Planetary Nose Wheel Steering for Angular Motion Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nose landing gear steering systems lack efficient mechanisms for angular motion amplification, leading to larger and heavier steering systems with increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A planetary steering system comprising a planet carrier, sun gear, internal ring gear, and planet gear, which provides a mechanical advantage through a gear assembly that includes a collar, outer cylinder, and a rack assembly, allowing for reduced size and weight while enhancing torque and design space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a conventional steering system is used, then the steering function is provided, but the system size and weight are larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a planetary gear assembly where the planet gear rotates on its own axis while simultaneously revolving around the sun gear axis. This nested configuration allows the planet carrier to amplify angular motion from the rack assembly, achieving compact steering system design with reduced size and weight while maintaining the required steering function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-dimensional motion mechanism where the planet gear performs both rotation about its own axis and revolution around the sun gear. This dimensional transformation converts linear rack motion into amplified angular collar rotation, reducing the steering system's physical footprint while providing the necessary steering capability.
2Volume of stationary object
If angular motion amplification is not implemented, then the steering system is simpler, but the system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary gear assembly nests the planet gear within the annular space between the sun gear and internal ring gear. The planet carrier holds the planet gear and transmits its compound motion (rotation + revolution) to amplify the collar's angular displacement. This nested arrangement achieves compact volume while providing the required motion amplification function.
Solution Approach 2:
The planet carrier acts as an intermediary mechanism that converts the planet gear's compound motion into amplified angular rotation of the collar. By introducing this intermediate component, the system achieves compact size through motion amplification while distributing mechanical complexity across multiple specialized components (sun gear, planet gear, ring gear, planet carrier) rather than a single complex mechanism.
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
The planetary steering system achieves angular motion amplification, reducing the size and weight of the steering system, providing a mechanical advantage and improved design space, while maintaining efficient steering capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A planetary steering system comprising a planet carrier, sun gear, internal ring gear, and planet gear, which provides a mechanical advantage through a gear assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A steering system may include a gear assembly and a collar. The gear assembly may include a planet carrier, a planet gear, an internal ring gear, and a sun gear. The planet gear may be disposed between the internal ring gear and the sun gear. The gear assembly may provide a mechanical advantage to the steering system, which may result in a greater powered steering range, a shorter rack assembly, and/or increased design space relative to typical steering systems.