Integral Steering Collar and Ring Gear for Reliable Nosewheel Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods of nosewheel steering in aircraft landing gear are complex and unreliable due to their intricate designs.
Innovation Solution
A simplified steering apparatus featuring a monolithic ring gear with a steering collar, coupled with hydraulic or electric linear actuators arranged in various configurations, including V and in-line setups, to drive the rotation of the steering collar via a crankshaft mechanism, protected within a housing for environmental resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional steering apparatus with multiple separate components (crank, gear wheel, toothed ring, multiple actuators) are used, then steering function is achieved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ring gear and steering collar into a single monolithic component, eliminating the need for separate gear assembly and reducing the number of parts. This integration directly reduces device complexity while maintaining steering functionality and improving reliability by reducing potential failure points from multiple component interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering collar serves multiple functions: it acts as the steering output component, provides mounting for the actuators, and integrates the ring gear functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system, simplifying the apparatus while maintaining full steering capability.
2Ease of operation
If multiple actuators with complex linkage mechanisms are used, then steering control is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex crank linkage mechanism from the steering system. By using direct actuator mounting on the steering collar, the intermediary crank components are removed, simplifying the overall mechanism and making it easier to operate and maintain while preserving steering control functionality.
3Device complexity
If simplified steering design is implemented, then device complexity reduces, but reliability may worsen due to reduced redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic integration of the ring gear and steering collar creates a robust, rigid structure that eliminates backlash and play between components. This merging improves reliability by creating a more precise and dependable steering transmission, while the simplified design reduces complexity. The single-piece construction prevents wear and misalignment issues that would otherwise compromise reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A steering apparatus may comprise a strut cylinder (210), a steering collar (202), a first linear actuator (508), a first drive gear (506), a crankshaft (504), and a ring gear (1514). The ring gear may be coupled to the steering collar. The first drive gear may be fixed to the crankshaft and coupled to the ring gear such that the steering collar rotates in response to rotation of the crank shaft. The first linear actuator may be coupled between the crankshaft and the strut cylinder.