Triangular Landing Gear Jack Mechanism for Light Aircraft
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional landing gears for light aircraft like the Piper Cub type do not effectively absorb impact energy, leading to tire skidding and significant forces being absorbed by the fuselage during landing, and require modifications to the original fuselage for installation, increasing the risk of accidents.
Innovation Solution
A landing gear design with improved damping members, including a jack mechanism with a sliding rod and a hinged connection to the wheel, allowing for efficient energy absorption and mounting on the original fuselage without modifications, enhancing safety and reducing tire slippage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional shock-absorbing elements and compression bars are used to connect the landing gear reinforcement to the wheels, then the structure can release impact energy, but it cannot absorb energy effectively, resulting in tire slippage and significant stresses on the fuselage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful impact energy from ground contact into beneficial damping action through the jack mechanism. The jack's piston-cylinder assembly transforms the kinetic energy of impact into hydraulic or pneumatic damping forces, dissipating energy safely without transmitting it to the fuselage or causing tire slippage
Solution Approach 2:
The jack mechanism acts as an intermediary between the wheel assembly and the fuselage reinforcement. It mediates the impact forces by providing controlled compression and energy absorption, preventing direct transmission of shock loads to the fuselage structure and improving overall landing reliability
2Loss of energy
If widely spaced landing gear lugs are used to mount the shock absorbers, then the shock absorption capability may be improved, but modification to the original fuselage is required, complicating installation and increasing accident risk
Solution Approach 1:
The jack mechanism is designed to interface with existing fuselage mounting points while providing enhanced shock absorption functionality. The universal design allows installation on standard fuselage configurations without requiring custom modifications, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving shock absorption capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replicates compatible mounting interfaces with existing fuselage attachment points. By copying standard mounting geometries and connection methods, the landing gear can be installed using existing fuselage features without modification, reducing installation complexity and accident risk
3Device complexity
If the apex of the triangular reinforcement points downwards with freely coupled wheels, then the structure is simple, but the damping efficiency is insufficient compared to the invention's design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic damping capabilities through the jack mechanism while maintaining the overall simple triangular reinforcement structure. The jack's movable piston and compression bar create a dynamic system that adapts to impact forces, significantly improving damping efficiency without substantially increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The jack mechanism incorporates pneumatic or hydraulic elements to provide efficient damping. The piston-cylinder assembly uses fluid compression and expansion to absorb and dissipate impact energy, achieving high damping efficiency while adding minimal complexity to the overall landing gear structure
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 new design achieves at least 50% improvement in damping efficiency, reducing forces on the fuselage during landing and eliminating the need for fuselage modifications, thereby enhancing safety and reducing tire slippage.
Implementation Method 1
capable of absorbing the energy of the impact... the damping efficiency is improved by at least 50%
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~11
Figure 12
AI summary
The landing gear for a Piper Cub ® light aircraft, comprises at least two wheels, is attached to a part of the fuselage in front of the centre of gravity, and has a fixed tubular reinforcement (1) that is generally triangular in shape, of which the apex (1a) is turned downwards, the ends (1b) and (1e) of the base of the reinforcement (1) and the apex (1a) of same being coupled, with articulation capability, to a suspension system linked to the wheels. Each end (1b) and (1e) of the base of the reinforcement (1) is angularly coupled to a wheel (R), by means of a damping member (2), while the apex (1a) of said reinforcement (1) is coupled symmetrically to each of the wheels, by means of a connecting rod (3).