Aircraft Wing Slat Connection Assembly Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft wing designs require a complex construction with the slat track penetrating the front spar to accommodate the retracted position, which complicates the wing structure and increases space requirements in the leading edge portion.
Innovation Solution
A compact connection assembly featuring an elongate guide within the main wing's interior space and a bearing partly outside, allowing the slat track to remain within the interior space even in the retracted position, eliminating the need for penetration through the front spar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the slat track penetrates the front spar to accommodate the retracted position, then the slat can be moved between retracted and extended positions, but the wing structure becomes more complex and requires additional space in the leading edge portion
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is positioned inside the main wing while the bearing is positioned outside, utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement to resolve the contradiction. This allows the slat track to achieve full movement range without penetrating the front spar, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while ensuring operational capability
2Ease of operation
If the slat track penetrates the front spar, then the slat can reach the retracted position, but the area behind the front spar required for fuel tank is reduced and creates a complex one side opened tube like space
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is extracted from the interior space and positioned outside the main wing. This extraction eliminates the need for the slat track to penetrate the front spar and creates a complex internal space, thereby preserving the fuel tank volume and simplifying the wing structure while maintaining slat retraction capability
3Ease of operation
If the connection assembly is designed to allow slat track penetration, then slat movement is enabled, but the leading edge portion requires considerable space
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly utilizes three-dimensional arrangement by positioning the guide inside the main wing and the bearing outside. This spatial distribution reduces the space required in the leading edge portion while enabling complete slat movement between retracted and extended positions
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
This configuration reduces the complexity of the wing structure, maintains stiffness, and allows for a shorter slat track, enabling reliable and efficient movement between retracted and extended positions without compromising mechanical integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The connection assembly comprises a bearing, which is at least partly arranged outside the interior space of the main wing
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a wing (2) for an aircraft, comprising: a main wing (4) having an outer skin (6) defining an interior space (8) of the main wing, a slat (10), and a connection assembly (12) for movably connecting the slat to the main wing, such that the slat is movable in a predefined motion between a retracted position and at least one extended position, wherein the connection assembly comprises an elongate guide (14) being arranged within the interior space of the main wing, wherein the connection assembly comprises a bearing (16), which is at least partly arranged outside the interior space of the main wing, wherein the connection assembly comprises an elongate slat track (18), wherein a first end section (20) of the slat track is connected to the slat, wherein a second end section (22) of the slat track is movably and rotatable connected to the guide, such that the second end section of the slat track is movable along a predefined pathway defined by the guide while being connected to the main wing via the guide, and wherein an intermediate section (24) of the slat track is movably and rotatably supported on the main wing by the bearing, such that the guide and the bearing support the predefined motion. The present invention further relates to a corresponding connection assembly as such as well as to an aircraft comprising the wing.