VTOL Departure Timing for Shared Urban Air Mobility Boarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aviation transport networks face challenges in integrating intra-city air travel due to resource requirements, noise, boarding time, and airspace regulations, which limit the volume of air travel within cities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a transport network coordination system that utilizes vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, optimized node placement, and dynamic routing to enhance the efficiency and capacity of air travel within cities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional aircraft are used for intra-city transport, then travel speed is improved, but resource requirements and infrastructure needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional centralized airport model into distributed VTOL nodes throughout the city. Each node handles local takeoffs and landings independently, eliminating the need for large centralized infrastructure while maintaining high-speed transport capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from ground-based horizontal transport to three-dimensional vertical transport. VTOL aircraft operate in the air space above the city, utilizing the vertical dimension to bypass ground congestion and reduce infrastructure requirements on the ground level.
2Quantity of substance
If more aircraft are deployed to increase transport volume, then passenger capacity is improved, but noise and environmental impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional combustion engine aircraft with electrically-powered VTOL aircraft. This substitution eliminates exhaust emissions and significantly reduces noise pollution while maintaining the ability to transport multiple passengers, thereby increasing transport volume without harmful environmental effects.
3Ease of operation
If traditional boarding procedures are used, then passenger comfort is maintained, but boarding time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary passenger screening, security checks, and boarding preparations before the aircraft arrives at the departure node. This allows passengers to be ready for immediate boarding upon arrival, significantly reducing actual boarding time while maintaining comfort standards throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous passenger flow through the system by overlapping procedures. While one group of passengers is boarding, another group is being screened, and a third group is preparing for departure. This continuous operation reduces overall boarding time without compromising passenger comfort or safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A request for transport services that identifies a rider, an origin, and a destination is received from a client device. Eligibility of the request to be serviced by a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is determined based on the origin and the destination. The client device is sent an itinerary for servicing the transport request including a leg serviced by the VTOL aircraft. Confirmation is received that the rider has boarded the VTOL aircraft and determination made as to whether the VTOL aircraft should wait for additional riders. Instruction are sent to the VTOL aircraft to take-off if one or more conditions are met.