Modular UAV Locking Assembly for Rigid Wing-Boom Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular UAVs face issues with unreliable connections between components due to vibrations and loads during flight, leading to structural instability, reduced assembly and disassembly speed, and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A modular UAV design featuring a lock connection system using a turn bushing with a spring-loaded fastener and external lever, combined with torque pins, ensures rigid and reliable connections between the fuselage, wing panels, and vertical stabilizers, allowing tool-free assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If modular UAVs use simple connecting elements for assembly, then assembly and disassembly speed is improved, but structural rigidity and reliability deteriorate due to vibrations and loads during flight
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into multiple functional components: a connecting element with a head portion and shaft portion, a turn bushing with a fastener, and a locking element. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while working together to achieve both quick assembly and reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The turn bushing incorporates a spring-loaded fastener that automatically engages with the connecting element when the locking element is rotated into the locked position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional fastening operations or tools, maintaining quick assembly while ensuring secure connection.
2Ease of operation
If modular UAVs use simple connecting elements for assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength deteriorates under flight loads and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional multi-step mechanical fastening system is replaced with a rotational locking mechanism. The locking element rotates to engage the turn bushing, which then automatically activates the spring-loaded fastener to secure the connecting element. This substitution maintains ease of operation while providing robust structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection transitions from a loose, easily assembled state to a tightly secured state through the rotation of the locking element. This parameter change in the locking mechanism's position (unlocked to locked) transforms the structural strength from low to high while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Device complexity
If modular UAVs use basic connection mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but stability during flight deteriorates due to element displacement from vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The turn bushing is pre-configured with a transverse notch and a spring-loaded fastener that is initially held in a retracted position. When the locking element is rotated into the locked position, the notches align and the fastener is automatically released to engage the connecting element. This preliminary configuration ensures that the stabilizing action occurs automatically as part of the simple rotation, preventing vibration-induced displacement without adding complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If modular UAVs use simple connecting elements, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but assembly precision deteriorates requiring manual alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The turn bushing acts as an intermediary component between the connecting element and the locking element. It provides a standardized interface with transverse notches that guide the alignment process. When the locking element is rotated, it engages these notches to precisely position the connecting element, eliminating the need for manual alignment while maintaining simple manufacturing tolerances.
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
The design provides quick and stable assembly, enhances flight stability and aerodynamic performance, reduces maintenance, and facilitates easy transportation by ensuring structural integrity and efficient connection of components.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded fastener (12), the bushing being fixable by an external lever (13) that is rigidly coupled to the turn bushing
Data Source
AI summary
A modular UAV comprising a fuselage, wing panels, a stabilizer, and two booms with vertical stabilizer, each of the booms equipped with an adapter. The wing panels are configured so the adapters of the boom are connectable thereto to form a lock connection. A spar passes through the fuselage, and the wing panels include holders for the spar. Ends of the spar comprise adapters formed as tabs. The lock connection is formed by connection of a turn bushing having a transverse notch to a spring-loaded fastener positioned in each of the wing panels, and of each spar adapter to a respective boom adapter that is hook-shaped, while being fixable by an external lever rigidly coupled to the turn bushing. Each wing panel includes a torque pin coupled to a corresponding fuselage hole displaced along a fuselage axis relative to the spar.