Coaxial Flap Actuator Using Dual-Thread Torque Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating arrangements, such as those using planetary gears or worm gears, are expensive, maintenance-intensive, and require significant space due to their complex designs, limiting their ability to achieve high transmission ratios and compact, cost-effective implementations.
Innovation Solution
An axially movable transmission device with differing thread pitches is used to convert rotational input into rotational output, allowing for high transmission ratios in a compact, coaxial design with reduced component complexity and manufacturing costs, and incorporating an overload control mechanism to prevent damage from excessive torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If planetary gears are used to convert fast rotation to slower rotation, then torque conversion is achieved, but the design becomes expensive and maintenance-intensive due to multiple gears on different axes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of torque conversion from the complex planetary gear system and implements it using a single worm gear and a single reduction gear. This removes the multiple gears on different axes, simplifying the design while maintaining the torque conversion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the torque conversion function into a single integrated mechanism using a worm gear paired with a reduction gear. This merges multiple functions into one compact unit, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall design compared to planetary gear systems.
2Power
If planetary gears are used for torque conversion, then power transmission is achieved, but installation space increases due to multiple gears on different axes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power transmission function into a compact configuration using a worm gear and a single reduction gear. This integrated design significantly reduces the installation space required compared to planetary gear systems that require multiple gears arranged on different axes.
3Power
If worm gear is used to achieve high reduction ratio, then transmission ratio is improved, but design effort and installation space increase due to two axes at an angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high reduction ratio capability from the complex angled two-axis worm gear configuration and achieves it using a single-axis arrangement with a worm gear and reduction gear. This maintains the high reduction ratio while eliminating the need for angled axes, significantly reducing design effort.
4Power
If conventional actuating arrangements are used, then torque conversion is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase due to complex design and multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple torque conversion functions into a single integrated mechanism using a worm gear and reduction gear. This merging of functions reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining effective torque conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential torque conversion function from the complex multi-component system and implements it using fewer, simpler components. This extraction of the core function eliminates unnecessary complexity, making the actuator easier and less costly to manufacture.
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
The solution enables a compact, cost-effective actuating arrangement capable of achieving high transmission ratios with simplified design and reduced space requirements, while protecting against overloads, making it suitable for applications like flap control devices.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second threaded sections have different thread pitches, by which a conversion of the torque, i.e. a step-up or step-down of the rotation of the input element into the rotation of the output element, is achieved
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an actuating arrangement (10) comprising a rotating input element (26) at which a first torque of a motor arrangement (18, 22) can be input into the actuating arrangement, a rotating output element (16) at which a second torque can be output from the actuating arrangement, and a transmission section for converting the first torque into the second torque, wherein the transmission section comprises a transmission device (32) with a first threaded section (30) and a second threaded section (34), wherein the first threaded section converts a rotation of the input element (26) into an axial movement of the transmission device, and the second threaded section converts an axial movement of the transmission device into a rotation of the output element (16).