Aircraft Wing Lift Control via Slit Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lift-changing mechanisms for aircraft wings require moving large components, such as movable wing portions or rotor blades, which can lead to durability and reliability issues due to the large load on driving devices in strong airflow.

Innovation Solution

A lift-changing mechanism that utilizes a slit in the wing with an opening and closing member to control airflow, allowing airflow from the lower surface to flow towards the upper surface, thereby decreasing lift without moving large components, by rotating a bar-shaped opening and closing member inside the wing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large components such as movable wing portions or rotor blades are moved to change lift, then lift can be effectively changed, but the load on driving devices increases leading to durability and reliability issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability and reliabilityVSAvoidload on driving devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the wing into multiple sections with slits formed at different positions along the wing. Instead of moving the entire wing or large blade components, small opening and closing members are placed within individual slits to locally control airflow. This segmentation allows lift adjustment without moving large components, reducing the load on driving devices while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the lift control function from large moving components and implements it through small opening and closing members that are taken out and placed within slits in the wing. These small members selectively open or close slits to control airflow passage, achieving lift change without requiring movement of large wing portions or rotor blades.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Force

If small opening and closing members are used to control slits instead of moving large components, then the load on driving devices is reduced, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload on driving devicesVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of multiple components into a simplified system. The opening and closing members are integrated within the slits themselves, and the slits are formed directly in the wing structure. This merging eliminates the need for complex linkages, housings, and mounting mechanisms that would otherwise be required to support separate lift control components, thereby reducing overall mechanism complexity despite using multiple small members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The opening and closing members are designed to operate autonomously within the slits without requiring external support structures or complex actuation mechanisms. Each member independently controls its associated slit, and the wing structure itself provides the mounting and operational environment for these members, eliminating the need for additional complex support systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This mechanism effectively changes lift generated by the wing without moving large components, reducing the load on driving devices and enhancing durability and reliability by rotating a miniaturized opening and closing member, thus providing a more efficient and reliable lift control.

Implementation Method 1

A part of airflow below the lower surface is allowed to flow toward the upper surface through the slit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow:

Implementation Method 2

lift generated by a wing of an aircraft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLift generation: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentEP3919371B1Lift-changing mechanism
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 SUBARU CORP
  • EP3919371B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3919371B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3919371B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5B

AI summary

A lift-changing mechanism (1) is configured to change generated by a wing (2) of an aircraft and includes a slit (3) and an opening and closing member (4). The slit (3) extends in a wingspan direction inside the wing (2) and forms openings (3A, 3B) on the lower surface (2A) of the wing (2) and on the upper surface (2B) of the wing (2), respectively. A part of an airflow below the lower surface (2A) is allowed to flow toward the upper surface (2B) through the slit (3). The opening and closing member (4) is configured to open and close the slit (3). When the opening and closing member (4) opens the slit (3), lift generated on the wing (2) is decreased compared with the arrangement when the slit (3) is closed.