Strain Wave Gearbox Engagement for Redundant Flight Control Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive arrangements for aircraft flight control surfaces lack redundancy in case of malfunction or failure, relying on a single drive that can lead to loss of control if it fails.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a drive arrangement with two independent drives that can be selectively engaged and disengaged with the output member using mechanisms such as Hirth joints, friction clutches, epicyclic gearboxes, or strain wave-type gearboxes, allowing one drive to take over if the other fails, ensuring continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single drive arrangement is used for aircraft flight control surfaces, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to lack of redundancy in case of malfunction or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The drive arrangement is segmented into multiple independent drive units (first drive and second drive), each capable of independently actuating the flight control surface. This segmentation provides redundancy while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different drive arrangements based on operational needs or failure conditions. The wave generator component's adjustable dimension allows dynamic engagement and disengagement of drives, enabling seamless transition between single-drive and dual-drive configurations.
2Reliability
If multiple independent drives are implemented for redundancy, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional engaging and disengaging mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The wave generator component serves multiple functions: it transmits torque from the drive to the output member and simultaneously controls the engagement and disengagement of drives through its adjustable dimension. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate engagement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable dimension of the wave generator component enables self-regulation of drive engagement. When the dimension changes, the wave generator automatically engages or disengages the drive from the output member without requiring external control mechanisms, simplifying the overall system.
3Ease of operation
If the wave generator component dimension is adjusted for drive engagement, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to the adjustment mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical engagement mechanisms with an adjustable dimensional parameter of the wave generator component. By changing the dimension (e.g., through thermal expansion, material deformation, or simple mechanical adjustment), the drive engagement is achieved without intricate mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement and disengagement of drives are achieved by changing a physical parameter (dimension) of the wave generator component rather than through complex mechanical actions. This parameter change approach simplifies the operation while maintaining reliable drive control.
Data Source
AI summary
A strain wave-type gearbox comprises: a flex spline component; an outer circular spline component; and a wave generator component, wherein the wave generator component is configured for adjustment of at least one dimension of the wave generator component, to cause engagement and disengagement of the flex spline component and the outer circular spline component. A drive arrangement for manipulating a vehicle control surface comprises: a first drive; a second drive; an output member for connecting to the vehicle control surface; first engaging means for selectively engaging and disengaging the first drive and the output member; and second engaging means for selectively engaging and disengaging the second drive and the output member, wherein the first engaging means comprises a strain wave-type gearbox.