Modular Flying Vehicle Layout for Safe Midair Egress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicles struggle to efficiently transport passengers in snowy conditions, particularly when uphill or in difficult-to-reach areas, and face challenges with egressing from airborne vehicles during activities like skydiving.

Innovation Solution

A modular flying vehicle with a compact design, featuring an upper and lower chassis, eight rotors, a battery pack, and a control unit, allowing for safe egress while airborne and easy transportation on a passenger car.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vehicle is designed to allow egress while airborne, then passenger safety is improved, but the vehicle structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger safetyVSAvoidvehicle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is divided into modular components including an upper chassis with rotors, a lower chassis, and a separately removable seat. This segmentation allows the seat to be detached for egress while the main vehicle structure remains intact and can continue flying or be transported independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle incorporates dynamic egress mechanisms including removable seats and lower chassis components that can be detached while airborne. The system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one where parts can be separated during flight to enable passenger exit without landing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the vehicle is made compact for storage and transportation, then ease of operation is improved, but the vehicle volume is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation convenienceVSAvoidvehicle volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle separates into multiple transportable modules: upper chassis with rotors, lower chassis, and seat. This segmentation enables compact storage and transportation of individual components while maintaining full vehicle functionality when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows components to be nested or stacked for compact storage. The lower chassis can be positioned within or alongside the upper chassis, and the seat can be stored separately, creating a compact storage configuration that fits in limited space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If rapid egress is enabled from the vehicle, then productivity is improved, but safety may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveegress speedVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seat and lower chassis are pre-configured for rapid detachment before egress is needed. Quick-release mechanisms and pre-positioned components allow the passenger to exit quickly without complex maneuvers, maintaining both speed and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The removable seat acts as an intermediary element that facilitates rapid egress. The seat can be detached from the lower chassis, providing a clear path for passenger exit while the main vehicle structure remains stable and controlled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle allows egress while airborne, then adaptability is improved, but the vehicle stability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveegress capabilityVSAvoidvehicle stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the vehicle into upper and lower chassis with the seat as a separate removable component, the system maintains stability in the main vehicle structure while enabling egress through component separation rather than full disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper chassis with rotors serves multiple functions: it can continue flying after egress, be transported on a vehicle, or be reconfigured for different operations. This multi-functionality maintains system stability and versatility throughout the egress process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 safe and efficient transportation in snowy conditions and during skydiving, allowing rapid egress from the vehicle while maintaining stability and good flight characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of rotors mounted to the upper chassis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Implementation Method 2

eight rotors... allowing for safe egress while airborne

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic lift:

Data Source

PatentUS12319446B2Modular flying vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 BOHM RYAN JOSEPH

AI summary

A flying vehicle that is compact and portable and can be carried over the roof rack of a passenger car. The flying vehicle includes an upper chassis and a lower chassis removably mounted to the upper chassis. The lower chassis is positioned below the upper chassis. Eight rotors, a battery pack, and a control unit are mounted to the upper chassis. A seat for the rider is mounted to the lower chassis directly below the battery pack. Such a position of the seat allows a rider to egress from the vehicle safely without requiring the vehicle to land and turn off the rotors.