Multirotor Aircraft Flexible Suspension for Passive Thrust Tilting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multirotor aircrafts face challenges with high system complexity, weight, and maintenance costs due to the need for active actuation mechanisms in thrust producing units, which limits their usage and efficiency, especially in fast flying and passenger carrying applications, and are prone to instability during flight due to gimbal joints and complex mechanical control linkages.

Innovation Solution

A multirotor aircraft design featuring a flexible suspension unit that allows thrust producing units to be inclinable independently of the airframe, reducing overall airframe inclination and drag, and incorporating elastomeric bearings for decoupling the thrust producing units from the airframe, thereby simplifying the system and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If active actuation mechanisms are used to tilt thrust producing units for forward flight, then propulsion capability is improved, but system complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforward flight capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs passive dynamic tilting of the thrust producing units through a flexible suspension system with gimbal joints. The thrust units can rotate and tilt automatically in response to aerodynamic forces during forward flight, eliminating the need for active actuators while maintaining the ability to generate forward propulsion. This dynamic passive system reduces mechanical complexity while preserving flight performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If active actuation mechanisms are used to tilt thrust producing units, then propulsion capability is improved, but system weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforward flight capabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible suspension system with gimbal joints enables passive dynamic tilting of thrust producing units without requiring heavy active actuators. The system utilizes aerodynamic forces and gravitational effects to achieve the necessary tilt angles for forward flight, significantly reducing the weight penalty associated with active actuation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If gimbal joints and complex mechanical control linkages are used, then thrust unit tilting capability is improved, but stability during flight deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrust unit tilting capabilityVSAvoidflight stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible suspension system with gimbal joints that provides passive dynamic tilting capability. The system naturally adapts to flight conditions through its degrees of freedom, allowing thrust units to tilt independently in response to aerodynamic forces. This dynamic flexibility actually enhances stability by allowing the system to absorb disturbances rather than resist them with rigid mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If fixed attachment units are used for thrust producing units, then system simplicity is improved, but airframe inclination and drag increase during forward flight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiddrag

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible suspension system with gimbal joints that allows passive dynamic tilting of thrust producing units during forward flight. This enables the thrust units to orient themselves optimally with the airflow, reducing drag while maintaining system simplicity. The flexible connection allows the airframe to remain level while the thrust units independently adjust their orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design reduces power consumption, increases endurance, and enhances passenger comfort by minimizing vibration and drag, allowing for more efficient and stable flight operations while reducing maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible suspension unit comprises at least one bearing that mechanically couples the thrust producing units arrangement to the airframe such that the thrust producing units of the predetermined number of thrust producing units are inclinable in relation to the airframe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10933987B2Multirotor aircraft with an airframe and a thrust producing units arrangement

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUT GMBH

AI summary

A multirotor aircraft with an airframe and a thrust producing units arrangement, wherein the thrust producing units arrangement comprises a predetermined number of thrust producing units for producing thrust in a predetermined direction, and wherein a flexible suspension unit is rigidly mounted to the airframe, wherein the flexible suspension unit comprises at least one bearing that mechanically couples the thrust producing units arrangement to the airframe such that the thrust producing units of the predetermined number of thrust producing units are inclinable in relation to the airframe.