Foldable Wing-Rotor Layout for VTOL and Road-Width Flying Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flying vehicle designs face challenges in balancing space occupancy, structural complexity, and smooth take-off and landing performance, particularly in transitioning between multi-rotor, fixed-wing, and vehicle modes.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid foldable system of wings and rotors that includes movable wings and rotor supports, allowing for seamless conversion between vehicle and flight states through rotating mechanisms, enabling compact storage and efficient flight operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a multi-rotor layout is used for vertical takeoff and landing, then the occupied area is small and takeoff/landing can occur at any time, but the endurance time and mileage are short

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical takeoff and landing capabilityVSAvoidendurance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of the vehicle structure by making the wings foldable and rotors movable. The wings can be folded during vertical flight mode and extended during forward flight mode, while rotors can be repositioned between different operational states. This dynamic adaptation allows the same vehicle to achieve both vertical takeoff/landing capability and extended endurance through fixed-wing flight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If a fixed-wing layout is used for long endurance and heavy load, then the endurance time is extended, but a runway is required for takeoff and landing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveendurance timeVSAvoidtakeoff and landing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is designed with multi-functionality to perform both vertical takeoff/landing operations and conventional fixed-wing flight. By integrating foldable wings that can be extended for forward flight and retracted for vertical operations, plus movable rotors that can be repositioned, the vehicle achieves universal capability across different flight modes without requiring separate vehicles for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If tilt-rotor or tilt-wing technology is used to combine advantages of multi-rotor and fixed-wing layouts, then both vertical flight and forward flight are enabled, but the wings are larger in size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight mode conversion capabilityVSAvoidwing size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting function is segmented between rotors and wings. During vertical flight mode, rotors provide all necessary lift and the wings are folded to minimal size. During forward flight mode, wings provide primary lift while rotors assist as needed. This segmentation allows the wings to be smaller than in conventional tilt-wing designs because they don't need to provide full lift independently, and the rotor system compensates when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Force

If a large number of wings are used to provide sufficient lift, then the lifting capability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wing system is made dynamic through foldable joints that allow the wings to change configuration. During vertical flight, wings are folded to reduce drag and complexity exposure. During forward flight, wings are extended to provide necessary lift. This dynamic deployment means the full wing area isn't always exposed, effectively reducing the complexity burden while maintaining lifting capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

5Device complexity

If a small number of rotors are used to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the smooth lifting requirement may not be met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of rotorsVSAvoidsmooth lifting performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the vehicle have specialized functions optimized for their local requirements. The rotor system is designed with sufficient number and distribution to ensure smooth lifting during vertical operations, while the wing system is designed to provide primary lift during forward flight. This local optimization allows the rotor system to be simpler than a pure vertical flight vehicle while still meeting smooth lifting requirements when in vertical mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12539964B2Wing-and-rotary-wing mixed folding and unfolding system of flying vehicle, and flying vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 TIAN FENGNIAN

AI summary

A hybrid foldable system of wings and rotors of a flying vehicle, and a flying vehicle. The flying vehicle includes a vehicle body, two wings, wing rotating mechanisms, rotor supports, rotor support rotating mechanisms, and rotor assemblies. The wings are movably connected to the vehicle body and the wing rotating mechanisms drive the wings to rotate to expand or retract. The rotor assemblies expand to two sides of each wing, or reversely rotate to retract to inner sides of each wing. Vertical taking-off and landing and stable flight in the air of the flying vehicle can be realized. In addition, when running on the ground, the wing and the rotor assemblies can be rotationally folded and placed on the inner sides of the vehicle body, so that space is reduced, and the limit requirements of urban roads regarding the size of the vehicle are satisfied.