Aircraft Folding Wing Latch Mechanism for Space Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airport taxiways and gates often have space limitations that restrict the wingspan of aircraft, limiting passenger volume and cargo capacity, necessitating aircraft with foldable wings to fit within these constraints.
Innovation Solution
The development of an aircraft folding wing system featuring latch portions with teeth and pins, actuated by an adjacent mechanism to lock the wings in either a folded or spread position, utilizing locking bars and catches to secure the wing positions, enabling efficient orientation and space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the wingspan of the aircraft is increased to accommodate more passengers and cargo, then the passenger volume and cargo capacity are improved, but the aircraft cannot fit within the space limitations of the taxiway and gate
Solution Approach 1:
The wing assembly is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, transitioning between a spread position for flight and a folded position for ground operations. The latch mechanism enables the wing to change its configuration state, allowing the aircraft to adapt its wingspan according to operational requirements rather than being fixed in one dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing folding mechanism transforms the spatial arrangement of the wing from a two-dimensional spread configuration to a three-dimensional folded configuration. By folding the wing upward and securing it with latches, the aircraft reduces its horizontal footprint while maintaining the structural integrity and volume necessary for passenger and cargo capacity.
2Reliability
If a latch mechanism is used to secure the wing in folded or spread positions, then the reliability of position locking is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the wing's position. When the wing reaches the folded or spread position, the latch automatically locks into place without requiring manual intervention. The spring-loaded design allows the latch to self-actuate, reducing the need for complex control systems while maintaining reliable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism replaces complex mechanical linkages and manual locking systems with a simpler spring-loaded pin and tooth engagement system. This substitution reduces the number of moving parts and simplifies the overall structure while providing reliable position locking through the interaction of the pin, tooth, and spring components.
Data Source
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AI summary
Latching apparatus and methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first latch portion (404) including a first tooth (508) and a first pin (530) disposed in a first aperture (522) defined by the first tooth (508) and a second latch portion (406) including a second tooth (510) and a second pin (532) disposed in an second aperture (524) defined by the second tooth. The second tooth of the second latch portion is to mesh with the first tooth of the first latch portion to substantially orient the first pin and the second pin along an axis. The example apparatus further includes an actuator (544,560) adjacent a first end of one of the first latch portion or the second latch portion to move the first pin and the second pin along the axis to lock the first latch portion to the second latch portion.