Aircraft Flap Tracks With Segmented Carriages for Jam Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flap mechanical systems in aircrafts are prone to jams, which increase manufacturing complexity, cost, and maintenance, and require additional resources, impacting aircraft performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A flap assembly with a jam-resistant track design, featuring a C-channel configuration for the track and a three-piece flap carriage with redundant rollers, reduces manufacturing complexity and vulnerability to jams, using coupling components and passive support to supplement actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flap mechanical systems are used, then flaps can be extended and retracted to change wing profiles, but the systems are prone to jams increasing manufacturing complexity and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The flap carriage is divided into three separate pieces that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. This segmentation allows each piece to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process and reducing the complexity of producing the complete carriage assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The track design incorporates features that prevent jams before they occur by providing adequate clearance and proper alignment guides. The C-channel configuration of the track provides built-in protection against foreign object debris causing jams, eliminating the need for complex additional protective mechanisms.
2Reliability
If conventional flap mechanical systems are used, then flaps can be actuated to change wing profiles, but additional resources are required for maintenance and operational support
Solution Approach 1:
The flap carriage design allows for self-alignment and self-adjustment during operation. The three-piece construction with specific geometric relationships between pieces enables the system to compensate for minor misalignments automatically, reducing the need for maintenance interventions and operational support resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The track's C-channel configuration provides pre-built protection against foreign object debris, preventing jams before they occur. This design feature eliminates the need for additional maintenance resources that would otherwise be required to address jam-related issues.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex flap mechanical systems are used, then flaps can be precisely controlled, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the carriage into three separate pieces, each can be manufactured using standard processes and then assembled with simple coupling components. This approach maintains the necessary positioning precision through careful design of the interface between pieces while significantly improving manufacturing ease compared to producing a single complex integrated carriage.
Solution Approach 2:
The track's C-channel configuration provides localized geometric precision where needed for roller guidance and alignment, while other portions of the track can be manufactured more simply. This localized approach to precision maintains overall positioning accuracy without requiring high precision throughout the entire component.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The application relates to flap assemblies with failsafe jam-resistant flap tracks. The flap assembly includes a track (402A,402B) having an elongate structure and a flap carriage (404) configured to move along a length of the track. The track is configured to couple to an aircraft wing and the flap carriage includes a primary roller (602) and a pair of secondary rollers (604A,604B) configured to secure the flap carriage to the track. A top portion (414) of the flap carriage is configured to couple to a flap such that movement of the flap carriage along the length of the track enables movement of the flap relative to the aircraft wing.