Dynamic Characteristic Analysis of Rudder System Transmission Mechanism Considering Clearance

The rudder system transmission mechanism plays an indispensable role in the aircraft attitude control system. Its dynamic characteristics are essential for the design of the control system and aircraft flight performance. Due to machining and assembly errors as well as abrasion, clearance errors inevitably exist in each kinematic pair of the rudder system transmission mechanism. It causes unnecessary collision and friction inside the transmission mechanism, which affects the dynamic response of the rudder surface and the stability of the mechanism. To effectively reveal the influence of clearance on the dynamic characteristics of the rudder system transmission mechanism, firstly, the contact model of revolute pair with clearance in the rudder system transmission mechanism is established by the nonlinear spring damping model and the improved Coulomb friction model, based on the clearance vector model. Secondly, the contact collision model of revolute pair with clearance is incorporated into ADAMS, and the dynamic model of the rudder system transmission mechanism is established. Finally, the effects of different clearance sizes, positions, and numbers on the dynamic characteristics of the rudder system transmission mechanism are studied by simulation under specific working conditions. The results show that the clearance at different positions has different effects on the dynamic characteristics of the mechanism, and the influence of multiple clearances is the nonlinear coupling of a single clearance. The research results provide a reference for the design optimization and performance prediction of the rudder system transmission mechanism.