Docking Air-Road Vehicle Layout for VTOL Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs are limited to single modes of travel, either on roadways or in flight, lacking the capability to seamlessly transition between both modes without practical drawbacks such as requiring long runways or towing folded wings.
Innovation Solution
A multi-modal air and road vehicle system comprising a road vehicle and a flight vehicle that can be removably joined via docking mechanisms, allowing for operation on both roadways and in flight, with the flight vehicle capable of sustained vertical and horizontal flight and vertical takeoff and landing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed wings are folded to permit ground vehicle operation, then the vehicle can operate on roadways, but the vehicle must tow the folded wings when driving and requires a long runway to take off and land
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into two separate vehicles (road vehicle and flight vehicle) that can be independently operated or joined together. The road vehicle includes a chassis, wheels, and cabin, while the flight vehicle includes wings, propulsion devices, and flight control surfaces. This segmentation allows each vehicle to be optimized for its specific mode of operation without compromising the other mode.
Solution Approach 2:
A docking mechanism serves as an intermediary connection between the road vehicle and flight vehicle. The docking mechanism includes a docking interface with coupling elements that can selectively join the two vehicles. This intermediary allows for easy connection and disconnection without requiring complex folding or towing mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If a unibody design is used for single mode of travel, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the vehicle cannot operate in both air and on road
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system is segmented into two separate vehicles with distinct unibody designs optimized for their respective modes. The road vehicle has a simple unibody structure for ground operation, while the flight vehicle has a separate unibody structure for aerial operation. This avoids the complexity of a single unibody attempting to serve both purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking mechanism provides universal connectivity between the road vehicle and flight vehicle, allowing the system to function in multiple modes (road-only, flight-only, or combined). Each vehicle maintains its own simple unibody design while gaining multi-functionality through the optional docking connection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If VTOL engines are used for vertical takeoff and landing, then new opportunities for flying craft are created, but the vehicle still requires practical operational constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion system is segmented into separate VTOL engines on the flight vehicle, which can independently provide vertical lift. This allows the flight vehicle to perform vertical takeoff and landing operations without requiring a runway, while the road vehicle remains unaffected and can operate on standard roadways independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The propulsion devices on the flight vehicle are designed to dynamically adjust their orientation and thrust output. The propulsion devices can rotate to change the direction of thrust, enabling transitions between vertical takeoff/landing modes and horizontal flight modes, providing operational flexibility and practicality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and practical transition between road and air travel, eliminating the need for separate vehicles and reducing operational complexities, while ensuring safety and compliance with regulatory standards for both road and air operations.
Implementation Method 1
a flight vehicle having a main body, wings, flight control surfaces, and a plurality of propulsion devices
Implementation Method 2
the propulsion devices can rotate so as to operate as a vertical takeoff and landing craft
Implementation Method 3
The flight vehicle and the road vehicle can be removably joined together by a plurality of docking mechanisms
Implementation Method 4
a road vehicle having a chassis, a plurality of wheels, an engine, and a cabin area
Data Source
AI summary
An air and road vehicle system includes a road vehicle having a chassis, a plurality of wheels, an engine, and a cabin area. A flight vehicle having a main body, wings, flight control surfaces, and a plurality of propulsion devices is removably coupled to the road vehicle by a plurality of docking mechanisms. In the connected orientation, the top end of the road vehicle is connected to the bottom surface of the wings, and the back end of the road vehicle is connected to the main body via an elongated catch tongue. Controllers on the flight vehicle and road vehicle are communicatively linked wirelessly or via hardwire receptacles. In the disconnected orientation, the road vehicle is functional as a road motor vehicle, and in the connected orientation, the flight vehicle and the road vehicle are functional for flight in a vertical or horizontal orientation.