Stackable Wing Morphing for Aerocar Road Mode Visibility

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional roadable aircraft face challenges in balancing flight stability and road maneuverability due to the need for multiple wing fold locations, which increase weight and complexity, and limit operator views in road mode.

Innovation Solution

The aerocar features a stackable wing system with morphable wings that can extend from and retract into the body, utilizing bistable composite materials and actuators to transition between stowed and deployed shapes for flight and road modes, maintaining a compact profile while providing optimal lift and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wing fold locations are used to enable stowage in road mode, then the aircraft can transition between flight and road modes, but the weight and complexity of the wing system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode transition capabilityVSAvoidwing system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wing is divided into multiple segments that can fold relative to each other at designated fold locations. Each segment can be independently positioned to achieve compact stowage against the fuselage in road mode while maintaining full span for flight operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wing incorporates movable fold joints that allow dynamic reconfiguration between extended flight configuration and retracted road configuration. The fold locations enable the wing to adapt its shape and position based on operational mode requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wing fold locations are used to enable stowage in road mode, then the aircraft can transition between flight and road modes, but the complexity of the wing system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode transition capabilityVSAvoidwing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wing is divided into multiple segments that can fold relative to each other at designated fold locations. Each segment can be independently positioned to achieve compact stowage against the fuselage in road mode while maintaining full span for flight operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wing incorporates movable fold joints that allow dynamic reconfiguration between extended flight configuration and retracted road configuration. The fold locations enable the wing to adapt its shape and position based on operational mode requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the wing is extended for flight mode, then flight stability and control authority are improved, but the operator's aft and side views are limited in road mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight stabilityVSAvoidoperator visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wing incorporates movable fold joints that allow dynamic reconfiguration between extended flight configuration and retracted road configuration. The fold locations enable the wing to adapt its shape and position based on operational mode requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wing folds upward at the root and downward at the mid-span location, utilizing vertical dimension to achieve compact stowage that clears the operator's viewing area in road mode while maintaining horizontal span for flight operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9580167B2Stackable wing for an aerocar

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

An aerocar includes a body and a multiple of wings. The multiple of wings can be selectively extendable away from a top portion of the body for a flight mode. The multiple of wings can be selectively retractable toward the top portion of the body for a roadable mode.