Extendable Vertiport Landing Deck for Narrow Rooftop Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
The emergence of urban air mobility (UAM) necessitates the provision of stops for vertical takeoff and landing mobility apparatus, particularly in dense urban areas, where limited space poses concerns about accidents and inefficient resource management.
Innovation Solution
A vertiport system featuring a mobility apparatus stop with a moving mechanism comprising a support, extension joints, and a takeoff and landing deck that can be rotated and extended to manage mobility apparatus takeoff and landing, reducing accident risks and optimizing space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If stops are installed on narrow rooftops of buildings, then urban air mobility operations can be provided in dense urban areas, but there may be a lot of concern about accidents due to limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable takeoff and landing deck that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation. The deck is supported by extendable arms with multiple joints that allow it to move between a retracted position (when not in use) and an extended position (when a mobility apparatus needs to take off or land). This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt to different operational requirements while minimizing space occupation and accident risk when the deck is not actively being used.
2Reliability
If monitoring and management of mobility apparatus taking off and landing at mobility apparatus stops is continuously required, then safety can be maintained, but resources may be unnecessarily wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The movable deck system is designed to be automatically controlled through a control unit that receives signals from the mobility apparatus. When a mobility apparatus approaches or needs to take off/land, the control unit automatically commands the extendable arms to extend or retract, and the deck to move to the appropriate position. This automated self-service operation eliminates the need for continuous manual monitoring and management, thereby maintaining safety while avoiding unnecessary resource waste.
3Area of stationary object
If a moving mechanism with extension joints is used, then space utilization is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The takeoff and landing deck system is divided into multiple segments: the main deck structure and multiple extendable arms with articulated joints. Each arm consists of several segments connected by rotation joints, allowing independent control of each segment. This segmentation enables the system to achieve complex motion patterns and optimize space utilization while maintaining modular construction that simplifies manufacturing and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The extendable arms are designed with a nested structure where smaller segments are contained within larger segments when retracted. The arms can be folded into each other along the rotational joints, creating a compact configuration that minimizes the space occupied by the mechanism when not in use. This nesting principle allows the system to achieve high space utilization efficiency while managing the complexity of the moving parts.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vertiport includes a mobility apparatus stop, and a moving mechanism provided on the mobility apparatus stop. The moving mechanism includes a support rotatably provided on the mobility apparatus stop, a plurality of extension joints connected to the support, and a takeoff and landing deck provided on an outermost extension j oint among the plurality of extension joints.