HINGE-TYPE ANGLE SETTING DEVICE

Abstract: Angle setting device of hinge type, especially for use in model airplanes. Two hinge members (3, 5) are jointed to each other via pins (6). An actuator (1) is pivotable, and the swing angle of the hinge can be set by the pivoting of the actuator (1). This is achieved by the actuator being mechanically controlled (10, 11) in the first hinge member (3) along a certain surface, as well as being mechanically controlled (4, 7) along a second surface in the second hinge member (5), said two surfaces forming an angle with each other.

Description: Hinge-type angle setting device The invention relates to an angle setting device of hinge type, with a first member and a second member which is rotatable about an axis, relative to the first member. The device in question is initially intended for setting the rudder, flaps and elevators in a model air¬ plane, but the principle of the invention is also applicable in other cases where one wishes to control the swinging of a hinged object, e.g. for controlling venti¬ lation covers. The applicability is extensive. In model airplanes it is usual to set the rudder and flaps etc. by radio control, with some form of controlled motor being used to achieve the changing setting. As a rule, the setting is achieved by fixing a lever to a hinged member, such as a rudder .or flap, and then actuat¬ ing the lever by an often complicated linkage. As a rule, the lever must protrude outside the plane of the flap. As regards flaps and the like in a wing, there is the further problem that the actuating force, must be transmitted via a linkage lying inside the wing and acting in the longitu¬ dinal direction of the wing, in order to actuate a lever arm fixed to the flap to swing in a plane essentially perpendicular to the linkage. This is difficult to achieve without a large number of bearing points with play. This play is cumulative in effect. The major purpose of the present invention is there¬ fore to achieve an angle setting device of hinge type, which is more practical and efficient. A special purpose of the invention is to achieve a mechanical control means which converts a translational movement in one direction into a rotational movement about an axis essentially parallel to said translational movement. The control means should be easily and in- expensively manufactured and be suitable for use in model airplanes, for example. This is achieved according to the invention by an - * £X3RE OMPI angle setting device of the type mentioned in the intro¬ duction which is characterized by an actuator which is pivotally mounted on the second member about a point of attachment and which is disposed to pivot along a first guide surface, the movement of the actuator in the second member being limited to a second guide surface, which forms an angle with the first guide surface, so that the pivoting of the actuator causes a relative rotational movement between the first and the second members. According to a preferred embodiment, the hinge members are made of plastic, the first member, intended for fixed mounting in a model airplane, for example, having a slotted opening, the two walls of which fit against the actuator and force it to move within the planar slot. The other hinge member is fixed to a movable part (rudder, flap etc.) and can swing about axial pins. Between the axial ' pins there is a slot, into which the end of the actuator is fitted and is fixed by a pin driven through the actuator perpendicular to the slot. The two guide surfaces can however be arranged differently. The pin and slot in the second hinge member can be replaced by a shaft. Alternatively, the actuator can be journalled on a pin in the first hinge member and run freely in a slot in the other hinge member. This slot need not be straight. In this way a suitable varying mechanical advantage can be achieved over the operating interval. The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a controlled hinge. Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of a controlled hinge. Figs. 3 and 4 show model airplanes, provided with steering means based on the invention., Fig. 5 shows a corresponding sailplane. The example shown in Fig. 1 shows the presently pre- ferred embodiment of an angle setting device of hinge type, which is mounted on a wing, of which only a portion is shown. The hinge has two members, the first 3 of which -£JR! OMPI is fixed to the wing itself and the second 5 of which is fixed to a flap which is swingable relative to the wing. The two members are articulated via pins 6 and the move¬ ment is regulated by an actuator 1 which is pivoted via a joint 8 and a connecting rod 7, coupled to a control apparatus (not shown in the figure) . The actuator 1 comprises a round metal rod 2 which is articulated at one end via a pin 4 in the second member. Furthermore, the rod 2 is guided by two flat surfaces 10,11 which form a slot in the first member 3, which should suitably be co- planar with the pins 6. Similar surfaces 7 are arranged in the second member 5, which form a slot defining a plane which is at an angle to the slot in the first member. As can be seen from Fig.' 1, movement of the connecting rod 7 in its longitudinal direction will result in restricted pivoting of the rod 2 in the plane defined by the surfaces 10,11. This will cause the second hinge member to rotate about the pins 6. Fig. 2 shows schematically another embodiment, in which identical reference numerals designate analogous elements. In this case, he rod 2 is pivotable about a pin 12 and moves in an obliquely arranged slot 7 in the member 5. The result is the same as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Essential to the invention is thus that the actuator 1 be mechanically guided along individual surfaces in the two hinge members, said surfaces being at an angle to each other. In the example shown, these surfaces are planar surfaces, but this is not necessary since they can also be curved surfaces. By suitable computation of the surfaces, it is possible to obtain a suitable relation between the dependent and the independent pivoting. It is also possible to make this relation non-linear to take into account aerodynamic variables, i.e. a wing flap swung downwards producing a greater secondary effect than one swung upwards. Mechanical guiding along a surface also includes, as is evident from that stated above, rotation about an axis, whereby a plane of rotation is defined. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 show methods of arranging angle setting devices according to the invention. Adjustable wing flaps are arranged by angle setting devices 15. Although they are not shown, it is recommended to also in¬ stall common, uncontrolled hinges. The figures show that control means 16 for the wing flaps and 17 for the rudder are arranged, which can be radio control means well-known to the person skilled in the art, and which therefore need not be described in more detail here. These control means actuate control rods corresponding to rod 7 in Fig. 1. In order to obtain a light contruction, they are suitably ' made according to the Bowden cable principle by being drawn through stiff tubes 18. As can be seen from the rudder control in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it is also possible to curve their lines of action. It can be seen from the figures that the angle setting devices 15 for the wing flaps should be of iden- tical construction so that, for example, when the control cables of both wings are pulled in, the flaps will be swung down. If, however, banking is desired in this construction, the devices should be reversed. OMPI

Claims: Claims 1. Angle setting device of hinge type, with a joint defining an axis of rotation and, on one side thereof, a first member (3) provided with actuator means and, on the other side thereof, a second member (5) to be rotated about the axis of rotation relative to the first member by moving the actuator means, characterized in that said actuator means comprise an actuator (1,2) which is pivot¬ ally mounted at a point of attachment (4; 12) and is limited in its movement in the first member to a first guide surface (10,11; plane perpendicular to 12) and is limited in its movement in the second member to a second guide surface (7) which forms an angle with the first guide surface, said second member being essentially fixed relative to the first member in the direction of the axis of rotation of the hinge joint, whereby pivoting of the actuator causes a relative rotational movement between the first (3) and the second members (5). 2. Angle setting device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first guide surface is arranged by two parallel planar surfaces (10,11) in the first member (3), between which the actuator (1) is fitted. 3. Angle setting device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the limiting to the second guide surface is arranged by the actuator (1) being journalled on a shaft (4) fixed in the second member (5) , said shaft forming an angle with the first axis of rotation. 4. Angle setting device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the limiting to the second guide surface is arranged by the actuator being fitted between two guide surfaces (7) arranged in the second member. 5. Angle setting device according to Claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the first guide surface is arranged by the actuator (1) being pivotally mounted on a pin (12) fixed in the first member (3) perpendicular to the first guide surface. 6. Angle setting device according to any one of the JRl preceding claims , characterized in that the two guide surfaces form an angle of 25-60° with each other. OMPI

Inventors: HOLLMAN N
Applicants: HOLLMAN N
Application year: 1981
Main classification: F16H21
IPC codes: B64C9, F16H25, G05G1, G05G7