Rotor Support Device with Detachable Joint and Reinforcing Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotor support devices for vertical take-off and landing aircraft are difficult to assemble, disassemble, and maintain, which hampers efficiency and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A rotor support device comprising a mount with a joint portion, a connecting member extending from the joint portion, and a reinforcing member that reinforces the connection between the joint portion and the connecting member. The connecting member includes a notch and a protruding portion formed by the notch, allowing for easy detachment and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rotor support device uses a traditional rigid connection structure between mount and connecting member, then structural strength is improved, but assembly and disassembly difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is divided into modular components: a mount with joint portion, a connecting member with end portion, and a reinforcing member. These segments can be independently assembled and disassembled through detachable connections while maintaining structural strength when connected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system transitions from a permanently fixed rigid structure to a dynamic assembly that can be detached and reconnected. The detachable connection mechanism allows the structure to adapt between connected (strong) and disconnected (transportable) states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a rotor support device uses a complex connection structure, then connection reliability is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into replaceable modules (mount, connecting member, reinforcing member) that can be independently maintained. If one component fails, only that specific segment needs to be replaced rather than the entire connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable connection design allows for preliminary preparation of replacement components. Maintenance can be performed by simply detaching the faulty component and connecting a pre-prepared replacement, reducing maintenance time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a rotor support device uses a detachable connection structure, then assembly ease is improved, but connection strength may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mount, connecting member, and reinforcing member are combined through detachable connections to form a unified structure that achieves both ease of assembly and connection strength. The multiple components work together to distribute and reinforce the connection forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection strength is enhanced by adding the reinforcing member that connects the mount and connecting member in a different dimensional orientation. This creates a multi-dimensional reinforcement system that maintains strength while allowing detachable assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4331979B1Rotor support device
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4331979B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4331979B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4331979B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotor support device (18) includes: a mount (24 (24b, 24c)) supporting a rotor (20) and including a joint portion (56, 58) protruding outward; a connecting member (26b); and a reinforcing member (60). The connecting member includes an end portion connected to the joint portion and including a notch (62) and a protruding portion (64) formed by forming the notch. The protruding portion (64) is overlapped with a part of the outer peripheral surface of the joint portion located on the side of a first direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the joint portion, and is detachably connected to the joint portion. The reinforcing member is overlapped with the connecting member and another part of the outer peripheral surface of the joint portion located on the side of a second direction opposite to the first direction, and is detachably connected to the joint portion and the connecting member.