Rotor Belt Transmission Layout for Low-Wear Autorotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotor flight vehicles face challenges in maintenance and wear reduction, safety, and redundancy in transmission systems, particularly with single-motor configurations and complex control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A rotor flight vehicle design featuring a belt transmission system with a group of rotational axes at 80-100 degrees, a single power output axle, and a timing belt with one-way bearings for unidirectional power transfer, allowing for simplified construction, reduced wear, and enhanced safety with redundant power units and swashplate control for precise rotor control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single power unit with complex transmission system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but maintenance difficulty increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is segmented into multiple independent rotational axes (at least three) arranged at specific angles (80-100 degrees), each with its own bearing support. This segmentation allows the system to maintain lower overall complexity while improving reliability through distributed architecture, where failure of one segment does not compromise the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each rotational axis is equipped with local bearing supports positioned at specific locations along the belt path. This local quality approach provides targeted support where needed, reducing wear at critical points while maintaining simple overall system design. The bearing supports are strategically placed to handle local loads without requiring complex global support structures.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional belt transmission is used, then ease of manufacture is good, but wear resistance is poor and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Bearing supports are pre-installed at strategic locations along the belt transmission path before final assembly. This preliminary action ensures proper belt alignment and support from the start of operation, preventing misalignment-induced wear and extending belt service life without complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
Bearing supports act as intermediary elements between the belt and the rotational axes, providing localized support and reducing direct wear on the belt. These intermediaries distribute loads more evenly across the belt contact surfaces, thereby extending belt life while maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If rotational axes are arranged at 80-100 degrees, then belt wear is reduced and durability increases, but transmission system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational axes are deliberately arranged at asymmetric angles of 80-100 degrees rather than conventional symmetric 90-degree or parallel configurations. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the belt's engagement angle with each pulley, reducing lateral forces and wear. The asymmetry is carefully calculated to balance durability benefits with acceptable system complexity.
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
This design simplifies maintenance, reduces wear, improves safety by allowing autorotation, and enables precise control of rotor flight vehicles, including drones, with reduced vibrations and improved maneuverability, while meeting complex aerial regulations.
Implementation Method 1
the belt is applied to the power output axle... the belt transmits power to the rotor axle
Implementation Method 2
a timing belt comprising teeth on the inside and preferably comprised transmission pulleys rotatable around a respective rotational axis comprises grooves for accommodating said teeth
Implementation Method 3
the connection between the belt and the respective rotational axis of the rotor, comprises at least one, one-way bearing, such as a sprag clutch, such that the belt can only power the rotor in one direction
Implementation Method 4
This in turn provides for a very safe transmission that will lower vibrations, etc.
Data Source
AI summary
Rotor flight vehicle includes a first rotor, a power unit, a transmission from the power unit to the first rotor, wherein said transmission comprises at least one belt, a group of rotational axes, at least one power output axle connected to the power unit and at least one rotor axle connected to said first rotor, the belt is applied to the power output axle, the power output axle is concentric with a rotational axis, the belt transmits power to the rotor axle, the rotor axle is concentric with a rotational axis, wherein consecutive rotational axes of the group of rotational axes extend in a relation to each other such that the angle between them is in the range of 80-100 degrees, wherein the belt has a maximal torsion of 80-100 degrees, in the belt's transition between two respective consecutive rotational axes of the group of rotational axes.