Foldable Airfoil Latch Pin Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding wing designs for commercial aircraft face challenges in reducing weight while maintaining high reaction loads, which negates the aerodynamic efficiency benefits of long span wings due to increased size of hinges and latch pins.
Innovation Solution
A foldable wing design featuring a single torque box hinged to shear walls with first and second latch pin actuators on opposite sides of the hinge line, allowing for efficient load transfer and weight reduction by distributing loads equidistantly and providing redundancy with multiple latch pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the size of hinges and latch pins is increased to overcome high reaction loads, then the structural strength is improved, but the aircraft weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the latching function into multiple latch pins distributed at different locations around the hinge line, rather than using a single large latch pin. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple smaller pins, maintaining structural strength while reducing the size and weight of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple latch pins into a coordinated system that works together to resist high reaction loads. By merging the functionality of multiple smaller pins rather than using one large pin, the design achieves the required structural strength with reduced overall weight.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the wingspan is extended to improve aerodynamic efficiency, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the aircraft cannot comply with airport dimensional limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a foldable wing design where the wingspan is dynamically adjustable. The wings can be folded to a reduced spans for airport compliance during ground operations, and extended to a longer spans for improved aerodynamic efficiency during flight, allowing the aircraft to adapt to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing structure is divided into foldable sections that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the wings to be folded into compact configurations for airport compliance while maintaining the capability to extend to longer configurations for enhanced aerodynamic performance.
3Reliability
If multiple latch pin actuators are used on opposite sides of the hinge line, then load distribution is improved and redundancy is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions latch pin actuators asymmetrically on opposite sides of the hinge line at specific locations that optimize load distribution. This asymmetric placement allows the system to handle high reaction loads effectively and provides redundancy, while the actuators can be controlled in a coordinated manner to manage complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft comprises a foldable airfoil. The airfoil includes inboard and outboard sections that are hinged together about a hinge line. The airfoil further includes a first latching mechanism on an inboard side of the hinge line, and a second latching mechanism on an outboard side of the hinge line for latching the outboard section to the inboard section.