SYSTEM FOR MOTORIZING A WHEEL CONNECTED TO A SUSPENSION

• US 20120217340A1
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Published: 08/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA), Societe De Technologie Michelin (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Essinger, Olivier, Stacchi, Cesare
• Granted Patent: US 9,169,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/50
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/405 Powered wheels, e.g. for taxing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/80 Energy efficient operational measures, e.g. ground operations or mission management

Abstract

The invention relates to a motorizing system for powering a wheel (5) associated with a suspension, the system comprising a motor unit (3) and a drive member (4) secured to the wheel (5).

According to the invention, the motor unit is secured to the sprung part of the suspension strut (2) and a clutch device (6) connects the output shaft (7) of the motor unit (3) to the drive member (4).

Claims

1. Motorizing system for powering a wheel (5) associated with a suspension for moving an aircraft around on the ground, the system comprising a motor unit (3) and a drive member (4) secured to the wheel (5), characterized in that the motor unit is secured to a sprung part of a suspension strut (2), in that a clutch device (6) connects an output shaft (7) of the motor unit (3) to the drive member (4), and in that the transmission between the motor unit and the drive member is a positive transmission.

2. Motorizing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor unit (3) comprises an electric motor (10) and a reduction system (11) connecting the output shaft of the motor (10) to the drive member (4).

3. Motorizing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the reduction system (11) is secured to the motor (10).

4. Motorizing system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clutch device (6) is configured in such a way as to be able to move the motor unit (3) into an engaged position in which this unit (3) is connected to the drive member (4), and a disengaged position in which this unit (3) is separated therefrom.

5. Motorizing system according to claim 4, characterized in that the clutch device (6) is configured in such a way as to allow the motor unit (3) to disengage automatically if the load transmitted between the wheel (5) and at least one motor that forms part of the motor unit (3) exceeds a given level.

6. Motorizing system according to either of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the clutch device (6) is configured in such a way that the motor unit (3) is mounted to rotate with respect to the sprung part of the suspension strut (2), about a horizontal axis.

7. Motorizing system according to claim 6, characterized in that the clutch device (6) comprises two links (19, 20) defining the instantaneous axis of rotation of the motor unit (3).

8. Motorizing system according to either of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the clutch device (6) comprises a movement system (21) allowing the motor unit (3) to be moved from one of its two, engaged and disengaged, positions into the other.

9. Motorizing system according to claim 8, characterized in that the movement system (21) comprises a driving element (22).

10. Motorizing system according to claim 9, characterized in that the driving element (22) is formed of an actuating jack (22).

11. Motorizing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the actuating jack (22) is an electric actuating jack which comprises a drive motor (27) which is arranged in the jack (23), a nut (24) which is mounted for translational movement and a screw that converts the rotational movement of the drive motor (27) into a translational movement of the nut (24).

12. Motorizing system according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the movement system (21) comprises a return element (28) designed to move the motor unit in the opposite direction to the direction imposed by the driving element (22).

13. Motorizing system according to claim 12, characterized in that the return element (28) is formed by a return spring (28).

14. Motorizing system according to claim 13 dependent on claim 10, characterized in that the actuating jack (22) is able to move the motor unit (3) into its in-mesh position, and the return spring (28) is designed to drive the motor unit (3) into its out-of-mesh position.

15. Motorizing system according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the movement system (21) is designed to apply to the motor unit (3) a force higher than a limiting value necessary in order for the motor unit (3) to remain in the engaged position.

16. Motorizing system according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the drive member (4) is an ring gear (4) carried by the rim (8) of the wheel (5) and designed to enter into mesh with the output gear (9) of the motor unit (3) when the latter is in its engaged position.

17. Motorizing system according to claim 16, characterized in that the in-mesh position of the output gear (9) is defined by two rolling lips (17) carried by the ring gear (4) coming into abutment without sliding on two runway tracks (18) carried by the output gear (9).

18. Motorizing system according to either of claims 16 and 17, characterized in that the gear (9) is carried by the output shaft (7) of the motor unit (3) via a constant-velocity joint (29).

19. Assembly of two motorizing systems according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that this assembly is designed to be associated with one and the same suspension strut (2), in that the two wheels (5) are coaxial, and in that the two motor units (3) are joined together.

20. Assembly of two motorizing systems according to claim 19, characterized in that the two motor units (3) are arranged between the two wheels (5).

21. Assembly of two motorizing systems according to claim 20, characterized in that the two motor units (3) are arranged behind the suspension strut (2).

22. Assembly of two motorizing systems according to one of claims 20 to 21, characterized in that each motorizing system is in accordance with one of claims 16 to 18, and in that it comprises a single clutch device (6) common to both systems which allows the motor unit (3) of each wheel (5) to be disengaged at the same time and is in accordance with one of claims 4 to 15.

23. Assembly of two motorizing systems according to claim 22, characterized in that the two motor units (3) are in accordance with one of claims 2 and 3 and are arranged in a V-shape, the point of the V corresponding to the common axis of the two output gears (9) of the two reduction systems (11), and each upper end corresponding to the axis of a motor (10).

24. Assembly of two motorizing systems according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the motor units (3) are connected to the common clutch device (6) by a pivoting connection so that the motor units (3) are allowed a relative horizontal movement allowing them to absorb deformations of the wheels.