Coaxial UAV Engine-Motor Integration for Power Redundancy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing UAVs face challenges with low energy utilization, limited endurance and mileage, safety risks due to lack of power redundancy, and excessive vibration and noise during operation.

Innovation Solution

A UAV design featuring a coaxial arrangement of the engine, motor, and propeller, with a damping device and sound-absorbing materials to enhance energy efficiency, power redundancy, and reduce vibration and noise, utilizing a two-stroke engine and permanent magnet synchronous motor for improved performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the built-in engine unit relies on the engine to drive the generator to generate electricity, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflight safetyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the engine and motor into a single integrated power system where the engine directly drives the propeller through the motor's rotor, eliminating the need for separate generator and battery systems. This merging reduces structural complexity while maintaining reliability through the dual-power capability of the integrated unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated engine-motor unit serves multiple functions: the engine can directly drive the propeller for power output, and the motor can function as a generator to charge the battery when the engine operates at higher speeds. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate generator and motor components, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the engine directly acts as the power source of the UAV, then energy utilization is improved, but power redundancy is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy utilization rateVSAvoidpower redundancy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between direct engine drive mode and battery-assisted mode based on operational requirements. The motor can engage to provide additional power when needed, and the battery can recharge when the engine operates in excess, creating a flexible, adaptive power system that optimizes both energy utilization and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers excess energy generated by the engine by using the motor as a generator to charge the battery when the engine produces more power than immediately needed. This recovered energy is stored for later use, improving overall energy utilization while maintaining power redundancy through the charged battery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Device complexity

If the UAV uses traditional power output modes, then simplicity or reliability is achieved, but vibration and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidvibration and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The motor acts as an intermediary between the engine and the propeller, smoothing out the mechanical connection and reducing vibration transmission. The motor's electromagnetic field provides a cushioning effect that dampens engine vibrations before they reach the propeller, thereby reducing both vibration and noise while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design achieves high energy utilization, power redundancy, enhanced flight safety, and reduced vibration and noise, significantly improving endurance and mileage while ensuring reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

Each damping guide channel is arranged divergently from the center axial direction of the damping device itself, and the adjacent damping device guide channels form a preset included angle with each other, which is used to disperse and weaken the vibration generated by the engine during operation.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the motor can be used as a generator to do negative work on the engine output shaft to charge the battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

or as an electric motor, that is, to receive the power of the battery, do positive work on the engine output shaft to realize power output

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP4147983A1An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 SHANGHAI AUTOFLIGHT CO LTD
  • EP4147983A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4147983A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4147983A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV comprises a UAV body, a propeller, an engine, a motor and a battery; the engine comprises an engine body and an engine output shaft arranged on the engine body; the motor comprises stator, rotor and stator connector; the stator connector is arranged on the engine body, the rotor is coaxially arranged on the engine output shaft, and the propeller is coaxially arranged on the rotor; the battery can be discharged to provide electric energy to the motor or receive the electric energy output by the motor for charging. The UAV of the invention provides the motor rotor, propeller and engine output shaft to be coaxially connected, and the motor can be used as a generator to charge the battery by doing negative work on the engine output shaft, or as an electric motor, that is, to receive the power of the battery and do positive work on the engine output shaft to realize power output, so that the UAV can realize high energy utilization and power redundancy at the same time.