Aircraft Wing Slat Track Assembly for Flexible Aerodynamic Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft wing designs face challenges in achieving optimal aerodynamic positioning of slats to enhance operational efficiency and reduce weight, particularly in the retracted, take-off, and landing configurations.
Innovation Solution
A connecting assembly for an aircraft wing that includes an elongate slat track with a roller bearing system, allowing the slat to move between retracted and extended positions without penetrating the front spar, and featuring engagement surfaces with distinct curvatures to facilitate flexible positioning based on aerodynamic requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the slat track uses a roller bearing system with engagement surfaces, then the positioning flexibility and aerodynamic efficiency are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller bearing is divided into multiple roller units (first roller unit, second roller unit, third roller unit) that can independently engage with different engagement surfaces. This segmentation allows the slat track to achieve complex positioning movements through coordinated action of simpler individual roller elements, resolving the contradiction between positioning flexibility and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller bearing system is designed as a dynamic mechanism where roller units can selectively engage and disengage with different engagement surfaces (first, second, and third engagement surfaces) at different positions. This dynamic capability enables the slat to transition between retracted, take-off, and landing configurations, achieving adaptability without requiring a completely restructured complex mechanism.
2Manufacturing precision
If the connecting assembly uses a roller bearing with multiple roller units, then the positioning precision and aerodynamic requirements are met, but the weight of the connecting assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller units act as intermediary elements between the slat track and the engagement surfaces. Instead of direct mechanical connection requiring heavy structures, the roller units provide precise positioning through rolling contact, reducing the weight of the connecting assembly while achieving the required positioning precision for aerodynamic configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the slat track extends along a longitudinal axis with intermediate portion, then the aerodynamic positioning is optimized, but the length of the connecting assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller bearing system utilizes multiple dimensions of movement by engaging with different engagement surfaces (first, second, and third surfaces) at different locations along the slat track. This multi-dimensional engagement allows optimized aerodynamic positioning without requiring excessive longitudinal extension of the slat track, as positioning is achieved through coordinated movement in multiple directions.
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 solution enhances the flexibility of the positioning of the aircraft wing, allowing the aircraft to improve the aircraft's aerodynamic efficiency and reduce weight by optimizing the aircraft's aerodynamic efficiency and reducing the aircraft's aerodynamic efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the roller bearing comprises a guide rail configured to be mounted to the main wing, and a first roller unit mounted to the rear end of the slat track and configured for engaging the guide rail
Implementation Method 2
a second roller unit that is configured to be mounted to the main wing and that is configured for engaging an engagement surface provided at the intermediate portion of the slat track
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a wing (3) for an aircraft (1), comprising a main wing (5), a slat (7), and a connecting assembly (9) movably connecting the slat (7) to the main wing (5), such that the slat (7) is movable between a retracted position and at least one extended position, wherein the connecting assembly (9) comprises a slat track (11) and a roller bearing (13), wherein a front section (17) of the slat track (11) is mounted to the slat (7), wherein a rear section (19) and an intermediate section (21) of the slat track (11) are mounted to the main wing (5) via the roller bearing (13), wherein the roller bearing (13) comprises a guide rail (23) mounted to the main wing (5) and a first roller (27), wherein the first roller (27) is rotatably mounted to the rear section (19) of the slat track (11), wherein the first roller (27) engages a first engagement surface (33) formed by the guide rail (23), wherein the roller bearing (13) comprises a second roller (31), wherein the second roller (31) is rotatably mounted to the main wing (5), wherein the second roller (31) engages a second engagement surface (35) formed by the intermediate section (21) of the slat track (11), wherein the first engagement surface (33) comprises a first section (45), which is straight or is curved with a first radius of curvature (51) and a first center of curvature (53), and the second engagement surface (35) comprises a second section (49), which is straight or is curved with a second radius of curvature (55) and a second center of curvature, wherein, when both the first section (45) and the second section (49) are curved, the first center of curvature (53) and the second center of curvature are spaced from each other.