Aircraft Wing Tip Actuation Mechanism Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable aircraft wings have complex and unreliable actuation mechanisms that complicate assembly, maintenance, and space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A simple, compact, and reliable actuation mechanism for foldable aircraft wings, featuring a catch element and drive arm configuration that allows easy movement between extended and folded positions, with optional latch and pull-back mechanisms for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex actuation mechanism with multiple linkage components is used, then the wing can achieve foldable functionality, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the drive arm mounted to the fixed wing, the catch element mounted to the foldable wing tip portion, and the engagement interface between them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies assembly and maintenance while achieving the foldable functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional linkage mechanisms are used for actuation, then the wing tip can be folded, but the space requirements and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential actuation function from complex traditional linkage mechanisms and implements it through a simplified system consisting of a drive arm and a catch element. This extraction removes unnecessary intermediate components while preserving the core functionality of folding the wing tip portion, thereby easing manufacturing and assembly.
3Device complexity
If the drive arm is directly mounted to the foldable wing tip portion, then the structure is simplified, but the reliability and control precision decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The catch element serves as an intermediary between the drive arm and the foldable wing tip portion. It is mounted to the wing tip portion structure and engages with the drive arm, providing a reliable mechanical interface that ensures precise control and high reliability while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Volume of moving object
If housing parts rotating relative to each other are used, then the actuation mechanism can be compact, but the device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is designed so that the drive arm and catch element can be easily accessed, inspected, and maintained without disassembling complex housing structures. The simple engagement interface allows for quick identification and replacement of components, enabling easier self-service maintenance while maintaining a compact form factor.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed is a wing (3) for an aircraft (1), comprising a fixed wing (5), a foldable wing tip portion (9) mounted to the fixed wing (5) via a hinge (11) rotatable about a hinge axis (13) between an extended position (15) and a folded position (17), and an actuation mechanism (24) for moving the foldable wing tip portion (9), wherein the actuation mechanism (24) comprises a drive arm (27) mounted to the fixed wing (5) in a manner rotatably driven about a drive axis (29), and wherein the drive arm (27) is configured to effect movement of the foldable wing tip portion (9) between the extended position (15) and the folded position (17) upon rotation of the drive arm (27) about the drive axis (29). The object to provide a wing having a simple, reliable and space-efficient actuation mechanism, is achieved in that the actuation mechanism (24) comprises a catch element (33) mounted to a tip hinge part (19) of the hinge (11) or to the structure of the foldable wing tip portion (9), and the drive arm (27) and the catch element (33) are configured such that in the extended position (15) of the foldable wing tip portion (9) upon rotation of the drive arm (27) the drive arm (27) contacts the catch element (33) and upon further rotation pushes the foldable wing tip portion (9) towards the folded position (17).