Flying Car Fore and Aft Lifting Surfaces for Balance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current flying car designs face challenges in efficiently converting between roadworthy and flying configurations, with issues related to balance, lift generation, and stability, particularly in achieving quick and stable transitions between modes while maintaining occupant safety and reducing development costs.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates fore and aft lifting surfaces with variable lift capabilities, a self-trimming front surface, and ducted fans, allowing the front lifting surface to pivot in response to airflow for efficient lift generation without destabilizing the craft, along with a compact folding mechanism for roadable configuration, meeting FAA Light Sport Aircraft criteria for weight and speed limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If detachable wing and tail structure is used, then conversion between car and plane is possible, but conversion time becomes too long (about 40 minutes)
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft is divided into two main modules: a car module and a wing-tail assembly. The wing and tail structure is detached from the car module, allowing independent handling and storage. This segmentation enables rapid conversion by simply coupling or decoupling the modules rather than manually assembling entire wing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing-tail assembly is pre-configured and ready for attachment to the car module. The modular design allows the wing structure to be prepared in advance as a complete unit, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site assembly during conversion operations.
2Power
If front lifting surface generates large lift, then takeoff efficiency improves, but craft stability in pitch axis deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The front lifting surface is designed with dynamic pivot capability about a lateral axis, allowing it to automatically adjust its angle of attack in response to airflow conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables the surface to generate maximum lift during takeoff while automatically trimming to maintain pitch stability during cruise flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The front lifting surface incorporates self-trimming capability through automatic pivot response to relative wind. The surface self-adjusts its orientation to balance lift generation with pitch stability requirements, eliminating the need for complex manual or automated control system intervention.
3Volume of moving object
If folding mechanism is added for roadable configuration, then compactness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism is applied specifically to the wing-tail assembly rather than the entire aircraft. The wing panels fold along defined hinge lines to reduce span, and the tail assembly folds independently. This localized segmentation of folding functionality minimizes the overall mechanical complexity while achieving compact storage configuration.
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 solution enables seamless conversion between car and aircraft modes with improved balance and stability, reducing development and production costs by maintaining a center of gravity within optimal limits, while ensuring efficient flight performance and automotive handling.
Implementation Method 1
the front lifting surface can pivot about a lateral axis in response to its relative wind, allowing it to generate large amounts of lift and yet not destabilize the craft in pitch
Implementation Method 2
Ducted fans can provide thrust to the craft when in its flying configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A flying vehicle with folding wings that drives well on the ground and flies well in the air; controlled from inside, it changes from automotive to aircraft configuration without the operator needing to get out of the vehicle. The balance point of the vehicle is located midway between the front and back wheels, providing good handling on the road. In the aircraft configuration with wings unfolded, there is a front wing and a back wing. The incidence of the front wing is controllable, enabling the craft to rotate and take off with a center of gravity located well ahead of the rear wheels. The back wing is fitted with foldable vertical stabilizers near its wing tips. In automobile configuration the wings are folded on top of the body; the wings resemble a roof rack with large surfboards on it. Driven wheels provide motive power on the ground; ducted fans provide thrust for air travel. An autopilot system provides stability and navigation aid, particularly in bad weather or poor visibility. In the roadable configuration, filling water ballast tanks provides additional crosswind stability and crash protection. In its flying configuration, the invention can be licensed as a Light Sport Aircraft.