shape of the roller surface 86 allows the contact area between the engagement surface 35 and the roller surface 86 to be maximized in multiple configurations in the case of misalignment between the roller rotation axis 80 and the engagement surface 35 (e.g., in the case where the roller rotation axis 80 and the engagement surface 35 are not parallel) by providing a radius of curvature that increases as it approaches the center of the roller surface 86. In addition, when contact is made between the roller surface 86 and the engagement surface 35, in the case of misalignment, the surface helps to generate a force that forces the roller surface to align with the engagement surface 35, such as to make the center (e.g., the center in the axial direction of the roller surface 86) contact the engagement surface 35. In addition, the inner elastic support 92 allows the radially outer portion to tilt (e.g., rotate), thereby further allowing the roller surface 86 to align so as to maximize the contact area between the roller surface 86 and the engagement surface 35, thereby reducing the concentration of Hertzian contact stress between the two.

[0058] exist Figure 8a In the example, the roller unit 33 is aligned with the engagement surface 35 (axis 80 is parallel to the engagement surface 35) so that the center of the roller surface 86 contacts the engagement surface 35 and the contact area therebetween is large, thereby causing the Hertzian contact stress to be relatively evenly distributed. Figure 8d The situation in is similar.

[0059] exist Figure 8b In the example of , the roller unit 33 is not aligned with the engagement surface 35, for example, such that the roller rotation axis 80 is not parallel to the engagement surface 35. Figure 8b In the case of , there is contact between the roller surface 86 and the engagement surface 35, but the forces involved may be small. Therefore, deformation of the resilient support 92 may be negligible or the resilient support 92 may not deform, resulting in a certain degree of misalignment of the roller surface 86 relative to the engagement surface 35. However, due to the convex shape of the roller surface 86, a relatively large contact area may be maintained between the surfaces 86, 35. Considering that the forces involved may also be small, the Hertz forces may also be maintained within acceptable levels and concentrations. Similarly, in Figure 8e In the embodiment, the deformation of the elastic support 92 is ignored or the elastic support is not deformed, and the roller maintains a certain degree of misalignment relative to the engagement surface 35.

[0060] As the forces involved (e.g., forces oriented perpendicular to the engagement surface 35) become larger, Figure 8c and Figure 8f In these scenarios, the forces involved are large enough to cause the resilient support 92 to deform significantly. As illustrated, the deformation of the resilient support 92 causes the radially outer portion 84a to tilt and realign relative to the engagement surface 35. Figure 8cThe convex shape, wherein the radius of curvature increases as it approaches the center of the roller surface 86, causes the radially outer portion 84a to realign so that the center of the roller surface 86 contacts the engagement surface 35, thereby having the effect of dispersing the force along the contact area (also as Figure 7 and reduce the effect of Hertzian stress concentration. Figure 8f In the embodiment of the present invention, the flat surface 86 also serves to distribute the force along the contact area rather than concentrating the force at one point on the surface 86.

[0061] exist Fig. 9 In the illustration of , an alternative resilient support 92a is illustrated. Here, the resilient support 92a is formed by the material of the support device itself, rather than having a support made of an elastic material. In this case, a plurality of grooves 90 are provided in the movable portion 84. The grooves are illustrated as extending parallel to each other and parallel to the roller rotation axis 80 and extending from both axial ends thereof. However, it should be noted that the grooves 90 do not need to be parallel to each other and / or do not need to be parallel to the roller rotation axis 80. The grooves 90 can allow the movable portion 84 to deform when in contact with the engagement surface 85 as previously described. Although a support 92a having a flat surface is illustrated, it should also be noted that a support having a convex curved surface can also be envisioned.

[0062] Fig.10 A further illustration of an alternative resilient support 92b is provided. In this case, the stationary part 82 includes a resilient support 92b that connects the roller unit 33 to the aircraft wing 3. The stationary part 82 here includes a shaft, which can be a bolt, a rod, etc., that connects the roller unit 33 to the wing 3, for example, connects the movable part 84 to the wing, and optionally connects a connector between the movable part 84 and the shaft to the wing. The connector can be used to allow the movable part 84 to rotate stably while also engaging with the shaft. Fig.10 Two examples are illustrated in FIG. 1 . In the first (upper) example, the elastic support 92 b is illustrated in an undeformed state. In the second (lower) example, the elastic support 92 b is illustrated in an elastically deformed state.

[0063] In both examples, the movable portion 84 of the support device 33 is in contact with the elongated rail 35. In the first example, the load between the support device 33 and the elongated rail 35 is relatively low, so that the elastic deformation of the elastic support 92b can be ignored. Therefore, the roller unit 33 whose axis is misaligned relative to the elongated rail 35 contacts the elongated rail 35 at a relatively small contact area 96. In the second example, the load between the support device 33 and the elongated rail 35 is increased, so that the load transmitted to the elastic support 92b (for example, a load in the form of a bent rectangle) is sufficient to cause bending and elastic deformation of the elastic support 92b. Therefore, the roller unit 33 is allowed to realign itself relative to the elongated rail 35, and the contact area 96 between the roller unit 33 and the elongated rail 35 is increased, thereby dispersing the concentration of force, which is consistent with the above. Figure 7 The situation shown is similar.

Claims

1. A wing (3) for an aircraft (1), the wing (3) comprising: a main wing (5), and A high lift assembly, the high lift assembly comprising: a high lift body (7), and a connecting assembly (9) which movably connects the high-lift body (7) to the main wing (5) so that the high-lift body (7) can be moved between a retracted position (11) and at least one extended position (13, 15), The connection assembly (9) comprises an elongated track (17), the track (17) extending along a track longitudinal axis (19) between a first end (21) and a second end (23), and the track (17) has a middle portion (25) located between the first end (21) and the second end (23), wherein the first end (21) and / or the middle portion of the track (17) is mounted to the high-lift body (7), wherein the second end portion (23) and / or the middle portion (25) of the track (17) is mounted to the main wing (5) via roller bearing means (27) such that the track (17) is movable along the track longitudinal axis (19), wherein the roller support device (27) comprises at least one roller unit (33) which is mounted to the main wing (5) and is rotatable about a roller rotation axis (80), and the roller unit (33) has a circumferential roller surface (86) which engages with an engagement surface (35) provided at the track (17), It is characterized in that The roller unit (33) includes an internal resilient support (92, 92a) which allows the circumferential roller surface (86) to adjust the orientation or form of the circumferential roller surface (86) when viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller rotation axis (80).

2. The wing (3) according to claim 1, wherein: When viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller rotation axis (80), the roller surface (86) has a convexly curved form such that the radius of curvature increases continuously from the lateral edges (94a, 94b) approaching the center of the roller surface (80).

3. The wing (3) according to claim 1, wherein: When viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller rotation axis (80), the roller surface (86) is convexly curved such that the radius of curvature increases continuously from the lateral edges (94a, 94b) to the center of the roller surface (86).

4. The wing (3) according to claim 1, wherein: When viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller axis of rotation (80), the roller surface (86) is convexly curved so that the radius of curvature increases continuously from the lateral edges (94a, 94b) to a flat section with no curvature, which starts laterally from the center of the roller surface (86).

5. A wing (3) according to any preceding claim, wherein: The roller unit (33) comprises a radially outer portion (84a) and a radially inner portion (84b), wherein the elastic support member (92, 92a) is arranged between the radially outer portion (84a) and the radially inner portion (84b) so that the radially outer portion (84a) can be tilted around a tilting axis perpendicular to the roller rotation axis (80).

6. A wing (3) according to any preceding claim, wherein: The roller unit (33) comprises a stationary part (82) and a movable part (84), wherein the stationary part (82) comprises a shaft mounted to the main wing (5), and wherein the movable part (84) comprises a sleeve arranged to be rotatable around the shaft.

7. The wing (3) according to claim 6, wherein: The movable portion (84) includes the radially outer portion (84a) and the radially inner portion (84b).

8. The wing (3) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The movable part (84) is supported in a rotatable manner around the stationary part (82) by a low-friction lining (85) arranged between the stationary part (82) and the radially inner portion (84b) of the movable part (84).

9. The wing (3) according to claim 6, wherein: The elastic support (92, 92a) is formed by the roller unit (33) comprising one or more grooves (92a) provided in the movable part and extending parallel to the roller rotation axis (80).

10. The wing (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The roller unit (33) is a first roller unit (33), and wherein the roller support device (27) comprises a second roller unit spaced apart from the first roller unit along the track longitudinal axis.

11. The wing (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The rail (17) has a profile (37) including an upper flange portion (39), a lower flange portion (41), and at least one web portion (43) connecting the upper flange portion (39) to the lower flange portion (41), The roller unit (33) is arranged in a recess (45) between the upper flange portion (39) and the lower flange portion (41), and the roller unit (33) is engaged with the engagement surface (35) provided at the upper flange portion (39) and / or the lower flange portion (41).

12. The wing (3) according to claim 6, wherein: The stationary portion (82) includes the elastic support member.

13. A high lift assembly for a wing according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the high lift assembly comprising: a high lift body (7), and a connecting assembly (9) configured to movably connect the high-lift body (7) to the main wing (5) so that the high-lift body (7) can be moved between a retracted position (11) and at least one extended position (13, 15), The connection assembly (9) comprises an elongated track (17), the track (17) extending along a track longitudinal axis (19) between a first end (21) and a second end (23), and the track (17) has a middle portion (25) located between the first end (21) and the second end (23), wherein the first end (21) and / or the middle portion of the track (17) is mounted to the high-lift body (7), wherein the second end portion (23) and / or the middle portion (25) of the track (17) is configured to be mounted to the main wing (5) via roller bearings (27) such that the track (17) is movable along the track longitudinal axis (19), The roller support device (27) comprises at least one roller unit (33) which is configured to be mounted to the main wing (5) and is rotatable about a roller rotation axis, and has a circumferential roller surface which is configured to engage with an engagement surface (35) provided at the track (17). It is characterized in that The roller unit (33) includes an internal resilient support (92, 92a) which allows the roller surface (86) to adjust the orientation or form of the roller surface (86) when viewed in a cross section parallel to the roller rotation axis (80).

14. A roller unit (33) for a wing (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or a high-lift assembly according to claim 13, in, The roller unit (33) is configured to be mounted to the main wing (5) and to be rotatable about a roller rotation axis (80), The roller unit (33) has a circumferential roller surface (86) configured to engage with an engagement surface (35) provided at the track (17), and Wherein, the roller unit (33) includes an internal elastic support (92, 92a), which allows the roller surface (86) to adjust the orientation or form of the roller surface (86) when viewed in a cross-section parallel to the roller rotation axis (80).

15. An aircraft (1) comprising a wing (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a high-lift assembly according to claim 13, and / or comprising a roller unit (33) according to claim 14.

Images