Modular UAVs with Releasable Wings and Swivelable Motor Booms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UAVs are limited by weight and aerodynamic design, leading to restricted flight range and lack of customizability for varying application needs, often requiring multiple UAVs for different missions.
Innovation Solution
A modular UAV design featuring a fuselage with a swivelable motor boom, releasable wings, and a swiveling combined rudder-elevator, allowing components to be easily swapped for different applications, enhancing adaptability and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UAVs are designed for specific performance and mission needs, then flight performance is optimized, but adaptability to different applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV is divided into modular components including a fuselage module, wing modules, tail module, and payload module, each capable of being independently selected and configured. This segmentation allows the system to be adapted to different applications by recombining modules rather than redesigning the entire vehicle, thereby improving adaptability while managing design complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuselage module serves as a universal platform that can accommodate various wing configurations, tail modules, and payload modules. The standardized coupling mechanisms enable a single base design to support multiple mission types, from surveillance to delivery, without requiring completely different vehicle designs for each application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple UAVs are used for different missions, then mission-specific performance is optimized, but cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single UAV platform can perform multiple missions by changing its module configuration. The same fuselage can be paired with different wing modules for various flight characteristics, different tail modules for specific control needs, and different payload modules for different mission objectives, eliminating the need to maintain separate specialized vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV configuration can be dynamically adjusted between missions by swapping modules. The system transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable platform where components can be exchanged based on operational requirements, allowing one vehicle to replace multiple specialized UAVs.
3Weight of moving object
If UAV weight is reduced, then flight range and payload capacity improve, but structural strength and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the UAV into separate modules, each component can be optimized independently for its specific function while using lightweight materials. The fuselage, wings, and tail can be designed as separate lightweight structures that assemble to form the complete vehicle, allowing weight reduction without compromising overall structural integrity through standardized connection interfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
Modular unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed. A disclosed example UAV includes a fuselage that extends along a longitudinal axis, a wing support frame extending from the fuselage and along a wingspan of the UAV. The wing support frame includes distal ends to support a releasably couplable wing, the releasably couplable wing to extend along the wingspan when coupled to the wing support frame, and a motor boom that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis, the motor boom to support a motor that is oriented to generate lift for the UAV.