eVTOL Rotor Configuration for Stable Flight and Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vertical takeoff and landing air mobility technologies face challenges in maintaining flight balance and passenger safety when rotors fail, and they do not effectively address noise and vibration issues during operation, which affects boarding convenience.
Innovation Solution
A vertical takeoff and landing air mobility system with a fuselage, wings, and a rotor configuration that includes tilting and lifting rotors, where multiple rotors are strategically disposed to ensure stable flight control, reduce noise and vibration, and enhance boarding convenience by allowing passengers to enter and exit safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a limited number of rotors are used in conventional air mobility, then the device complexity is reduced, but flight balance cannot be maintained when some rotors fail
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor system is segmented into multiple independent rotor units (at least four rotors) distributed across the aircraft structure. Each rotor can be independently controlled, allowing the system to maintain flight balance even when some individual rotors fail. This segmentation enables fault isolation and continued operation with remaining functional rotors.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the aircraft are equipped with rotors having different characteristics or configurations to optimize local performance. The rotors are strategically positioned at specific locations (e.g., wings, tail, fuselage) with potentially varying sizes, shapes, or operational parameters to maintain overall flight balance while accommodating local requirements.
2Productivity
If rotors operate at high speed for efficient flight, then productivity is improved, but noise and vibration increase affecting boarding convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor system transitions between different operational dimensions or configurations. Rotors can change their orientation, speed, or activation state depending on flight phase. During boarding operations, rotors can be positioned or operated in a mode that minimizes noise and vibration impact on passengers, while maintaining flight efficiency during cruise through optimized rotor operation in three-dimensional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor system employs periodic or cyclic operation patterns where rotors are activated and deactivated in sequences, or operate at variable speeds in rhythmic patterns. This periodic action reduces continuous noise and vibration exposure during critical phases like boarding, while maintaining overall flight productivity through efficient cyclic operation during cruise.
3Speed
If rotors are positioned for optimal flight performance, then speed is improved, but boarding convenience deteriorates due to restricted access
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor positioning system is dynamic rather than static. Rotors can be repositioned, reoriented, or adjusted in their operational configuration based on flight phase requirements. During boarding operations, rotors can be positioned in configurations that provide safe and convenient passenger access, then transitioned to optimal positions for flight performance once boarding is complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by positioning rotors in boarding-friendly configurations before passengers board. This preliminary rotor arrangement ensures safe and convenient access during the boarding process, after which rotors are repositioned to optimal configurations for flight operations, thus resolving the conflict between boarding convenience and flight speed optimization.
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 system enables stable flight control even when some rotors fail, reduces noise and vibration, and improves boarding convenience by providing a safe and comfortable ride for passengers, ensuring safe landing and takeoff in urban areas.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor including a plurality of rotors disposed on the wings. Some of the plurality of rotors may be tilting rotors configured to tilt upward or downward for lifting or cruising of the fuselage
Implementation Method 2
the tilting rotors may include at least four or more rotors, at least two or more tilting rotors being respectively disposed on a left side and a right side relative to a center of the fuselage
Data Source
AI summary
An air mobility craft is provided. The air mobility craft includes a fuselage that has a boarding space and a boarding gate and a plurality of wings disposed on the fuselage. A plurality of rotors are disposed on the wings. A first number of the plurality of rotors are tilting rotors configured to tilt upward or downward for lifting or cruising of the fuselage and a remaining number of the rotors are lifting rotors.