Variable Profile Aircraft Wing With Articulated Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft wing control flaps are rigid, leading to suboptimal aerodynamic flow deflection and unfavorable load distribution, resulting in increased stress and design complexity.
Innovation Solution
A wing with a variable profile shape comprising a first skin, a second skin, and a supporting structure with articulated ribs that can be adjusted by a drive device, allowing for variable spacing between connection points to alter the wing's profile, thereby improving aerodynamics and load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If rigid control flaps are used to vary the wing profile, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the aerodynamic characteristics are suboptimal and load distribution is unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the supporting structure variable through articulated ribs that can change their spacing. The ribs are connected to the first skin at fixed positions but connected to the second skin at variable positions through drive elements, allowing the profile to be dynamically adjusted. This dynamic configuration enables optimal aerodynamic characteristics while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of articulated rather than fully rigid connections.
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid control flaps are used to vary the wing profile, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the load distribution becomes unfavorable with large local stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the supporting structure into multiple articulated ribs that can independently adjust their positions. Instead of using a single rigid control flap, the structure is segmented into several ribs connected at multiple positions (first connection positions to the first skin, second connection positions to the second skin). This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple articulation points rather than concentrated at single attachment positions, reducing local stresses while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized connection elements.
3Reliability
If variable profile is achieved through articulated ribs with variable spacing, then aerodynamic characteristics are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the necessary portions of the structure variable rather than the entire wing. The first skin maintains fixed connection positions for the ribs, while the second skin has variable connection positions. This localized variability is achieved through drive elements that specifically adjust the spacing between second connection positions, allowing the profile to be modified locally where needed for aerodynamic optimization without complicating the entire structure.
4Stress or pressure
If articulated ribs with drive elements are used to vary the profile, then the load distribution is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the flexible shells and thin films principle by using a flexible second skin that can accommodate the variable positioning of ribs. The second skin is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to work in conjunction with the articulated ribs to achieve variable profile without requiring heavy reinforcement. This flexibility enables the structure to adapt to different configurations while minimizing weight compared to fully rigid alternatives.
Data Source
AI summary
A wing, in particular a airfoil of an aircraft, with a variable profile shape, which wing comprises a first skin and a second skin and a supporting structure, arranged between the first and the second skin, which supporting structure in the direction of the wing depth extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the form of said supporting structure, for the purpose of varying the profile shape by means of a drive device comprising drive elements, is variable. The supporting structure comprises ribs, arranged one behind the other in the direction of the wing depth, which ribs at connection positions are interconnected so as to be articulated, wherein said ribs at first connection positions are connected to the first skin, and at second connection positions are connected to the second skin. For the purpose of setting the variable profile the mutual spacing of the second connection positions can be varied by means of the drive elements.