Foldable Wing Tip Latching Mechanism for Airport Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft designs face challenges in increasing wingspan for improved efficiency without requiring infrastructure adaptations or incurring higher airport fees, as elongating wings necessitates adjustments to aircraft infrastructure and increases fees.
Innovation Solution
A foldable wing arrangement with a pivotable tip section that can transition between deployed and stowed positions, utilizing a latching mechanism with an engagement device and actuator to securely lock the wing in flight configuration while allowing for compact storage, minimizing weight and infrastructure changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the wingspan of an aircraft is increased to improve flight efficiency, then fuel consumption is reduced, but infrastructure adaptations are required and airport fees increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wing arrangement employs a foldable tip section that can dynamically change its configuration between deployed and stowed positions. During flight, the tip section is deployed to achieve a large wingspan for improved aerodynamic efficiency and reduced fuel consumption. When on the ground, the tip section is folded back to reduce the overall wingspan, allowing the aircraft to use existing infrastructure without adaptation and avoiding increased airport fees.
2Area of stationary object
If a foldable wing construction is provided to reduce ground storage space, then wingspan is decreased in stowed position, but the construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing is divided into a base section and a separate foldable tip section that can be independently positioned. The tip section includes a coupling arrangement with a pivot axis that connects it to the base section, allowing the tip section to be folded back during ground operations while maintaining a simple overall wing structure during flight.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling arrangement acts as an intermediary mechanism between the base section and the tip section. This coupling includes a pivot axis and a latching arrangement that enables smooth transition between deployed and stowed positions while maintaining structural integrity and operational simplicity.
3Reliability
If a latching mechanism is added to securely lock the tip section in deployed position, then operational safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching arrangement is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the position of the tip section. The latching member and engagement device work together to automatically secure the tip section in the deployed position during flight and release it when needed, eliminating the need for complex manual intervention or additional control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A wing arrangement for an aircraft including a latching arrangement (29, 29′, 29″) having a latching member (31, 31′, 31″) and an engagement device (33), wherein the latching member (31, 31′, 31″) is fixed to a wing tip section (13), and the engagement device (33) has a base member (35) on a wing base section (7) and has an abutment surface (43), and an engagement member (45, 45′, 63) supported on the base section (7) and moves between a release position and a latching position by an actuator (49, 49′) coupled to the engagement member (45, 45′, 63) and the base section (7), wherein when the tip section (13) is in the deployed position, the latching member (31, 31′, 31″) abuts the abutment surface (43) and the engagement member (45, 45′, 63) can move between the release position and the latching position, wherein when the latching member (31, 31′, 31″) abuts the abutment surface (43) and the engagement member (45, 45′, 63) is in the latching position, the engagement member (45, 45′, 63) abuts on a surface section of the latching member (31, 31′, 31″) facing away from the abutment surface (43) to prevent a pivot movement of the tip section.