Curved Propeller Guard Frame for Sliding Over Protrusions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing propeller guards for flight vehicles can cause the vehicle to stop flying or lose balance when colliding with protrusions in vertically oriented spaces, such as manholes, due to the guard frame getting caught on protruding objects.

Innovation Solution

A propeller guard design featuring a first frame on the uppermost surface, a second frame on the lowermost surface, and a curved frame that couples these frames together, allowing for outward curvature to reduce the likelihood of the guard getting caught on protrusions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a propeller guard with a straight frame is used to protect the propeller, then the propeller is protected from damage, but the guard frame gets caught on protrusions and causes the flight vehicle to stop or lose balance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropeller protectionVSAvoidflight continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to the propeller guard frame, specifically designing the lower portion of the frame with an outward curve rather than a straight configuration. This curved design allows the frame to slide over protrusions in the environment rather than getting caught on them, maintaining flight continuity while still providing propeller protection. The curved surface enables the guard to roll or slide along obstacles instead of being arrested by them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If a propeller guard is attached to protect the propeller during collision, then the propeller is protected, but the flight vehicle cannot move vertically when the guard contacts protrusions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropeller protectionVSAvoidvertical movement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The lower portion of the propeller guard frame is designed with an outward curve, allowing it to smoothly pass over protrusions during vertical movement. This curved configuration prevents the frame from being arrested by obstacles, enabling continuous vertical motion while maintaining propeller protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If a conventional propeller guard design is used, then the propeller is protected, but the flight vehicle loses balance and becomes uncontrollable upon collision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropeller protectionVSAvoidflight balance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The curved lower portion of the propeller guard frame prevents sudden stops or arrests during collision with protrusions. By allowing the frame to slide or roll over obstacles rather than being abruptly halted, the design prevents sudden shifts in the flight vehicle's center of gravity and momentum, thereby maintaining flight balance and controllability during and after collision events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS12337955B2Propeller guard

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A propeller guard 10 includes an upper frame 12 provided on the uppermost surface of the propeller guard 10, a base frame 15 provided on the lowermost surface of the propeller guard, and a curved frame 18 that couples the upper frame 12 and the base frame 15 together and is curved outward.