Aircraft Wheel Rotational Drive Flexible Ring Clevis Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft wheel rotational drive systems face challenges in accommodating deformations and movements due to ovalization and axle bending during taxiing, requiring complex and costly ball joint-type elements for attachment.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft wheel with a rotational drive system featuring a flexible and deformable chain ring attached to clevises on the rim, allowing for absorption of deformations and movement without complex attachments, using a drive pinion and rollers to transmit rotational force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a toothed ring is mounted rigidly on the wheel rim, then the drive transmission is simple and direct, but the system cannot accommodate wheel deformations and movements during taxiing
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed ring is divided into multiple segments that can move relative to each other, allowing the ring to deform with the wheel while maintaining drive transmission. Each segment is connected through attachment members with clearances, enabling the ring to accommodate ovalization and axle bending movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment members are designed with specific clearance parameters that allow controlled relative movement between the toothed ring segments and the wheel rim. This clearance enables the system to adapt to deformation parameters while maintaining functional integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If attachment members with clearances are used to allow relative movement, then the system can accommodate deformations, but complex ball joint-type elements are required
Solution Approach 1:
The complex ball joint elements are extracted and replaced with simpler attachment members that have built-in clearances. The attachment members directly connect the toothed ring segments to the wheel rim through clearance holes, eliminating the need for separate ball joint components while maintaining the required adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex ball joint-type attachment elements are used, then relative movement is enabled, but the cost of the attachment system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment members are designed as simple, inexpensive components with clearance holes that can be manufactured using standard processes. These simple attachment members replace costly ball joint elements, significantly reducing the overall manufacturing cost while maintaining the required functional adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient rotation of the aircraft wheel while absorbing deformations and movements, utilizing standard rims and reducing the need for costly attachment components.
Implementation Method 1
the ring forms a flexible and deformable segment between two attachment members... The flexibility of the segments of the ring makes it possible to absorb deformations and movement of the wheel
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft wheel equipped with rotation-drivers (10) attached to clevises (19) projecting from a side of wheel rim (5). The rotation driver includes a ring (11) that is adapted to cooperate with a drive actuator and is provided with members (12) for attaching to the clevises in such a way that, between two attachment members, the ring forms a flexible and deformable segment.