Amphibious Vehicle Rear Flap Attitude Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amphibious vehicles face increased fluid resistance and reduced propulsion performance due to changes in trim angle during water travel, as they tilt forward at low speeds, rearward at middle speeds, and experience dynamic lift at high speeds, necessitating a technology to control fluid resistance effectively.
Innovation Solution
An amphibious vehicle equipped with a rear flap and a control system that adjusts the flap angle based on detected trim angle, vehicle speed, and pre-acquired optimum angles to minimize fluid resistance and enhance propulsion performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle main body is shortened and bottom surface is smoothened to improve land runnability, then the vehicle can traverse irregular ground more effectively, but the trim angle changes significantly at different water speeds causing increased fluid resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the rear flap angle adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes the rear flap angle based on detected water speed and trim angle, allowing the vehicle to adapt its attitude to minimize fluid resistance at different speeds while maintaining the shortened, smooth-bottom design for land mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the rear flap angle parameter in response to changes in water speed and trim angle. The control unit adjusts this parameter to optimize the vehicle's attitude, reducing fluid resistance caused by speed-induced trim angle variations while preserving the land-runnable vehicle design
2Productivity
If the rear flap angle is adjusted to control trim angle and reduce fluid resistance, then propulsion performance improves, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the detecting unit to continuously monitor water speed and trim angle, then feeding this information back to the control unit which adjusts the rear flap angle accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system automatically optimizes propulsion performance without requiring complex manual control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-service by automatically detecting the vehicle's state and adjusting the rear flap angle without external intervention. The control unit uses pre-stored relationship data to autonomously determine optimal flap angles, simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining high propulsion performance
3Measurement precision
If the flap angle is controlled based on pre-acquired optimal angles and speed relationships, then the attitude control accuracy improves, but the system requires more sensors and detection capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-acquiring and storing the optimal relationships between water speed, trim angle, and rear flap angle before actual operation. This pre-computed data allows the control unit to quickly determine accurate flap angles based on current conditions, achieving high attitude control accuracy without requiring complex real-time calculation or additional sensors
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
The system effectively reduces fluid resistance and improves propulsion performance by maintaining optimal attitude during water travel, enhancing speed and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
reduce influences of a fluid resistance of water with respect to the vehicle main body at the time of traveling on water
Implementation Method 2
a detecting unit which detects a trim angle of the vehicle main body, a vehicle speed, and the flap angle
Implementation Method 3
since it is possible to reduce a fluid resistance at the time of traveling on water, it is possible to improve propulsion performance of the vehicle main body
Data Source
AI summary
The objective of the present invention is to provide an amphibious vehicle and a method of controlling the attitude of the vehicle body of an amphibious vehicle, with which it is possible to reduce the fluid resistance when traveling on water and to improve the propulsion performance of the vehicle main body. An amphibious vehicle 1 according to the present invention is characterized in being provided with: a vehicle main body 11 capable of moving on water and on land; a rear flap 14B provided at the rear of the vehicle main body 11; a drive unit 33 which drives the rear flap 14B to vary a flap angle θ1 between the vehicle main body 11 and the rear flap 14B; a detecting unit 31 which detects a trim angle of the vehicle main body 11, a vehicle speed and the flap angle θ1; and a control unit 32 which controls the flap angle θ1 on the basis of the trim angle, the vehicle speed and the flap angle θ1 detected by the detecting unit 31.