Dual-Drive Trailing Edge Control Surface for Aircraft Wing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft wing control systems face challenges in efficiently balancing the functionality and installation space requirements of high-lift flaps and ailerons, necessitating a solution that enhances their performance without enlarging installation spaces or making heavy modifications to the wing.
Innovation Solution
A system for driving and guiding a trailing edge control surface on an aircraft wing, featuring a first guide device and a first drive device for extending and retracting the control surface, along with a second drive device to influence its incidence angle, allowing for multi-functional operation as both a high-lift flap and aileron, optimizing the use of available space and improving flight performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If high-lift flaps and ailerons are arranged at the trailing edge of a wing, then both high-lift functionality and roll control are achieved, but the installation space becomes insufficient and the balance between their specific demands cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a trailing edge control surface that can function both as a high-lift flap and as an aileron through a dual-drive system. The first drive device moves the control surface along a trajectory to provide high-lift functionality, while the second drive device independently adjusts the incidence angle to enable roll control. This multi-functional design allows a single control surface to replace what would traditionally require separate flaps and ailerons, thereby saving installation space on the wing's trailing edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The control surface is divided into functionally independent segments through the use of two separate drive devices. The first drive device (with first actuator) controls the position along the trajectory for high-lift function, while the second drive device (with second actuator) controls the incidence angle for roll control. This segmentation of control functions allows each drive device to independently manage specific aspects of control surface operation, enabling both high-lift and aileron functions to coexist in a limited space.
2Ease of operation
If separate drive devices are used for high-lift flap and aileron functions, then independent control of both functions is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the high-lift flap mechanism and aileron mechanism into a single integrated trailing edge control surface structure. Both the first drive device (for high-lift trajectory control) and the second drive device (for incidence angle control) act on the same control surface, which serves both functions. This merging approach reduces the need for completely separate control surfaces and their associated mounting structures, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity despite having two drive devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The control surface is designed with dynamic capability to perform different functions based on the operation of the two drive devices. The control surface can dynamically switch between or combine high-lift mode (first drive device active) and roll control mode (second drive device active). This dynamic flexibility allows the system to adapt its configuration and function in real-time, maximizing the utility of each drive device while maintaining manageable system complexity.
3Strength
If the control surface is designed for high-lift function with extended position, then lift coefficient is increased, but the roll control surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control surface operates in different functional modes depending on flight conditions. During take-off and landing phases, the first drive device positions the control surface in the extended position to maximize lift coefficient. During cruise and maneuvering phases, the second drive device can adjust the incidence angle to enable effective roll control. This periodic switching between functional modes ensures that the control surface provides optimal performance for the current flight phase without permanently sacrificing either high-lift capability or roll control area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the control surface through the coordinated action of two drive devices. The first actuator changes the position parameter along the trajectory, while the second actuator changes the orientation parameter (incidence angle). By independently controlling these two parameters, the system can optimize the control surface configuration for either high-lift generation or roll control as needed, effectively managing the trade-off between lift coefficient and roll control surface area through parameter adjustment rather than fixed design compromises.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for driving and guiding a trailing edge control surface on a trailing edge region of an aircraft wing comprises a first guide device coupled with the control surface to guide the control surface along a predetermined trajectory relative to the trailing edge region between a retracted position and an extended position, a first drive device couplable with the wing and the control surface to move the control surface along the trajectory, and a second drive device coupled with the control surface and couplable with one of the wing and the first guide device to influence the incidence angle of the control surface, wherein the first drive device and the second drive device are separate from each other and are operable independently, such that the incidence angle of the control surface is influencable at least in the retracted position of the control surface.