Electric Motor Landing Gear with Selective Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft landing gears rely on hydraulic actuators for deployment and retraction, which require hydraulic fluid, but replacing these with electrical actuators increases weight and energy efficiency is needed to reduce fuel consumption and noise.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft landing gear system using electric motors and transmission mechanisms to drive and orient wheels, allowing for deployment, retraction, and braking, with adjustable orientation for improved maneuverability and reduced environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If hydraulic actuators are used for deployment and retraction of landing gears, then the system is lightweight, but hydraulic fluid supply is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydraulic fluid system from the actuator design, extracting the problematic substance requirement while retaining the lightweight actuator structure. The electric motor and transmission mechanism replace the hydraulic components, eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid supply lines and reservoirs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hydraulic mechanical system with an electrical system consisting of an electric motor and transmission mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for hydraulic fluid while providing the necessary actuation forces for landing gear deployment and retraction.
2Quantity of substance
If electrical actuators are used to replace hydraulic actuators, then hydraulic fluid is not needed, but the actuators are heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the actuator system into separate functional components: an electric motor for power generation, a transmission mechanism for torque multiplication and direction control, and a brake system for holding position. This segmentation allows optimization of each component's weight contribution while achieving the required performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a transmission mechanism that can dynamically redirect torque between different outputs based on operational requirements. The system adapts its mechanical advantage ratio and torque distribution in real-time, allowing the electric motor to be sized optimally while still providing sufficient force for both wheel rotation and leg articulation when needed.
3Ease of operation
If electric motors are used to drive wheels at different speeds, then maneuverability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electric motor serve multiple functions: driving the wheel for propulsion, providing braking force, and articulating the leg for steering and retraction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate actuators for each function, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining full maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of wheel drive, braking, and leg articulation into a single electric motor system with a unified transmission mechanism. By combining these functions, the system eliminates redundant actuators and reduces total energy consumption while achieving superior maneuverability compared to traditional systems.
4Ease of operation
If the second leg part is rotated relative to the first leg part, then maneuverability is improved, but additional actuation mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor and transmission mechanism are designed to provide both wheel rotation and leg articulation functions. The same motor that drives the wheel can also, through the transmission mechanism, rotate the second leg part relative to the first, eliminating the need for a separate actuator for leg articulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the wheel drive system and leg articulation system into a single integrated actuation mechanism. The transmission mechanism serves dual purposes: driving the wheel for propulsion and rotating the leg for steering, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enhancing maneuverability.
5Productivity
If the faired portion is oriented to produce lift force, then retraction is facilitated, but additional control mechanisms are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor system is designed to control the orientation of the faired portion in addition to its primary functions. The same motor that drives wheel rotation and leg articulation can also adjust the faired portion's angle to optimize lift force during retraction, eliminating the need for a separate actuator for this function.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanism is designed to dynamically adjust torque distribution between wheel rotation, leg articulation, and faired portion orientation based on real-time operational requirements. During retraction, the system automatically optimizes the faired portion's angle to maximize lift force, facilitating faster retraction without requiring additional control mechanisms.
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 electric motor-driven landing gear system reduces weight, enhances maneuverability, lowers fuel consumption, and decreases noise by eliminating hydraulic fluid use, while enabling efficient deployment and retraction of landing gears.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor suitable for driving the wheel in rotation relative to the second leg part
Implementation Method 2
a transmission mechanism configured to transmit torque generated by the electric motor selectively to the wheel to drive the wheel in rotation relative to the second leg part, or to the second leg part to drive the second leg part in rotation relative to the first leg part
Implementation Method 3
the landing gear further comprises a brake arranged between the first leg part and the second end of the transmission shaft, the brake being movable between an engaged configuration in which the brake prevents rotation of the transmission shaft relative to the first leg part
Implementation Method 4
the second leg part may comprise a wing shaped faired portion. The rotation of the second leg part relative to the first leg part thus enables adjustment of the orientation of the faired portion to produce a lift force acting on the faired portion, for facilitating retraction of the landing gear
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an aircraft landing gear (2) comprising:—a leg (6) having a first leg portion (8) that can be pivotably connected to a load-bearing structure of the aircraft (1) in order for the landing gear (2) to be deployed and retracted, and a second leg portion (9) that is rotatable in relation to the first leg portion (8);—a wheel (13, 14) that is rotatable in relation to the second leg portion (9), and an electric motor (15, 16) that can rotate the wheel (13, 14) in relation to the second leg portion (9);—a transmission mechanism (17) designed to selectively transmit torque generated by the electric motor (15, 16) to the wheel (13, 14) in order to rotate the wheel in relation to the second leg portion (9) or to the second leg portion (9) in order to rotate the second leg portion (9) in relation to the first leg portion (8).