Aircraft Wheel Rotational Driving Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft wheels with rotational driving mechanisms require specific certification and modification, as they use attachment members with play to attach a toothed ring to the wheel rim, necessitating new wheel production for existing aircraft.

Innovation Solution

The aircraft wheel integrates a driving ring attached to the rim using treads that also retain brake blocks, allowing for the use of existing wheels without modification by introducing rotational driving torque in the same region as braking torque, utilizing existing treads to secure the attachment members and brake blocks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If attachment members with play are used to attach the toothed ring to the wheel rim, then the wheel can be modified for rotational driving, but new wheels must be produced and certified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of existing wheels for rotational drivingVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of new certified wheels

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tread elements serve dual functions: they retain the brake blocks and simultaneously serve as attachment members for the toothed ring. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate attachment structures, allowing existing wheels to be used for rotational driving without modification or new certification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Extent of automation

If specific wheels are produced with attachment members, then rotational driving is enabled, but the wheel design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of wheel rotationVSAvoidcomplexity of wheel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment members are merged with the tread elements that already exist on the wheel for brake block retention. This integration combines the rotational driving attachment function with the existing brake retention structure, avoiding additional complexity while enabling automated wheel rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the drive torque is introduced in the same region as braking torque, then existing wheels can be used, but the structural load is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with existing wheelsVSAvoidstructural load on wheel

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The drive torque is significantly less than the braking torque, so introducing it in the same region as the braking torque does not create excessive structural load. The existing tread elements and attachment members are designed to handle the braking force, which is greater than the drive force, so the additional drive torque does not exceed the structural capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9415865B2Aircraft wheel

Publication Date: 2016.08.16 SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS

AI summary

An aircraft wheel which is provided with rotational driving unit (110). The driving unit comprises a driving ring (111) which is associated with structure (112) for attaching the ring to a rim of the wheel. The attachment structure is fixed to treads (119) of the rim which further serve to retain removable brake blocks (121) with which the rim is provided.