Suspended Outer Arm Structure for Modular Aircraft Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft designs are integrated, making them difficult to disassemble and requiring specialized technicians for installation and disassembly, and they fail to efficiently adapt to diverse working conditions such as air taxi and air ambulance.

Innovation Solution

A modular aircraft design featuring a suspended outer arm and quickly detachable canard wing outer segments that can be installed without altering the flight platform, enhancing lift efficiency and adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If integrated aircraft design is used, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to different working conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidadaptability to different working conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The aircraft is divided into modular components including inner arms, outer arms, canard wings, and fixed wings that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The outer arm is a separate module that can be quickly attached to the inner arm to transform the aircraft configuration for different working conditions such as air taxi or air ambulance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If integrated aircraft design is used, then structural stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of installation and disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The aircraft structure is segmented into standardized modules with defined connection interfaces. The outer arm includes a connection structure that can be quickly coupled with the inner arm, allowing non-specialized personnel to perform installation and disassembly operations while maintaining structural stability during flight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The aircraft configuration is made dynamic through the ability to quickly reconfigure modular components. The outer arm can be attached or detached based on operational requirements, enabling the aircraft to adapt its structure for different missions without requiring permanent modifications or specialized technician intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If streamlined arm design is used, then lift motor efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelift motor efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer arm features a streamlined curved cross-section design that reduces vortex formation and aerodynamic interference with the propeller flow. This curved geometry improves lift motor efficiency by optimizing airflow patterns around the arm structure while the modular design keeps the overall device complexity manageable through standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

The modular design increases lift by 10-70% and improves operational efficiency by allowing quick installation and disassembly, reducing vortex interference and energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The outer arm body presents a streamlined design in the cross-section along its length, with the curvature of the arc at one end being smaller than that at the other end, and the cross-section gradually converging from the middle to both ends. This streamlined design can reduce the vortex formed by the interference of the propeller with a body of the aircraft, thereby increasing the efficiency of the lift motor.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex formation: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP4628411A1Suspended outer arm and modular aircraft
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 AUTOFLIGHT (KUNSHAN) CO LTD
  • EP4628411A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4628411A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4628411A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention belongs to the field of aircraft and discloses a suspended outer arm, which is applied to an aircraft and comprises an outer arm body, which has a linear structure in a vertical projection direction. The outer arm body is provided with a plurality of openings for holding the lift motors. The outer arm body presents a structure that converges from each opening to both ends. The outer arm body can be attached to the fixed wing of the aircraft according to the different take-off weight.