Mobile Aircraft Charging Pad for Continuous eVTOL Ground Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for vertical take-off and landing aircraft charging require inefficient disconnection and reconnection of robotic charging devices during aircraft movement between departure and arrival ports, leading to interrupted charging and suboptimal use of ground waiting time.
Innovation Solution
A power supply apparatus and management system that includes a traveling unit with a storage battery, a pad for the aircraft, and control units for recognizing movement plans and battery states, allowing for efficient power supply to the aircraft while it moves between areas, including charging and temperature adjustment of the aircraft's storage battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stationary robotic charging device is used at fixed ports, then the charging connection is stable, but the aircraft must disconnect and reconnect when moving between ports, causing charging interruption and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system transitions from a stationary fixed-port design to a dynamic mobile platform design. The power supply apparatus is mounted on a mobile platform that can travel to different locations, allowing the aircraft to remain connected during movement between ports while the charging device adapts its position dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
A mobile power supply apparatus serves as an intermediary between the fixed infrastructure and the moving aircraft. This intermediary can physically relocate to maintain optimal charging connection while the aircraft moves, resolving the conflict between connection stability and movement flexibility.
2Reliability
If the aircraft waits on ground for charging, then continuous power supply is possible, but ground waiting time is wasted and operational efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the mobile power supply apparatus at locations where the aircraft will be or pass through. This allows charging to begin before the aircraft actually arrives at a fixed port, eliminating idle waiting time while maintaining continuous power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging action continues uninterrupted as the aircraft moves. The mobile power supply apparatus maintains continuous power transfer during aircraft movement between ports, transforming previously wasted ground time into productive charging time without interrupting the charging process.
3Productivity
If the robotic charging device follows the aircraft between ports, then charging continues during movement, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile power supply apparatus is designed as a universal platform that combines multiple functions: power storage (battery), power supply (charging capability), and mobile transportation (movement between ports). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, managing system complexity while enabling continuous charging during aircraft movement.
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
Enables continuous and efficient power supply to vertical take-off and landing aircraft while they move between areas, optimizing charging and reducing downtime by using a traveling power supply unit that follows the aircraft, thus improving the utilization of ground waiting time.
Implementation Method 1
a first storage battery; a traveling unit operated and caused to travel by electric power supplied from the first storage battery
Implementation Method 2
a power supply unit for supplying the aircraft placed on the pad with power output from the first storage battery
Implementation Method 3
the storage battery temperature adjustment unit heating or cooling the second storage battery
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply apparatus includes: a traveling unit operated and caused to travel by electric power supplied from a first storage battery; a pad on which a vertical take-off and landing aircraft is placed; a power supply unit for supplying the aircraft with power output from the first storage battery; a movement plan recognition unit for recognizing a movement plan of the aircraft; a second storage battery state recognition unit for recognizing a state of a second storage battery provided in the aircraft; and a power supply control unit for controlling first power, which is supplied from the first storage battery to the traveling unit based on the movement plan and the state of the second storage battery, and second power, which is supplied from the first storage battery to the aircraft via the power supply unit.