Hinged Wing for Multirotor Drones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multirotor drones lack efficient forward flight capabilities, payload capacity, and visual line of sight while hovering, due to limitations in existing wing designs that do not pivot or attach easily to existing drones, leading to increased power consumption and reduced flight duration and range.
Innovation Solution
A hinged wing that pivots and is easily attachable to existing multirotor drones, positioned above the rotors to minimize drag, with a pivotal stop or aerodynamic center control for optimal lift, and detachable for portability and versatility, allowing for reduced power consumption and increased flight time and range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a fixed wing is added to multirotor drones for forward flight, then flight range and efficiency are improved, but power consumption increases and payload capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing is made dynamically hinged rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot automatically based on flight conditions. During forward flight, the wing pivots to an optimal angle for lift generation, maximizing efficiency. During hovering or reverse flight, the wing pivots to a neutral or stowed position, minimizing drag and power consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing the wing's contribution to flight duration while reducing its energy burden when not needed.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a wing is added to multirotor drones, then flight range is increased, but device complexity and attachment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wing assembly is segmented into modular components that can be independently attached and detached. The hinged wing mechanism is designed as a separate module that interfaces with standard multirotor drone mounting points, avoiding the need to redesign the entire drone structure. This segmentation reduces attachment complexity while maintaining extended flight range capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing attachment system is designed to be universally compatible with existing multirotor drone platforms using standard mounting interfaces. The same attachment mechanism works across different drone models, and the wing itself serves multiple functions (lift generation, stability enhancement, airflow management). This universality reduces the complexity of integration while achieving extended flight range.
3Loss of energy
If a wing is positioned above rotors for lift generation, then drag is reduced, but airflow blocking and rotor stall occur during abrupt stops or reverse flight
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged wing automatically adjusts its position based on airflow conditions and drone motion. During forward flight, the wing maintains an elevated position above the rotors to minimize drag. During abrupt stops or reverse flight, the wing pivots downward or forward to clear the rotor airflow path, preventing stall and maintaining reliability. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between drag reduction and airflow stability.
4Loss of energy
If rotors are positioned to extend over arms, then downward airflow wash is minimized, but wing attachment to arms creates interference with ground during landing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching the wing horizontally to the drone arms, the wing is positioned in a vertical dimension above the rotors. This dimensional change allows the wing to clear the ground during landing without interfering with the rotor airflow wash that occurs during normal operation. The wing's elevated position in the vertical dimension resolves the contradiction between minimizing airflow wash interference and ensuring safe landing operation.
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 hinged wing design enhances flight efficiency by reducing power consumption by up to 30%, increases payload capacity, and maintains visual line of sight while hovering, with improved stability and reduced drag, especially in windy conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a hinged wing that pivots and provides lift for multirotor drones while moving in a forward direction of flight
Implementation Method 2
with a pivotal stop or aerodynamic center control for optimal lift
Implementation Method 3
positioned above the rotors to minimize drag, with a pivotal stop or aerodynamic center control for optimal lift
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a universally attachable hinged wing that pivots and provides lift for multirotor drones while moving in a forward direction of flight, thus reducing power consumption and increasing payload capacity or flight duration time and distance, and provides a visual line of sight (VLOS) aid while hovering.