Articulated Trailing-Edge Drive Mechanism for Smooth Morphing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerodynamic surfaces in aircraft experience abrupt changes in geometry due to rigid fairings covering actuator systems, leading to increased drag and flow separation at lower airspeeds, which negatively impact aerodynamic efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism comprising an articulated module with four links forming an antiparallelogram loop configuration, allowing for a single degree of freedom movement, coupled with a deformable morphing skin to smoothly adjust the trailing edge section of aerodynamic surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid fairings are used to cover the space between the rear spar and the control surface, then structural integrity is maintained, but abrupt changes in external geometry occur causing increased drag and flow separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid fairings with a flexible skin that can deform continuously. The flexible skin is tensioned between the rear spar and the control surface, allowing it to adapt its shape to maintain smooth aerodynamic contours during control surface deflection, thereby eliminating abrupt geometric changes and reducing drag and flow separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static rigid fairing structure to a dynamic flexible skin system that continuously adapts its geometry. The flexible skin changes shape in real-time as the control surface deflects, maintaining optimal aerodynamic contours throughout the range of motion, which resolves the contradiction between structural integrity and aerodynamic smoothness.
2Ease of operation
If a separate movable control surface is used with a fixed hinge axis, then mechanical deflection is achieved, but abrupt transition in outer geometry occurs between the rigid fairing and control surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rigid fairing and flexible skin into an integrated aerodynamic surface. The flexible skin continuously connects the rear spar to the control surface, eliminating the abrupt transition zone. This integration ensures that the entire trailing edge assembly moves as a unified aerodynamic surface, maintaining smooth contours while preserving mechanical deflection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible skin acts as a continuous deformable surface that bridges the rigid rear spar and the movable control surface. As the control surface deflects, the flexible skin smoothly transitions its shape, eliminating the abrupt geometric discontinuity that would otherwise occur at the interface between rigid and movable components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If rigid aerodynamic fairings are used to cover the actuating system, then protection is provided, but aerodynamic efficiency is reduced due to abrupt geometry changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces protective rigid fairings with a flexible skin that serves both protective and aerodynamic functions. The flexible skin envelops the actuating system while maintaining smooth aerodynamic contours, allowing it to deform with the control surface movement without creating abrupt geometric changes, thus preserving aerodynamic efficiency while providing protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible skin performs multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the actuating system from environmental factors, maintains aerodynamic smoothness to reduce drag, and adapts its shape during control surface deflection. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between protection and aerodynamic efficiency by eliminating the need for separate rigid fairings.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention provides a drive mechanism, a drive system and an aerodynamic structure for an aircraft, each comprising at least one articulated module (1A) comprising four links (10A, 20A, 30A, 40A), wherein each link comprises three coupling points (Ai, Bi, Ci, i=1..4) distributed forming a triangular geometry, wherein the links are coupled to each other such that an articulation with only one degree of freedom is provided.