Aircraft Control Surface Drive Mechanism Manifold Space

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft control surface drive mechanisms face challenges in compactness due to the need for efficient space arrangement of manifold structures for hydraulic actuators, particularly with thinned wings, which affects fuel efficiency and structural compactness.

Innovation Solution

The mechanism features a reaction link pivotably attached to the fulcrum shaft and actuator between cylinder units, creating wide open spaces for manifold installation, with integrally formed cylinders for increased rigidity and a light-weight structure, and a widened reaction link to support reaction forces without weight increase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the reaction link is attached to the actuator at the ends of cylinder units, then the structure is simple, but the installation space for manifold structures is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidinstallation space for manifold structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attaching the reaction link to the actuator at the conventional ends of the cylinder units, the patent inverts the attachment location to the intermediate position between the cylinder units. This inversion of the attachment point creates open spaces at the actuator ends, which can be efficiently utilized for installing manifold structures, thereby resolving the space insufficiency problem while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Force

If multiple cylinder units are provided in the actuator, then the output force is increased, but the arrangement space for manifold structures is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput forceVSAvoidarrangement space for manifold structures

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent redistributes the manifold structures from a linear arrangement along the actuator to a spatial arrangement utilizing the three-dimensional space created by the intermediate attachment point. This dimensional change allows multiple cylinder units to be accommodated while providing sufficient space for manifold installation in the lateral and longitudinal directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the wing thickness is reduced for fuel efficiency, then the fuel efficiency is improved, but the space for installing drive mechanisms is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation space for drive mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a compact nested arrangement where the reaction link is integrated with the actuator structure through intermediate attachment. This nesting approach allows the drive mechanism to be compactly arranged within the reduced wing thickness space, accommodating all necessary components including manifold structures without requiring additional volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2530012B1Aircraft control surface drive mechanism

Publication Date: 2019.08.14 NABTESCO CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

An actuator includes a plurality of cylinder units (11) each including a cylinder and a rod (21), and is pivotably attached, at a first end thereof, to a control surface (102). A reaction link (12) is pivotably attached, at a first end thereof, to a fulcrum shaft (104) rotatably supporting the control surface. The reaction link (12) is pivotably attached, at a second end thereof, to a second end of the actuator between the plurality of cylinder units (11).