VTOL Wing Integrated Ducted Fans Structural Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VTOL aircraft designs face challenges in achieving lightweight and cost-effective structures that can efficiently handle all phases of flight, particularly in urban environments where stringent design principles must be met.
Innovation Solution
The integration of ducted fans into the wing surface of a VTOL aircraft, where the duct ring and guide grille are designed to reduce shear losses and incorporate ribs for structural support, thereby eliminating the need for separate ribs and enhancing motor force introduction into the wing structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If separate ribs are used for structural support in VTOL aircraft, then structural strength is ensured, but weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide grille is merged with the rib structure to form an integrated component. The ribs are no longer separate elements but are directly formed as part of the guide grille assembly, eliminating the need for additional structural ribs while maintaining the required structural strength through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide grille serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support element, a aerodynamic component for the ducted fan, and a mounting structure for the electric motor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated structural ribs, reducing overall weight.
2Strength
If separate ribs are used for structural support, then structural strength is ensured, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide grille and rib structures are combined into a single integrated component assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained, thereby simplifying the overall structural system while preserving strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated guide grille-rib structure performs multiple functions (structural support, aerodynamic guidance, motor mounting) within a single unified design, reducing the complexity of the overall aircraft structure by eliminating redundant components.
3Weight of moving object
If ducted fans are integrated into the wing surface, then weight is reduced, but structural strength must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The ducted fan components (guide grille, duct ring) are merged with the wing rib structure to form an integrated assembly. This integration allows the fan structure to contribute to the overall wing strength while maintaining the lightweight advantage, as the same material and structural framework serve both purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated guide grille-rib structure utilizes composite material construction, combining different materials with complementary properties to achieve both lightweight design and sufficient structural strength. The composite structure optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio for the wing-ducted fan assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft includes a wing with integrated ducted fans and ribs. Each respective ducted fan comprises a duct ring, a guide grille arranged within the duct ring, and an electric motor supported by the guide grille. The ribs are integrated into the guide grille. Each respective electric motor can be cylindrical, and the ribs can run tangentially along the electric motors.