Design and analysis of an aerodynamic structure for a ground and aerial vehicle

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel hybrid approach for ground and aerial locomotion. Conceptual designs have been created for ground and aerial platforms and analyzed them separately. 3D models are optimized considering the practicality and ease of manufacturing. Mecanum wheels have been integrated with the ground platform to enable multidirectional locomotion. Thrust vector system has been added to quad rotor aerial platform to increase the forward propulsion. Mathematical models are generated and simulated to visualize the motion virtually and to derive torque requirement to select suitable actuator components. FEA (Finite Element Analysis) analysis proved the proposed platform can withstand the predefined load conditions (10kg) with a good safety factor of 5.9. Combined platforms have been subjected to CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis and it has been proved that platform lift force is significantly increased (by 3.5N) compared to traditional quad rotor configuration due to the aerodynamic body.