Foldable wing with separated wing ribs

Abstract

The invention discloses a foldable wing with separated wing ribs, and belongs to the technical field of foldable wings, the foldable wing comprises racks, wing spars and the wing ribs, the racks and the wing spars are arranged in pairs, and the wing ribs connect the paired wing spars into a whole; the wing spar comprises a driving wing spar, a main wing spar and an extended wing spar; a folding and unfolding driving device is arranged in the rack, one end of the rack is directly connected with the fuselage, the other end of the rack is connected with a driving wing spar, the driving wing spar is connected with a main wing spar, and the main wing spar is connected with an extended wing spar; a fixed wing spar is arranged on the outer side of the driving wing spar, and the rack, the driving wing spar, the main wing spar and the fixed wing spar form a first four-bar mechanism; connecting spars are arranged on the inner sides of the main spars, and the driving spars, the main spars, the connecting spars and the extended spars form a second four-bar mechanism. The folding and unfolding driving device is matched with the four-connecting-rod mechanism and the separation wing ribs to drive the wings to be folded and unfolded, the weight of the folding and unfolding driving device is reduced, three-section folding of the wings is achieved, and the space cost of an aircraft is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of foldable wings, in particular to a foldable wing with separated ribs. Background Art

[0002] Mechanical folding and unfolding technology has made significant progress in many fields, particularly in aviation and aerospace. Multi-link hinge systems, hydraulic actuation, and lightweight materials are used to achieve efficient folding and unfolding. Typical applications include the Boeing 777X's folding wingtip design, which utilizes segmented hinges and hydraulic actuators to increase the wingspan by over 5 meters when deployed, improving cruising efficiency. NASA's Mars drone utilizes shape memory alloys to actuate its folding mechanism, adapting to extreme temperature fluctuations and enabling autonomous deployment. Carbon fiber composite frames and slide-gear systems are widely used in drones. For example, the Skydio X10's modular design reduces its folded volume by 60%, while integrating electromagnetic latches to ensure structural stability after deployment. Furthermore, biomimetic-inspired Z-folding mechanisms and dielectric elastomer actuation technologies are being tested to reduce mechanical complexity and enhance environmental adaptability. However, existing technologies still face challenges such as numerous actuators, heavy weight, limited folding range, and limited multi-functional integration. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a foldable wing with separated wing ribs, which can achieve folding and unfolding of the wing through a folding and unfolding drive device in conjunction with a four-bar linkage and wing ribs, thereby reducing the weight caused by the folding and unfolding drive device; when the wing is fully folded, the aircraft is in a four-rotor state, and when the wing is fully unfolded, the aircraft is in a fixed-wing state; the folding and unfolding of the wing takes into account the transition of flight form, realizes the three-stage folding of the wing, and reduces the space cost of the aircraft.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a foldable wing with separated wing ribs, comprising a frame, a wing spar and a wing rib, wherein the frame and the wing spar are arranged in pairs, and the wing ribs connect the paired wing spars into one; the wing spars include a driving wing spar, a fixed wing spar, a main wing spar, a connecting wing spar and an extended wing spar; the frame is directly connected to the fuselage, one end of the driving wing spar is connected to the frame, the other end of the driving wing spar is connected to the main wing spar, and the other end of the main wing spar is connected to the extended wing spar.

[0005] Preferably, the frame is composed of two symmetrically arranged frame plates, and a folding and unfolding driving device is provided between the frame plates, and the folding and unfolding driving device is used to drive the driving spar to swing.

[0006] Preferably, the fixed spar is provided on the outside of the driving spar, one end of the fixed spar is movably connected to the outside of the frame, and the other end of the fixed spar is movably connected to the outside of the main spar, and the frame, driving spar, main spar and fixed spar constitute a first four-bar linkage.

[0007] Preferably, lift driving devices are provided at both ends of the main wing beam.

[0008] Preferably, the connecting spar is provided on the inner side of the main spar, one end of the connecting spar is movably connected to the inner side of the driving spar, and the other end of the connecting spar is movably connected to the inner side of the extended spar, and the driving spar, main spar, connecting spar and extended spar constitute a second four-bar linkage.

[0009] Preferably, the ribs are divided into inner ribs, separated ribs and extended ribs. The inner ribs are provided on the driving spar, the separated ribs are provided on the main spar, and the extended ribs are provided on the extended spar.

[0010] Preferably, the separated rib includes a separated rib front section, a separated rib middle section and a separated rib rear section, the separated rib front section and the separated rib rear section are fixedly connected to the main spar, and the separated rib middle section is fixedly connected to the connecting spar.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention adopts the above-mentioned foldable wing with separated wing ribs, and the folding and unfolding of the wing can be achieved through a folding and unfolding drive device in conjunction with a four-bar linkage and wing ribs, thereby reducing the weight brought by the folding and unfolding drive device; when the wing is fully folded, the aircraft is in a four-rotor state, and when the wing is fully unfolded, the aircraft is in a fixed-wing state; the folding and unfolding of the wing takes into account the transformation of the flight form, realizes the three-stage folding of the wing, and reduces the space cost of the aircraft.

[0012] The technical solution of the present invention is further described in detail below through the accompanying drawings and embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the folding structure of an embodiment of a foldable wing with separated ribs according to the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the unfolded structure of an embodiment of a foldable wing with separated ribs according to the present invention.

[0015] Reference numerals

[0016] 101. Frame; 102. Drive spar; 103. Main spar; 104. Fixed spar; 105. Connecting spar; 106. Extended spar; 201. Inner rib; 202. Front section of detachable rib; 203. Middle section of detachable rib; 204. Rear section of detachable rib; 205. Extended rib; 301. Folding drive device; 302. Lift drive device; A. Spar; B. Rib. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The technical solution of the present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the present invention shall have the usual meanings understood by persons of ordinary skill in the field to which the present invention belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar terms used in the present invention do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Words such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects preceding the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0019] Example 1

[0020] The present invention provides a foldable wing with separated ribs, the folding structure of which is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the expanded structure is as Figure 2 As shown, the aircraft comprises a frame 101, a spar A, and a rib B. The frame 101 and the spar A are arranged in pairs, and the rib B connects the paired spars A into a whole. The spar A includes a drive spar 102, a main spar 103, a fixed spar 104, a connecting spar 105, and an extended spar 106. The frame 101 is directly connected to the fuselage. One end of the drive spar 102 is connected to the frame 101, and the other end of the drive spar 102 is connected to the main spar 103. The other end of the main spar 103 is connected to the extended spar 106.

[0021] The frame 101 is composed of two symmetrically arranged frame plates, and a folding and unfolding driving device 301 is arranged between the frame plates. The folding and unfolding driving device 301 is used to drive the wing beam 102 to swing.

[0022] A fixed spar 104 is provided on the outside of the driving spar 102. One end of the fixed spar 104 is movably connected to the outside of the frame 101, and the other end of the fixed spar 104 is movably connected to the outside of the main spar 103. The frame 101, the driving spar 102, the main spar 103 and the fixed spar 104 constitute a first four-bar linkage.

[0023] Lift drive devices 302 are provided at both ends of the main spar 103. A connecting spar 105 is provided on the inner side of the main spar 103. One end of the connecting spar 105 is movably connected to the inner side of the driving spar 102, and the other end of the connecting spar 105 is movably connected to the inner side of the extension spar 106. The driving spar 102, main spar 103, connecting spar 105, and extension spar 106 form a second four-bar linkage.

[0024] The ribs B are divided into inner ribs 201, separated ribs, and extended ribs 205. The inner ribs 201 are provided on the drive spar 102, the separated ribs are provided on the main spar 103, and the extended ribs 205 are provided on the extended spar 106. The separated ribs include a separated rib front section 202, a separated rib middle section 203, and a separated rib rear section 204. The separated rib front section 202 and the separated rib rear section 204 are fixedly connected to the main spar 103, and the separated rib middle section 203 is fixedly connected to the connecting spar 105.

[0025] The foldable wing with separate ribs described in this embodiment unfolds as follows: Before takeoff, the wing is fully folded. At this point, the folding drive 301 is at its maximum angle, i.e., the folding angle is at its maximum. The lift drive 302 is arranged in a quad-rotor configuration, and the aircraft takes off vertically. When the aircraft reaches a certain speed, the controller issues a command to unfold the wing, causing the folding drive 301 to begin rotating, reducing the folding angle. This in turn drives the wing spar 102 to swing downward from the frame 101. The angle through which the folding drive 301 rotates is the angle through which the folding angle decreases.

[0026] In the first four-bar linkage consisting of the frame 101, the driving spar 102, the main spar 103, and the fixed spar 104, the driving spar 102 drives the end of the main spar 103 near the fuselage segment and the fixed spar 104 to swing downwardly from the fuselage. In the second four-bar linkage consisting of the driving spar 102, the connecting spar 105, the main spar 103, and the extended spar 106, the driving spar 102 drives the fuselage-proximal ends of the main spar 103 and the connecting spar 105 to swing downwardly from the fuselage, drives the distal ends of the main spar 103, the connecting spar 105, and the distal end of the extended spar 106 to swing upward, and drives the distal end of the extended spar 106 to swing downwardly, so that each spar segment moves in a direction perpendicular to the aircraft fuselage.

[0027] The front section 202, the middle section 203, and the rear section 204 of the separated wing rib gradually overlap to form a complete airfoil. When the folding angle is zero, that is, when the folding device 301 is driven to rotate to zero degrees, the driven wing spar 102 is exactly perpendicular to the fuselage, and each section of the wing spar is on the same horizontal line as the driven wing spar 102. The front section 202, the middle section 203, and the rear section 204 of the separated wing rib overlap to form a complete wing rib, and each section of the wing overlaps in parallel to form a complete aircraft wing. At this time, the wing is fully unfolded, and the aircraft switches to fixed-wing flight. Figure 2 shown.

[0028] The folding process is as follows: When the aircraft needs to land, the wings are fully extended, the folding drive 301 is at its minimum angle, and the controller issues a wing folding command. The folding drive 301 begins to rotate, increasing the folding angle, which in turn drives the wing spar 102 to swing upward from the frame 101. The angle through which the folding drive 301 rotates is the angle through which the folding angle increases.

[0029] In the first four-bar linkage consisting of the frame 101, the driving spar 102, the main spar 103, and the fixed spar 104, the driving spar 102 drives the main spar 103 near the fuselage section and the fixed spar 104 to swing upwards. In the second four-bar linkage consisting of the driving spar 102, the connecting spar 105, the main spar 103, and the extended spar 106, the driving spar 102 drives the fuselage-proximal ends of the main spar 103 and the connecting spar 105 to swing upwards, drives the fuselage-distal ends of the main spar 103, the connecting spar 105, and the extended spar 106 to swing downwards, and drives the fuselage-distal end of the extended spar 106 to swing upwards.

[0030] The angle between the drive spar 102 and the frame 101 increases, the angle between the drive spar 102 and the main spar 103 decreases, and the angle between the main spar 103 and the extended spar 106 decreases. The front section 202, middle section 203, and rear section 204 of the detached rib gradually separate, with the middle section 203 moving upwards from the front section 202 and rear section 204. When the folding angle is at its maximum, that is, when the folding mechanism 301 is driven to its maximum angle, the angle between the drive spar 102 and the frame 101 is at its maximum, the angles between the various spar sections are at their minimum, and the middle section 203 is at its farthest from the front section 202 and rear section 204. At this point, the wings are fully folded, and the aircraft can land using the quadrotor.

[0031] Therefore, the present invention adopts the above-mentioned foldable wing with separated wing ribs, and the folding and unfolding of the wing can be achieved through a folding and unfolding drive device in conjunction with a four-bar linkage and wing ribs, thereby reducing the weight brought by the folding and unfolding drive device; when the wing is fully folded, the aircraft is in a four-rotor state, and when the wing is fully unfolded, the aircraft is in a fixed-wing state; the folding and unfolding of the wing takes into account the transformation of the flight form, realizes the three-stage folding of the wing, and reduces the space cost of the aircraft.

[0032] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify or replace the technical solutions of the present invention with equivalents, and these modifications or equivalent replacements cannot cause the modified technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A foldable wing with separate ribs, characterized by: It includes a frame, wing spars and wing ribs, the frame and wing spars are arranged in pairs, and the wing ribs connect the paired wing spars into one body; the wing spars include drive spars, fixed spars, main spars, connecting spars and extended spars; the frame is directly connected to the fuselage, one end of the drive spars is connected to the frame, the other end of the drive spars is connected to the main spars, and the other end of the main spars is connected to the extended spars.

2. The foldable wing with separated ribs according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame is composed of two symmetrically arranged frame plates, and a folding and unfolding driving device is arranged between the frame plates. The folding and unfolding driving device is used to drive the driving wing beam to swing.

3. The foldable wing with separated ribs according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed spar is provided on the outside of the driving spar, one end of the fixed spar is movably connected to the outside of the frame, and the other end of the fixed spar is movably connected to the outside of the main spar, and the frame, driving spar, main spar and fixed spar constitute a first four-bar linkage.

4. The foldable wing with separated ribs according to claim 1, characterized in that: Lift driving devices are provided at both ends of the main wing beam.

5. The foldable wing with separated ribs according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting spar is provided on the inner side of the main spar, one end of the connecting spar is movably connected to the inner side of the driving spar, and the other end of the connecting spar is movably connected to the inner side of the extended spar. The driving spar, main spar, connecting spar and extended spar constitute a second four-bar linkage.

6. The foldable wing with separated ribs according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ribs are divided into inner ribs, separated ribs and extended ribs. The inner ribs are provided on the driving spar, the separated ribs are provided on the main spar, and the extended ribs are provided on the extended spar.

7. The foldable wing with separated ribs according to claim 6, characterized in that: The separated rib includes a separated rib front section, a separated rib middle section and a separated rib rear section. The separated rib front section and the separated rib rear section are fixedly connected to the main spar, and the separated rib middle section is fixedly connected to the connecting spar.

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