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Toyota believes flying has always been a dream central to the history of humanity and the Kentucky-based car manufacturer may be getting closer to making it a reality.
The firm has recently been awarded a patent for an 'aerocar' that easily transitions from a land automobile into a flying machine.
Designed with a shape-shifting skin, this futuristic vehicle has wings hidden under the body that pop out from a hatch and a fully loaded propulsion system for when the driver is ready to take to the sky.
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Toyota has been awarded a patent for an 'aerocar' that easily transitions from a land automobile into a flying machine. Designed with a shape-shifting skin, this futuristic vehicle has wings hidden under the body that pop out from a hatch and a fully loaded propulsion system for when the driver is read y to take to the sky
WHAT DOES THE PATENT REVEAL?The main body of the car is described as being constructed with a tensile skin that stretches 'around and/or between flexible frame members'.
When the driver is ready to head for the sky, 'the wings can be extended generally perpendicularly from the sides of the shape morphing fuselage through a hatch,' explains the patent.
The vehicle would be driven using a power system that includes a battery pack, internal combustion engine turbine, fuel cell or other energy conversion device.
In addition to powering the aero car, the power system could also fuel a propulsion system in flight mode.
This system would include a propeller on the rear bumper as illustrated in the patent, an open rotor, a propeller rotor, a turbofan or other thrust generation system configuration for flight-based propulsion.
Its wings are designed to unfurl in a similar way to the wing's of birds.
An aerocar, a roadable aircraft, can be driven on the road in land mode and then morph into a flying vehicle for take-off – then land as an aircraft in a flight mode.
Toyota explains these machines, like the one described in the patent, open up a whole new and exciting industry of private travel.
Called 'Shape morphine fuselage for an aerocar', the flying car patent was filed by the car manufacture in 2014.
However, the firm also notes that a vehicle designed with this futuristic technology 'can require physical trade-offs in design in order to facilitate operations in both the land mod e and the flight mode,' reads the patent published by the US Patent and Trademark Office.
This innovative aerocar isn't designed with the passenger's comfort in mind, but is shaped to optimize aerodynamic lift, limit drag and support flight stability.
The fuselage, or main body of the car, is described as being constructed with a tensile skin that stretches 'around and/or between flexible frame members'.
A concept such as this allows the wings to be stored within the interior while the car is on land –a proposal not seen in most flying car designs.
Car makers, such as Terrafugia, who have showcased their take on a flying car usually place the wings at the side or on top of the vehicle – both techniques leave the wings exposed.
But Toyota's design may be the best way to protect them from being damaged while the driver is on the road.
The fuselage, or main body of the car, is described as being constructed with a tensile skin that stretches 'around and/or between flexible frame members'.Toyota's design may be the best way to protect them from being damaged while the driver is on the road
The tensile skin could be constructed with an elastic or stretchy membrane material, like silicone, or a shape-memory material capable of expanding and contracting in order to smoothly wrap around the car's frame.
When the driver is ready to head for the sky, 'the wings can be extend ed generally perpendicularly from the sides of the shape morphing fuselage through a hatch,' explains the patent.
The vehicle would be driven using a power system that includes a battery pack, internal combustion engine turbine, fuel cell or other energy conversion device.
A concept such as this allows the wings to be stored within the interior while the car is on land –a proposal not seen in most flying car designs. The vehicle would be driven using a power system that includes a battery pack, internal combustion engine turbine, fuel cell or other energy conversion device
When the driver is ready to head for the sky, 'the wings can be extended generally perpendicularly from the sides of the shape morphing fuselage through a hatch,' explains the patent. In addition to powering the aero car, the power system could also fuel a propulsion system in flight mode
In addition to powering the aero car, the power system could also fuel a propulsion system in flight mode.
This system would include, for example, a propeller on the rear bumper as illustrated in the patent, an open rotor, a propeller rotor, a turbofan or other thrust generation system configuration for flight-based propulsion.
This shape-shifting design isn't the first flying car proposal from the Kentucky car maker.
CALIFORNIA TO GET 219 MILE CIRCUIT FOR FLYING CARS TO COMPETEJust days after the US federal government took a major step toward legalizing the versatile craft, inventor Dezso Molnar has announced the start of a revolutionary racing series.
The inaugural flying car race is set t o take place next year, and so far, 22 teams have been invited.
Revealed in a series of interviews with Gizmag, the proposed races are an attempt to boost the development of this technology, using competition to bring innovators together.
The proposed races are an attempt to boost the development of this technology, using competition to bring innovators together. Pictured above is the Maverick, one of the craft invited to participate in Flying Car Racing
The Flying Car Racing series will be divided among three categories of vehicles: radio controlled, electric, and unlimited flying cars.
Radio controlled vehicles are unmanned and guided by a human operator, while the others are both manned.
In the course, the vehicles must fly and drive 219 miles from California's El Mirage Lake, a dry lakebed, to the planned El Dorado Droneport in Nevada, near Boulder City.
Once released from the hatch, the wings would unfold into flat structures that optimize aerodynamic lift, limit drag and support flight stability. This shape-shifting design isn't the first flying car proposal from the Kentucky car maker
Just last year, Toyota was awarded another patent for a vehicle that placed the wings under a compartment in the roof that would deploy at the touch of a button.
Illustrations reveal the rotating wings being stacked in a row of four and each can be deployed individually so the car resembles the kind of multiplanes seen in the early days of aviation.
The patent called 'Stackable wing for an aerocar' was filed in March 2015 and awarded in September 2015.
When deployed, one wing rises from th e roof and rotates into position, a second can then be deployed, followed by a third and fourth.
THE FLYING CAR THAT COULD COME TO A ROAD (AND SKY) NEAR YOUThe AeroMobil can fly 430 miles on a tank of petrol - and when its wings fold down, it'll fit into a normal parking space. Aeromobil is a 'flying car' that perfectly makes use of existing infrastructure created for automobiles and planes, and opens doors to real door-to-door travel,' the firm says.
When in its car configuration, it can fit into a standard parking space, and it also takes normal fuel pumped at every service station.
The latest version is the third generation of the craft.
Tatiana Veber, an AeroMobil spokesman said: 'We have been developing the concept of a flying car since 1990.
'Our first model looked quite bizarre and it would have problems in the regular use.
'That was a signal to improve the concept of the flying car in a way to become an integral part of the regular road traffic.
'We got a positive feedback from several experts in avionics, which appreciated design and the technical solution of the process of transformation.
'The car is constructed to be fueled at regular gas stations using the fuel for Rotax 912 ULS engine.'
AeroMobil says its third prototype is ready to be shown to the world this October 29th at the Pioneers Festival in Austria.
However, design is still not perfect- the wings fold into the back seat behind the driver when in car mode.
The firm has also released a vid eo of it in action, driving through city streets then taking to the air.
'Aeromobil 3 is stylish, comfortable for both the driver and passenger, and exceptionally combines the performance of a sports car with qualities of an 'ultralight',' it says.
Or as Toyota described: 'The present disclosure pertains to a vehicle that can be flown as a fixed wing aircraft and driven as a land vehicle.
Other details are vague and Toyota doesn't explain how the car would get the propulsion needed to take off.
Although Toyota's patent could change the way humans travel, one firm is way ahead in this race.
Last summer, Terrafugia - one of the firm's leading the flying car movement - unveiled new designs for its revolutionary vehicle known as the TF-X.
Toyota was awarded another patent for a vehicle that placed the wings under the roof that would deploy at the touch of a button. Illustrations reveal the rotating wings being stacked in a row of four and each can be deployed individually so the car resembles the kind of multiplanes seen in the early days of aviation
And this week the FAA has finally given the go ahead for one of the most famous flying car makers to certify its vehicles.
Terrafugia had asked the FAA for a waiver of weight and stall-speed limits so it can self-certify its Transition flying car as a light sport aircraft (LSA).
The resulting decision paves the way for flying cars to finally be certified.
The Massachusetts-based startup applied for the waiver in 2014 when it became clear that meeting highway-safety requirements would drive the gross weight of its roadable aircraft above the 1,320-lb. limit for LSAs, and push stall speed above the 45-kt. maximum, according to Aviation Week.
It applied for a waiver to allow an 1,800-lb. gross weight and 54-kt. stall speed on the basis that automotive occupant-protection features, including a safety cage and energy-absorbing crumple zones, would increase safety over that available in general-aviation aircraft.
TERRAFUGIA'S TF-X: KEY SPECIFICATIONSThe vehicle will have a cruising speed of 200 mph (322 km/h), along with a 500-mile (805 km) flight range. TF-X will have fold-out wings with twin electric motors attached to each end.
The TF-X concept car (illustrated) has fold-out wings with twin electric motors attached to each end. These motors allow the TF-X to move from a vertical to a horizontal position, and will be powered by a 300hp engine
These motors allow the TF-X to move from a vertical to a horizontal position, and will be powered by a 300 hp engine.
The planned four-person TF-X will be semi-autonmous and use computer-controlled so that passengers can simply type in a destination before taking off.
TF-X vehicles will be capable of automatically avoiding other air traffic, bad weather, and restricted and tower-controlled airspace. The vehicle will be able to recharge its batteries either from its engine or by plugging in to electric car charging stations.
A third-generation conforming prototype is under construction for testing in 2016–17, with deliveries planned to begin following completion of this testing. The US company behind the concept vehicle TF-X is hoping a prototype will be ready to fly in just two years - and it will go on general sale within eight
Terrafugia began development of the Transition in 2006, flying a proof-of-concept aircraft in 2009 and a second-generation prototype in 2012.
A third-generation conforming prototype is under construction for testing in 2016–17, with deliveries planned to begin following completion of this testing. The US company behind the concept vehicle TF-X is hoping a prototype will be ready to fly in just two years - and it will go on general sale within eight.
According to Massachusetts-based Terrafugia, a full-size unmanned prototype is expected to be ready by 2018.
Source: Is this the future design for flying cars? Toyota patents vehicles with shape-shifting skin and 'stackable wings'
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