Dual Engine Multimodal Vehicle with Flexible Wing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicles fail to meet the requirements of transporting individuals into inaccessible areas, maneuvering quickly over rough terrain, and achieving minimal takeoff distance, as no vehicle combines air and land capabilities effectively.
Innovation Solution
A dual-engine, multimodal vehicle with a propeller engine and a ground engine, coupled with a flexible ram-air parafoil wing, allowing for both air and land travel with separate power sources and a lightweight, strong frame for off-road and flight capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vehicle is designed for ground transportation only, then it can maneuver over rough terrain effectively, but it cannot transport individuals into inaccessible areas by air
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is designed with dual engines (propeller engine and ground engine) and a flexible wing that can be deployed or stowed, enabling it to perform both ground transportation and air transport functions. This multi-functionality allows the same vehicle to operate in diverse environments including rough terrain and inaccessible areas, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by integrating multiple capabilities into a single platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible wing structure can be dynamically deployed when air transport is needed and stowed when ground transportation is required. This dynamic configuration allows the vehicle to adapt its capabilities based on operational needs, maintaining versatility while managing structural complexity through conditional deployment rather than permanent fixed structures.
2Speed
If a vehicle is designed for air transportation, then it can reach inaccessible areas, but it requires long takeoff distance and cannot maneuver quickly over rough terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle employs both a propeller engine for air propulsion and a ground engine for ground traction, allowing continuous useful action during transition phases. The ground engine provides traction during the takeoff roll to maximize propeller efficiency, enabling shorter takeoff distances while maintaining high takeoff speeds. This continuous power application from both engines resolves the contradiction between achieving high speed and minimizing takeoff distance.
3Productivity
If separate power sources are used for air and ground propulsion, then the vehicle can optimize performance for each mode, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion system is segmented into two independent engines: a propeller engine optimized for air propulsion and a ground engine optimized for ground traction. Each engine can be independently controlled and optimized for its specific function, allowing the vehicle to maximize operational efficiency in each mode. The segmentation resolves the productivity-complexity contradiction by allowing independent optimization while keeping each engine system relatively simple and specialized rather than attempting to design a single complex multi-purpose propulsion system.
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
Enables quick and efficient transportation over rough terrain and in the air, with short takeoff and landing distances, offering a versatile and powerful solution for military, first responder, and recreational use, combining off-road functionality with powered paragliding freedom.
Implementation Method 1
a propeller engine attached to a first location of the frame supplying power and torque to a propeller
Implementation Method 2
a ground engine attached to a second location of the frame supplying power and torque to one or more ground traction elements
Implementation Method 3
a flexible wing releasably connectable to the frame, wherein the flexible wing is a ram air parafoil
Data Source
AI summary
An air and land multimodal vehicle comprises a frame, a propeller engine attached to a first location of the frame supplying power and torque to a propeller, a ground engine attached to a second location of the frame supplying power and torque to one or more ground traction elements, and a flexible wing releasably connectable to the frame, wherein the propeller engine is vertically and horizontally spaced from the ground engine.