Nose Landing Gear Assembly Compact Folding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cargo aircraft, the reduced volume available for nose landing gear due to the proximity of the cargo bay floor to the aircraft bottom limits the space for landing gear storage, necessitating a compact solution to maximize cargo capacity.
Innovation Solution
A nose landing gear assembly with an oleo strut, forward and aft braces, and an actuator that allows the gear to fold into a compact configuration, reducing the required storage volume by occupying only a small percentage of the space needed in the extended position, enabling larger cargo bay volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the cargo bay floor is positioned close to the aircraft bottom to maximize cargo storage, then cargo capacity is improved, but the volume available for nose landing gear storage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The landing gear assembly is designed to nest within a compact gear bay volume. The oleo strut, braces, and wheel assembly are arranged to fit concentrically and fold into each other, allowing the entire gear mechanism to occupy minimal space when retracted, thereby enabling the cargo bay floor to be positioned closer to the aircraft bottom.
Solution Approach 2:
The landing gear employs dynamic folding mechanisms with multiple pivot points and articulating braces that allow the structure to transition between extended and retracted configurations. This dynamic capability enables the gear to occupy minimal space during storage while maintaining full functionality during operation, resolving the volume contradiction.
2Volume of stationary object
If the nose landing gear is designed with a compact folding mechanism, then the storage volume required is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The landing gear is divided into segmented components including the oleo strut, forward brace, aft brace, and wheel assembly, each capable of independent movement and folding. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for compact storage while maintaining structural integrity, reducing the overall gear bay volume requirement without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The braces and linkages serve multiple functions: they provide structural support when extended, enable folding motion when retracted, and maintain geometric constraints throughout the motion range. This multi-functionality reduces the number of dedicated components needed, thereby reducing complexity while achieving compact storage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A nose landing gear assembly (108) includes an oleo strut (136), a forward brace (110) including a forward brace first end (112) and a forward brace second end (114). The forward brace first end (112) is pivotably coupled to the nose gear bay (106) of a high wing aircraft about a first pivot axis (116). The assembly also includes an aft brace (118) including an aft brace first end (120) and an aft brace second end (124). The aft brace first end (120) is pivotably coupled to the nose gear bay (106) about a second pivot axis (122), and the aft brace second end (124) is pivotably coupled to the oleo strut (136). An actuator (126) includes an actuator first end (128) and an actuator second end (130). The actuator second end (130) is coupled to the nose gear bay (106) and the actuator first end (128) coupled to the forward brace (110). The actuator (126) is configured to move the nose landing gear assembly (108) between a retracted position and an extended position.