Helicopter Transmission Joint With Corrugated Elastic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Helicopter designs face challenges in satisfying the need for high load capacity and torsional, axial, and shear rigidity while minimizing the number of articulated components and overall costs, particularly in transmitting torque and allowing angular misalignments between the motor member and main transmission components.
Innovation Solution
A helicopter design incorporating a joint with a corrugated element made of elastically deformable material, providing torsional rigidity parallel to the axis and flexural deformability in specific planes, allowing angular inclination between stators and transmitting torque efficiently, while reducing the number of articulated components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional articulated joints with multiple rigid elements are used to allow angular misalignment and transmit torque, then the load capacity and rigidity requirements are met, but the number of components increases and complexity rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the joint element by using a corrugated structure made of elastically deformable material. This single element can simultaneously provide the necessary flexibility for angular misalignment and the required strength for torque transmission, eliminating the need for multiple rigid articulated components while meeting load capacity requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction for the corrugated element, combining materials with different properties to achieve both elastic deformability for angular movement and high strength for torque transmission. This allows a single component to replace multiple traditional articulated elements
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple rigid articulated elements are used to ensure torsional and axial rigidity, then the structural stability is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the structural parameters by using a corrugated geometry that provides high stiffness-to-weight ratio. The corrugated element maintains structural stability and rigidity requirements while being significantly lighter than traditional multiple rigid articulated elements, as it achieves stability through elastic deformation characteristics rather than massive rigid structures
3Ease of manufacture
If a simplified joint with fewer components is used, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the ability to transmit high torque and withstand axial loads may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material and geometric parameters of the single corrugated element to optimize both manufacturing ease and torque transmission capacity. The elastically deformable material with corrugated structure can be manufactured more simply than multiple precision articulated components, while the engineered geometry ensures adequate torque and load handling capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The use of composite materials in the corrugated element provides high strength-to-weight ratio and load-bearing capacity, enabling a simplified single-component design to transmit high torque and withstand axial loads that would traditionally require multiple heavy-duty articulated elements
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 enables efficient torque transmission and angular misalignment with reduced weight and complexity, maintaining high load capacity and rigidity, thus addressing the need for cost-effective and simplified structural design.
Implementation Method 1
a first corrugated element (36) made of an elastically deformable material, interposed between said first and second stator (11, 29; 20, 30), and adapted to allow said inclination through elastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A helicopter is described comprising a motor member comprising an output shaft and a first stator rotatably supporting the output shaft around a first axis; a main rotor adapted to provide the lift necessary for the support and the thrust necessary for the movement of the helicopter; a transmission interposed between the motor member and the main rotor; the transmission rotatable around a second axis and a second stator rotatably supporting the input shaft around the second axis; the helicopter also comprises a joint interposed between the first and second stator, angularly fixed with respect to the first axis, and configured to allow an inclination between the first and second stator in a plane parallel to said first axis; the joint comprises a first corrugated element made of an elastically deformable material, interposed between said first and second stator, and adapted to allow the inclination through elastic deformation.