Propeller Folding Apparatus for Air Mobility Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air mobility vehicles experience energy loss due to propeller drag during high-speed flight, as propellers are not efficiently managed based on the vehicle's flying state, affecting energy efficiency and ferry range.
Innovation Solution
A propeller folding apparatus that deploys or folds propeller blades depending on the air mobility vehicle's flying state, utilizing a pivot unit, upper and lower plates, and a sub-motor to adjust the position of the pivot unit, allowing the propeller blades to be efficiently used for takeoff, landing, and flight, reducing drag and optimizing energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If propellers are operated during high-speed flight, then the air mobility vehicle can maintain flight capability, but the propellers generate air drag causing energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic propeller folding apparatus where the propeller blade can change its position between deployed and folded states based on the flight phase. During high-speed flight, the blade folds to minimize air drag and energy loss. During takeoff and landing, the blade deploys to provide necessary thrust. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction by adapting the propeller's operational state to match the vehicle's flight requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the propeller blade by folding it during high-speed flight, transforming it from an extended configuration that generates thrust to a retracted configuration that minimizes drag. This parameter change (blade position) directly addresses the energy loss issue while preserving flight capability when needed.
2Loss of energy
If propeller blades are folded during high-speed flight, then air drag is reduced and energy efficiency increases, but the vehicle loses takeoff and landing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus uses a dynamic control system that adjusts the propeller blade position according to the flight phase. The blade is folded during high-speed flight to reduce drag, and deployed during takeoff and landing to ensure operational capability. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by ensuring the blade is in the appropriate state for each flight phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The propeller blade undergoes periodic transitions between folded and deployed states corresponding to different flight phases. The blade is deployed during takeoff and landing phases, then folded during high-speed cruise phases, creating a periodic action pattern that ensures capability when needed while minimizing energy loss during cruise.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a propeller folding apparatus is added to the air mobility vehicle, then energy efficiency during flight is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller folding apparatus is divided into separate functional components: the pivot unit that enables blade rotation, the guide mechanism that controls folding motion, and the upper and lower plates that provide structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall complex system more manageable and maintainable while achieving the energy efficiency benefit.
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 apparatus increases energy efficiency and ferry range by reducing air drag during high-speed flight and ensuring reliable operation during takeoff and landing by efficiently managing propeller blade positions based on the vehicle's state.
Implementation Method 1
a pivot unit on which a propeller blade is mounted, the pivot unit being configured to be pivotable such that the propeller blade is deployed or folded depending on positions of the pivot unit
Implementation Method 2
an upper plate disposed on the lower plate to be movable in upward and downward directions such that the upper plate allows the pivot unit to pivot or causes the positions of the pivot unit to be fixed
Implementation Method 3
a guide coupled to the upper plate and connected to the pivot unit so as to change the pivot position of the pivot unit in response to the upper plate moving in the upward and downward directions
Implementation Method 4
a sub-motor including a sub-shaft coupled to the upper plate, wherein the sub-motor moves the sub-shaft in the upward and downward directions so as to adjust a position of the upper plate
Implementation Method 5
a lower plate connected to a drive shaft of a drive motor generating rotational force
Data Source
AI summary
A propeller folding apparatus of an air mobility vehicle deploys or folds propeller blades depending on the flying state of the air mobility vehicle. The propeller blades are efficiently used depending on the flying state of the air mobility vehicle. The energy efficiency and the ferry range of the air mobility vehicle are increased.