Retractable UAV Landing Gear With Rotatable Supporting Legs

Solution Overview

Problem

The landing gear of unmanned aerial vehicles is fixed and cannot be retracted, which is inconvenient during various tasks.

Innovation Solution

A landing gear system with a driving device and rotatable transmission shafts that allow the supporting legs to be retracted or extended, providing flexibility in orientation and reducing occlusion and air resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the landing gear is made fixed and non-retractable, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it causes field of view occlusion and increased air resistance during flight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanding gear reliabilityVSAvoidfield of view occlusion and air resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The landing gear transforms from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The supporting leg can rotate between extended and retracted positions through the transmission shaft mechanism, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on whether the UAV is flying or landing, thus reducing air resistance and field of view occlusion during flight while maintaining stability during landing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The landing gear introduces rotational movement in a new dimension. Instead of only vertical extension/retraction, the supporting leg can rotate about the second direction (perpendicular to the first direction of the transmission shaft), adding a rotational degree of freedom that enables the leg to be positioned in different orientations, effectively reducing occlusion and aerodynamic drag

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the landing gear is made fixed and non-retractable, then the device complexity is reduced, but it decreases the versatility and convenience during task execution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanding gear structure complexityVSAvoidtask execution convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The landing gear transforms from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The supporting leg can rotate between extended and retracted positions through the transmission shaft mechanism, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on whether the UAV is flying or landing, thus reducing air resistance and field of view occlusion during flight while maintaining stability during landing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The landing gear serves multiple functions: it provides stable support during landing, reduces air resistance during flight, and can be positioned to minimize field of view occlusion for cameras or sensors. The rotatable mechanism allows the same structure to fulfill different requirements in different operational phases, enhancing the overall versatility of the UAV system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12384529B2Landing gear and unmanned aerial vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 AUTEL ROBOTICS CO LTD

AI summary

A landing gear and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The landing gear includes: a driving device; a first transmission shaft, connected to the driving device; and a first supporting leg, connected to the first transmission shaft. The driving device is configured to drive the first transmission shaft to rotate about a first direction and a second direction. The first transmission shaft drives the first supporting leg to rotate about the second direction. An included angle between the first direction and the second direction is an acute angle. In this way, when the driving device drives the first transmission shaft to rotate, the landing gear may be retracted or extended.