UAV Central Airflow Thruster with Lateral Guiding Outlets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) pose safety risks due to their weight and exposed rotors, which can cause harm to people and objects, and there is a need to reduce the number of rotors and weight while maintaining control and stability.

Innovation Solution

The UAV generates multiple jet streams using a central airflow thruster and guiding structure, allowing for control of flight direction without external rotors, by adjusting the volume of airflow through channels and using airflow controllers to manage propulsion and direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple rotors are used for propulsion, then the unmanned aerial vehicle can achieve stable flight and control, but the weight of the vehicle increases and safety risks arise from exposed rotors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight stabilityVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The single central airflow is segmented into multiple jet streams through the airflow guiding structure, creating multiple propulsion outlets. This segmentation allows the system to achieve multi-directional control similar to multiple rotors, but using a single centralized airflow source, thereby reducing weight while maintaining flight stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The exposed rotors are extracted and replaced by internal jet stream generation. The airflow thruster is disposed inside the center hub, and the jet streams are guided through controlled outlets, eliminating the need for external rotating blades and reducing safety risks associated with exposed rotors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If multiple rotors are used for propulsion, then the unmanned aerial vehicle can achieve stable flight and control, but the quantity of rotors increases causing more safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight stabilityVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The airflow guiding structure acts as an intermediary between the central airflow thruster and the external environment. It directs the jet streams through controlled outlets, providing stable flight control without requiring exposed rotating components that pose safety hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Weight of moving object

If a central airflow thruster with guiding structure is used, then the weight is reduced and safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle weightVSAvoidairflow guiding structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow guiding structure is integrated with the vehicle body, merging the guidance function into the existing structure. This reduces the need for separate components and minimizes overall device complexity while maintaining the weight reduction benefits of the centralized airflow system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances safety by eliminating external rotors, reducing weight, and improving stability, allowing for controlled ascension, descent, rotation, and horizontal movement while minimizing the risk of dropping and damage.

Implementation Method 1

The airflow thruster is disposed inside the center hub for generating a plurality of jet streams which flow to the lateral guiding outlets through the airflow guiding structure to generate a propulsion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJet stream propulsion: Jet

Data Source

PatentUS10486810B2Unmanned aerial vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 INVECTEC APPLIANCES CORPORATION

AI summary

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a vehicle body and an airflow thruster is provided. The vehicle body has a center hub, an airflow guiding structure and an outer circumferential portion. An interior of the airflow guiding structure is interconnected between the center hub and the outer circumferential portion. The center hub has an airflow inlet. The outer circumferential portion has a plurality of lateral guiding outlets facing downward and corresponding to a gravity direction of the gravity direction of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The airflow thruster is disposed inside the center hub for generating a plurality of jet streams, such that the jet streams flow to the lateral guiding outlets through the airflow guiding structure to generate a propulsion.