Modular Airfoil Assembly for Reconfigurable Wings and Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack the ability to rapidly reconfigure structures with wings or blades, such as airplane wings, windmills, or wind turbines, and do not provide functional aerodynamic or hydrodynamic capabilities, limiting their use in toys and prototypes.
Innovation Solution
A modular wing or blade system using stud-and-receiver assembly structures, compatible with systems like LEGO® or DECOOL®, allows for quick assembly, disassembly, and reconfiguration of aerodynamic or hydrodynamic structures, enabling functional flying or fluid propulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional non-modular wing structures are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but reconfiguration capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The wing structure is divided into multiple modular components including wing roots, wing spans, wing tips, and intermediate sections. Each component contains standardized attachment features that allow independent assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity when connected. This segmentation enables reconfiguration of wing span and geometry without compromising the strength of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment structures incorporate universal stud-and-receiver interfaces that can accommodate various wing configurations. The same basic attachment mechanism serves multiple functions: joining wing components, adjusting wing span, changing wing geometry, and securing control surfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single set of modular components to create multiple valid wing structures.
2Loss of time
If modular components are used for rapid assembly, then assembly time is reduced, but connection strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components are pre-designed with integrated attachment features (studs and receivers) that are built into the wing structure itself during manufacturing. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for separate fastening operations, allowing users to simply align and press components together for rapid assembly while the pre-positioned features ensure proper alignment and connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism uses simplified stud-and-receiver geometry that can be easily replicated across multiple connection points. The standardized interface design allows the same connection principle to be applied repeatedly throughout the wing structure, ensuring consistent connection strength across all joints while maintaining rapid assembly through pattern recognition and repetitive motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular wing, adapted to be used on a flying device such as a toy airplane, drone, or other small fixed wing flying device, or form a part of a wind turbine or any other apparatus that requires a wing or blade, that is compatible with all block-based toy systems such as LEGO®, DECOOL® or KAZI®. The modular wing is comprised of a series of modular aerodynamic surfaces that may be suitable for manufacture by a low-cost method such as molding or additive manufacturing such as 3D printing, typically but not necessarily from plastic, to form wing sub elements which, when assembled together, form a wing or blade such as an airplane wing or turbine blade. The modular wing may comprise cambered or symmetric wing shapes. The modular wing may be used in a static display model fully flying aerodynamic aircraft, sailing hydrodynamic boat, or aerodynamic functioning turbine.