Aircraft Flap Support Assembly With Spherical Bearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flap support assemblies for aircraft wings are complex, heavy, and prone to jamming and wear due to their three-dimensional track designs, which are difficult to manufacture accurately and maintain, and lack effective failsafe features.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly featuring a two-dimensional guide track with a cylindrical bearing follower and a spherical bearing coupling, allowing for multiple degrees of freedom in flap movement while minimizing skidding and wear through a rolling mechanism and incorporating failsafe elements to ensure continued operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a three-dimensional track is used to enable carriage to follow a path having directional components in three dimensions, then the flap can follow complex deployment paths, but the track becomes complex and expensive to manufacture and inspect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the three-dimensional movement capability into two components: a two-dimensional track that defines the primary path, and a spherical bearing that provides the third dimension of freedom through angular rotation. This allows the track to remain simple and manufacturable while still enabling complex three-dimensional flap deployment paths through the combination of track-guided movement and spherical bearing rotation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-roller bearings follow a three-dimensional track, then the flap can move in multiple directions, but the bearings are exposed to higher loads and arc more prone to jamming and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the movement functions by separating the directional guidance (handled by the two-dimensional track) from the rotational freedom (handled by the spherical bearing). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the spherical bearing experiencing more favorable load conditions compared to bearings attempting to follow a complex three-dimensional track.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional track and carriage with swinging arm assembly is used, then multiple degrees of freedom of movement are allowed, but the structure becomes complex and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guidance function (two-dimensional track) with the rotational freedom function (spherical bearing) into a integrated support assembly. This combination eliminates the need for separate swinging arm assemblies and multiple discrete components, achieving multiple degrees of freedom with a simpler, more compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical bearing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides angular rotation capability, supports radial loads, and enables multi-directional movement. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized components, reducing overall device complexity.
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 reduces complexity and weight, minimizes friction and wear, and provides reliable operation even under misalignment and unusual load conditions, ensuring the flap can follow complex deployment paths effectively.
Implementation Method 1
A support assembly featuring a two-dimensional guide track with a cylindrical bearing follower and a spherical bearing coupling, allowing for multiple degrees of freedom in flap movement while minimizing skidding and wear through a rolling mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a spherical bearing coupling an end of the shaft to the bearing follower such that the bearing follower is rotatable relative to the shaft about the longitudinal axis of the bearing follower as it travels along the track, the spherical bearing also enabling angular rotation of the shaft about a centre of the spherical bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A support assembly (1) for guiding a flap (42) on an aircraft wing (41) during deployment of the flap is disclosed. The assembly comprises a guide track (2) defining a two-dimensional path, a cylindrical bearing follower (12) having a longitudinal axis constrained so as to follow said path during flap deployment, a shaft (23) extending from the bearing follower and, a spherical bearing coupling an end of the shaft to the bearing follower such that the bearing follower is rotatable relative to the shaft about the longitudinal axis of the bearing follower as it travels along the track. The spherical bearing also enabling rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis relative to the bearing follower and rotation of the shaft about a center point of the spherical bearing such that the flap is fret to move in multiple directions.