Slotted Entry Gimbal Assembly Without Extra Ring Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional gimbals require additional width for installation, leading to increased weight, cost, and aerodynamic drag due to unnecessary width in the outer ring, which affects the performance of aircraft components like wing flaps.
Innovation Solution
A slotted entry gimbal design allows direct insertion of the inner ring into the outer ring via diametrically opposed openings, reducing the need for extra width and enabling a better load path with reduced bending stress, resulting in smaller, lighter parts and improved aerodynamic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional gimbal installation method is used (rotating inner ring 90 degrees), then the inner ring can be assembled onto the ball screw, but additional width clearance is required that increases weight and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The outer ring is segmented with diametrically opposed slotted openings that allow the inner ring to be inserted in segments through the slots, eliminating the need for additional width clearance and reducing overall gimbal weight
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly approach transitions from rotational insertion (requiring width clearance) to linear insertion through slotted openings, changing the dimension of insertion and eliminating the need for extra width
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional gimbal design with additional width is used, then assembly is simplified, but the fairing must be wider causing high speed drag
Solution Approach 1:
The slotted openings in the outer ring allow the inner ring to be inserted through segmented paths, eliminating the need for additional width and reducing fairing size to minimize aerodynamic drag
Solution Approach 2:
The unnecessary width feature is extracted/removed from the gimbal design by using slotted openings, leaving only the essential functional dimensions and eliminating the source of aerodynamic drag
3Ease of operation
If additional width is provided for installation, then assembly clearance is available, but material usage increases and cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The outer ring is divided with slotted openings that provide assembly clearance without requiring additional material, as the slots create passage ways through the existing structure
Solution Approach 2:
The slotted openings create local variations in the outer ring structure, providing clearance only where needed for insertion while maintaining minimal overall dimensions and reducing total material usage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a slotted entry gimbal (200) including an inner ring (202) with a first side (204) and a second side (206). The inner ring (202) includes a first pin (208) extending from the first side (204) of the inner ring (202) and a second pin (210) extending from the second side (206) of the inner ring (202). The slotted entry gimbal (200) also includes an outer ring (212) including a first side (214) and a second side (216). The outer ring (212)includes a first opening (218) on the first side (214) configured to receive the first pin (208) and a second opening (220) on the second side (216) configured to receive the second pin (210). The outer ring (212) includes a first slotted entry opening (222) on the first side (214) extending from a first edge (224) of the outer ring ((212) to the first opening (218), and the outer ring (212) includes a second slotted entry opening (226) on the second side (216) extending from a second edge (228) of the outer ring (212) to the second opening (220).