Separable Joiner Structure for UAV Impact Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in distributing collision forces across structural members, leading to concentrated impact on a single point, which can cause significant damage.
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 between the members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If structural members are rigidly connected to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but impact force concentrates at single points causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The joiner is divided into multiple separable portions (first portion and second portion) that can detach from each other. The coupling structures are designed to maintain structural integrity during normal operation but allow separation when impact force exceeds a threshold, thereby segmenting the force transmission path and preventing concentration at single points.
Solution Approach 2:
The joiner acts as an intermediary element between structural members, incorporating energy-absorbing features and separable coupling structures. This intermediary mechanism distributes and manages impact forces through controlled deformation and separation, preventing direct force concentration on the structural members themselves.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If coupling structures are designed to be separable during impact, then damage is reduced, but structural stability during normal operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structures utilize friction-based engagement where normal operational loads are sustained through friction forces between mating surfaces. When impact force exceeds a threshold, the force parameter changes sufficiently to overcome friction and separate the coupling structures, enabling damage reduction while maintaining stability during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The joiner transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic separable connection based on applied force conditions. The coupling structures are designed to be stable under normal operational forces but become separable when dynamic impact forces exceed a predetermined threshold, allowing the system to adapt its structural characteristics based on operational conditions.
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.