Deployable Origami Rotor Guard for UAV Collision Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) lack effective protection mechanisms to prevent damage to themselves and obstacles during collisions, particularly in cluttered environments, and existing rotor protection systems compromise performance and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a deployable structure with origami-based folding patterns and a rotor guard that can rotate independently, allowing for adaptive stiffness and impact absorption, along with an aerodynamically shaped rotor duct to enhance crashworthiness and flight efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotor protection system is added to UAVs, then safety and crashworthiness are improved, but device complexity and performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor protection system is divided into modular components: individual rotor guards for each rotor, deployable structures with separate folding segments, and distributed shock absorption elements. This segmentation allows the protection system to be integrated incrementally without overwhelming complexity, while maintaining full functionality through modular assembly and replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection system employs dynamic deployable structures that can transition between compact and extended configurations based on operational needs. The folding patterns enable the structure to adapt its stiffness and protection level dynamically, providing enhanced safety during critical phases while minimizing drag and complexity during normal flight.
2Reliability
If a rotor guard is added to protect rotors, then protection against collisions is improved, but aerodynamic performance and thrust efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor guards are designed with differentiated properties: aerodynamically shaped leading edges for thrust efficiency, open or perforated structures for airflow management, and localized reinforcement zones for collision protection. This local quality optimization ensures that protection is provided exactly where needed without compromising overall aerodynamic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor guard geometry parameters (opening size, shape, thickness) are optimized to balance protection and performance. The deployable structures can change their effective parameters dynamically - transitioning from compact low-drag configurations to extended high-protection configurations based on operational requirements, thereby adapting thrust efficiency and protection levels.
3Reliability
If deployable structures with folding patterns are integrated, then impact absorption is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable structure is segmented into repeating folding units or cells that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing standardized production of individual cells, reducing overall complexity while maintaining the cumulative impact absorption capability of the complete folded structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding structures utilize composite materials that combine flexibility for folding with strength for impact absorption. These composite materials enable the structure to undergo large deformations during impact while maintaining structural integrity, achieving superior impact absorption with simpler manufacturing compared to monolithic rigid structures.
4Reliability
If existing rotor protection schemes are used, then rotor protection is provided, but aerodynamic efficiency and flight performance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system transitions from static to dynamic configurations. The deployable structures can be repositioned or collapsed during flight to minimize aerodynamic interference, while providing full protection when needed. This dynamic adaptability maintains flight performance by reducing drag and weight penalties during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerodynamic parameters of the protection system (surface area, shape, position) are optimized for different flight conditions. During normal flight, the structures adopt compact configurations with minimized cross-section and optimized airflow paths. During collision risk or impact events, they transition to extended protective configurations, thereby changing parameters to balance performance and protection.
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 solution provides improved safety, crashworthiness, and flight performance by absorbing collision energy, reducing damage to UAVs and obstacles, and increasing thrust efficiency, while maintaining lightweight and low-cost design.
Implementation Method 1
The deployable structure has a folded deployable sheet, which may be moved between a folded (undeployed) configuration and an (at least partially) unfolded (deployed) configuration. In the event that, during flight, the aerial device collides with something and the deployable structure is deployed, the folded sheet will absorb some or all of the energy of the collision
Implementation Method 2
the folded sheet will absorb some or all of the energy of the collision - for example by folding back up or by crumpling - thereby helping reduce or prevent damage
Implementation Method 3
at least a portion of the rotor duct is moveable relative to the body so that, when the rotor rotates relative to the body and the at least a portion of the rotor duct is moved, a fluid flow through the rotor duct is changed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3
AI summary
An aerial device (100) capable of controlled flight has a body (110), a rotor (120) arranged to rotate relative to the body; and a deployable sheet (130), the sheet having an undeployed configuration in which the sheet is folded against the body and a deployed configuration in which the sheet is at least partially unfolded away from the body.