Flapping Wing Gear Linkage for Synchronized Pivot Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gear systems for flapping wing aircraft lack a simplified structure that effectively synchronizes the pivoting movements of joint supports, which is crucial for optimizing flight direction and flapping characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a coupling strut connected to an actuator on the gearwheel support, which synchronizes the pivoting movements of joint supports through a pivotally coupled electric geared motor, allowing for controlled pivoting and linear movements to influence flight direction by adjusting the angle and distance of pivot axes relative to the gearwheel axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a coupling strut with actuator is integrated to synchronize joint support movements, then flight direction control and flapping characteristics are optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling strut serves multiple functions: it synchronizes the pivoting movements of both joint supports, transmits actuating forces from the actuator, and enables directional control of the flapping wing aircraft. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is integrated directly onto the gearwheel support, merging the actuation system with the existing gear structure. The coupling strut combines synchronization and force transmission functions in a single component, reducing the overall number of parts while achieving complex control objectives.
2Device complexity
If the actuator is directly connected to the coupling strut, then the structure is simplified, but the precision of synchronizing joint support movements may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling strut acts as an intermediary component between the actuator and the joint supports. It translates the actuator's linear or pivoting movement into synchronized pivoting movements of both joint supports, maintaining precision while allowing for a relatively simple direct connection structure.
3Productivity
If the pivot axis is aligned at 90 degrees with the gearwheel axis, then the flapping characteristics are optimized, but the control range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of the pivot axis angle relative to the gearwheel axis. While a 90-degree alignment optimizes flapping characteristics for maximum efficiency, the ability to adjust the angle provides adaptability for different flight conditions and directional requirements, balancing productivity and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
Gear for a flapping wing aircraft, having a gearwheel support, on which a gearwheel is mounted so as to be rotatably movable about a gearwheel axis, which gearwheel is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a crankshaft, which has a central section extending coaxially to the gearwheel axis and end regions adjoining the central section on both sides, the end regions each delimiting an angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees with the central section and engage in a guide slot of an associated joint part which is mounted pivotably movable about a pivot axis on a joint support which is connected to the gearwheel support and which is mounted pivotably movable about a respective support axis on the gearwheel support wherein the joint supports are connected to a coupling strut and wherein an actuator, which is motion-coupled to the coupling strut, is arranged on the gearwheel support.