Integrated Composite Rotor Blade Root for Drag Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotor designs for rotorcrafts are complex, bulky, and inefficient due to multiple components, which complicate production and generate aerodynamic drag.

Innovation Solution

A blade with a single-piece composite material root incorporating integrated pitch and drag damper attachments, reducing the number of components and optimizing aerodynamic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components (connector, pitch rod, drag damper) are used to articulate the blade to the rotor head, then the blade can achieve necessary rotational movements and control functions, but the device complexity increases and production becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade rotational control capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the connector, pitch rod attachment, and drag damper attachment into a single integrated blade root structure. This single piece performs all functions previously requiring multiple separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining full adaptability for blade rotational control around pitch, drag, and flapping axes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated blade root is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural connection to the rotor head, pitch control articulation, and drag damping attachment. This universal design eliminates the need for separate specialized components while achieving all necessary control functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components and intermediate connectors are used, then the blade can be connected to the rotor head with necessary control mechanisms, but the mass of the rotor increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade control mechanism functionalityVSAvoidrotor mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple control mechanism components into a single integrated blade root, the total mass is reduced due to elimination of redundant materials, fasteners, and connection interfaces that would be required for assembling separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blade root is constructed using composite materials which provide high strength-to-weight ratio, enabling the integrated structure to maintain necessary mechanical properties while minimizing mass compared to traditional metallic multi-component assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If an intermediate connector with weakly aerodynamic shape is used to move the blade away from the rotor head, then the pitch rod and drag damper can be arranged more easily, but aerodynamic drag increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearrangement of control mechanismsVSAvoidaerodynamic drag

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of control mechanism attachments directly into the blade root eliminates the need for separate intermediate connectors. This allows control mechanisms to be positioned optimally without requiring additional aerodynamically不利 structures, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag while maintaining ease of manufacture through the streamlined design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components and a bulky connector are used, then the blade can be connected to the rotor head with necessary articulations, but the production process becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade articulation capabilityVSAvoid rotor production process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The single-piece integrated blade root requires no assembly of multiple components, eliminating complex manufacturing steps such as joining, fastening, and alignment of separate parts. This significantly simplifies the production process while maintaining full articulation capability for pitch, drag, and flapping movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blade root is designed as a monolithic structure that can be manufactured as a single integrated component using composite molding techniques, avoiding the need for post-assembly operations and reducing production complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4361034B1Blade with a root comprising an integrated pitch attachment and two integrated damper attachments, and a rotor provided with such a blade

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 EUROCOPTER FRANCE SA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a blade (1) comprising a blade foot (10) extended by a running aerodynamic part (5) which extends to a free end (6).The blade root (10) comprises a one-piece, hollow composite attachment body (20) having a shell (25) delimiting an empty internal space (INT), the attachment body (20) integrating: a pitch attachment (30) configured to be crossed by a pitch link rod (35) connected to a pitch lever (36), the attachment body (20) integrating a leading edge attachment (40) configured to be crossed by a leading edge link rod (45) connected to a first drag damper, a trailing edge attachment (50) configured to be crossed by a trailing edge link rod (55) configured to be connected to a second drag damper, a connecting attachment (60) configured to be crossed by at least one connecting rod (65, 75) connected to a first armature of a laminated spherical thrust bearing.