Packaging with Rotor Blades for Passive Flight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging solutions do not effectively provide improved flying characteristics during free fall, particularly for smaller objects like candies, liquids, or powders, and fail to protect these items from damage and environmental influences during descent.

Innovation Solution

A packaging design featuring at least one wing or rotor blade and an accommodating space, which allows for passive flight motions such as gliding or autorotation, providing protection and controlled descent by shifting gravity distribution and incorporating features like airtight designs, solar power, and holding means to secure the object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional packaging is used during free fall, then the packaging is simple in structure, but the packaging does not provide improved flying characteristics and fails to protect objects from damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of packaged objectVSAvoidpackaging structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is divided into a container body and separate wing elements that can be attached to the container. The wings are segmented into multiple surfaces (leading edge, trailing edge, wing body) that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the packaging to gain flight capabilities while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging container serves multiple functions: it protects the packaged object, provides mounting surfaces for wings, and acts as the main body for aerodynamic flight. The wings provide both structural support and aerodynamic lift/autorotation functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional protective components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If packaging has wings for passive flight, then flying characteristics are improved, but the weight distribution and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact speed reductionVSAvoidpackaging weight

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wings are designed with specific local qualities: the leading edge has a rounded contour to reduce drag, the wing body provides structural rigidity, and the trailing edge is configured to generate lift and autorotation. The weight is strategically distributed with wings positioned to create appropriate center of gravity for stable flight characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The leading edge of the wings features a rounded, curved contour rather than sharp edges. This curvature reduces aerodynamic drag and allows for smoother airflow over the wing surfaces, improving flight efficiency while using minimal additional material weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If packaging is designed for autorotation and gliding, then object protection is enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject protection during descentVSAvoidpackaging production

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wing elements are designed to be integrally attached to the container body, combining the protective container function with the flight control function in a single manufacturing process. The wings can be molded as one piece with the container or attached using simple bonding methods, reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wings can be constructed from thin-walled materials that provide sufficient structural rigidity for flight while being easy to manufacture and attach. The thin-film construction reduces material weight and simplifies the manufacturing process compared to rigid structural components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 packaging effectively reduces the impact speed of objects during landing, protecting sensitive items and maintaining environmental protection through controlled descent and secure object placement, while also being adaptable for various shapes and materials.

Implementation Method 1

the packaging has at least one wing, in particular at least one gliding wing and/or one rotor blade

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic lift: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 2

performs a passive flight motion, in particular a gliding and/or autorotation motion, during free fall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAutorotation:

Implementation Method 3

the weight of the accommodating space along with the inserted object being higher than the weight of the rotor blade sticking out sideways from the accommodating space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11338992B2Packaging having means for passive flight

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 WIEST FLORIAN

AI summary

A packaging having at least one accommodating space configured for an object to be inserted therein is provided. The at least one accommodating space is openable via a hinge. The at least one rotor blade extends from the at least one accommodating space and causes an autorotation motion of the packaging during free fall.