Design and experiment of concentrated flexibility-based variable camber morphing wing

The morphing wing has a significant positive effect on the aerodynamic performance of the aircraft. This paper describes a leading-edge of variable camber wing with concentrated flexibility based on the geared five-bar mechanism. The driving points of morphing skin formed by the glass fibre composite sheet were optimized to make the skin deformation smooth. A geared five-bar kinematic mechanism rigidly connected to the skin was proposed to drive the leading-edge deformation. Besides, a new kind of concentrated flexure hinge was designed using the pseudo-rigid-body method and applied to the joint between the rigid mechanism and the skin. Finally, the leading-edge prototypes with traditional hinges and flexure hinges were produced, respectively. The feasibility of the concentrated flexibility leading-edge was verified through the comparative experiments of ground deformation. Simultaneously, aerodynamic analysis was carried out to compare the concentrated flexure leading-edge wing with the original airfoil.