Aircraft Pylon Engine Mounting for eVTOL Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The limited space within the fuselage of an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft poses challenges in maintaining and arranging internal combustion engines effectively, necessitating an improved configuration for better balance and stability.

Innovation Solution

The aircraft features a pylon that traverses the fuselage, connecting the wing to the fuselage and fixing internal combustion engines bilaterally symmetrically about this pylon, ensuring a well-balanced and stable arrangement within the fuselage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If internal combustion engines are housed inside the fuselage, then the aircraft can generate power efficiently, but the limited space inside the fuselage makes maintenance difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidengine maintainability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The power generation system is segmented into modular internal combustion engines that can be independently accessed. The engines are arranged in a configuration that allows individual engine removal and maintenance without requiring complete disassembly of the fuselage structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pylon structure serves as an intermediary mounting platform that facilitates engine access. By fixing engines to the pylon rather than directly to the fuselage, the design enables easier maintenance through the pylon's structural interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If multiple internal combustion engines are arranged inside the fuselage, then power generation capacity increases, but the arrangement becomes complex and stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation capacityVSAvoidengine arrangement stability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The engines are arranged bilaterally symmetrically about the pylon, creating a balanced configuration that enhances structural stability. This symmetrical arrangement distributes weight evenly and simplifies the mounting structure compared to asymmetric alternatives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple engines are combined in a unified mounting structure on the pylon, creating a stable integrated arrangement. The pylon serves as a common support structure that consolidates the engines into a coherent, stable configuration rather than separate mounting points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If internal combustion engines are fixed to the fuselage structure, then structural integration is improved, but access for maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidengine accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The pylon acts as an intermediary structure between the fuselage and the engines. This intermediate mounting platform maintains strong structural integration with the fuselage while providing a separate, accessible interface for engine installation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11780598B2Aircraft

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An aircraft includes a fuselage, a wing disposed above the fuselage, a pylon connecting the wing to the fuselage, and a plurality of internal combustion engines housed in the fuselage. The pylon vertically traverses the fuselage and is fixed to an upper portion and a lower portion of the fuselage. Among the plurality of internal combustion engines, a first internal combustion engine and a second internal combustion engine are disposed bilaterally symmetrically about the pylon and are fixed to the pylon.