Suspended-Load Aerial Vehicle Support Structure for Airframe Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerial vehicles face challenges in controlling stability and accuracy when suspending a load due to the influence of load configuration, weight distribution, and external disturbances such as wind.

Innovation Solution

The aerial vehicle is configured with a lift-generating section, support members, and a relay section, where one of the attachment or relay sections is disposed outward in the airframe to balance weight, reducing instability and enhancing stability, while motors are housed in a central region for unitization and protection, and pulleys are used to reduce friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple attachment sections and winding sections are provided in an outer region of the airframe to suspend a load, then the load suspension capability is improved, but the weight of the outer side of the airframe increases making the airframe unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload suspension capabilityVSAvoidairframe stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement by disposing attachment sections and winding sections at different vertical levels (heights). The attachment section is positioned at a first height while the winding section is positioned at a second height different from the first, creating a vertical dimension that separates their horizontal projections. This dimensional change allows both components to coexist in the outer region without concentrating weight at the same location, thereby maintaining airframe stability while preserving load suspension capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the attachment section and winding section are disposed in the outer region of the airframe, then the load can be suspended from outside the airframe, but the weight distribution becomes unbalanced reducing control accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload suspension operationVSAvoidcontrol accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs vertical separation to resolve the weight distribution problem. By positioning the attachment section at a first height and the winding section at a second height, the horizontal projections of these components are separated in the plan view. This vertical arrangement allows the load to be suspended from the outer region while distributing weight vertically, preventing horizontal weight imbalance and maintaining control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the attachment section is positioned outward of the winding section, then the weight balance of the airframe is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight balanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction by utilizing the vertical dimension to separate the attachment section and winding section. The attachment section is disposed at a first height while the winding section is disposed at a second height, causing their horizontal projections to be separated in the plan view. This vertical arrangement achieves weight balance improvement without requiring complex horizontal structural modifications, as the separation is accomplished through simple vertical positioning of existing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration improves the stability and control accuracy of the aerial vehicle by balancing weight distribution and minimizing external disturbances, allowing precise maneuvering even with suspended loads.

Implementation Method 1

a lift-generating section configured to generate lift for flight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLift generation: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 2

the relay section may be disposed outward of the winding section... pulleys are used to reduce friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Pulley

Data Source

PatentEP4644275A1Flying object
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4644275A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4644275A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4644275A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An aerial vehicle configured to fly with a load 8 suspended therefrom includes: a lift-generating section 3 configured to generate lift for flight; a plurality of support members 5 configured to support the load 8; an attachment section 16 to which the support members 5 are attached; and a relay section 17 relaying and supporting the support members 5 between the load 8 and the attachment section 16. One of the attachment section 16 and the relay section 17 is disposed outward, in an airframe of the aerial vehicle, of another one of the attachment section 16 and the relay section 17 in a plan view.