Aircraft Wingtip Actuator Layout for Folding Span Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of accommodating increasingly large wing spans in aircraft while adhering to airport clearance requirements is addressed by movable wing tip devices, which necessitates compact and efficient actuators for transitioning between flight and ground configurations.

Innovation Solution

A wing tip device actuator utilizing a pair of arms with elbows and a threaded shaft, where rotation of the shaft moves the wing tip device relative to the fixed wing, employing a rotary driving actuator to minimize size and maximize force output, and a control link system to ensure optimal force transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a movable wing tip device is introduced to reduce effective span during ground operations, then compliance with airport clearance rules is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements for actuators increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance with airport clearance rulesVSAvoidactuator complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator arms are nested within the wing tip device structure, with the first and second pairs of arms positioned inside the wing tip device when in the retracted position. This nesting approach minimizes the external dimensions of the actuator while maintaining full functionality for span reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator employs a dynamic arm mechanism where the first and second pairs of arms can rotate and extend/retract to provide the necessary movement force. The arms pivot about axes perpendicular to the hinge axis, creating a dynamic system that multiplies force while occupying minimal space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Weight of moving object

If the dimensions of the actuator are minimized to accommodate limited space within the wing, then the weight and space consumption are reduced, but the force output capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator weightVSAvoidactuator force output

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator arms utilize curved or angled geometries rather than straight linear actuators. The arms extend at angles relative to the wing tip device, creating mechanical leverage that amplifies force output while keeping the physical footprint compact. This curved arrangement allows force to be applied more efficiently through rotational motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator arms serve as intermediary elements between the threaded shaft and the wing tip device. The arms translate the linear motion of the threaded shaft into rotational motion about the hinge axis, providing mechanical advantage and force multiplication without requiring a large direct-acting motor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If a rotary driving actuator is used instead of a linear actuator, then the size is minimized and force output is maximized, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce outputVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces a direct linear actuator system with a rotary actuator coupled to an arm mechanism. The rotary actuator rotates a threaded shaft, which converts rotational motion to linear motion of the arms, which then converts to rotational motion of the wing tip device. This substitution allows use of compact rotary motors while achieving the required linear displacement and force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator system is segmented into distinct functional components: the rotary drive unit, the threaded shaft, the first and second pairs of arms, and the connection points to the wing tip device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall design by distributing the mechanical functions across multiple elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 actuator arrangement allows for a smaller and lighter design, enabling efficient span reduction and compliance with airport clearance rules while maintaining effective lift generation during flight.

Implementation Method 1

rotation of the threaded shaft causes the elbows of the arms to move towards or away from the threaded shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThreaded shaft mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS20260062114A1Relating to aircraft wings

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD

AI summary

An aircraft including an aircraft wing wherein the aircraft wing includes a fixed wing, a wing tip device at an end of the fixed wing, and a wing tip device actuator configured to move the wing tip device between a flight configuration and a ground configuration. The wing tip device actuator includes a shaft which is rotatable about a shaft axis to selectively displace respective first and second elbows of the wing tip device actuator towards or away from the shaft. The first elbow is connected to the wing tip device and the second elbow is connected to the fixed wing such that movement of the respective elbows away from the shaft causes the wing tip device to move away from the flight configuration and such that movement of the respective elbows towards the shaft causes the wing tip device to move towards the flight configuration.