Wearable Multirotor Vehicle with Pivoting Rotor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drone technologies restrict the operator's ability to perform physical activities like walking, running, and climbing as they require the use of hands and feet for operation, and do not provide a lifting force to counteract gravitational forces, limiting their effectiveness in assisting with movement.
Innovation Solution
A multirotor vehicle with a rotor assembly, frame, and actuator system that allows the rotor assembly to pivot and adjust its thrust direction to lift the operator, enabling the vehicle to be worn without encumbering the operator's legs, providing thrust to aid in movement and enhance physical abilities such as stride length and terrain traversal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator uses hands and feet to operate the drone, then the drone can be controlled, but the operator's ability to perform physical activities like walking, running, and climbing is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is extracted from the operator's body and transferred to a wearable device that attaches to the torso. The handheld controller is removed and replaced with a chest-mounted control unit that uses body sensors to detect movement, freeing the operator's hands and feet for physical activities.
Solution Approach 2:
A wearable intermediary device is introduced between the operator and the drone control system. This intermediary includes a chest-mounted control unit with sensors that detect body movement and translate it into control commands, allowing the operator to control the drone without physically holding the controller.
2Force
If the drone provides lifting force to counteract gravitational forces, then the operator can be assisted in movement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thrust generation system is integrated into the wearable device to produce lifting force that counteracts gravity. The thrust system includes motors and propellers mounted on the chest unit that generate upward force to assist the operator in movement, directly applying counterweight to gravitational forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The thrust generation system is merged with the wearable control unit, combining the control electronics, sensors, and propulsion systems into a single integrated chest-mounted device. This integration consolidates multiple functions into one unit, managing complexity while providing lifting capability.
3Device complexity
If the rotor assembly is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the ability to provide directional thrust and lift is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor assembly is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic, movable system. The rotors are mounted on articulated arms with joints that allow rotation and positioning adjustment. This dynamic configuration enables the rotor assembly to change its orientation and provide thrust in multiple directions, enhancing versatility while adding controlled complexity.
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 multirotor vehicle allows operators to perform physical activities with greater ease and efficiency by providing directional thrust and lift, enabling longer distances to be covered with less energy expenditure and the ability to perform movements like flying.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor assembly including a plurality of rotors, the rotor assembly configured and arranged to provide upward thrust
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and architecture are disclosed for a multirotor vehicle having a rotor assembly with a plurality of rotors to provide upward thrust. Attached to the rotor assembly is a frame that includes a frame extension having a first end pivotally attached to the rotor assembly. The extension also includes a second end pivotally attached to a frame body. The vehicle further includes first and second actuators. The first actuator pivots the rotor assembly to position it within a horizontal plane to allow thrust generated by the rotor assembly to lift the vehicle. The second actuator pivots the rotor assembly within the horizontal plane so that thrust generated by the rotor assembly lifts the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a harness connected to the frame and configured to secure an operator's torso to the multirotor vehicle.