UAV Rotor Suction Adhesion for Surface Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles, such as multicopters, face challenges in maintaining a constant distance from surfaces during inspections due to turbulent airflow, especially under bridge beams and near building walls, making it difficult to fly stably and safely.
Innovation Solution
The integration of rotors with rotating bodies, such as wheels or caterpillar tracks, that extend on the air intake side to create negative pressure for suction adherence to surfaces, allowing the vehicle to move while maintaining a constant clearance, and the use of horizontal and vertical rotors with intersecting axes for versatile surface interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If wheels are installed on both sides of the airframe to press against the surface for inspection, then the airframe can keep a constant clearance from the surface, but it is hard to continue pressing the wheels against the surface when the airframe tilts during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based wheel pressing to aerial suction adhesion by utilizing the negative pressure dimension created by rotor airflow. The rotating bodies extend beyond the rotor air intake, allowing the airframe to adhere to surfaces through suction forces generated by the rotors, enabling movement without continuous mechanical pressing while maintaining constant clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using the rotors to generate negative pressure (suction) that causes the airframe to adhere to the surface. The rotating bodies positioned at the air intake side create a pressure differential that enables stable adhesion and constant clearance maintenance during movement, replacing mechanical pressing with pneumatic adhesion.
2Measurement precision
If the airframe approaches a structure surface for inspection, then inspection quality improves, but turbulent flow under bridge beams and near wall surfaces makes it hard to fly stably and keep constant distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful turbulent flow and negative pressure conditions into a beneficial adhesion mechanism. By positioning rotating bodies at the rotor air intake side, the system utilizes the negative pressure and turbulence that would normally destabilize flight to create strong suction adhesion, allowing stable surface following and constant distance maintenance even in challenging environments like under bridge beams or near walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The airframe uses its own rotors to generate the negative pressure required for adhesion. The rotating bodies positioned at the air intake side enable the vehicle to self-adhere to surfaces through the suction forces produced by its propulsion system, providing autonomous stability control without external assistance.
3Reliability
If rotating bodies extend forth on the air intake side of the rotors, then collision between structure and rotors is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective function with the adhesion function by positioning the rotating bodies at the rotor air intake side. This single configuration simultaneously prevents rotor collision with structures and generates the negative pressure required for suction adhesion, eliminating the need for separate protective structures and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating bodies positioned at the air intake side serve multiple functions: they act as protective elements preventing rotor collision, generate negative pressure for suction adhesion, and maintain constant clearance from the surface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall airframe structure.
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
Enables safe and stable adherence and movement on various surfaces, including ceilings and vertical surfaces, with the ability to change orientation and maintain a consistent distance, enhancing maneuverability and flexibility during inspections.
Implementation Method 1
negative pressure produced on the air intake side of the rotors causes the airframe to adhere by suction to a structure surface
Implementation Method 2
negative pressure produced on the air intake side of the rotors causes the airframe to adhere by suction to a structure surface
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an unmanned aerial vehicle that can allow its airframe to approach a structure surface safely and is able to move on a surface of the structure, while keeping a constant clearance between the structure surface and the airframe. This is solved by an manned aerial vehicle including one or a plurality of rotors and a plurality of rotating bodies having one or more driving sources, wherein at least a part of each of the rotating bodies in their rotational radius direction extends forth on an air intake side of the rotors relative to a position of rotational planes of the rotors, and negative pressure produced on the air intake side of the rotors causes the airframe to adhere by suction to a structure surface, and in this state, by driving the plurality of rotating bodies, the vehicle is enabled to travel on the surface.