Aircraft Coupling Mechanism for Heavy Payload Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft are limited by their maximum payload capacity, preventing them from safely carrying loads exceeding their structural and thrust limits, which can restrict their operational use, especially in situations requiring heavier payloads.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system that allows multiple aircraft to be rigidly attached via a male and female part with an attachment mechanism, enabling the combined aircraft to carry payloads exceeding the maximum payload of individual aircraft by distributing the load across the structural load-carrying capacity of both aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single aircraft carries a load, then the aircraft can transport the load, but the load weight is limited by the aircraft's maximum payload capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple aircraft into a coupled formation using a coupling system with male and female parts that rigidly attach the aircraft together. This merging allows the combined aircraft to share the payload weight, enabling transport of loads exceeding the maximum payload capacity of any single aircraft while maintaining flight safety through distributed load bearing.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple aircraft are coupled together, then the payload capacity increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into distinct male and female parts that can be independently attached to different aircraft. This segmentation simplifies the overall system by breaking down the complex coupling function into manageable components with specific attachment mechanisms, allowing for easier assembly, disassembly, and maintenance while enabling increased payload capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A male part and a female part can reversibly couple aircraft to one another using an attachment mechanism. The male part includes a wall forming a shaft and is operable to attach to a first aircraft. The female part includes a wall forming a cavity and is operable to attach to a second aircraft. The attachment mechanism can regulate a mechanical engagement between the shaft on the male part and the cavity on the female part while the first aircraft and the second aircraft are airborne or on land. The attachment mechanism is operable to switch between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the attachment mechanism initiates the mechanical engagement to rigidly attach the first and the second aircraft to one another. In the disengaged position, the attachment mechanism discontinues the mechanical engagement to detach the first and the second aircraft from one another.