Outboard Arm Mounting With Propeller Clearance for VTOL Aircraft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vertical take-off and landing aircraft face challenges in quickly adjusting take-off weight, noise reduction, and energy efficiency in complex work scenarios, particularly in urban environments and emergency operations.

Innovation Solution

A quick mounting method for an outboard arm on a fixed wing, ensuring a specific distance and alignment between arms with a convection clearance, using inverted isosceles trapezoidal arm recesses and isosceles trapezoidal wing protrusions, secured by main and auxiliary bolts for rapid installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the outboard arm is installed on the fixed wing, then the take-off load capacity increases from 1.5 tons to 2 tons, but the device complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetake-off load capacityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outboard arm is designed as a separable component that can be independently installed and removed from the fixed wing. The connection structure includes discrete fastening elements (bolts, nuts, or quick-release mechanisms) that allow the outboard arm to be divided from the main body when not needed, enabling rapid deployment and removal without complex disassembly procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection structure between the outboard arm and fixed wing is pre-configured with alignment features, pre-positioned fastening points, and guide elements that facilitate quick and accurate assembly. The outboard arm includes pre-installed mounting interfaces that align with corresponding features on the fixed wing, eliminating the need for complex measurements or adjustments during installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Weight of moving object

If the outboard arm with motor is installed, then the take-off load capacity increases, but the noise level increases in urban environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetake-off load capacityVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outboard arm with its motor is designed as a removable module that can be completely detached from the fixed wing when noise reduction is required. This extraction of the noise-generating component (motor and propeller) from the main aircraft body allows the aircraft to operate in quiet mode for urban environments while maintaining full load capacity when the outboard arm is installed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The aircraft configuration is made dynamic through the ability to rapidly change between single-arm and dual-arm configurations. The outboard arm can be installed when maximum load capacity is needed and removed when noise reduction is prioritized, allowing the system to adapt its characteristics based on operational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If the outboard arm is quickly installed and removed, then the installation time is reduced to within 30 minutes, but the connection strength and reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation timeVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into multiple independent fastening points and structural interfaces that distribute mechanical loads across multiple locations. This segmentation allows each connection point to be independently secured while maintaining overall structural integrity, enabling reliable connections to be formed through sequential fastening of multiple simpler connection elements rather than a single complex fastening operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection interface incorporates curved or tapered surfaces that guide the outboard arm into precise alignment with the fixed wing during installation. The arm recess and wing protrusion features include curved guide surfaces that automatically position components correctly as they come together, ensuring proper alignment and load distribution without requiring complex alignment procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP4628409A1Quick installation method for outboard arm
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 AUTOFLIGHT (KUNSHAN) CO LTD
  • EP4628409A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4628409A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4628409A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to the field of aircraft, and discloses a quick mounting method for an outboard arm, comprising S1: provide an outboard arm; S2: provide a fixed wing, wherein the inboard arm and the outboard arm are arranged in parallel on the fixed wing at intervals, the inboard arm and the outboard arm are aligned on the same horizontal plane in terms of height, and the power source with propeller is distributed on the inboard arm and on the outboard arm; S3: secure the outboard arm to the fixed wing, and a distance between the outboard arm and the inboard arm is at least greater than the sum of a rotating radius of the propeller on the inboard arm, a rotating radius of the propeller on the outboard arm, and a convection clearance.