UAV Folding Landing Gear Inversion Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current UAV landing gear systems are not conducive for heavy-lift applications, as they require complex networks of interconnected components and fold outward, occupying a large storage footprint, which can lead to single failure points and inefficient storage.
Innovation Solution
A heavy-lift UAV frame with a central frame portion, pivotally connected boom arms, and folding landing gear legs that transition between extended flight and retracted storage positions, allowing for compact storage and independent operation of each gear leg.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional landing gear systems fold outward for storage, then the gear can be easily stowed, but the storage footprint becomes 2-3 times the drone body footprint
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of folding outward as in conventional systems, the landing gear legs fold inward beneath the drone body. The legs pivot from an extended position outward from the corners to a retracted position where they lie flat against the bottom of the frame, reducing storage footprint to match the drone body footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The landing gear legs utilize the vertical dimension by folding downward beneath the drone body rather than outward in the horizontal plane. This dimensional change allows the gear to be stored in the space directly below the frame, eliminating the need for additional horizontal storage space.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional landing gear use complex interconnected components, then the gear can achieve stable flight positioning, but a single failure point jeopardizes the entire system
Solution Approach 1:
The landing gear system is divided into four independent leg assemblies, each with its own pivot hinge and mounting structure. Each leg operates independently with no mechanical interconnections between them, so that a failure in one leg does not affect the functionality of the other three legs.
3Strength
If heavy-lift UAVs use traditional landing gear designs, then the structure can support payloads, but the gear occupies excessive space during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The landing gear legs are designed as dynamic, movable components that can transition between an extended flight position and a retracted storage position. Each leg pivots on a hinge mechanism that allows smooth transition while maintaining structural integrity and payload support capability in the extended position.
Data Source
AI summary
A heavy-lift UAV frame includes a central frame portion and a pocket area for receiving an avionics package. Top and bottom plates are secured to the central frame portion and include four corner members that extend diagonally outward therefrom. A plurality of boom hinges are interposed between each of the corner members pivot a boom arm between an extended position for flight and a retracted position for storage and transport. Each boom arm and hinge combination includes a complementary dimension to one side of the central frame portion to position a boom arm parallel thereto when in the retracted position. A plurality of landing gear hinges are positioned along the bottom of the frame and transition a plurality of landing gear legs between a ready for flight position and a storage position. In the storage position each of the legs are positioned diagonally beneath the central frame portion.