Double-slotted flap

Abstract

A double-slotted flap connected to an aircraft wing, comprising: a main wing movable relative to the aircraft wing; a sub-wing coupled to the main wing and movable with the main wing; and a flap movement mechanism driving the main wing and the sub-wing to move, wherein the flap movement mechanism comprises: a guide rail fixed to the aircraft wing; a pulley frame slidably mounted on the guide rail; a first linkage set mechanically coupling the main wing to the pulley frame, wherein movement of the first linkage set drives the pulley frame to slide with the main wing; and a second linkage set coupled to the first linkage set and the pulley frame, and further coupled to the sub-wing, wherein movement of the first linkage set and the pulley frame drives the second linkage set to drive the sub-wing to move relative to the main wing. The double-slotted flap has a compact structure, is easy to maintain, and has good aerodynamic performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aircraft lift enhancement devices, and more specifically, to a double-slotted flap. Background Technology

[0002] Large commercial airliners typically employ trailing-edge flaps to increase lift and reduce drag. Slotted flaps increase wing area, alter wing camber, and create a gap between the flap and the main wing surface, thereby increasing lift. Furthermore, double-slotted flaps can significantly improve the aircraft's lift coefficient compared to single-slotted flaps.

[0003] Existing double-slotted flap designs typically achieve the linkage between the main wing and the winglet through screw linkage or fixed-axis rotation linkage. However, the screw linkage scheme places the flap movement mechanism inside the flap, which is not conducive to disassembly, assembly, and inspection, resulting in low maintainability. The fixed-axis rotation linkage scheme uses mechanisms that are heavy and bulky, which significantly increases the structural complexity and weight of the aircraft. Furthermore, the slots at the winglets in the fixed-axis rotation linkage scheme cannot be flexibly adjusted according to the mounting position, lacking flexibility and versatility.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to propose an improved double-slotted flap that can solve the problems and defects existing in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a double-slotted flap, which arranges the flap movement mechanism outside the double-slotted flap for easy maintenance; and it has a simple and lightweight structure with high flexibility.

[0006] According to the present invention, a double-slotted flap connected to an aircraft wing is provided, comprising: a main wing movable relative to the aircraft wing; a subwing connected to the main wing and moving with the main wing; and a flap movement mechanism driving the main wing and the subwing to move, wherein the flap movement mechanism comprises: a guide rail fixed to the aircraft wing; a pulley frame slidably mounted on the guide rail; a first linkage group mechanically connecting the main wing to the pulley frame, wherein movement of the first linkage group causes the main wing to slide along with the pulley frame; and a second linkage group connected to the first linkage group and the pulley frame, and also connected to the subwing, wherein movement of the first linkage group and the pulley frame causes the second linkage group to drive the subwing to move relative to the main wing.

[0007] In this way, the main wing and the winglets are interconnected through two sets of linkage mechanisms. These two sets of linkage mechanisms can be located outside the main wing and the winglets, which improves the convenience of maintaining the flap movement mechanism; in addition, the components of the linkage mechanism are small in size, and the structure is compact and simple with a clear force transmission path, which effectively reduces the weight of the flap movement mechanism, thereby contributing to the lightweighting of the aircraft.

[0008] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the first linkage group includes four links, specifically including: a drive rod fixed to the aircraft wing at a pivot end, wherein the drive rod is pivotable about the pivot end; a first connecting rod connected at its two ends to the main wing and the pulley frame, respectively; and a second and a third connecting rod hinged to each other, wherein the second connecting rod is also hinged to the drive rod, and the third connecting rod is also connected to the main wing.

[0009] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the first connecting rod is fixed at one end to the main wing and hinged at the opposite end to the pulley frame.

[0010] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the third connecting rod is fixed to the main wing at one end and hinged to the second connecting rod at the opposite end.

[0011] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the first linkage of the double-slotted flap further includes a secondary connecting rod, which is connected at both ends to the main wing and the second connecting rod of the first linkage, respectively, wherein the secondary connecting rod is located between the drive rod and the first connecting rod.

[0012] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the second linkage also includes four links, specifically including: a first connecting member connected to a first connecting rod of the first linkage; a second connecting member fixed to the sub-wing; a third connecting member hinged to the pulley frame, wherein the second and third connecting members are connected to each other via a sub-connecting member; and a fourth connecting member hinged at both ends to the second and first connecting members, respectively.

[0013] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the sub-connector includes a first connection point, a second connection point, and a third connection point that are separated from each other, wherein the sub-connector is hinged to the first connector at the first connection point, to the second connector at the second connection point, and to the third connector at the third connection point.

[0014] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the first connecting member is fixed at its first end to the first connecting rod of the first link assembly and hinged at its second end opposite to the first end to the fourth connecting member, wherein the sub-connecting member is located between the first end and the second end of the first connecting member.

[0015] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the first connecting member of the second linkage is located between the main wing and the pulley frame.

[0016] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the fourth connector is spaced apart from the wing and connected to the second connector.

[0017] The double-slotted flap of this invention employs two interconnected sets of four-bar linkages. The first set of four-bar linkages drives the main wing, while the second set of four-bar linkages, through a connecting rod (i.e., a third connecting member) connected to the first set, transmits the motion of the first set of four-bar linkages to the sub-wing, thus achieving coordinated motion between the main wing and the sub-wing. This invention's double-slotted flap utilizes the guide rails and pulleys required for the main wing's movement to achieve coordinated sub-wing movement relative to the main wing, avoiding the need for excessive additional linkage mechanisms. This allows for efficient execution of coordinated movement between the main wing and the sub-wing using a lightweight and compact linkage mechanism. Furthermore, the flap mechanism of this invention is located outside the main wing and sub-wing, within the aircraft wing fairing, facilitating convenient inspection and maintenance of the flap mechanism.

[0018] This summary is provided to introduce concepts in a simplified form, and these concepts will be further described in the following detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To gain a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference can be made to the following description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not intended to limit this disclosure to the specific embodiments depicted therein, and are not necessarily to scale. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic front view of a double-slotted flap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the double-slotted flap is in a retracted state; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic front view of a double-slit flap, in which the sub-connector is shown in perspective; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic rear view of the double-slit flaps; Figure 4 This is a schematic front view of a double-slotted flap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the double-slotted flap is in an intermediate state; and Figure 5 This is a schematic front view of a double-slotted flap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the double-slotted flap is in an deployed state.

[0020] List of reference numerals

[0021] 100 Double-stitched flaps

[0022] 1 main wing

[0023] 2. Wings

[0024] 3. Flap Movement Mechanism

[0025] 4 guide rails

[0026] 5. Pulley bracket

[0027] 6 First Linkage

[0028] 61 Drive lever

[0029] 611 Pivot End

[0030] 62 First connecting rod

[0031] 63 Second connecting rod

[0032] 64 Third connecting rod

[0033] 65 connecting rods

[0034] 7 Second Linkage

[0035] 71 First Connector

[0036] 711 First End

[0037] 712 Second End

[0038] 72 Second connecting component

[0039] 73 Third Connector

[0040] 74 Fourth connecting component

[0041] 75 sets of connecting parts

[0042] 751 First Connection Point

[0043] 752 Second Connection Point

[0044] 753 Third Connection Point Detailed Implementation

[0045] The following description of specific embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate particular embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice it. Other embodiments and changes may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the following description of specific embodiments should not be considered limiting. The scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and specific embodiments to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0046] In this article, the directional terms "forward" and "backward" are defined relative to the direction in which the wing 2 moves away from the main wing 1. Specifically, the direction in which the wing 2 moves away from the main wing 1 is the rearward direction, while the direction in which the wing 2 moves towards the main wing 1 is the forward direction. For example, in Figure 1 In the middle, the wing 2 is located behind the main wing 1; while the azimuth term "down" is defined relative to the working position of the double-slotted flap 100, for example, in Figure 1 In the middle, guide rail 4 is located below the main wing 1.

[0047] Figures 1 to 5 A double-slotted flap 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, the double-slotted flap 100 generally includes a main wing 1, a sub-wing 2 located behind the main wing 1, and a flap movement mechanism 3 for controlling the movement of the main wing 1 and the sub-wing 2. The flap movement mechanism 3 includes a guide rail 4 fixed relative to the main wing 1 and the sub-wing 2 (e.g., the guide rail 4 is fixed to an aircraft wing (not shown)), a pulley frame 5 slidably mounted on the guide rail 4, a first linkage group 6 for controlling the movement of the main wing 1, and a second linkage group 7 for controlling the movement of the sub-wing 2.

[0048] Figures 1 to 3 The retracted state of the double-slit flap 100 is shown. Figure 4 The intermediate state of the double-slit flap 100 is shown, while Figure 5 The double-slotted flap 100 is shown in its deployed state. Specifically, when in the retracted state, the main wing 1 is in a forward position on the guide rail 4, and the sub-wing 2 is adjacent to the main wing 1; when in the deployed state, the main wing 1 and the pulley frame can be in a rearward position on the guide rail 4, and the sub-wing 2 is spaced a certain distance from the main wing 1. The double-slotted flap 100 can move between the retracted and deployed states.

[0049] The first linkage 6 connects the main wing 1 to the pulley frame 5, so that when the first linkage 6 moves the main wing 1 backward or pulls the main wing 1 forward, it can drive the pulley frame 5 to move backward or forward on the guide rail 4 along with the main wing 1. The first linkage 6 includes: a drive rod 61, a second connecting rod 63, and a third connecting rod 64 that are hinged to each other end to end. The drive rod 61 is rotatably fixed to the aircraft wing (not shown) with its pivot end 611 that is not hinged to the other connecting rods, and the third connecting rod 64 is connected to the main wing 1 with its end that is not hinged to the second connecting rod 63, preferably fixed to the main wing 1; a first connecting rod 62, which is connected to the main wing 1 and the pulley frame 5 at its two ends respectively; and a secondary connecting rod 65, which is connected to the main wing 1 and the second connecting rod 63 at its two ends respectively.

[0050] Preferably, the pivot end 611 of the drive rod 61 is located in front of the main wing 1.

[0051] A drive mechanism such as an electric drive mechanism or a pneumatic drive mechanism can be used to actuate the drive rod 61 about its pivot end 611.

[0052] Preferably, the first connecting rod 62 is triangular in shape and is fixed to the main wing 1 with one of its base sides, and hinged to the pulley frame 5 with its vertex opposite to the base side. In this way, the main wing 1 can pivot relative to the pulley frame 5 with the vertex as the pivot point. More preferably, the first connecting rod 62 is integral with the main wing 1. However, the invention is not limited to this; the first connecting rod 62 can be formed in other suitable shapes, such as rectangular.

[0053] The secondary connecting rod 65 is preferably fixed at both ends to the main wing 1 and connected to the second connecting rod 63, and is located between the drive rod 61 and the third connecting rod 64, and preferably between the drive rod 61 and the first connecting rod 62. The secondary connecting rod 65 enables the first linkage group 6 to control the movement of the main wing 1, thereby ensuring that the main wing 1 remains approximately parallel to the second connecting rod 63 during movement, preventing the main wing 1 from losing control of its movement when only supported and stressed by the third connecting rod 64.

[0054] Thus, the main wing 1 is supported by the third connecting rod 64 and the auxiliary connecting rod 65, which are both connected to the second connecting rod 63. When the drive rod 61 pivots and drives the second connecting rod 63 to move, the motion can be transmitted to the main wing 1 through the third connecting rod 64 and the auxiliary connecting rod 65, so that the main wing 1 follows the second connecting rod 63 and moves parallel to it. Since the main wing 1 is also hinged to the pulley frame 5 through the first connecting rod 62, the pulley frame 5 is also driven to move along the guide rail 4 with the main wing 1, and the main wing 1 pivots relative to the pulley frame 5 during the movement.

[0055] Go to Figure 2 The second linkage group 7 includes a first connecting member 71 connecting the first linkage group 6 and the second linkage group 7, a second connecting member 72 and a third connecting member 73 connecting the pulley frame 5 and the sub-wing 2, and a fourth connecting member 74 connecting the first connecting member 71 and the second connecting member 72. The second connecting member 72 is fixed to the sub-wing 2, while the third connecting member 73 is hinged to the pulley frame 5. The second connecting member 72 and the third connecting member 73 are also connected to each other by means of a secondary connecting member 75. Preferably, the second connecting member 72 and the third connecting member 73 are indirectly connected to each other end to end. Furthermore, preferably, the third connecting member 73 is hinged to the rear end of the pulley frame 5, located behind the first connecting rod 62 of the first linkage group 6 and spaced a certain distance from the first connecting rod 62.

[0056] like Figure 2As shown, the secondary connecting member 75 of the second linkage group 7 is hinged to the first connecting member 71 at its first connection point 751, to the second connecting member 72 at its second connection point 752, and to the third connecting member 73 at its third connection point 753. The first connection point 751, the second connection point 752, and the third connection point 753 are located at discrete positions on the secondary connecting member 75. Preferably, when the double-slit flap 100 is in the position shown... Figures 1 to 3 In the retracted state shown, the first connection point 751, the third connection point 753, and the second connection point 752 are arranged sequentially from top to bottom.

[0057] In this preferred embodiment, the first connecting member 71 is a hollow member with a cavity, so that the secondary connecting member 75 can be connected at least partially to the first connecting member 71, the second connecting member 72, and the third connecting member 73 within the cavity of the first connecting member 71. This improves the overall neatness and aesthetics of the second linkage group 7 and thus the flap movement mechanism 3.

[0058] The first connecting member 71 has opposite first ends 711 and second ends 712. The first end 711 is fixed to the first connecting rod 62 of the first linkage group 6, and the second end 712 is connected to the second connecting member 72 via a fourth connecting member 74. The first end 711 of the first connecting member 71 is located on the first connecting rod 62 of the first linkage group 6 between the main wing 1 and the pulley frame 5.

[0059] Preferably, as shown in the figure, the secondary connector 75, especially its first connection point 751, is located between the first end 711 and the second end 712 of the first connector 71, that is, the end of the third connector 73 that is hinged to the secondary connector 75 and thus hinged to the second connector 72 is located between the first end 711 and the second end 712 of the first connector 71.

[0060] It should be noted that although the extension direction of the first connecting member 71 is intersected with the extension directions of the second connecting member 72 and the third connecting member 73, the second connecting member 72 and the third connecting member 73 never come into contact with the first connecting member 71 during the movement of the second linkage group 7.

[0061] The fourth connector 74 is hinged at both ends to the second end 712 of the first connector 71 and the second connector 72, respectively.

[0062] Preferably, the second connecting member 72 is triangular in shape, and its three vertices are respectively hinged to the third connecting member 73, fixed to the sub-wing 2, and hinged to the fourth connecting member 74. More preferably, the second connecting member 72 is integral with the sub-wing 2, as used in this embodiment. In this way, the fourth connecting member 74 and the sub-wing 2 are connected to the second connecting member 72 at a distance to facilitate the movement of the sub-wing 2 under force.

[0063] Double-stitched flap 100 from Figure 1The retraction state movement shown goes through, as follows Figure 4 The intermediate state shown moves to, for example Figure 5 The motion process of the unfolded state shown is described below.

[0064] When the double-slit flap 100 moves from the retracted state to the deployed state, the drive rod 61 rotates around its pivot end 611 (from... Figure 1 (From the perspective of observation) Rotating counterclockwise, the drive rod 61 pushes the second connecting rod 63 to move approximately backward and rotate clockwise, thereby pushing the main wing 1 backward through the third connecting rod 64 and the auxiliary connecting rod 65 and rotating it clockwise relative to the pulley frame 5 (from the perspective of observation). Figure 1 (Observed from the perspective of the main wing 1), and further uses the first connecting rod 62 connecting the main wing 1 and the pulley frame 5 to push the pulley frame 5 to move backward on the guide rail 4.

[0065] Since the second linkage 7 connects the sub-wing 2 to the pulley frame 5 and the first linkage 6, the sub-wing 2 also slides backward along the guide rail 4 with the main wing 1 along the pulley frame 5. Specifically, as the main wing 1 drives the pulley frame 5 to slide backward along the guide rail 4, the third connecting member 73, hinged to the rear end of the pulley frame 5, is driven to rotate clockwise relative to the pulley frame 5, thereby pushing the secondary connecting member 75 to rotate counterclockwise around the first connection point 751. Since the secondary connecting member 75 is hinged to the second connecting member 72 at the second connection point 752, and the second connecting member 72 is movably connected to the first connecting member 71 fixed to the main wing 1 by means of the fourth connecting member 74, the counterclockwise rotation of the secondary connecting member 75 pushes the second connecting member 72 to move backward, thereby causing the sub-wing 2 to rotate clockwise around the second end 712 of the first connecting member 71 and move away from the main wing 1.

[0066] This interconnected movement of the main wing 1 and the sub-wing 2 continues until the drive rod 61 of the first linkage group 6 stops pivoting, and the double-slotted flap 100 reaches its maximum position. Figure 5 Up to the position shown in the diagram.

[0067] Remove the double-stitched flap 100 from... Figure 5 The unfolded position shown is retracted to, as Figure 1 The movement to the retracted position shown is the opposite of the movement described above, and is generally achieved by the clockwise pivoting of the drive rod 61 of the first linkage group 6 (from...). Figure 5 (Observed from a certain perspective) the main wing 1 and the sub-wing 2 are pulled back to the retracted position. For the sake of simplicity, this will not be described in detail here. The double-slotted flap of the present invention uses two interconnected sets of four-bar linkages as the flap motion mechanism. Its connection form is simple, its weight and volume are light, and it can be installed outside the main wing and sub-wing of the flap. Therefore, the double-slotted flap solves the problems of low maintainability of the motion mechanism installed inside the flap in the prior art, and the problems of excessive weight and volume of the motion mechanism installed outside the flap, which is not conducive to the lightweighting of the aircraft.

[0068] As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements and may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to the method, article, or apparatus.

[0069] This invention is not limited to the above embodiments, which are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art, guided by the teachings of this invention, can make any possible variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this invention, without departing from the scope of the invention, fall within the protection scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A double-slotted flap, the double-slotted flap being connected to an aircraft wing, comprising: Main wing, which is movable relative to the aircraft wing; Sub-wing, which is connected to the main wing and moves with the main wing; as well as A flap mechanism drives the movement of the main wing and the sub-wing. The flap movement mechanism includes: A guide rail, which is fixed to the aircraft wing; A pulley bracket, which is slidably mounted on the guide rail; A first linkage assembly mechanically connects the main wing to the pulley frame, wherein movement of the first linkage assembly causes the main wing, along with the pulley frame, to slide; and The second linkage group is connected to the first linkage group and the pulley frame, and is also connected to the sub-wing. The movement of the first linkage group and the pulley frame drives the second linkage group to drive the sub-wing to move relative to the main wing.

2. The double-slit flap according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first linkage assembly includes: A drive rod, the drive rod being fixed to the aircraft wing at a pivot end, wherein the drive rod is pivotable about the pivot end; A first connecting rod, which is connected at both ends to the main wing and the pulley frame, respectively. A second connecting rod and a third connecting rod are hinged to each other, wherein the second connecting rod is also hinged to the drive rod, and the third connecting rod is also connected to the main wing.

3. The double-slit flap according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first connecting rod is fixed at one end to the main wing and hinged at the opposite end to the pulley frame.

4. The double-slit flap according to claim 3, characterized in that, The third connecting rod is fixed to the main wing at one end and hinged to the second connecting rod at the opposite end.

5. The double-slotted flap according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, It also includes a secondary connecting rod, which is connected at both ends to the main wing and the second connecting rod of the first connecting rod group, respectively, wherein the secondary connecting rod is located between the drive rod and the first connecting rod.

6. The double-slit flap according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second linkage assembly includes: A first connecting member, the first connecting member being connected to a first connecting rod of the first link assembly; A second connecting member is fixed to the sub-wing; A third connecting member, hinged to the pulley frame, wherein the second connecting member and the third connecting member are connected to each other via a secondary connecting member; and A fourth connecting member, which is hinged at both ends to the second connecting member and the first connecting member, respectively.

7. The double-slit flap according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sub-connector includes a first connection point, a second connection point, and a third connection point that are separate from each other. The sub-connector is hinged to the first connector at the first connection point, to the second connector at the second connection point, and to the third connector at the third connection point.

8. The double-slit flap according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first connecting member is fixed at its first end to the first connecting rod of the first connecting rod assembly, and hinged at its second end opposite to the first end to the fourth connecting member. The secondary connecting member is located between the first end and the second end of the first connecting member.

9. The double-slit flap according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first connecting member of the second linkage group is located between the main wing and the pulley frame.

10. The double-slit flap according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fourth connector is connected to the second connector at a distance from the sub-wing.

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