High-Lift Fairing Arrangement with Rotatable Wing-Side Mount

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fairing arrangements for aircraft high-lift mechanisms are rigidly connected, limiting their ability to accommodate variable shape trailing edges and compromising aerodynamic efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A fairing arrangement with a rotatable wing side fairing mount and movable rearward connecting mechanism, allowing for telescopic and rotational movements, enhancing kinematic flexibility and improving aerodynamic sealing across different flight configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the fairing arrangement uses rigid connections between fairing units and the wing, then structural strength and stability are improved, but adaptability to variable shape trailing edges deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidadaptability to variable shape trailing edges
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static rigid fairing structure into a dynamic system by introducing a rotatable wing side fairing mount that allows the fairing to rotate around a vertical axis. This enables the fairing to adapt its orientation to different trailing edge configurations while maintaining structural integrity through controlled rotational movement rather than rigid fixed connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fairing arrangement is divided into separate fairing units (wing side fairing unit and flap side fairing unit) with independent mounting mechanisms. The wing side fairing unit can rotate independently around the vertical axis, allowing each segment to adapt to different geometric requirements of variable shape trailing edges while maintaining overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the fairing arrangement uses rigid fixed mounting, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates due to inability to accommodate variable configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaerodynamic efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable mount introduces controlled movement capability to the fairing system, allowing it to adjust to variable trailing edge shapes for optimized aerodynamic performance in different flight configurations, while the basic mounting structure remains relatively simple in design and manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the fairing uses fixed position mounting, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to maintain aerodynamic sealing in all configurations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidaerodynamic sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable wing side fairing mount enables the fairing to dynamically adjust its position to maintain proper aerodynamic sealing across all high-lift configurations. The rotation mechanism allows the fairing to follow the movement of variable shape trailing edges, ensuring continuous sealing without requiring complex multi-degree-of-freedom adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables a variable shape trailing edge functionality, ensuring improved aerodynamic conditions and full sealing in all high-lift configurations, facilitating enhanced flight performance.

Implementation Method 1

the forward connecting mechanism includes a spherical bearing. Preferably, the forward connecting mechanism allows movement of a forward part of the wing side fairing in at least two degrees of freedom, especially by a rotation about a first axis that has at least a direction component in the vertical direction and by a rotation about a second axis extending or essentially extending in the flight direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpherical bearing: Ball

Data Source

PatentEP4389594B1Fairing arrangement for a high-lift mechanism of an aircraft
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP4389594B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2c
  • EP4389594B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4
  • EP4389594B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a functionally improved fairing arrangement (26) for a high-lift mechanism (20) of an aircraft (10). The high-lift mechanism (20) includes a flap (22) to be arranged at a trailing edge (16) of an aircraft wing (12) and a mounting and guiding mechanism (24) for the flap (26). The fairing arrangement (26) comprises a flap side fairing unit (28) and a wing side fairing unit (30). The flap side fairing unit (28) comprises a flap side fairing (32) for covering an aft part of the mounting and guiding mechanism (24) and a flap side fairing mount (34) for mounting the flap side fairing (32) to the flap (22). The wing side fairing unit (30) comprises a wing side fairing (36) for covering a forward part of the mounting and guiding mechanism (24) and a wing side fairing mount (38) for mounting the wing side fairing (36) to the wing (12). The wing side fairing mount (38) is configured for connecting the wing side fairing (36) movably to the wing (12) such that the wing side fairing (36) is rotatable around an axis (39) directed at least partially in a vertical direction.