Drone Arm Layout for Cooling Embedded Power Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flying apparatuses face challenges in effectively cooling the power converting units due to insufficient thermal management, which can lead to overheating and hinder efficient frequency conversion during flight.
Innovation Solution
The power converting units are housed within the arms of the flying apparatus, positioned below the rotor's rotation range, and in contact with the arm's inner surface, utilizing the arm's structure for heat dissipation through downwash and surface contact, with thicker sections acting as heat sinks to prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the power converting unit is disposed outside the arm, then the arm structure is simpler, but the power converting unit cannot be effectively cooled during flight
Solution Approach 1:
The power converting unit is nested inside the arm structure, specifically housed within an internal space of the arm. This allows the power converting unit to be positioned within the cooling flow path created by rotor rotation while maintaining a compact integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates heat dissipation. The arm includes a heat dissipation portion that contacts the power converting unit, and this heat dissipation portion is positioned to receive cooling air from rotor downwash, thereby mediating the cooling process.
2Temperature
If the power converting unit is placed in the center, then the structure is more compact, but cooling effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power converting unit is positioned in the vertical dimension below the rotor rotation range, rather than in the horizontal center plane. This spatial re arrangement allows the unit to be in the path of downward cooling air flow while still being integrated into the arm structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm structure is designed with localized differentiation: it includes an internal space for housing the power converting unit and a heat dissipation portion with specific geometric features (such as inclined surfaces) optimized for receiving cooling air. This local structural optimization enables effective cooling without compromising overall compactness.
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
This configuration effectively dissipates heat generated by the power converting units, maintaining rotor speed stability and reducing the risk of overheating, while also enhancing the arm's rigidity and reducing weight by using extruded metal materials.
Implementation Method 1
the power converting unit is disposed below a rotation range of the rotor... effectively cooled by downwash generated by the rotation of the rotor
Implementation Method 2
the power converting unit is in contact with an inner surface of the arm... heat generated from the power converting unit can be effectively dissipated via the arm
Implementation Method 3
a portion of the arm with which the power converting unit is in contact is thicker than the other portion of the arm
Data Source
AI summary
A flying apparatus 10 includes an airframe base 14; a power supply unit; an arm 11 which extends from the airframe base 14 toward a periphery; a rotor 12 which is disposed on an end portion side of the arm 11; a motor 17 which rotationally drives the rotor 12; and a power converting unit 19 which converts electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the motor 17. The power converting unit 19 is included inside the arm 11 below a rotation range 24 of the rotor 12. The power converting unit 19 can be effectively cooled by downwash generated by the rotation of the rotor 12.