Aircraft Flap Drive Architecture With Switch Rerouting Redundancy

Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft flap systems require eight motor drive units to ensure operation in case of electronic failures, leading to increased complexity, weight, and risk of flap panel non-operation due to motor drive unit failures.

Innovation Solution

A system architecture utilizing a pair of motor drive units connected in series with switches to operate multiple flap panels, allowing for fail-safe operation with only four motor drive units by rerouting electrical connections through switches in case of failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If eight motor drive units are used to ensure flap panel operation in case of electronic failures, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflap panel operation reliabilityVSAvoidmotor drive units quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each motor drive unit is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling different electric motors through switch networks. A single motor drive unit can operate any of the four electric motors (first, second, third, or fourth motor) by appropriate switch configuration, making the system universally functional rather than dedicated to specific flap panels only

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic reconfiguration of electrical connections through switches that can change the operational state of motor drive units. When a failure is detected, the switch network dynamically reroutes electrical connections to redirect power from functioning motor drive units to the affected electric motors, enabling adaptive response to failures without physical reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If eight motor drive units are used to ensure flap panel operation, then reliability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflap panel operation reliabilityVSAvoidmotor drive units weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Each motor drive unit is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling different electric motors through switch networks. A single motor drive unit can operate any of the four electric motors (first, second, third, or fourth motor) by appropriate switch configuration, making the system universally functional rather than dedicated to specific flap panels only

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the functionality of multiple motor drive units into a single drive unit through the switch network. The first and second motor drive units can collectively control the first and second electric motors, while the third and fourth motor drive units can control the third and fourth electric motors, effectively combining their operational capabilities into fewer physical units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If eight motor drive units are used to ensure flap panel operation, then reliability is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflap panel operation reliabilityVSAvoidmotor drive units quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Each motor drive unit is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling different electric motors through switch networks. A single motor drive unit can operate any of the four electric motors (first, second, third, or fourth motor) by appropriate switch configuration, making the system universally functional rather than dedicated to specific flap panels only

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the functionality of multiple motor drive units into a single drive unit through the switch network. The first and second motor drive units can collectively control the first and second electric motors, while the third and fourth motor drive units can control the third and fourth electric motors, effectively combining their operational capabilities into fewer physical units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12179910B2System architecture for operation of aircraft flaps

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 GOODRICH ACTUATION SYST

AI summary

A system architecture for operation of aircraft flaps. The system architecture includes a first pair of motor drive units, the first pair comprising a first motor drive unit (MD1) and a second motor drive unit (MD3), and a second pair of motor drive units, the second pair comprising a third motor drive unit (MD2) and a fourth motor drive unit (MD4). The system further includes a first plurality of switches connected between the first motor drive unit (MD1) and the second motor drive unit (MD3), the first plurality of switches configured to operate a first electric motor and a second electric motor, and a second plurality of switches connected between the third motor drive unit (MD2) and the fourth motor drive unit (MD4), the second plurality of switches configured to operate a third electric motor and a fourth electric motor.