Aircraft Battery Block With Gravity-Aligned Vertical Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft battery replacement processes are cumbersome, time-consuming, and require careful handling due to the weight of the battery packs, which can shift the aircraft's center of gravity, necessitating complex maneuvers and prolonged downtime.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design with a cover that matches the fuselage shape, allowing vertical insertion and secure locking, combined with a handle device for easy access and electrical contact elements for quick connection, ensuring stable and efficient battery replacement without tilting the aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery pack is inserted into the battery compartment from the side, then the battery pack can be replaced, but the handling becomes cumbersome and time-consuming, and the aircraft may tilt sideways due to center of gravity shift
Solution Approach 1:
The battery compartment is positioned on the top surface of the aircraft body instead of the side, allowing the battery pack to be inserted from above. This inversion of the conventional side-mounted battery configuration enables vertical insertion along the gravity direction, making handling easier and faster while preventing aircraft tilting during replacement operations
2Ease of operation
If the battery pack is mounted on the underside of the aircraft, then the battery can be accessed, but time-consuming disassembly of attachments and turning the aircraft upside down is required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting the battery pack on the underside of the aircraft as is conventional, the battery compartment is positioned on the top surface. This inversion eliminates the need to turn the aircraft upside down or disassemble attachments, allowing direct vertical insertion and replacement of the battery pack from above
3Ease of operation
If the battery pack is inserted sideways into the battery compartment, then the battery can be installed, but careful handling and experience are required due to the heavy weight
Solution Approach 1:
The battery compartment is positioned on the top surface rather than the side, changing the insertion direction from horizontal to vertical. This allows the heavy battery pack to be inserted along the gravity direction, eliminating the need for careful sideways handling and reducing the skill level required for installation
Solution Approach 2:
By aligning the insertion direction with the gravity direction, the battery pack can be handled in a more natural manner where gravity assists rather than opposes the insertion motion, reducing the physical effort and skill required despite the battery's heavy weight
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 quick and secure battery replacement without tilting the aircraft, reducing installation time and maintaining the center of gravity, thus facilitating rapid flight resumption with minimal air resistance and enhanced safety.
Implementation Method 1
The battery block cover has a sealing means in the region of the outer contour, wherein the sealing means, when the battery block is in the assembled state, rests against the fuselage in the region of the fuselage surface and closes the battery compartment in a liquid-tight manner.
Implementation Method 2
the battery pack can be inserted into the battery compartment by displacing the battery pack along an insertion axis oriented substantially parallel to a direction of gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an aircraft (1) having a battery block (2) for supplying the aircraft (1) with energy. The battery block (2) is arrangeable within a battery compartment (4) of the aircraft (1). The battery compartment (4) is arranged within a volume formed by a fuselage (5) of the aircraft (1) and is accessible from the outside through a receiving opening (6) in the fuselage (5). The battery block (2) is introducible into the battery compartment (4) through the receiving opening (6). When the aircraft (1) is used as intended, the receiving opening (6) is arranged on an upwardly facing top side (7) of the fuselage (5). The battery block (2) is insertable into the battery compartment (4) by the battery block (2) being moved along an introduction axis (9) oriented substantially parallel to the direction of gravitational force (8). The battery block (2) has a handle device (17), which, when the battery block (2) has been inserted properly into the battery compartment (4), is accessible from outside the aircraft (1).