Integral Wheel-Fan Prime Mover for Multimodal Locomotion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for reducing roadway congestion, such as increasing roadways, often lead to decreased traffic flow due to Braess's paradox, and existing flying car technologies are either cumbersome or inefficient for both ground and air propulsion.
Innovation Solution
A motive device integrating a prime mover with both ground and fan drivers, utilizing brushless DC electric motors and a wheel configuration with spokes and blades that can switch between ground and air propulsion modes, allowing for efficient land and air travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vehicles are removed from roadways to reduce congestion, then traffic flow improves, but alternative propulsion systems become complex and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The motive device integrates both ground driver (wheel) and fan driver capabilities into a single unified system, allowing the vehicle to operate in multiple modes (ground and air) without requiring separate propulsion systems for each mode, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling congestion relief through aerial travel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the ground driver and fan driver into an integrated motive device assembly where components are shared and coordinated, eliminating the need for completely separate propulsion systems and reducing the complexity burden that would otherwise result from having independent ground and air propulsion systems
2Device complexity
If a single motive device provides both ground and air propulsion, then system complexity reduces, but the device must accommodate multiple configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The motive device incorporates movable elements including the adjustable blade assembly and reconfigurable ground driver positioning, allowing the system to dynamically transition between ground and air configurations while maintaining a unified integrated structure, thus achieving both reduced complexity and required adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated motive device is divided into distinct functional modules (ground driver assembly, fan driver assembly, blade assembly) that can be independently controlled and positioned, enabling flexible reconfiguration between modes while maintaining overall system integration and avoiding excessive complexity
3Use of energy by moving object
If brushless DC electric motors are used for efficient energy conversion, then energy efficiency improves, but manufacturing and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical drive systems with brushless DC electric motors that convert electrical energy directly to mechanical rotation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmissions, belts, and gear systems, thereby achieving high energy efficiency while actually reducing overall system complexity despite the sophistication of electric motor technology
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 efficient multimodal locomotion by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy for both land-based travel via a wheel and air-based travel via a fan configuration, reducing congestion by providing an alternative to traditional road-based vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The prime mover includes at least one electric motor, such as a brushless dc electric motor with an outrunner configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for a motive device that combines a prime mover integrated with one or more drivers for multimodal locomotion. The motive device has an axle configured to connect to a vehicle and has a ground configuration for land travel and a fan configuration for lift and flight. The motive device includes a prime mover integrated with a ground driver and a fan driver. The motive device includes a multitude of stator windings attached to the axle and a multitude of magnets attached to rotors. The ground driver includes a wheel with the spokes extending from at least one rotor. The wheel rotates for land-based locomotion when in the ground configuration. The fan driver includes blades extending from another rotor. The blades rotate for lift and flight when in the fan configuration.