Multi-constraint dimensional synthesis and filtering method for 5-SS/SPS morphing linkages of aircraft

Hualiang Liu , Hong Xiao , Chunfeng Li , Hongwei Guo , Rongqiang Liu , Zongquan Deng

ENG. Mech. Eng. ›› 2026, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (1) : 100875

PDF (7178KB)
ENG. Mech. Eng. ›› 2026, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (1) :100875 DOI: 10.1007/s11465-026-0875-5
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Multi-constraint dimensional synthesis and filtering method for 5-SS/SPS morphing linkages of aircraft
Author information +
History +
PDF (7178KB)

Abstract

Morphing aircraft represent a critical direction in the development of future aerospace transportation systems. Morphing mechanisms have become a prominent research focus. Developing synthesis methods for such mechanisms holds significant value for guiding future design and application efforts. This paper proposes a multi-constraint dimensional synthesis and filtering method for the 5-SS/SPS morphing linkage of aircraft. First, the moving and fixed solution curves of the linkage are derived, and principles for selecting appropriate solution curves are built. A defect determination method is proposed, incorporating the derivation of the Jacobian matrix, position analysis, and determination of motion continuity to eliminate defective linkages. Secondly, this paper also creatively presents linkage synthesis method satisfying multiple geometric constraints, and derives mathematical expressions satisfying coplanar, cospherical and concyclic geometric constraints of fixed or moving platform, and obtains the discriminants based on the condition that the linear equation set has a solution. A solution region synthesis method is introduced to visualize the synthesized linkages, and the synthesis process under various constraints is presented. Finally, illustrative examples are conducted to validate the correctness of the derived formulas and the effectiveness of the proposed synthesis method, demonstrating the application potential of the morphing linkage in morphing aircraft. The proposed method provides a valuable reference for the synthesis of aircraft morphing linkages under various constraints.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

synthesis method / $ 5 $-SS/SPS linkage / defect determination / geometric constraints / aircraft morphing linkage

Cite this article

Download citation ▾
Hualiang Liu, Hong Xiao, Chunfeng Li, Hongwei Guo, Rongqiang Liu, Zongquan Deng. Multi-constraint dimensional synthesis and filtering method for 5-SS/SPS morphing linkages of aircraft. ENG. Mech. Eng., 2026, 21(1): 100875 DOI:10.1007/s11465-026-0875-5

登录浏览全文

4963

注册一个新账户 忘记密码

References

[1]

Xiao H, Yang G, Guo H W, Liu R Q, Tao J G, Deng Z Q. Application status and future prospect of aircraft morphing wing. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2023, 59(19): 1–23 (in Chinese)

[2]

Ajaj R M , Parancheerivilakkathil M S , Amoozgar M , Friswell M I , Cantwell W J . Recent developments in the aeroelasticity of morphing aircraft. Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 2021, 120: 100682

[3]

Chu L L , Li Q , Gu F , Du X T , He Y Q , Deng Y C . Design, modeling, and control of morphing aircraft: A review. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 2022, 35(5): 220–246

[4]

Sun J , Guan Q H , Liu Y J , Leng J S . Morphing aircraft based on smart materials and structures: A state-of-the-art review. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 2016, 27(17): 2289–2312

[5]

Li C F , Tao J G , Xiao H , Zhao R C , Xing S Y , Guo H W , Jiang Y , Xu J , Zhu G Y , Yang G . Thermoelastic dynamic model for a telescopic wing system based on an absolute nodal coordinate formulation deployable thin plate element. Thin-walled Structures, 2025, 214: 113372

[6]

Bai Y , Yang G , Guo H W , Xiao H , Liu R Q , Deng Z Q . An unsteady aerodynamic force calculation method for shear variable-sweep wing considering sweep angle and airfoil changes. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2025, 157: 109771

[7]

Jiang Y , Xiao H , Yang G , Guo H W , Liu R Q , Deng Z Q . Study on transient dynamics of the pyrotechnic-driven large flexible expansion mechanism. Nonlinear Dynamics, 2024, 112(18): 15917–15932

[8]

Liu H L, Xiao H, Yang G, Guo H W, Liu R Q, Deng Z Q. Design and analysis of cellular multidimensional morphing linkage of aircraft fuselage. In: the 10th International Conference on Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering (ICMRE). Milan: IEEE, 2024, 143–148

[9]

Liu H L , Xiao H , Zhao R C , Yang G , Li S L , Guo H W , Liu R Q , Deng Z Q . Simulation-based aerodynamic load follow-up load method and experimental study for the morphing fuselage of high-speed aircraft. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2025, 162: 110215

[10]

Tian D K , Zhang J W , Jin L , Huang X L . Design and research of a new multi-loop closed-chain morphing wing mechanism. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 2024, 199: 105697

[11]

Liu K , Ma H , Liu J F , Yu J J , Gao G H , Kong X W . Geometric construction and reconfiguration analysis of multi-mode two-loop spatial mechanisms and their multi-loop extensions. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 2025, 213: 106083

[12]

Şahin H L , Yaman Y . Synthesis, analysis, and design of a novel mechanism for the trailing edge of a morphing wing. Aerospace, 2018, 5(4): 127

[13]

Wang J Y, Li Y X, Tian Y Z, Xi F F, Hao G B, Zhao Y J. Type synthesis of single-DOF multi-loop-coupled planar continuum morphing mechanisms. In: the 6th International Conference on Reconfigurable Mechanisms and Robots (ReMAR). Chicago, IL: IEEE, 2024, 271–276

[14]

Liang Y J, Zhao J L, Yan S Z. Bionic design of morphing nose cone for aerospace vehicle based on the deformable mechanism of honeybee abdomen. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2020, 56(5): 47–54 (in Chinese)

[15]

Wang Y , Tao J G , Wu D Z , Xiao H , Guo H W , Gong S Q , Li X G , Liu R Q . Design and analysis of morphing forebody mechanisms with smooth shape control points for aerospace vehicles. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2025, 165: 110488

[16]

Yang H , Huang Z Z , Wang Y , Zhao Y S , Yao Y P , Qiao S L . Synthesis of and experiment on a morphing nose cone driven by a biomimetic 4-3R1U&3R parallel mechanism. Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2025, 38(1): 152

[17]

Zhang X , Kang X , Li B . Development and evaluation of a light-weight flexure-based lockable joint for morphing wings. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2023, 143: 108720

[18]

Zhang X , Kang X , Li B . Origami-inspired design of a single-degree-of-freedom reconfigurable wing with lockable mechanisms. Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics, 2024, 16(7): 071008

[19]

Wu H Y , Liu X A , Hao Y X , Liao M L , Niu W D , Zhang Y L , Yan S Z . Design and performance analysis of novel morphing wing driven by modular deployable mechanism for underwater gliders. Ocean Engineering, 2025, 321: 120429

[20]

Yang S Z , Xu P , Li B . Design and rigid-flexible dynamic analysis of a morphing wing eight-bar mechanism. Nonlinear Dynamics, 2024, 112(17): 15025–15060

[21]

Cortez S T P , Winyangkul S , Sleesongsom S . The conceptual design of a variable camber wing. Biomimetics, 2025, 10(6): 353

[22]

Yang F , Yang G , Zhao R C , Liu R Q , Xiao H , Guo H W . Kinematic modeling and optimization design of morphing leading edge with flexible skin and rigid linkage coupling. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2025, 165: 110441

[23]

Zhang Y Q , Ge W J , Zhang Z A , Mo X J , Zhang Y H . Design of compliant mechanism-based variable camber morphing wing with nonlinear large deformation. International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems, 2019, 16(6): 1–19

[24]

Huang H Y , Fan Y T , Wu K , Ke Z Q , Tang D , Wang W M , Li D Y . Design, modeling and analysis of a variable camber wing based on initially curved beams. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 2025, 209: 105989

[25]

Moosavian A , Xi F F , Hashemi S M . Design and motion control of fully variable morphing wings. Journal of Aircraft, 2013, 50(4): 1189–1201

[26]

Yang H , Jiang S C , Wang Y , Xiao H . Design, kinematic and fluid-structure interaction analysis of a morphing wing. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2023, 143: 108721

[27]

Wu G Z , Tong Y H , Zhang J Y , Zhao Z . Design and dynamic analysis of a spanwise morphing wing for Mars exploration. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2024, 155: 109586

[28]

Wu H Y , Tan L J , Niu W D , Song Y , Zhang Y L , Wang S X , Yan S Z . A novel morphing nose cone for underwater gliders: Performance analysis, parameter optimization, and driving mechanism design. Applied Ocean Research, 2024, 147: 104000

[29]

Zhang Y L , Zhao J L , Chen W H , Guo X D , Yan S Z , Hu G T , Yuan Y , Guo P F , Cai Q Y . Biomimetic skeleton structure of morphing nose cone for aerospace vehicle inspired by variable geometry mechanism of honeybee abdomen. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2019, 92: 405–416

[30]

Zhang Y L , Li C X , Zhang Y , Cai Q Y , Yan S Z . Experimental investigations on structural improvement of morphing mechanism for nose cone of aerospace vehicle adopting a bionic redundant constraint strategy. Science China Technological Sciences, 2023, 66(4): 1075–1095

[31]

Wu X B , Wu Z Y , Liang L L , Zhao J L , Wang W Z , Yan S Z . Bio-inspired design and performance evaluation of a novel morphing nose cone for aerospace vehicles. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2023, 137: 108274

[32]

Li J L , Wu J N , Yan S Z . Conceptual design of deployment structure of morphing nose cone. Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 2013, 5: 590957

[33]

Zhao J L , Yan S Z , Deng L R , Huang H , Liu Y M . Design and analysis of biomimetic nose cone for morphing of aerospace vehicle. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2017, 14(2): 317–326

[34]

Plecnik M M, McCarthy J M. Design of a 5-SS spatial steering linkage. In: Proceedings of the ASEM 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Volume 4: 36th Mechanisms and Robotics Conference, Parts A and B. Chicago, IL: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2012, 725–735

[35]

Li X Y, Ge Q J, Gao F. A unified algorithm for geometric design of platform linkages with spherical and plane constraints. Proceedings of the ASME 2014 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Volume 5B: 38th Mechanisms and Robotics Conference. Buffalo, NY: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2014, V05BT08A101

[36]

Ge X, Ge Q J, Gao F. A novel algorithm for solving design equations for synthesizing platform linkages. In: Proceedings of the ASME 2015 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Volume 5C: 39th Mechanisms and Robotics Conference. Boston, MA: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2015, V05CT08A049

[37]

Ge X, Purwar A, Ge Q J. From 5-SS platform linkage to four-revolute jointed planar, spherical and Bennett mechanisms. In: Proceedings of the ASME 2016 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Volume 5B: 40th Mechanisms and Robotics Conference. Charlotte, NC: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2016, V05BT07A081

[38]

Ge X, Purwar A, Ge Q J. Finite position synthesis of 5-SS platform linkages including partially specified joint locations. In: Proceedings of the ASME 2017 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Volume 5B: 41st Mechanisms and Robotics Conference. Cleveland, OH: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2017, V05BT08A074

[39]

Li X Y , Ge Q J , Gao F . A computational geometric approach for motion generation of spatial linkages with sphere and plane constraints. Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics, 2019, 11(1): 014504

[40]

Han J Y , Cui G Z . Solution region synthesis methodology of spatial 5-SS linkages for six given positions. Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics, 2017, 9(4): 044501

[41]

Liu H L , Han J Y . Solution region synthesis methodology of spatial 1CS-4SS linkages for six given positions. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 2021, 162: 104369

[42]

Joshi S A , Tsai L W . Jacobian analysis of limited-DOF parallel manipulators. Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics, 2002, 124(2): 254–258

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press

PDF (7178KB)

372

Accesses

0

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/