Tilt-Rotor Linear UAV Layout for Wide-Swath Crop Spraying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crop protection UAVs face issues such as small size, low loading capacity, narrow spraying swath, turbulence, low operation efficiency, high cost, and high maintenance, which hinder efficient and refined agricultural operations.
Innovation Solution
A tilt-rotor based linear multi-rotor UAV with a main lift and tilt power structure, featuring a 3-meter-long carbon fiber main rod and carbon fiber composite blades, utilizing a master-slave control system and PID/ADRC control mode to achieve stable and flexible operation, expanding spraying area and reducing rotor interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a linear multi-rotor structure is adopted to expand spraying swath, then the spraying area is increased, but the control difficulty increases and multiple attitude adjustment motors are required resulting in poor energy utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the rotor blades tiltable relative to the motor axis. The tilt angle can be dynamically adjusted during flight to change the direction of the thrust vector, enabling the aircraft to achieve attitude control and directional changes without requiring multiple separate attitude adjustment motors. This dynamic adjustment mechanism integrates both lift generation and attitude control functions into a single rotor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt rotor structure serves multiple functions: it generates lift for vertical flight, enables forward and backward movement through tilt adjustment, and provides roll control. By making the rotor system capable of both vertical lift and directional control, the patent eliminates the need for separate attitude adjustment motors, thereby improving energy utilization while maintaining the expanded spraying swath advantage of the linear configuration.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional multi-rotor UAVs are used for crop protection, then the cost is low, but the loading capacity is poor and operation efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional vertical stacking of components to a horizontal linear arrangement of multiple rotors along a longitudinal axis. This dimensional reconfiguration expands the spraying swath width without increasing height constraints, allowing larger pesticide tanks and broader coverage while maintaining the cost-effective multi-rotor electric drive architecture.
3Duration of action of moving object
If fixed-wing UAVs are used to achieve high flight altitude and long hang time, then the operation duration is increased, but the down wash is small resulting in poor droplet penetration and adhesion rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sustained flight capability of fixed-wing aircraft with the effective downwash generation of rotary wings. By using multiple rotors in a linear configuration that can operate in a hover-like manner while maintaining forward motion, the system replicates the prolonged airtime of fixed-wing UAVs while generating sufficient downward airflow for effective pesticide delivery, thus copying the advantages of both configurations.
4Quantity of substance
If helicopters are used to compensate for shortcomings of multi-rotor and fixed-wing UAVs, then the loading capacity is improved, but the cost and maintenance prices are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex fuel-powered helicopter mechanical system with an electric multi-rotor system. By using electric motors and batteries instead of fuel engines and complex transmission systems, the aircraft achieves comparable or superior loading capacity while dramatically reducing maintenance requirements and operational costs, making helicopter-level performance accessible at much lower cost.
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 solution enhances spraying efficiency and reduces pesticide waste by providing a wide spraying swath, uniform downwash, and high energy utilization, making it suitable for large-scale operations on diverse terrains while minimizing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The main lift power structures each include a main lift blade 1, a main lift motor 2
Implementation Method 2
the tilt power structures are symmetrically distributed between the main frame structure and the main lift power structures; the tilt power structures each include two tilt carbon plates 10, a tilt slave-control circuit board 11, a servo fixing aluminum part 12, a servo 13, a tilt electronic speed controller 14
Implementation Method 3
the main lift motor 2 is screwed to the main lift motor fixing plate 3, is clamped through the first tube clamps, and is fixed to the main rod 9 together with the centrifugal nozzle 6 below
Data Source
AI summary
A tilt rotor-based linear multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) structure for crop protection and a control method thereof are provided. The tilt rotor-based linear multi-rotor UAV structure for crop protection includes main lift power structures, tilt power structures, and a main frame structure, where the main frame structure is located in a middle; the main lift power structures are distributed at left and right ends of the main frame structure; and the tilt power structures are symmetrically distributed between the main frame structure and the main lift power structures. A vector power structure is adopted to ensure flexible attitude changes and smoother and more accurate UAV operations, and improve the operation efficiency. Meanwhile, the tilt rotor-based linear multi-rotor UAV structure is adapted to the complex working environment in China's ever-changing terrains.