Spring-Free Aircraft Wing Fairing Drive Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fairing drive assemblies for aircraft wings are mechanically complex and costly due to the use of springs, increasing the weight and operational costs of aircraft.

Innovation Solution

A spring-free fairing drive assembly featuring a fairing cam with three joints, pivotally coupled to a flap support mechanism, which includes a fairing drive arm and support braces to deflect the fairing away from the flap assembly without the need for springs, ensuring efficient and cost-effective operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If springs are used in the fairing drive assembly, then the fairing can be actuated between retracted and extended positions, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefairing actuationVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the spring element from the fairing drive assembly, extracting the problematic component that caused complexity and cost issues. The fairing is actuated through a direct mechanical coupling between the flap and fairing without requiring elastic elements, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism is divided into distinct rigid linkages and pivot points rather than a single spring-based mechanism. This segmentation into modular rigid components allows for simpler manufacturing and assembly while achieving the same fairing actuation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If springs are used in the fairing drive assembly, then the fairing can be actuated, but the weight of the coupling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefairing actuationVSAvoidcoupling weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the spring from the coupling mechanism, the overall weight of the moving components is reduced. The spring-free design eliminates the mass associated with elastic elements while maintaining the fairing's ability to move between positions through rigid linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If springs are used in the fairing drive assembly, then the fairing can be actuated, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefairing actuationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elimination of springs from the design removes a complex, expensive component that requires specialized manufacturing processes. The spring-free coupling mechanism uses simpler rigid parts that are easier and less costly to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3176075B1Aircraft wing assembly comprising a wing fairing drive assembly

Publication Date: 2019.12.18 THE BOEING CO

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

A fairing drive assembly (200) couples a flap assembly of a wing of an aircraft to a fairing of the wing. The fairing drive assembly may include a fairing cam (204) including a first joint and a second joint, and a flap link (240) pivotally coupled to the first joint of the fairing cam and the flap assembly. A fairing drive arm (220) is pivotally coupled to the second joint and the fairing. The fairing cam is configured to rotate upon actuation of the flap assembly and deflect the fairing away from the flap assembly.