Aircraft Vertical Stabilizer Lift Propeller Torque Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

The aerodynamic profile of drones is negatively affected by the size and shape of motor housings that drive their lifting propellers, leading to increased drag and reduced efficiency in flight.

Innovation Solution

The motor that drives each propeller is discreetly placed within the support arm or wing, eliminating the need for bulky motor housings and allowing for a more streamlined aerodynamic profile by using gears to transmit torque from the motor shaft to the propeller shaft, which can be co-axial or at an angle, minimizing air drag and improving aerodynamics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If motor housings are used to encase the motors that drive propellers, then the motors are protected and easily mounted, but the aerodynamic profile is negatively affected and air drag increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor mountingVSAvoidair drag
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The motor housing is extracted and removed from the design. The motor is mounted directly to the support arm or wing structure without an enclosing housing, eliminating the aerodynamic obstruction while maintaining motor functionality and ease of mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If bulky motor housings are used to encase motors, then motor components are protected, but the aerodynamic efficiency is reduced and flight endurance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor component protectionVSAvoidflight endurance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motor housing is removed entirely. The motor is mounted directly to structural components, eliminating the protective housing that caused aerodynamic drag. This reduces energy consumption during flight, thereby extending flight endurance while the motor remains protected through direct mounting to robust support structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If motors are placed directly under propellers within motor housings, then the drive mechanism is simplified, but the aerodynamic profile is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive mechanismVSAvoidaerodynamic profile
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The motor housing is extracted from the design. The motor is mounted directly to the support arm or wing, with the propeller mounted directly to the motor shaft. This maintains the simplicity of the drive mechanism while eliminating the bulky housing that disrupted the aerodynamic profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3617069B1Aircraft vertical stabilizer having a lift propeller and the method of using the same
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 SHANGHAI AUTOFLIGHT CO LTD
  • EP3617069B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3617069B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3617069B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An aircraft design where the one or multiple numbers of vertical stabilizer (304) each has a lifting propeller (310).