Rotorcraft Light Pipe Support Member Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio controlled model rotorcrafts face challenges in flight performance, stability, ease of control, durability, and aesthetics, particularly with multiple propellers, where weight increases due to stiffness and material enhancements lead to performance degradation and increased cost.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates multifunctional, configurable components such as the first support member, which provides structural stability, aids in orientation awareness through lighting, and absorbs impacts and vibrations, while reducing the need for external fasteners and materials, thus maintaining performance without weight or cost penalties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If more material is used to increase structural stiffness, then flight stability is improved, but weight increases leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support to maintain stiffness, serves as a light pipe for illumination, and acts as a mounting structure for electronic components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, thereby maintaining structural integrity without adding unnecessary weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the support member, light pipe, and component mounting structure into a single integrated component. By merging these functions into one part, the design achieves the required structural stiffness while avoiding the weight penalty that would result from using multiple separate components.
2Reliability
If protective components are added to enhance durability, then resistance to vibration and impact is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to simultaneously provide structural support and protect sensitive components from vibration and impact. By integrating the protective function into the existing support structure rather than adding separate protective components, the design enhances durability without incurring weight penalties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used to provide structural support and lighting, then functional requirements are met, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, light transmission, and component mounting capabilities. This approach meets all functional requirements while reducing the total number of parts, thereby simplifying the device and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the support member, light pipe, and mounting structure into a single integrated component. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate parts and their associated fasteners and assembly steps.
4Strength
If external fasteners and additional materials are used to assemble components, then structural integrity is ensured, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed as an integrated component that combines structural support, light transmission, and mounting functions. By merging these functions into one part, the design eliminates the need for external fasteners and additional materials, thereby simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining structural integrity through the integrated design itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio controlled model rotorcraft implemented with features improving ease of flight and flight performance by increasing structural stability, increasing rotorcraft visibility and orientation awareness through the use of multifunctioning, configurable, and aesthetically pleasing components, while also increasing resistance to damage from crashes through use of impact and vibration absorbing components.