VTOL Gimbal Decoupling for Collision Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
VTOL aerial vehicles face instability and crash risks due to large disturbances from collisions with obstacles, as existing protective structures either constrain rolling direction or fail to quickly stabilize the vehicle's orientation during such encounters, limiting their ability to take off from uneven ground or navigate complex environments.
Innovation Solution
A VTOL system featuring an inner frame with a gimbal system and an outer frame that allows the outer frame to passively rotate independently, decoupling it from the inner frame, thereby reducing disturbances and enabling stable orientation maintenance during collisions, allowing take-off from any orientation and rolling on obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the aerial vehicle uses a rigid protective structure to protect against collisions, then protection capability is improved, but the vehicle's ability to quickly stabilize orientation after collision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into an inner frame (carrying propulsion and control systems) and an outer frame (protective structure), which are decoupled through a gimbal system. This segmentation allows the outer frame to absorb collision impacts independently while the inner frame maintains stable orientation for flight control.
Solution Approach 2:
The gimbal system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the inner and outer frames. It provides rotational freedom that allows the outer frame to move relative to the inner frame during collisions, protecting the inner frame from direct impact forces while maintaining orientation stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the aerial vehicle uses a fixed protective structure, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to take-off from any orientation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure transitions from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic decoupled configuration through the gimbal system. The outer frame can rotate independently relative to the inner frame, allowing the vehicle to take off from any orientation while maintaining structural protection.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the aerial vehicle uses a protective structure with constrained rolling direction, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to roll on obstacles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the frame into inner and outer components with independent rotational freedom, the system allows the outer frame to roll on obstacles while the inner frame maintains stable orientation, providing both rolling capability and structural stability.
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
The gimbal system effectively reduces the impact of collisions by allowing the outer frame to rotate freely while keeping the inner frame stable, enabling the VTOL to maintain flight stability and navigate complex environments, including taking off from uneven surfaces and rolling on obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
a gimbal system connecting the inner frame to the outer frame, the gimbal system allowing the outer frame to rotate independently from the inner frame
Data Source
AI summary
A VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aerial flying vehicle comprising an inner frame, a gimbal system and an outer frame, the inner frame comprising a propulsion system and a control system. The propulsion system being able to generate a lift force. The control system being able to control the orientation of the inner frame. The gimbal system connecting the inner frame to the outer frame with at least two rotation axis allowing rotation freedom between the outer frame to rotate independently from the inner frame.