Vertiport Guide Shells for Passenger-Safe Downwash Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
During takeoff and landing of flying vehicles for urban air mobility, strong downwash generated by rotors causes turbulence, leading to passenger inconvenience during boarding and deboarding at vertiports.
Innovation Solution
A downwash blocking apparatus featuring multi-stage guide shells mounted to the rotor guide, which are movable upwards and downwards, guided by a driving device to direct downwash into a discharge port, preventing it from reaching passengers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If multi-stage guide shells are deployed to block downwash, then passenger comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The downwash blocking system is divided into multiple independent guide shells (first guide shell, second guide shell, third guide shell) that can be individually deployed and controlled. Each guide shell operates independently to block downwash at different stages, allowing the system to manage complex airflow control through modular segments rather than a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide shells are designed with a nested configuration where the second guide shell is positioned inside the first guide shell, and the third guide shell is positioned inside the second guide shell. This nested arrangement allows multiple blocking stages to be compactly integrated within a limited space, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining effective downwash blocking capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If guide shells are made movable to control downwash direction, then downwash blocking effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide shells are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of their positions to optimize downwash blocking effectiveness. The first, second, and third guide shells can independently move to different locations, enabling the system to adapt to varying operational conditions and maintain effectiveness across different flight phases and wind conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A driving device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the control system and the guide shells. This driving device simplifies the operation of moving the guide shells by providing automated actuation, reducing the manual control complexity while maintaining the ability to adjust shell positions for effective downwash blocking.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If guide shells are positioned close to vertiport surface, then downwash blocking is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential contact issues
Solution Approach 1:
A distance sensor is implemented to continuously monitor the position of the guide shells relative to the vertiport surface. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about the gap between the guide shells and the surface, allowing the control system to adjust shell positions to maintain optimal blocking effectiveness while preventing contact that could cause reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground coupler is designed to make contact with the vertiport surface in advance as a safety measure. This preliminary contact action provides mechanical support and stabilization to the guide shells when they are positioned close to the surface, preventing unintended movements or contact issues while maintaining effective downwash blocking configuration.
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
Effectively blocks downwash, enhancing passenger convenience by preventing turbulent air from affecting individuals during boarding and deboarding, and setting a standard for future urban air mobility hubs.
Implementation Method 1
a first screw shaft connected to an output shaft of the first motor, the first screw shaft being arranged in a downward direction of the output shaft of the first motor, and a first upward-downward movement guide bracket having a female screw portion, with which the first screw shaft is screw-engaged
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a downwash blocking apparatus of air mobility configured such that multi-stage guide shells configured for blocking downwash and guiding the downwash to a discharge portion of a vertiport are mounted to a rotor guide of a flying vehicle for air urban mobility to be movable upwards and downwards, whereby it is possible to prevent the downwash from affecting passengers at the time of boarding and deboarding, and therefore it is possible to solve passenger inconvenience at the time of boarding and deboarding.