Aircraft Wing Foldable Tip Ground Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft wing designs require the actuation unit to both move and hold the foldable wing tip portion in place when folded, leading to increased complexity and potential failure risks if the actuation unit fails to maintain the folded position.
Innovation Solution
A ground latch device is introduced, comprising a base part, a latch element, and a latch motor, which is separate from the actuation unit and flight latch device, to securely latch the foldable wing tip portion in the folded position, allowing the actuation unit to be designed with reduced complexity and ensuring the wing tip remains in place without relying on the actuation unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuation unit is designed to both move and hold the foldable wing tip portion in the folded position, then the wing can maintain its folded position, but the actuation unit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent functional segments: the actuation unit responsible only for moving the wing tip between positions, and a separate ground latch device responsible for holding the folded position. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the complexity of the actuation unit while maintaining the ability to hold the folded position reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding function is extracted from the actuation unit and implemented as a separate ground latch device. This extraction removes the burden of maintaining the folded position from the actuation unit, allowing it to be designed with reduced complexity while the latch device specifically handles the holding requirement.
2Device complexity
If the actuation unit is designed with reduced complexity, then the device complexity decreases, but the reliability to hold the folded position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ground latch device acts as an intermediary component between the actuation unit and the folded wing tip portion. It receives the wing tip in the folded position from the actuation unit and independently secures it, ensuring that the simplified actuation unit does not bear the burden of holding the position, thus maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground latch device is pre-positioned and ready to engage the folded wing tip portion as soon as it reaches the folded position. This preliminary preparation ensures that the holding function is immediately available, compensating for the reduced capability of the simplified actuation unit.
3Device complexity
If a separate ground latch device is introduced, then the actuation unit complexity reduces, but the device quantity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground latch device is designed to perform multiple functions: it latches the folded wing tip portion, provides a mechanical stop to prevent over-folding, and serves as a reference point for the actuation system. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the overall system complexity is reduced despite the additional component.
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 ground latch device simplifies the actuation unit's design, enhances reliability by preventing the foldable wing tip from moving out of the folded position, and requires minimal changes to existing wing structures, thereby improving safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The latch motor is configured for driving the latch element for movement between the latched position and the unlatched position, and may be an electric or hydraulic motor.
Implementation Method 2
a foldable wing tip portion mounted to the fixed wing via a hinge or hinges rotatable about a hinge axis between an extended position and a folded position
Data Source
AI summary
A wing for an aircraft is disclosed having a fixed wing and a foldable wing tip portion mounted to the fixed wing via a hinge rotatable about a hinge axis between an extended position and a folded position. The wing may include an actuation unit with reduced complexity, and may include a ground latch device for latching the foldable wing tip portion in the folded position.