Wing-Folding Mechanism Interface With Attachment-Pad Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wing folding mechanisms in aircraft rely on small contact surfaces between lugs and shear bolts, leading to high bending moments and potential bolt failure, which limits the efficiency and safety of load transfer.
Innovation Solution
An interface for a wing folding mechanism featuring an attachment pad with a larger surface area to transmit loads perpendicularly, reducing the risk of bolt failure and enhancing load transfer efficiency, accompanied by access openings for easy bolt and nut fitting and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If lugs with small contact surfaces are used to connect rotary actuator to wing sections, then the device complexity is reduced, but the load transfer efficiency deteriorates and bolt failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-contact lugs to a pad interface that distributes loads across a larger two-dimensional area. The attachment pad extends in multiple directions from the central region, creating a distributed contact surface that reduces stress concentration on individual bolts while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the connection interface by replacing small lugs with a larger attachment pad that has extended surfaces in multiple directions. This parameter change increases the contact area and distributes the bending moments and shear forces across more bolts, reducing the likelihood of bolt failure.
2Ease of manufacture
If lugs with small contact surfaces are used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the load transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment pad creates a multi-dimensional load transfer path by extending surfaces in multiple directions from the central region, enabling more efficient distribution of aerodynamic and ground loads across the wing folding mechanism while maintaining manufacturability through standardized bonding processes.
3Ease of repair
If access openings are added to the interface, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented to include access openings that provide pathways to bolts and nuts located behind the attachment pad. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and service fasteners without disassembling the entire interface, improving maintainability while adding only minimal structural features.
4Productivity
If attachment pad with larger surface area is used, then the load transfer efficiency is improved, but the weight of the interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment pad is integrated as a single bonded interface that combines multiple functions: load distribution, structural connection, and maintenance access. By bonding the pad to the central region and incorporating access openings, the design achieves efficient load transfer without requiring additional heavy fastening hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
An interface for a wing folding mechanism of an aircraft. The interface has a central region comprising an internal surface, the internal surface being suitable for engaging a driven gear of a rotary actuator, and an attachment pad extending away from the central region in a first direction for attaching a surface to the interface. The interface can be used as part of the casing of a Geared Rotary Actuator. Also described are related wing assemblies, and aircraft and related methods.