Leading Edge High Lift Sync Arrangement Prevents Skew
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft wing leading edge high lift assemblies can experience skew cases due to asynchronous movement of connection elements and drive units, leading to potential mechanical failures and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A sync arrangement is introduced, comprising a first and second sync wheel connected by a sync shaft, which ensures synchronized movement of output sections through a stepping gear mechanism, and torque limiter devices to detect and prevent asynchronous rotation and potential skew cases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If independent drive units are used for each connection element, then the leading edge high lift body can be driven between retracted and extended positions, but asynchronous movement of the drive units causes skew cases and potential mechanical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the two independent drive units into a synchronized drive system where a single drive shaft rotates two gear units that are coupled to both connection elements. This merging ensures that both connection elements move synchronously, preventing skew cases while maintaining independent drive capability through the gear synchronization mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sync arrangement comprising a drive shaft, gear units, and a coupling mechanism as an intermediary between the power source and the two connection elements. This intermediary synchronizes the rotation of both connection elements, ensuring they move in unison and preventing skew cases while still allowing independent positioning control.
2Reliability
If a sync arrangement with rigid coupling is used, then synchronous movement is achieved, but the system becomes more complex and less adaptable to asynchronous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic coupling mechanism rather than a rigid fixed connection. The coupling allows the two gear units to remain synchronized under normal operation but can accommodate temporary asynchronous conditions without causing mechanical failure. This dynamic approach maintains synchronous movement reliability while reducing system complexity and increasing adaptability.
3Reliability
If torque limiter devices are added to detect asynchronous rotation, then mechanical failures are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements torque limiter devices that automatically detect asynchronous rotation and prevent mechanical failures without requiring external monitoring systems. The torque limiters self-regulate the drive system by limiting torque when asynchronous conditions are detected, providing fail-safe protection while adding minimal complexity to the overall system.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a wing (5) for an aircraft (1), comprising a main wing (11), a leading edge high lift assembly (13) comprising a leading edge high lift body (15), and a connection assembly (17) movably connecting the leading edge high lift body (15) to the main wing (11), wherein the connection assembly (17) comprises a drive system (25) that is mounted to the main wing (11) and connected to the leading edge high lift body (15) for driving the leading edge high lift body (15) between the retracted position and the extended position, wherein the drive system (25) comprises a first drive unit (27) and a second drive unit (29), wherein the first drive unit (27) has a first input section (31) coupled to a drive shaft (33), a first gear unit (35) and a first output section (37) coupled to a first connection element (19) and comprising a first output wheel (45), and wherein the second drive unit (29) has a second input section (39) coupled to the drive shaft (33), a second gear unit (41), and a second output section (43) coupled to a second connection element (21) and comprising a second output wheel (47). The object to prevent skew cases of the leading edge high lift body, is achieved in that the drive system (25) comprises a sync arrangement (57) coupling the first output section (37) to the second output section (43) for sync movement of the first and second output sections (37, 43). The sync arrangement (57) comprises a first sync wheel (59), a second sync wheel (61), and a sync shaft (63) fixedly connecting the first sync wheel (59) to the second sync wheel (61), the first sync wheel (59) is configured to engage the first output wheel (45) and the second sync wheel (61) is configured to engage the second output wheel (47).