Multistage UAV Landing Gear for High-Impact Landings

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Solution Overview

Problem

VTOL UAVs are limited by high energy consumption due to hover requirements, and STOL UAVs face hard landings due to steep approach angles, necessitating landing gear that can manage high impact forces while maintaining a low drag and weight form factor.

Innovation Solution

A multistage suspension landing gear system with flexible leg members, adjustable preload bumpers, and tuned spring constants to absorb and control impact forces, housed within the fuselage to minimize drag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If VTOL capability is implemented to enable delivery from anywhere, then operational flexibility is improved, but energy consumption and propulsion system weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The landing gear is divided into multiple independent shock absorption elements (springs, dampers, elastomeric elements) that work together to manage impact forces, allowing the system to achieve VTOL-like operational flexibility without requiring the heavy propulsion systems needed for actual vertical takeoff and landing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The landing gear employs dynamic shock absorption mechanisms that adapt to varying impact forces during steep approach landings, enabling the aircraft to operate from diverse locations while maintaining energy efficiency through fixed-wing aerodynamics rather than hover propulsion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If STOL capability with steep approach angle is used to reduce landing footprint, then real estate requirements are reduced, but impact forces during landing increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanding footprintVSAvoidimpact force

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The landing gear incorporates pre-configured shock absorption elements including springs, dampers, and elastomeric elements that are designed to cushion the impact before the aircraft contacts the ground during steep approach landings, allowing reduced landing footprint while managing high impact forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension system utilizes adjustable spring constants and damping parameters to optimize performance for steep approach angles, enabling the aircraft to land in compact areas while controlling the forces generated by high-angle impacts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If landing gear is designed to absorb high impact forces, then landing capability is improved, but drag and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanding capabilityVSAvoidlanding gear weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The landing gear employs localized shock absorption elements positioned at specific points to manage impact forces efficiently, allowing the overall structure to remain lightweight while providing robust landing capability where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension system combines multiple materials and mechanisms (springs, dampers, elastomeric elements) to achieve high impact absorption in a lightweight configuration, enabling reliable STOL operations without excessive weight penalties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 system effectively manages high impact forces during steep landings, preventing damage and maintaining aircraft stability, while reducing drag and infrastructure requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a first spring constant of the suspension assembly is less than a second spring constant of the leg member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the shock tower includes a flexible leg member, wherein a spring constant of the leg member varies along a length of the leg member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS12415633B2Multistage suspension for UAV landing gear

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 WING AVIATION LLC

AI summary

A landing gear assembly for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a shock tower, a pair of leg members, and suspension assemblies. The shock tower is adapted to mount to a frame of a fuselage of the UAV and includes upper and lower end mounts. The leg members are adapted to extend out from opposing sides of the lower end mounts. The leg members are flexible and each include an upper leg section pivotally mounted to the lower end mount and a lower leg section adapted to connect to a ground gear. The suspension assemblies are each mounted to and extend between the upper end mount and a corresponding one of the leg members. The suspension assemblies each include a damper and a spring.