Releases Details Of 'Dual Mode Vehicle With Wheel Rotors'

Toyota has received a patent for its "Dual Mode Vehicle With Wheel Rotors" fling car concept, and released details to the public.

The website transportup.com reports that the design incorporates the machine's rotors into the wheels. When operating in driving mode, the rotors fold into the interior of the wheel rim.

For flight, the rotors extend on arms above the aircraft.

According to the patent, the four wheels of the vehicle operate in the traditional manner. Each wheel also includes at least one rotor housed fully within the rim of the wheel beneath a wheel cover in land mode.

To transition to flight mode, the wheel arms lower the body of the of the vehicle to the ground surface by pivoting about the central pivots. Once the vehicle is positioned on the ground, the wheel arms and central pivot rotate around a longitudinal axis of the vehicle to raise the wheels off the ground. Then the rotors extend beyond the rim of the wheels to a position configuration that allows them to generate lift.

The wheels do not have axles, so they move only forward and backward. Driving on the ground is similar to a tracked vehicle, steering by changing the speed at which the tires rotate.

Transportup.com reports that it is unlikely that the vehicle will ever be available for purchase, but shows innovation on the part of Toyota moving it to the "forefront of VTOL development."

(Images from patent document)

FMI: Source report (includes link to full patent)