Lateral Payload Mounting for Paramotor Balance and Pilot Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flight systems, such as powered paragliders, lack effective methods for mounting significant payloads without disrupting the pilot's ergonomics, balance, and field of view, and current attachment methods pose risks and hinder mobility during takeoff and flight.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for mounting a payload using a first and second member attached to the flight system, with arms projecting horizontally, and attachment interfaces on opposite sides of the payload to maintain balance and reduce weight on the pilot, allowing adjustable positioning during flight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the payload is attached to the pilot's body at the chest or back, then the payload can be carried, but the pilot's ergonomics and mobility during takeoff are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The payload is moved from the pilot's body (vertical dimension relative to pilot) to the airframe (horizontal dimension relative to pilot), specifically to lateral sides of the airframe. This dimensional relocation allows the payload to be carried without interfering with the pilot's forward running motion during takeoff, as the payload now sits beside rather than on the pilot.
Solution Approach 2:
The payload mounting system is divided into separate components: attachment members that connect to the airframe, arms that extend laterally, and attachment interfaces that secure the payload. This segmentation allows the payload to be independently positioned on the airframe rather than being integrated with the pilot's body, thereby improving pilot mobility while maintaining payload capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the payload is attached to the pilot's body, then the payload can be carried, but the pilot's fore/aft balance is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses asymmetric attachment configurations where the payload can be positioned at different lateral locations on the airframe. By attaching the payload to the lateral sides of the airframe rather than symmetrically on the pilot's body, the system allows for optimized weight distribution that maintains fore/aft balance while carrying the payload.
Solution Approach 2:
The airframe acts as an intermediary structure between the pilot and the payload. Instead of the pilot's body directly supporting the payload, the airframe serves as the mounting platform, allowing the payload weight to be transferred to the airframe structure rather than the pilot's body, thereby preserving the pilot's natural fore/aft balance.
3Device complexity
If the payload is attached close to the propeller, then the payload can be mounted, but the risk of propeller strike increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment members are positioned at specific lateral locations on the airframe that are optimized for each payload type. For payloads near the propeller, the system provides dedicated attachment points that maintain safe distances from rotating blades while still allowing efficient mounting. This localized optimization of attachment positions reduces propeller strike risk without compromising mounting simplicity.
4Quantity of substance
If the payload is attached between the jumper's legs and paramotor frame, then the payload can be carried, but leg mobility during launch is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The payload is relocated from the vertical space between the pilot's legs to the lateral sides of the airframe. This dimensional change moves the payload out of the leg movement zone, allowing the pilot's legs to move freely during the running launch without obstruction from the payload.
5Quantity of substance
If the payload is attached to the flight system, then the payload can be carried, but the pilot's field of view is obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The payload is positioned laterally on the airframe rather than in front of or above the pilot's head position. This lateral placement in the horizontal dimension eliminates obstruction of the pilot's forward field of view, allowing the pilot to see ahead clearly while the payload is carried on the sides of the airframe.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for mounting a payload to a flight system. The apparatus includes a first arm, a second arm, a first member, a second member, and at least four attachment interfaces, attached to at least the payload and the flight system.