Rotary Blade Lock Angle Control to Reduce eVTOL Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, non-rotating rotary blades experience inefficiencies due to air resistance and potential defects from idle rotation, necessitating a method to lock them at specific angles.
Innovation Solution
The control device includes an angle acquisition unit and a lock control unit to lock the rotation of rotary blades within a set lock angle range, gradually reducing the rotation speed to a predetermined speed before locking, thereby accommodating non-rotating blades and minimizing air resistance and idle rotation issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If non-rotating rotary blades are left without locking mechanism, then the structure remains simple, but air resistance causes efficiency deterioration and idle rotation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical locking mechanisms with a magnetic field-based locking system. The lock control unit generates a magnetic field that interacts with magnetic particles embedded in the rotary blade, achieving locking without mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical structures while effectively preventing idle rotation and reducing air resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic particles as an intermediary between the lock control unit and the rotary blade. These particles serve as a medium to transmit the locking force from the magnetic field to the blade, enabling non-contact locking. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system structure while achieving the desired locking effect.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rotary blades are locked at specific angles, then accommodation in housing and air resistance reduction are improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock control unit automatically determines the optimal locking angle based on the rotary blade's operational state and autonomously controls the magnetic field generation. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external control systems or manual intervention, achieving precise angle control while keeping the control system simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the rotary blade's position and operational status, allowing the lock control unit to adjust the magnetic field accordingly. This feedback ensures the blade is locked at the optimal angle for minimizing air resistance while accommodating it properly in the housing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control device (50) of an electric drive system (10) for rotationally driving one of a rotary blade (30) and a screw that are a rotating body. The control device has a lock control unit that locks a rotation of the rotating body within a set lock angle range.