Aircraft Undercarriage Wheel With Nested Motor And Bulge Tire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft undercarriage systems face challenges in accommodating active motor components necessary for self-propulsion within the limited space of the retractable wheel bay without increasing the overall size or mass, which affects the aircraft's balance and handling.
Innovation Solution
The undercarriage wheel assembly incorporates a compact high-torque electric motor and low-profile tire, where the tire bulge provides additional space for the motor, allowing the motor to protrude up to the tire's widest point, thereby utilizing existing space efficiently and maintaining the assembly's dimensions similar to standard wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a motor powerful enough to propel the aircraft is installed in the undercarriage wheel, then the propulsion power is sufficient, but the wheel and tire size must increase, which increases the mass and occupies more space in the retractable bay
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is nested within the hollow hub of the wheel, utilizing the internal cavity space. The gearing system is integrated into the hub structure, with gears positioned concentrically around the motor shaft. This nesting arrangement allows the motor and transmission components to occupy the same spatial envelope as the traditional wheel hub, avoiding any increase in overall wheel dimensions and mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a planar arrangement of components to a three-dimensional concentric configuration. The motor, gears, and hub are arranged in multiple radial and axial layers, effectively utilizing volumetric space rather than just surface area. This dimensional optimization allows sufficient power density without increasing the wheel's external footprint.
2Power
If a motor powerful enough to propel the aircraft is installed in the undercarriage wheel, then the propulsion power is sufficient, but the space occupied in the retractable bay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor and gearing system are nested within the existing wheel hub cavity, maintaining the same external dimensions as a conventional wheel assembly. This allows the self-propelled wheel to retract into the same bay space as a traditional wheel, without requiring any modification to the bay volume or geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel hub is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the wheel, houses the motor, contains the gearing system, and accommodates the brake assembly. This multi-functionality allows a single component (the hub) to accommodate all necessary propulsion elements without increasing overall volume.
3Volume of moving object
If the wheel size is increased to accommodate the motor, then the motor has sufficient space, but the tire profile must increase, affecting the aircraft's balance and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is positioned within the hollow hub, nested concentrically with the wheel and tire assembly. The gearing system is nested within the motor housing or hub structure. This nested arrangement provides sufficient volume for the motor components while maintaining the original tire profile and overall wheel geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub is designed with a hollow cavity specifically sized and shaped to accommodate the motor and gearing system. This localized modification to the hub's internal structure provides the necessary volume for propulsion components without affecting the external dimensions or profile of the tire and wheel.
Data Source
AI summary
An undercarriage wheel is disclosed comprising an axle member that supports a drive member, for example but not limited to a compact high torque electric motor, a wheel member driven by said drive member, and a tire attached to the wheel member, wherein the tire bulges in the width dimension of the wheel, wherein the drive member protrudes from the wheel member and thus occupies at least some of the additional width made available by the bulge of the tire. A further aspect of the invention is an undercarriage wheel that comprises an axle member that supports a drive member, for example but not limited to a compact high torque electric motor, a wheel member driven by said drive member, and a low-profile tire attached to the wheel member. Since the profile of the tire is low, additional space is available inside the wheel for the drive member. Preferably, the drive member occupies at least some of this additional space, and has sufficient power to be able to propel an aircraft to which the undercarriage assembly is attached, either alone or in combination with other self-propelled undercarriage assemblies attached to the aircraft.