Distributed Rotor Personal Aircraft for Compact Maneuvering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional personal aircrafts are bulky, large, and heavy, leading to field of view issues, controllability issues, and size constraints, which affect their ability to maneuver in close proximity to objects.
Innovation Solution
A personal aircraft design featuring a set of rotors positioned behind a user-operated seat, with rotors mounted to a frame that allows for a compact layout, reducing the overall size and weight while maintaining thrust, and incorporating a controller module for autonomous or manual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the size of the rotor is reduced, then the footprint of the personal aircraft is reduced, but the thrust generated by the rotor is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the rotor system into multiple independent rotors (typically four or more) distributed across the aircraft frame. Each rotor contributes partially to the total thrust, but collectively they generate sufficient lift while allowing each individual rotor to be smaller in size, thus reducing the overall footprint of the aircraft.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple rotor systems into a single integrated aircraft platform. By merging the thrust-generating function across multiple rotors working in unison, the system achieves the required total thrust output while maintaining a compact configuration that reduces the aircraft's aerial footprint compared to a single large rotor system.
2Force
If a larger rotor is desired to generate more thrust, then the aerial footprint of the personal aircraft is increased, but the distance to objects without collision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one large rotor that would increase the aerial footprint, the patent segments the thrust-generating function into multiple smaller rotors positioned at different locations on the frame. This segmentation allows the aircraft to generate sufficient total thrust while maintaining a smaller overall footprint and improving clearance to objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent distributes rotors across multiple dimensions on the aircraft frame (spatial arrangement in three-dimensional space) rather than concentrating thrust generation in a single large rotor. This dimensional distribution optimizes the footprint by utilizing vertical and lateral spacing efficiently, reducing the horizontal aerial footprint while maintaining thrust capability.
3Illumination intensity
If the personal aircraft is made bulky and large to accommodate rotor support structure, then the field of view is improved by moving camera or pilot forward, but the overall footprint and weight are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic seating arrangement where the pilot or camera platform can be positioned forward of the rotor plane, enabled by the distributed rotor configuration. This dynamic positioning improves field of view without requiring a bulky structure, as the multiple rotors provide stable support while allowing forward placement of the operational components, thereby reducing overall weight.
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 design provides improved field of view and maneuverability, enabling closer proximity to objects without collision, and supports both manual and autonomous operation, enhancing versatility and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
at least one rotor with a plurality of blades that rotate to create a thrust in desired direction
Data Source
AI summary
A personal aircraft having a frame and at least one rotor. The frame includes a body panel at least partially defining a seat for a user. The at least one rotor is rotatable about a rotational axis. The at least one rotor is operably coupled to a respective portion of the frame and is provided on a first side of the personal aircraft.