Foldable Propeller Blades for Air Mobility Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air mobility vehicles face energy inefficiency and increased air resistance during high-speed cruising due to the need for multiple propellers during vertical takeoff and landing, which is not optimized for different flight situations.
Innovation Solution
A propeller apparatus with a main rotor and blades that can be independently folded or unfolded using a combination of first and second link assemblies, allowing for adaptive pitch and position control based on flight conditions, enhancing energy efficiency and flight performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple propellers are used for vertical takeoff and landing, then thrust capability is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates during high-speed cruising
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller blades are designed to be dynamically adjustable, transitioning between extended and folded positions based on flight mode. During vertical takeoff and landing, blades extend to provide maximum thrust. During high-speed cruising, blades fold to reduce air resistance and improve energy efficiency, resolving the contradiction between power capability and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The propeller system is segmented into multiple independent blades that can be individually controlled. Each blade can be folded or extended independently through link assemblies connected to movable portions, allowing the system to optimize configuration for different flight situations and resolve the contradiction between thrust and energy efficiency.
2Force
If propeller blades are extended for vertical takeoff and landing, then thrust is improved, but air resistance increases during high-speed cruising
Solution Approach 1:
The blade configuration dynamically changes based on operational requirements. Blades extend during vertical takeoff and landing to generate necessary thrust, then fold during high-speed cruising to minimize air resistance, effectively resolving the contradiction between force generation and harmful resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade surfaces are extracted or removed from the airflow during high-speed cruising by folding them into a retracted position. This reduces the interaction between blades and air, minimizing air resistance and harmful factors during cruising while maintaining thrust capability when needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If propeller blades are folded to reduce air resistance, then energy efficiency is improved, but thrust capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between folded and extended blade configurations based on flight mode. During high-speed cruising, blades fold to maximize energy efficiency. During vertical takeoff and landing, blades extend to restore thrust capability, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and power output through dynamic reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade folding and extending mechanisms are pre-configured with link assemblies and movable portions that enable rapid transition between states. This preliminary mechanical preparation allows the system to quickly switch between energy-efficient cruising configuration and high-thrust takeoff configuration without delay.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanism for folding and unfolding blades is added, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism is segmented into modular link assemblies connected to movable portions, with each blade having its own independent control mechanism. This segmentation allows for manageable complexity in controlling multiple blades, improving adaptability while keeping individual mechanism units relatively simple and modular.
Data Source
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AI summary
A propeller apparatus of an air mobility may include blades configured for being folded or unfolded in a response to flight situation of the air mobility, so that energy efficiency of the air mobility is improved and flight distance is increased by efficient use of the plurality of blades in each flight situation. Furthermore, as a pitching motion of the plurality of blades is performed in addition to a folding or unfolding motion of the plurality of blades, flight performance is improved.