Separable Structural Joiner for UAV Collision Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in distributing collision impact forces across structural members, leading to concentrated damage at a single point, which can compromise the integrity and functionality of the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A joiner mechanism that secures elongate structural members together, allowing them to separate upon exceeding a predetermined threshold force, distributing impact forces and limiting relative movement, while also incorporating impact attenuating tips to spread the force over a larger area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If structural members are rigidly connected to maintain structural integrity, then strength and rigidity are improved, but impact forces are concentrated at connection points causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The joiner is divided into multiple separable portions (first portion and second portion) that can disconnect from each other. The coupling structures are designed to maintain connection during normal operation but allow separation when impact forces exceed a threshold, thereby segmenting the force transmission path and preventing force concentration at single connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The joiner transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic separable connection. The coupling structures include engagement surfaces that maintain rigid connection during normal flight but can disengage when subjected to excessive impact forces, allowing the structure to adapt its connectivity based on operational conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If separable coupling structures are implemented to distribute impact forces, then damage concentration is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structures are designed as relatively simple mechanical elements with engagement surfaces that can be manufactured cost-effectively. The separable portions and coupling structures represent a deliberate design choice to use simpler, potentially replaceable components rather than complex permanently rigid connections, accepting that these elements may need replacement after impact events.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If separable portions are designed to disconnect during impact, then impact force distribution is improved, but structural stability during normal operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structures are pre-configured with engagement surfaces designed to maintain secure connection during normal flight operations. The geometry and positioning of these engagement surfaces are optimized beforehand to provide stable connection under typical operational loads, ensuring structural stability is maintained until impact forces exceed the designed threshold.
Data Source
AI summary
A joiner includes a first and second portions configured to mount to respective first and second structural members. Each of the first and second portions includes a body with a receiving surface to receive the respective structural member. The first portion includes a group of first coupling structures disposed on the first body and the second portion includes a group of second coupling structures disposed on the second body. The first coupling structures are configured to mate with the second coupling structures such that engagement surfaces of the first coupling structures engage engagement surfaces of the second coupling structures so as to transfer loads between the second portion and first portion and to limit relative movement between the first portion and second portion with respect to the first direction and with respect to a vertical direction.