Foldable Wing Crank Rib Trailing Edge Flap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable wings lack an adjustable trailing edge flap, limiting their aerodynamic adjustment capability and lift generation.

Innovation Solution

A foldable trailing edge flap is integrated into the wing, featuring crank-shaped supporting ribs, a flexible linkage cable system, and a flap drive device that allows the flap to adjust downward, increasing wing camber and area, thereby enhancing lift and aerodynamic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a foldable wing is designed with an adjustable aileron but without a trailing edge flap, then the wing can be folded and unfolded like fixed-wing wings, but the aerodynamic adjustment capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic adjustment capabilityVSAvoidwing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trailing edge flap is nested within the foldable wing structure, with the flap supporting ribs integrated into the wing's skin supporting ribs. The flap can be deployed or retracted within the wing's trailing edge, allowing aerodynamic adjustment without adding external complexity. This nesting approach enables the wing to maintain its foldable capability while incorporating flap functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The trailing edge flap is designed as a dynamic component that can be adjusted during flight operations. The flexible linkage cable system allows the flap to move between different positions (deployed, retracted, partial deployment) to adapt to various flight conditions, enhancing aerodynamic control while maintaining the overall foldable wing configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Force

If a trailing edge flap is added to the foldable wing, then lift capability is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelift capabilityVSAvoidwing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flap supporting ribs are merged with the skin supporting ribs of the foldable wing, sharing common structural elements and connection points. The flexible linkage cable system is integrated into the existing wing's cable routing and control mechanisms. This merging approach allows the flap system to benefit from the existing structural framework, reducing the overall complexity increase while maintaining enhanced lift capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The trailing edge flap utilizes a flexible skin covering that can deform and adapt to different positions. This flexible shell approach allows the flap to achieve aerodynamic effectiveness without requiring heavy rigid structures, thereby improving lift while minimizing the weight and structural complexity addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If the trailing edge flap is made foldable and integrated with the wing, then the wing maintains full foldability, but the flap mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewing foldabilityVSAvoidflap mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trailing edge flap is segmented into multiple independent supporting ribs that can fold individually along with the wing sections. Each flap supporting rib is hinged to allow independent movement, enabling the flap to maintain its aerodynamic shape during wing folding and unfolding operations. This segmentation allows the complex flap mechanism to be broken down into simple, manageable segments that follow the wing's folding pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the flap a separate deployable component, the design inverts the approach by making the flap an integral part of the foldable wing structure itself. The flap supporting ribs are positioned such that they naturally follow the wing's folding motion, and the aerodynamic surface is formed by the flexible skin stretched over these ribs. This inversion simplifies the mechanism by eliminating the need for separate flap deployment systems while maintaining both foldability and aerodynamic functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11584507B2Foldable wing with foldable trail ing edge flap

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 JI LANPING

AI summary

A foldable wing with foldable trailing edge flap, that includes a main wing and a foldable trailing edge flap. The main wing includes a wing supporting skeleton and a plurality of skin supporting ribs. The foldable trailing edge flap includes a plurality of crank-shaped flap supporting ribs, a flexible flap skin, a connecting shaft, and a return spring. The plurality of crank-shaped flap supporting ribs are hinged with lower surfaces of corresponding plurality of skin supporting ribs through the connecting shaft to form a foldable trailing edge flap supporting skeleton that relies on the plurality of skin supporting ribs. The return spring makes an upper surface of a long side of each crank-shaped flap supporting rib attach closely to a lower surface of each skin supporting rib. The flexible flap skin is attached to an upper surface of the foldable trailing edge flap supporting skeleton.