Convertible UAV Airframe with Replaceable Assemblies for VTOL and Fixed-Wing Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face limitations in versatility due to the trade-offs between vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing UAVs, which have weak wind resistance but long endurance, and multi-rotor UAVs, which have strong wind resistance but short endurance and low flight speed.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial vehicle design that allows switching between VTOL fixed-wing and multi-rotor configurations by having a replaceable fixed-wing assembly and rotor assembly connected to an airframe, enabling adaptation to different flight modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle is used, then long endurance flight is achieved, but wind resistance is weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic configuration system where the UAV can switch between fixed-wing and multi-rotor assemblies based on operational requirements. The airframe includes multiple mounting portions that can accommodate different assemblies, allowing the vehicle to adapt its configuration dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by providing both fixed-wing mode for long endurance and multi-rotor mode for strong wind resistance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The airframe is designed with universal mounting portions that can support both fixed-wing assemblies and multi-rotor assemblies. The same airframe structure serves multiple functions by accepting different configurations, enabling the UAV to achieve both long endurance flight and strong wind resistance depending on the attached assembly.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle is used, then strong wind resistance is achieved, but endurance and flight speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic switching between multi-rotor and fixed-wing configurations. When strong wind resistance is needed, the multi-rotor assembly can be attached to the airframe. When endurance and flight speed are prioritized, the fixed-wing assembly can be attached instead, resolving the trade-off between wind resistance and endurance/speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The airframe is designed with universal mounting portions that can accommodate both multi-rotor and fixed-wing assemblies, making the same platform capable of providing both strong wind resistance and long endurance depending on the configuration selected.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a fixed-wing assembly is attached to the airframe, then long endurance flight is achieved, but the ability to vertically take off and land is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The airframe includes multiple mounting portions that can be configured to support either fixed-wing or multi-rotor assemblies. The system can dynamically switch between configurations, allowing vertical take-off and landing when multi-rotor assembly is attached, and long endurance flight when fixed-wing assembly is attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal mounting portions enable the airframe to support both fixed-wing and multi-rotor assemblies, providing both vertical take-off and landing capability and long endurance flight capability depending on the attached assembly.
4Ease of operation
If a rotor assembly is attached to the airframe, then vertical take-off and landing capability is achieved, but flight speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system can dynamically switch between multi-rotor and fixed-wing assemblies based on the operational requirement. When vertical take-off and landing capability is needed, the multi-rotor assembly can be attached. When flight speed is prioritized, the fixed-wing assembly can be attached instead.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal mounting portions enable the airframe to support both multi-rotor and fixed-wing assemblies, providing both vertical take-off and landing capability and high flight speed depending on the attached assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments is an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes: an airframe; and a fixed-wing assembly and a rotor assembly, both replaceably connected to the airframe. The fixed-wing assembly is connected to the airframe to form a vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle and the rotor assembly is connected to the airframe to form a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle, thereby implementing an unmanned aerial vehicle that can switch between the vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle and the multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle.