Aircraft Wing Nose Flap Parallelogram Drive Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft wing systems with extendible nose flaps face challenges of high structural weight and space occupancy due to complex drive mechanisms, particularly with spindle drive rods, which are cumbersome and weight-intensive, and existing solutions like pyramid transmission arrangements are overly complex and heavy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an aircraft wing with a nose flap that uses two folding hinges spaced apart crosswise to the incident flow, connected by a parallelogram mechanism with a variable length diagonal link, which reduces the number of moving parts and minimizes structural weight, allowing for efficient extension and retraction without occupying valuable wing space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If spindle drive rods are used to rotate the nose flap about an axis outside the wing structure, then the nose flap can be extended to the desired position, but the system occupies considerable space in the wing structure and has high structural weight
Solution Approach 1:
The single complex spindle drive is segmented into multiple smaller components: two folding hinges with rollers, a rail system, and a diagonal link actuator. This segmentation distributes the functional requirements across simpler elements, reducing overall structural weight while achieving the same extension path.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism transitions from a linear spindle extension to a rotational folding motion about hinges. By changing the dimension of motion from linear to rotational, the system achieves the required extension path without the weight and space penalties of long spindle drives.
2Ease of operation
If pyramid transmission arrangement is used with rotational axis spaced apart from the airfoil profile plane, then the nose flap can be actuated, but the actuating device becomes complicated with many moveable elements and high structural weight
Solution Approach 1:
The pyramid transmission's multiple moveable elements are merged into a simpler mechanism: two folding hinges connected by a rail and diagonal link. This consolidation maintains the actuation function while dramatically reducing the number of discrete moveable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex pyramid transmission arrangement is extracted and replaced with essential elements only: the folding hinges provide the rotational motion, the rail provides guidance, and the diagonal link provides actuation. Non-essential complex elements are removed, simplifying the overall device.
3Reliability
If solid embodiment of swivel elements is used to transmit adjusting torque in pyramid transmission, then the torque can be transmitted reliably, but the structural weight of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical torque transmission through solid swivel elements is replaced with a cable-driven system. The diagonal link actuator pulls on cables connected to the folding hinges, transmitting the actuating force without requiring heavy solid torque transmission elements. This substitution maintains reliability while reducing weight.
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
This design achieves significant weight reduction and operational reliability while maintaining ease of maintenance, as it simplifies the extension mechanism and reduces the need for complex support points, allowing the nose flap to move efficiently without excessive torsional stress or space impairment.
Implementation Method 1
The nose flap is pivoted on the wing box by at least two folding hinges spaced apart from one another crosswise to the incident flow. The folding hinges each comprise two hinge wings, which are connected via a common folding bearing so as to be pivoted with respect to one another.
Implementation Method 2
The two transverse links and the two folding bearings form a parallelogram with variable angles. A diagonal link with variable length is connected in a pivotable manner to diagonally opposite pivot points of the transverse links.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft wing including a wing box and a nose flap moveably connected to the wing box by first and second folding hinges. A first transverse link is pivotally connected to first portions of the first and second folding hinges. A second transverse link is pivotally connected to second portions of the first and second folding hinges. An actuator is connected diagonally between the first and second transverse links for moving the nose flap between a retracted position and an extended position. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.