Wall Riding Vehicle Counterrotating Propeller Thrust

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radio-controlled motorized toy vehicles are limited to horizontal surfaces due to gravity, and previous attempts to enable them to climb vertical walls using suction-adhering propulsion systems face challenges in maintaining a functional seal and overcoming friction.

Innovation Solution

The toy vehicle incorporates motor-driven wheels and counterrotating propellers that generate airflow to urge the vehicle against surfaces, allowing it to traverse non-horizontal surfaces like walls and ceilings, with separate motors for the wheels and propellers, and a protective casing for airflow and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If suction-adhering propulsion systems are used to enable wall climbing, then the vehicle can adhere to vertical surfaces, but the friction between the sealing member and the wall impedes motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion forceVSAvoidmotion smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical suction-adhering system with a counterrotating propeller system that generates airflow to provide thrust. This substitution eliminates the need for sealing members that create friction, allowing smooth motion while maintaining adhesion to vertical and inverted surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the sealing member from the propulsion system, removing the source of friction between the vehicle and the wall. By separating the adhesion function from the sealing mechanism, the vehicle can maintain wall adherence without the motion-impeding friction caused by contact seals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a seal is formed between the periphery of the toy vehicle and the fixed surface using a venturi duct, then adhesion is maintained, but the seal provision and maintenance becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal functionalityVSAvoidsealing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex venturi duct sealing system with a simpler counterrotating propeller design. The propellers generate airflow that provides both thrust and adhesion without requiring complex sealing mechanisms, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If propellers are mounted inside the chassis independently from wheels, then thrust is provided without impeding wheel motion, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion smoothnessVSAvoidmotor configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the propulsion system into two independent subsystems: one for thrust generation (counterrotating propellers) and one for wheel drive. This segmentation allows each subsystem to operate independently without interfering with the other, ensuring smooth motion while managing complexity through functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables smooth traversal of floors, walls, and ceilings by providing thrust without impeding motion, overcoming the limitations of traditional suction-adhering systems, and ensuring efficient surface engagement and transition.

Implementation Method 1

The counterrotating propellers generate airflow outwardly from the toy vehicle to urge the vehicle against a surface along which the toy vehicle is traveling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow generation through counterrotating propellers: Jet

Implementation Method 2

The airflow outwardly from the toy vehicle urges the vehicle against a surface along which the toy vehicle is traveling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReaction force from airflow: Reaction (physics)

Data Source

PatentUS11260312B1Wall riding vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 MERCHSOURCE LLC

AI summary

A toy vehicle includes a chassis, wheels connected to an exterior of the chassis and configured to move on a surface, at least two propellers connected to an interior of the chassis independently from the plurality of wheels, the at least two propellers being configured to counterrotate relative to each other thereby generating airflow outwardly from the chassis in a first direction that is normal to a rotational plane of the at least two propellers whereby the chassis is urged in a second direction opposite the first direction against the surface, at least one first drive motor operatively connected to the plurality of wheels for driving the plurality of wheels, and at least one second drive motor operatively connected to the at least two propellers for driving the at least two propellers.