Electro-Active Polymer Actuator for Modular Control Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control surface systems in air and space vehicles are complex and costly to assemble, disassemble, maintain, and repair, leading to increased labor, time, and expense.
Innovation Solution
A modular control surface system featuring an electro-active polymer actuator, a holder, and a housing that allows for adjustable actuator length and tension, enabling faster assembly, disassembly, and maintenance, with the ability to change actuator tension and length by switching positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a modular housing design is used that allows the actuator to be removed and attached in a modular manner, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control surface system is divided into modular components: the actuator, the holder, and the housing. The housing can be detached from the holder to remove or replace the actuator, enabling easy maintenance and repair without disassembling the entire control surface system. This segmentation allows independent replacement of the actuator module while keeping the housing and holder as reusable components.
2Manufacturing precision
If the housing is designed to clamp into the holder to move in a single piece, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and holder are designed to clamp together and move as a single piece during operation, ensuring precise positioning and stable performance. The clamping connection provides rigid coupling that maintains manufacturing precision while allowing the actuator to be independently replaced by detaching the housing from the holder when maintenance is needed.
3Productivity
If an electro-active polymer actuator is used to convert electrical energy to mechanical work, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical actuator is replaced with an electro-active polymer actuator that converts electrical energy directly into mechanical work. This electro-active material changes its shape or size in response to electrical stimulation, providing efficient and responsive control of the wing flap with fewer mechanical components, thereby improving productivity while managing system complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If the control surface system is designed for modular assembly and disassembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but loss of time increases during assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and holder are pre-designed with clamping interfaces that enable quick connection and disconnection. The modular design allows the actuator to be pre-assembled with the holder or housing, reducing the time and complexity of final assembly. This preliminary preparation of modular components facilitates rapid manufacturing and maintenance operations.
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 system reduces maintenance and repair time, lowers labor costs, provides a weight advantage, and offers a faster, reliable, and lighter surface control system.
Implementation Method 1
at least one actuator which is elastomeric, made of an electro-active material and provides the movement of the wing flap by converting electrical energy received from an electrical power source into mechanical work
Data Source
AI summary
A control surface system is disclosed having at least one body provided on an air vehicle; at least one wing flap for controlling air flow by moving relative to the body located thereon and thus allowing the air vehicle to maneuver; at least one actuator made of an electro-active polymer material located between the body and the wing flap, wherein the actuator changes shape depending on electrical energy and thus triggering the wing flap; at least one holder located on the actuator and attached to the actuator from at least a part; at least one housing on which the holder is removably attached and which can moves together with the holder by way of the action of the actuator.