Aircraft Wing Slat Sync Shaft Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft wing designs often experience skew cases where the first and second connection stations do not move in sync, leading to slat skewing about a vertical axis, especially under aerodynamic loads.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a sync shaft coupling the first and second connection stations via spherical or universal joints ensures synchronized movement, with optional coupling of drive pinions and linkages to prevent skewing, and a torsional decoupling mechanism for reliability and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the first and second connection stations are spaced apart in the wing span direction, then the slat coverage area is improved, but the slat may skew about a vertical axis due to asynchronous movement
Solution Approach 1:
A sync shaft is introduced as an intermediary component to couple the first and second connection stations. This sync shaft ensures synchronized rotation of both connection stations, preventing the slat from skewing about a vertical axis while maintaining the beneficial spaced-apart configuration for extended slat coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection assembly is segmented into multiple independent connection stations (first and second connection stations) that can be independently positioned along the wing span. This segmentation allows each station to be optimally positioned for coverage while the sync shaft coordinates their movement to prevent skewing.
2Reliability
If spherical joints or universal joints are used to couple the sync shaft to connection stations, then the constraint forces are avoided during wing bending, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the sync shaft and connection stations uses dynamic joints (spherical or universal joints) that allow angular movement and accommodation of wing bending deformations. These joints dynamically adapt to changing geometric relationships during flight, avoiding constraint forces while maintaining the sync shaft's synchronization function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the sync shaft couples multiple connection stations, then synchronized movement is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sync shaft is designed as a universal coupling mechanism that can connect multiple connection stations (first, second, and potentially third and fourth stations) using the same joint configuration. This multi-functional design achieves synchronized movement across all stations while standardizing the manufacturing process, as the same spherical or universal joints are used throughout the system.
Data Source
AI summary
A wing for an aircraft, including a main wing, a slat, and a connection assembly movably connecting the slat to the main wing, such that the slat is movable between a retracted position and at least one extended position. The connection assembly includes a first connection station and a second connection station spaced apart from the first connection station in a wing span direction. The object, to prevent the slat from skewing, is achieved in that the connection assembly includes a sync shaft coupling the first connection station to the second connection station for sync movement of the first and second connection stations.