Folding wing for an air car

Abstract

This invention provides a folding wing for a flying car, comprising: two wings hinged to both sides of the flying car body, each wing consisting of multiple wing segments hinged sequentially; a folding assembly connecting two adjacent wing segments, enabling the multiple wing segments to fold in a Z-shape; and two storage assemblies fixed to one side of the vehicle body and hinged to the wing segments at their respective connecting ends, for flipping the folded wing into the flying car. This embodiment employs multiple wing segments hinged sequentially, and then uses folding assemblies positioned between two adjacent wing segments to achieve a Z-shape fold, thereby significantly reducing the space occupied by the wing. This allows the storage assemblies to flip the folded wing, thus storing the wing within the body of a conventionally sized flying car while maintaining the wing's lift-to-drag ratio.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of flying car technology, and in particular to a folding wing for flying cars. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with advancements in aircraft and vehicle design, "flying cars" have gradually emerged. Ideally, a flying car can operate on the ground as a conventional civilian vehicle; when flight is required, it can transform into an aircraft using a transformation device, gaining flight capabilities. The advent of flying cars can integrate land and air transportation, simultaneously improving the efficiency of both.

[0003] However, the needs of ground driving and air flight place different demands on vehicle design. Taking a typical fixed-wing flying car as an example, these flying cars require runways for takeoff and landing, so shortening the takeoff distance is particularly important. Therefore, a high aspect ratio wing needs to be designed to improve the lift-to-drag ratio, which often results in a wingspan several times greater than the length and width of a conventional civilian vehicle body.

[0004] For ground-based driving, the overall dimensions of the vehicle body need to be constrained within a fixed range. For example, the typical envelope dimensions of a civilian sedan are: length × width × height ≈ 5000mm × 2000mm × 2200mm. This creates a contradiction between the large wingspan of the wing and the compact wing-folding design.

[0005] Currently, the design of fixed-wing flying cars, both domestically and internationally, primarily employs a folding wing-retracting method. The left and right wings are rotated along several pivots at the wing roots, ultimately folding the wingspan parallel to the vehicle body. While this significantly reduces the overall width of the vehicle, the wings often exceed the overall length of the vehicle. This limits the wingspan to the vehicle's length, ultimately hindering the improvement of the wing's lift-to-drag ratio. Utility Model Content

[0006] The summary section of this utility model is intended to briefly introduce the concepts, which will be described in detail in the detailed description section below. This summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed technical solution, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed technical solution.

[0007] Some embodiments of this invention provide folding wings for flying cars to solve the technical problems mentioned in the background section above.

[0008] Some embodiments of this utility model provide a folding wing for a flying car, including:

[0009] Two wings are hinged to the sides of the flying car body, and each wing consists of multiple wing segments that are hinged together in sequence.

[0010] A folding assembly connects two adjacent wing segments, enabling the plurality of wing segments to fold in a Z-shape, wherein, in the folded state, the free end of the wing segment is at the top.

[0011] Two storage components are fixed to one side of the vehicle body and hinged to the wing section at the connection end of the corresponding wing, respectively, for flipping the folded wing into the flying car.

[0012] Optionally, each wing segment includes a spar arranged along the length of the wing, and multiple reinforcing ribs are vertically fixed on the spar.

[0013] Optionally, the folding assembly includes a first linear actuator, a connecting rod, and a triangular plate. The first linear actuator is fixed to the inner wall of a reinforcing rib of a wing segment. The push-pull rod of the first linear actuator passes through the reinforcing rib and is sequentially hinged to the connecting rod and the first corner of the triangular plate. The second corner of the triangular plate is also hinged to the reinforcing rib of the wing segment, and the triangular plate is also fixedly connected to the reinforcing rib of another wing segment. As the push-pull rod extends or retracts, the other wing segment rotates around the second corner of the triangular plate.

[0014] Optionally, the triangle is a right-angled isosceles triangle.

[0015] Optionally, two adjacent wing sections are provided with hinge seats that are hinged to each other on their reinforcing ribs, and the open ends of the two hinge seats are provided with locking holes; when the wing is deployed, the locking holes of the two hinge seats are coaxial.

[0016] Optionally, the folding assembly also includes a locking actuator fixed to a reinforcing rib, wherein when the wing is deployed, the telescopic rod of the locking actuator extends and passes through a coaxial locking hole.

[0017] Optionally, the first linear actuator and the locking actuator are electric push rods.

[0018] Optionally, the storage assembly includes a fixed beam fixed to the vehicle body, the fixed beam being hinged to the wing section at the connection end of the wing.

[0019] Optionally, the storage assembly further includes a second linear actuator that is telescopically hinged to the wing section at the connecting end of the wing and the vehicle body.

[0020] Optionally, the second linear actuator is an electric push rod.

[0021] The above embodiments of this utility model have the following beneficial effects:

[0022] The folding wing of this invention for flying cars allows the wing to be stored inside the body of a conventionally sized flying car while maintaining a good lift-to-drag ratio.

[0023] Specifically, the reason why these flying cars cannot be housed within the vehicle body is that they employ a method where the entire wing rotates along its root via a pivot, bringing the wing's span parallel to the vehicle body. While this significantly reduces the overall width of the vehicle, the wing often exceeds the overall length of the vehicle body to maintain a suitable lift-to-drag ratio. Shortening the wing length, however, makes it difficult to improve the wing's lift-to-drag ratio. Furthermore, the limited fore-and-aft wing arrangement restricts the design flexibility of the overall aircraft's control trim.

[0024] Based on this, some embodiments of the present invention use a folding wing for flying cars, which employs multiple wing segments that are hinged sequentially, and then uses a folding assembly between two adjacent wing segments to make the multiple wing segments fold in a Z-shape, thereby significantly reducing the space occupied by the wing. This allows the storage assembly to flip the folded wing and store it inside the body of a conventional-sized flying car while ensuring the lift-to-drag ratio of the wing. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the folding wing of a flying car according to the present invention, showing the wing in its unfolded and retracted states.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the folding wing process of the folding wing for a flying car according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the folding wing of the folding wing for a flying car according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the folding wing of the folding wing for a flying car according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the folding wing of the folding wing for a flying car according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the folding wing of the present invention for a flying car in its folded state.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the folding wing of the present invention for a flying car in the folded state;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the folding wing of the present invention for a flying car in its unfolded state.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0035] 1: Wing section; 2: Wing section; 3: Wing section; 4: Wing section; 5: Wing section; 6: Body; 7: Locking actuator; 8: Reinforcing rib; 9: Reinforcing rib; 10: First linear actuator; 11: Push-pull rod; 12: Adapter rod; 13: Triangular plate; 14: Wing spars; 15: Pin hole; 16: Locking hole; 17: Pin; 18: Locking hole; 19: Fixed beam; 20: Hinge seat; 21: Second linear actuator; 22: Push-pull rod; 23: Hinge seat; 24: Hinge seat; 25: Hinge seat. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solution of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0037] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0038] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. Furthermore, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly; for example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0039] This disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0040] Please refer to the following first. Figure 1 ,like Figure 1 As shown, the folding wing for a flying car of this invention includes two wings hinged to both sides of the flying car body 6. Since the wings on both sides are identical, the wing on the left side of the body 6 will be used as an example. Each wing is constructed by sequentially hinged wing segments 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, with wing segment 1 hinged to the body 6. The five wing segments can fold in a Z-shape, then to the left (…). Figure 1 The direction of the wing is flipped so that it can be stored inside the body 6, realizing the transformation of the wing from the state of flying in the air to the state of driving on the ground.

[0041] It should be noted that although the above description and accompanying drawings use five wing segments as an example, the number of wing segments is not fixed. Those skilled in the art can adjust the number of wing segments according to the actual situation, but such changes do not exceed the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0042] The structures of the wing sections are similar. Taking wing section 1 as an example, it may include a sparsity 14 and multiple reinforcing ribs 8. The sparsity 14 is arranged along the length of the wing, and the multiple reinforcing ribs 8 are arranged at intervals perpendicular to the sparsity 14. Furthermore, stringers parallel to the sparsity 14 can be fixed between adjacent reinforcing ribs 8 to improve the strength of wing section 1. Finally, a skin can be provided on the outside of the above structure to form wing section 1.

[0043] A folding assembly is provided between two adjacent wing sections to allow the two wing sections to be folded or unfolded. The following explanation will take the folding assembly between wing section 1 and wing section 2 as an example.

[0044] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4The aforementioned folding assembly includes a first linear actuator 10, an adapter rod 12, and a triangular plate 13. The first linear actuator 10 is fixed to the inner wall of the reinforcing rib 8 on the wing section 1. The push-pull rod 11 of the first linear actuator 10 slidably passes through the reinforcing rib 8 and is sequentially hinged to the adapter rod 12 and the first corner of the triangular plate 13. The second corner of the triangular plate 13 is hinged to the hinge seat 23 fixed to the wing section 1, and the triangular plate 13 is also fixedly connected to the reinforcing rib 9 of the wing section 2.

[0045] It should be noted that the aforementioned triangle 13 can be a right-angled isosceles triangle. One right-angled side of the triangle 13 can be fixedly connected to the wing section 2. The acute angle closer to the wing section 1 is used as the second side angle, and the acute angle away from the wing section 1 is used as the first side angle.

[0046] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, when the push-pull rod 11 of the first linear actuator 10 extends, it enables the adapter rod 12 to drive the triangular plate 13 to rotate around the hinge seat 23, thereby causing the wing section 2 to rotate counterclockwise. Figure 2 (in the direction of the middle), and finally folds onto the wing section 1. The aforementioned first linear actuator 10 can be an electric push rod controlled by a servo motor.

[0047] Revisit Figure 1 and Figure 5 During the wing folding process, wing segment 5 folds below wing segment 4, wing segment 4 folds above wing segment 3, wing segment 3 folds below wing segment 2, and wing segment 2 folds above wing segment 1, completing a Z-shaped fold. At this point, from top to bottom, the wing segments are wing segment 5 to wing segment 1, and the free end of the wing ( Figure 1 The wing section 5 (rightmost end) is located at the top, and the wing connection end ( Figure 1 The wing section 1 (leftmost end) is located at the bottom.

[0048] A storage assembly is provided between the wing section 1 and the body 6, which is used to flip the folded wing into the flying car for storage.

[0049] Please see Figure 6 and Figure 7 The storage assembly includes a fixed beam 19 and a second linear actuator 21. The fixed beam 19 is fixed to the left side of the vehicle body 6 and hinged to the wing section 1. The two ends of the second linear actuator 21 are hinged to the vehicle body 6 and the wing section 1, respectively. When the push-pull rod 22 of the second linear actuator 21 retracts, it enables the folded wing to rotate counterclockwise relative to the fixed beam 19. Figure 7 (in the direction of the center), causing the wing to flip into the body 6, and the wing enters the retracted state. The aforementioned second linear actuator 21 can be an electric push rod controlled by a servo motor.

[0050] When the wing is deployed, the push-pull rod 22 of the second linear actuator 21 extends first, causing the wing in the retracted state to rotate clockwise relative to the fixed beam 19. Figure 7 (in the direction of the middle), flip it to the outside of the car body 6, and enter as... Figure 6 The wing is shown in its folded state. Next, the push-pull rod 11 of the first linear actuator 10 retracts, causing the adapter rod 12 to drive the triangular plate 13 to rotate around the hinge seat 23, thereby causing the wing section 2 to rotate clockwise. Figure 2 (in the direction of the middle), and finally docking with wing section 1. Similarly, wing sections 3, 4, and 5 rotate in sequence, entering the... Figure 1 The image shows the wing in its deployed state.

[0051] To improve the rigidity of the wing in its deployed state and prevent adjacent wing sections from flipping, the folding wing also includes a locking actuator 7. Specifically, taking wing section 1 and wing section 2 as examples, hinge seats 24 and 25 are respectively provided on the reinforcing rib 8 of wing section 1 and the reinforcing rib 9 of wing section 2. Both hinge seats 24 and 25 have pin holes 15 at their connecting ends, and pins 17 pass through the two pin holes 15 to achieve the hinge connection between hinge seats 24 and 25. In this way, when wing section 2 flips relative to wing section 1, hinge seats 24 and 25 can provide support. Of course, two or more sets of hinge seats 24 and 25 can also be provided, and those skilled in the art can adjust them according to actual conditions.

[0052] The open ends of the aforementioned hinge seats 24 and 25 are respectively provided with locking holes 16 and 18. When the wing enters the deployed state, wing section 1 and wing section 2 are docked. At this time, the locking holes 16 and 18 of the hinge seats 24 and 25 are coaxial. The aforementioned locking actuator 7 can be fixed to the reinforcing rib 8 of wing section 1. The push-pull rod of the locking actuator 7 extends and can pass through the coaxial locking holes 16 and 18, thereby preventing relative rotation between the hinge seats 24 and 25, ensuring that wing section 1 and wing section 2 always remain docked, and improving the stability and reliability of the wing in the deployed state.

[0053] The folding assembly of this utility model forms a three-bar linkage through a first linear actuator, a connecting rod, and a triangular plate. It can fold each wing section in a Z-shape or unfold along the wing span direction. Since the moving parts such as the first linear actuator and the connecting rod are arranged coaxially along the wing span direction in the folding assembly shown in the figure, the linear motion is converted into folding rotational motion by the swing of the connecting rod, thus making full use of the thickness of the wing.

[0054] Compared to traditional hydraulic direct-drive actuator folding assemblies, this one is primarily driven by a two-bar mechanism consisting of a linear actuator and a triangular plate. During the driving process, the linear actuator will oscillate relative to the driven wing section.

[0055] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings, the folding assembly of this utility model has a three-bar linkage mechanism. The first linear actuator is fixed relative to the wing section. The large swing of the traditional hydraulic direct-drive actuator is converted into a small swing of the adapter rod through the adapter rod. Since the size of the adapter rod itself is much smaller than that of the first linear actuator, and the swing angle is also smaller than that of the hydraulic direct-drive actuator in the two-bar linkage scheme, the requirements for wing thickness and chord length can be reduced, maximizing the utilization of the internal space of the wing. 180° folding can be achieved within the narrow wing space. At the same time, according to the folding angle requirements of different wing sections, the length of the adapter rod can be finely adjusted to ensure that each wing section is at a dead point after folding, so that the folding wing is not affected by additional torques such as vibrations caused by ground travel.

[0056] When two adjacent wing sections are docked, the locking holes of the two hinged joints on the two wing sections are coaxial. The push-pull rod of the locking actuator extends and passes through the two coaxial locking holes, thereby preventing relative rotation of the two hinged joints and ensuring that the two wing sections remain docked at all times, thus improving the stability and reliability of the wing in the deployed state.

[0057] To facilitate use and maintenance, the traditional method of mounting the folding mechanism on the wing structure was abandoned. Instead, the folding components were designed as independent modules, which reduced the requirements for wing processing and assembly precision. This ensured that the operation of the folding components was not affected after the wing deformed due to flight loads, thereby improving operational reliability and safety.

[0058] The deployment, locking, folding, and stowage of the wings are achieved through electric push rods controlled by three servo motors, making them more suitable for flying cars with relatively small takeoff weights.

[0059] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A folding wing for a flying car, characterized in that, include: Two wings are hinged to the sides of the flying car body, and each wing consists of multiple wing segments that are hinged together in sequence. A folding assembly connects two adjacent wing segments, enabling the plurality of wing segments to fold in a Z-shape, wherein, in the folded state, the free end of the wing segment is at the top. Two storage components are fixed to one side of the vehicle body and hinged to the wing section at the connection end of the corresponding wing, respectively, for flipping the folded wing into the flying car.

2. The folding wing for a flying car according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each wing segment includes a spars arranged along the length of the wing, and multiple reinforcing ribs are vertically fixed on the spars.

3. The folding wing for a flying car according to claim 2, characterized in that, The folding assembly includes a first linear actuator, a connecting rod, and a triangular plate. The first linear actuator is fixed to the inner wall of a reinforcing rib of a wing segment. The push-pull rod of the first linear actuator passes through the reinforcing rib and is sequentially hinged to the connecting rod and the first corner of the triangular plate. The second corner of the triangular plate is also hinged to the reinforcing rib of the wing segment, and the triangular plate is also fixedly connected to the reinforcing rib of another wing segment. As the push-pull rod extends or retracts, the other wing segment rotates around the second corner of the triangular plate.

4. The folding wing for a flying car according to claim 3, characterized in that, The set square is a right-angled isosceles triangle.

5. The folding wing for a flying car according to claim 3, characterized in that, Two adjacent wing sections are provided with hinged seats on their reinforcing ribs, and the open ends of the two hinged seats are provided with locking holes; when the wing is deployed, the locking holes of the two hinged seats are coaxial.

6. The folding wing for a flying car according to claim 5, characterized in that, The folding assembly also includes a locking actuator fixed to a reinforcing rib, wherein when the wing is deployed, the telescopic rod of the locking actuator extends and passes through a coaxial locking hole.

7. The folding wing for a flying car according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first linear actuator and the locking actuator are electric push rods.

8. The folding wing for a flying car according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage assembly includes a fixed beam fixed to the vehicle body, which is hinged to the wing section at the connection end of the wing.

9. The folding wing for a flying car according to claim 8, characterized in that, The storage assembly also includes a second linear actuator that is telescopically hinged to the wing section at the connecting end of the wing and the body.

10. The folding wing for a flying car according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second linear actuator is an electric push rod.

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