Tilt Tri-Rotor UAV Mode Switching for Endurance and Versatility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current UAVs have limited application range and efficiency due to their specific operational modes, with vertical take-off and landing UAVs having low endurance, fixed-wing UAVs requiring stringent landing conditions, unmanned surface vehicles being restricted to water surfaces, and unmanned underwater vehicles having insufficient endurance.
Innovation Solution
An air, sea, and underwater tilt tri-rotor UAV that can switch between vertical take-off and landing, fixed-wing, water surface sailing, and underwater modes using a submerged floating device and tilt tri-rotor mechanism, featuring symmetrical wing structure, adjustable rotors, and airbags for buoyancy control, allowing for versatile operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vertical take-off and landing UAV is used, then taking-off and landing condition requirement is reduced, but endurance time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic tilt mechanism that allows the rotors to change their orientation angle between vertical and horizontal positions. This dynamic adjustment enables the UAV to switch between vertical take-off mode (easy operation) and fixed-wing cruise mode (high endurance), resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and duration of action
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV integrates multiple functions within a single platform: it can perform vertical take-off and landing like a multi-rotor UAV, transition to fixed-wing flight for long-endurance cruising, and even operate on water surfaces. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve both easy operation and high endurance by selecting the appropriate mode for each phase of the mission
2Duration of action of moving object
If fixed wing UAV is used, then endurance time is improved, but taking-off and landing condition requirement is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt mechanism enables dynamic transition between rotorcraft and fixed-wing configurations. During take-off and landing phases, the rotors tilt to a vertical position, eliminating the need for runways or specialized facilities. During cruise phases, the rotors tilt horizontally to enable efficient fixed-wing flight, thus achieving high endurance without stringent take-off and landing conditions
3Adaptability or versatility
If unmanned surface vehicle is used, then water surface operation capability is provided, but endurance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV is designed with universal operation capability across multiple environments: air, water surface, and underwater. The aircraft can fly to distant locations for high-endurance operations, return to water surface for replenishment or docking, and even submerge for covert operations. This multi-environment versatility resolves the contradiction by providing water surface capability without limiting aerial endurance
4Adaptability or versatility
If unmanned underwater vehicle is used, then underwater operation capability is provided, but endurance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt tri-rotor UAV serves as a multi-environment platform that can operate in air, on water surface, and underwater. The aircraft performs high-endurance aerial missions, then transitions to water surface or underwater modes when covert operations or environmental constraints require it. This resolves the contradiction by providing underwater capability while maintaining primary aerial endurance as the base platform
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
Enhances applicability, maneuverability, and efficiency by extending operational scenarios to flat land, mountain land, water surfaces, and underwater environments, improving endurance and mission completion capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a right rear airbag 13, an airbag controller 14, a left rear airbag 15, an air cylinder 16 and a front airbag 17 are all fixed to, the fuselage 1 and the lower surface of the main wing 2
Data Source
AI summary
An air, sea and underwater tilt tri-rotor UAV capable of performing vertical take-off and landing. By the method for controlling a submerged floating device and a tilt tri-rotor device, the UAV is switched among the vertical take-off and landing mode, fixed wing mode, water surface sailing mode and underwater submerging mode.