EP4061708A1

EP4061708A1 - Conveying means for a flight operation, and method for conveying a load

Info

Publication number: EP4061708A1
Application number: EP20811319.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Timo SCHNOELZER
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-11-22
Filing date: 2020-11-20
Publication date: 2022-09-28
Also published as: WO2021099596A1; DE102019131673A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveying means (1) for conveying a load, in particular in the form of a person and/or cargo, having a housing unit (10), by means of which a load area (11) is formed for accommodating the load, and a drive device (20) for moving the conveying means (1), comprising at least one first rotor unit (21) which can be driven for a flight operation (110) of the conveying means (1). The invention additionally relates to a method (100) for conveying a load.

Description

Means of transport for a flight operation and procedures for

Moving a load

The invention relates to a means of conveyance for conveying a load, in particular in the form of a person and / or freight, and a method for conveying a load.

It is known that as cities grow and as individuals desire for mobility, they exist

Transport concepts can reach their limits. For this reason, new mobility concepts are being developed, which also include means of transport for people or freight that move on the fly and at the same time are suitable for individual transport. Such means of transport are often used as well referred to as air taxis, as these are supposed to take over the function of vehicles or taxis in the air. In known means of transport of this type, it is often disadvantageous that these air taxis either require a runway so that they can only take off from special airports and thus hardly represent an advantage over conventional aircraft. In addition, such aircraft usually require a lot of space on the ground, since their wings and / or rotors usually take up more space than, for example, the chassis of a motor vehicle, which further limits the suitability for mass use, since a correspondingly large parking area is required.

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially remedy the above disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to reduce the space requirement of a means of transport outside of a flight operation and / or to enlarge an area of use of the means of transport. It is preferable to improve the transportation of a load between cities.

The above object is achieved by a means of transport with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of claim 24. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the respective subclaims, the description and the drawings. Features and details that are described in connection with the means of transport according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the method according to the invention and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is or can always be made to each other.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a means of transport is provided for transporting a load, in particular in the form of a person and / or freight. The means of transport has a housing unit through which a load space for accommodating the load is formed. Furthermore, the means of transport comprises a drive device for moving the means of transport with at least one first rotor unit which can be driven for flight operation of the means of transport. The first rotor unit comprises a plurality of rotor elements which are rotatable about a first rotor axis in order to generate a thrust for the means of transport, ie in particular to generate the thrust for moving and / or controlling the means of transport. Furthermore is it is provided that the housing unit has a receiving structure for at least partially receiving the rotor elements. The rotor elements can be moved from an operating position in which the rotor elements are located outside the receiving structure and can be rotated around the first rotor axis to generate the thrust, into a rest position in which the rotor elements are at least partially received in the receiving structure.

The means of transport can preferably also be referred to as an aircraft or an air taxi. It is also conceivable that several people can be transported by the means of transport. Furthermore, it can be provided that the means of transport is designed for automated, in particular unmanned, flight operations. It is also conceivable that the means of transport can be designed for use in agriculture.

The housing unit can preferably comprise a body and / or a chassis of the means of transport. In particular, the housing unit can comprise a metal, preferably a light metal such as aluminum, and / or carbon. The load space can be, for example, a passenger cell for accommodating passengers. Additionally or alternatively, the load space can comprise a cargo space in which items of luggage and / or other conveyed goods can be received during the conveyance by the means of conveyance. The drive device for moving the means of transport can preferably comprise a motor by which the first rotor unit can be driven. The drive device can be at least partially controllable by a user and / or designed for at least partially or completely automated operation of the means of transport. For use in agriculture, the housing unit can be designed, for example, to receive and / or spray seeds and / or a plant protection agent. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the housing unit has a lighting means for illuminating an agricultural area, for example with UVC radiation.

The first rotor unit can in particular be a primary drive for moving the means of transport during flight operations and / or a secondary drive for supporting a primary drive and / or for controlling the means of transport during flight operations. The first rotor unit can advantageously have a tangential rotor. As a result, the first rotor unit can be designed to be compact. The drive device preferably has several, in particular similar, rotor units. The rotor elements of the first rotor unit can be rotor blades, for example. The first rotor unit can thus be configured in the manner of a propeller and / or a cyclorotor. In particular, the first rotor unit can have three or more rotor elements in order to generate the thrust. However, it is also conceivable that the first rotor unit has only two rotor elements for generating the thrust. To generate the thrust by which the means of transport can be moved, a partial thrust can be generated by the first rotor unit, with further rotor units preferably being able to be provided in order to generate the entire thrust for moving the means of transport. A direction of movement of the means of transport can preferably be predetermined by the partial thrust and / or the entire thrust. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the means of transport can be controlled by the thrust that can be generated by the first rotor unit. In particular if the drive device has a plurality of rotor units, a thrust of the rotor units can be used to rotate the means of transport about a central axis of rotation of the means of transport when the means of transport is in a floating state. In particular, the thrust can exert an acceleration force on the means of transport. The thrust can in particular also be understood to mean a thrust force, drive force and / or control force.

The rotor elements can preferably each have a length of 500 mm to 1500 mm, preferably 1000 mm, and / or a width of 150 mm to 500 mm, preferably 350 mm. It is also conceivable that two rotor elements are rigidly connected to one another in order to form a rotor pair. Furthermore, the rotor elements of the first rotor unit can be connected to one another via a stabilizing element and / or a rotor housing. Preferably, each of the rotor elements of the rotor unit is rotatably mounted on the stabilizing element. To steer the means of transport, the first rotor unit can be pivotably mounted on the housing unit. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the means of transport comprises rudder elements, by means of which a steering can be influenced by influencing a fluid flow, in particular in the form of an air flow and / or a water flow.

The receiving structure is in particular integrated into the housing unit. The receiving structure is designed to at least partially, preferably completely, to receive the rotor elements. The inclusion of the rotor elements in the accommodation structure can be understood to mean that the rotor elements are at least partially in the housing unit are hidden, so that an extension of the means of transport in the area of the rotor elements is reduced. Preferably, by accommodating the rotor elements in the receiving structure, a transverse extension of the means of transport, perpendicular to a direction of movement of the means of transport, can be reduced. For this purpose, the rotor elements can, for example, be telescopic and / or slidable into the receiving structure. For example, it is conceivable that the rotor elements can be manually adjusted to the rest position in the operating position. In particular, a rotation of the rotor elements for generating the thrust is possible in the operating position and impossible in the rest position. It can be provided that the rotor elements for rotational mounting in the operating position extend at least partially into the housing unit. In this case, when the rotor elements are moved into the rest position, the rotor elements can be moved further into the receiving structure, for example. Preferably, flight operation of the means of transport can only be made possible in the operating position of the rotor elements. The rotor elements are preferably fixed in the rest position, so that rotation of the rotor elements about the first rotor axis is prevented electronically and / or mechanically.

Thus, the mobility of the rotor elements and the receiving structure creates the possibility of reducing the space requirement of the means of transport so that it can be parked or moved further, especially on the ground, with little space requirement. Furthermore, the rotor elements in the receiving structure are protected in that they can be arranged, for example, protected by the receiving structure. If the means of transport is moved on the ground outside of flight operations, for example, the risk of damage to the rotor elements by the receiving structure is reduced. Thus, the means of transport is particularly suitable for individual transport in which many means of transport are required in a confined space in order to transport a large number of people with individual means of transport to individual destinations. The means of transport also offers these advantages in freight transport.

It is also conceivable in a means of transport according to the invention that the drive device has a wheel arrangement with several, ie in particular two or more, wheels that can be driven for a ferry operation of the means of transport, in particular with at least one wheel axle of one of the wheels being coaxial and / or parallel to the first Rotor axis can be aligned. Preferably, the wheel assembly can comprise two or more wheels. The wheel arrangement particularly preferably comprises four wheels, in particular whereby the ferry operation of the means of transport can be similar to the ferry operation of the motor vehicle. Due to the coaxial arrangement of the wheels and the rotor elements, a housing structure of the housing unit can be simplified in that the thrust in ferry operation and in flight operation is transmitted to the rest of the structure of the means of transport via the same load application areas. The wheels can preferably include low-profile tires in order to allow a small installation space. In particular, the wheels can have a diameter of 1000 to 2000 mm, preferably 1500 to 1800 mm, particularly preferably 1600 mm. The first rotor unit can in particular have a diameter of 800 to 1800 mm, preferably 1000 to 1500 mm, particularly preferably 1300 mm, based on the first rotor axis. Due to the parallel alignment of the wheel axis and the first rotor axis, the drive device can, for example, include damping of the wheels. The attenuation can also have a positive effect when the vehicle lands to switch from flight operations to ferry operations. For this purpose, the wheel axle can preferably be arranged below the first rotor axle in relation to a ground during ferry operation. The wheel axis and the first rotor axis can be permanently aligned coaxially and / or parallel to one another or can be aligned coaxially and / or parallel via a controller. As a result of the ferry operation via the wheel arrangement, the means of transport can be operated in two different operating modes depending on the surroundings of the means of transport. For example, it is conceivable that long distances between two cities are covered in flight operations, while inner-city distances are covered in ferry operations, in particular to protect residents.

It is also conceivable in a means of transport according to the invention that the wheels of the wheel arrangement are mechanically decoupled or decoupled from the first rotor unit, in particular allowing the first rotor unit to pivot and / or the rotor elements to rotate about the first rotor axis independently of the wheels. The pivoting is also conceivable the other way round, in particular so that the wheels can be pivoted independently of the first rotor unit and / or the rotation of the rotor elements. For mechanical decoupling, the wheels of the wheel arrangement can, for example, have a separate drive unit which is designed independently or essentially independently of a drive unit of the first rotor unit. In particular, at least one of the wheels can be freely supported relative to the first rotor unit in order to effect the decoupling. For this purpose, the first rotor unit can be surrounded, for example, by a roller bearing that guides the wheel. This allows the first rotor unit at the same time serve as axle journals for one of the wheels. A magnetic field drive can preferably be provided to drive the wheels. A magnetic field drive can, for example, enable the wheels to be operated mechanically independently of the first rotor unit. It is therefore not necessary for the means of transport to travel a distance while driving. In particular, it can be provided that the wheels of the wheel arrangement are mechanically decoupled from the first rotor unit in the operating position and / or in the rest position of the first rotor unit.

Furthermore, with a means of transport according to the invention, it is conceivable that the ferry operation is prevented mechanically and / or electronically when the rotor elements are in the operating position. This can ensure that the means of transport does not roll when the rotor elements are in the operating position and are thus extended. At the same time, it can be prevented that a user of the means of transport forgets to move the rotor elements into the rest position if he wants to use the means of transport in ferry operation. As a result, the safety of the means of transport can be improved overall and it can be ensured that the means of transport is operated, for example, only in a narrow version in the ferry service. Alternatively, it can be provided that the rotor elements are in the operating position during ferry operation and can be aligned in such a way that the road grip of the means of transport can be influenced. In particular, the rotor elements can thus act as an aerodynamic component during ferry operation.

It is also conceivable in a means of transport according to the invention that the drive device for driving the first rotor unit and / or the wheel arrangement has a, preferably electrical, drive unit, in particular wherein the drive device has a fuel cell system for operating the drive unit. The drive unit can preferably be an electric motor. In particular, the drive unit can have a plurality of electric motors in order to drive the wheel arrangement and / or the first rotor unit. For example, a separate motor can be provided for each wheel of the wheel arrangement. The fuel cell system can provide a high storable and / or retrievable energy density, which can increase the range of the means of transport. In particular, long-distance operation of the means of transport can be made possible by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system can in particular provide electrical energy for operating the drive unit. Additionally or alternatively, the means of transport can have a battery arrangement. Furthermore, it is additionally or alternatively conceivable that the means of transport has an internal combustion engine in order to operate the first rotor unit and / or the drive device.

Furthermore, in a means of transport according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that the drive device has at least one further rotor unit, preferably several rotor units, with several rotor elements that are used to generate thrust for the means of transport, ie in particular to generate the thrust for moving and / or controlling the means of transport , can be rotated around a further rotor axis. A rotor unit can preferably be assigned to each wheel of the wheel arrangement. Furthermore, the rotor units can jointly form a primary drive and / or a secondary drive for the flight operation of the means of transport. The further rotor axis can preferably be arranged coaxially or parallel to the first rotor axis. The thrust can in particular be generated jointly by the first rotor unit and the further rotor units. As a result, for example, depending on the control of the rotor units, a pushing direction of the means of transport can be changed. In addition, the flight operation of the means of transport can be stabilized by the further and / or more rotor units. Thus, for example, stable flight operations can be made possible by a symmetrical arrangement of several rotor units on the means of transport. Furthermore, the further rotor unit can improve the safety of the means of transport in the event of failure of the first rotor unit. Furthermore, the further rotor unit can be used to distribute the thrust to the rotor units, so that each rotor unit can be designed to be smaller and / or with a lower output. Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the rotor elements of each of the rotor units can be moved between an operating position and a rest position.

Furthermore, in the case of a means of transport according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that the first rotor unit has a cyclorotor. The first rotor unit can preferably be a cyclorotor. For example, the cyclorotor can be a so-called Voith-Schneider rotor and / or a Kirsten-Boeing propeller. As a result, the thrust can be adjusted in magnitude and direction by controlling the rotor elements around the respective secondary axis without changing the speed. This results in a high maneuverability of the means of transport, so that it can also be used in densely populated areas, for example can be used. At the same time, the means of transport can thereby advantageously be suitable for use in individual transport. The further rotor units can preferably also have a cyclorotor and / or be constructed identically to the first rotor unit.

Furthermore, in the case of a means of transport according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that the first rotor unit has a cross-flow rotor. The cross-flow rotor can in particular also be referred to as a cross-flow rotor or cross-flow fan (CFF). As a result, the first rotor unit can have a high power density and / or a low weight with a compact design. For example, the rotor unit can thus generate high pressure differences for the thrust. The cross-flow rotor comprises, in particular, a roller-shaped impeller which has the rotor elements. The rotor elements can be formed by forward curved blades. As a result, the first rotor unit can also be designed to be robust. The further rotor units can preferably also have a cross-flow rotor and / or be constructed identically to the first rotor unit.

In a means of transport according to the invention, it can preferably be provided that the first rotor unit has a rotor housing which is designed like a wing, in particular the rotor elements within the rotor housing in a flow channel for a fluid, in particular in the form of air and / or water, to flow through are arranged by the rotation of the rotor elements. The rotor housing can be moved along with the rotor elements in particular when the rotor elements are moved from the operating position into the rest position and / or vice versa. Preferably, the rotor elements can be attached to the rotor housing for movement between the operating position and the rest position. The rotor housing can in particular prevent or reduce a risk of bird strikes for the first rotor unit. For example, the rotor housing can have a grid which surrounds the rotor elements. The wing-like design can be understood to mean that the rotor housing has a wing-like and / or wing-like cross section. As a result, a fluid flow can be guided by means of the rotor housing. It can be provided that the rotor housing is supported by a rotor joint for rotating the rotor housing about the first rotor axis and / or an axis parallel to the first rotor axis, preferably on the housing unit. As a result, the rotor housing can be adjusted relative to the fluid flow in order to change an inflow surface, in particular so that a direction of the thrust can be influenced. Furthermore, the rotor housing can advantageously have a control flap through which the flow of a fluid, in particular in the form of air and / or water, of the flow channel can be influenced, preferably a thrust vector control can be carried out. In particular, an outlet of the flow channel can be changed by the control flap. For example, the control flap can be mounted in an articulated manner so that the flow through the flow channel can be changed by pivoting the control flap. Preferably, each of the rotor units can have a rotor housing which is designed like a wing.

It is also conceivable in a means of transport according to the invention that the drive device has at least one central rotor unit for generating thrust for the means of transport, which is arranged in the housing unit, in particular wherein a maximum performance of the central rotor unit is greater than a maximum performance of the first rotor unit. For example, a G-force of less than 1G, preferably of approximately 0.4G, can be generated by the rotor units. The thrust that can be generated by the central rotor unit can act together with the thrust of the first rotor unit or independently of the first rotor unit. The central rotor unit can be a main drive for generating a levitation state and / or an advance of the means of transport. The central rotor unit can thus be dimensioned larger than the first rotor unit. In particular, the first and / or the further rotor units can be designed to control the means of transport. For example, a thrust of the rotor units can be varied from side to side in order to steer the means of transport during flight operations. The central rotor unit preferably has a cross-flow rotor. The central rotor unit can for example be arranged behind a headrest and / or behind the load space. Advantageously, at least one further central rotor unit and / or several further central rotor units can be provided, which is preferably arranged in the housing unit. For example, a central rotor unit can be arranged in a spot area of the means of transport and a further central rotor unit in a front region of the means of transport. This makes it possible to achieve an advantageous position of the means of transport in the air and / or in the water.

Furthermore, it is conceivable in a means of transport according to the invention that the housing unit has a wing-like cross section, in particular wherein the central rotor unit is arranged in a central flow channel of the housing unit. The means of transport can preferably be designed as a flying wing. In particular, advantageous aerodynamics and / or hydrodynamics of the means of transport can thereby be made possible. In particular, the fluid flow through the housing unit can be guided to support a buoyancy of the means of transport. By arranging the central rotor unit in the central flow channel, advantageous pressure conditions can be generated by the central rotor unit in order to support the movement of the means of transport, in particular in flight operations. It is also conceivable that part of the housing unit is designed as a control flap in order to influence the fluid flow in the central flow channel. In particular, a thrust vector control can be made possible by the control flap.

In a means of transport according to the invention, it can preferably be provided that the receiving structure for each of the rotor elements of the first rotor unit has a cavity and / or that the receiving structure for receiving the rotor housing has a cavity, in particular at least one of the cavities for receiving at least or precisely one rotor element and / or a rotor housing of the further rotor unit is formed. Preferably, one of the cavities or all of the cavities can accommodate two opposing rotor elements and / or rotor housings. For example, the rotor elements and / or the rotor housings can be arranged in abutment against one another in the cavity or at least partially overlapping. Thus, even with several rotor units, a small number of cavities can be sufficient to accommodate the rotor elements and / or the rotor housing. If two rotor elements are arranged in an overlapping manner in a cavity, a width of the cavity can also be reduced. The shape of the cavities can preferably correspond to a shape of the rotor elements and / or the rotor housing. It is conceivable that the receiving structure forms a guide means for guiding the rotor elements and / or the rotor housing when moving between the operating position and the rest position. In particular, the cavity can enable the rotor elements to be accommodated in a form-fitting manner, as a result of which the rotor elements can be secured, for example during the ferry operation of the means of transport.

It is also conceivable in a means of transport according to the invention that the housing unit has a first and a second housing side, the receiving structure for stiffening the housing unit extending between the first and the second housing side. The receiving structure can in particular be part of the supporting structure of the Be housing unit. For example, the receiving structure can comprise one or more transverse struts of the means of transport, which extend from the first to the second housing side. As a result, stabilization of the means of transport during driving and / or flight operations can be made possible by the receiving structure. At the same time, a cavity can be provided within the receiving structure, in which the rotor elements can be received. This results in a double use of the receiving structure, which includes the stabilization of the means of transport. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the receiving structure extends at least partially into the load space and / or through the load space. As a result, the receiving structure can in particular form part of a seat. For example, a surface for forming a cavity for receiving the rotor elements can be used to form a seat surface. It is also conceivable that the receiving structure is designed to influence at least one flight characteristic of the means of transport. For this purpose, the receiving structure can form a flow surface through which an air flow can be guided during flight operation of the means of transport. For this purpose, the rotor elements can be aligned at least temporarily or permanently in such a way that the rotor elements cause the means of transport to lift. For example, the rotor elements can be positioned like a canard wing. In particular, it is conceivable that the receiving structure is designed to be movable in order to change a flight and / or driving characteristic of the means of transport. For example, it is conceivable that the receiving structure at least partially forms a rudder for the flight operation of the means of transport.

Furthermore, in a means of transport according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that the first rotor unit is designed to vary a direction of the thrust by aligning the rotor elements, in particular whereby a vertical take-off of the means of transport is made possible. A vertical start of the means of transport can be understood, for example, as a start perpendicular or essentially perpendicular to a ground of the means of transport. In particular, due to the vertical take-off, it may not be necessary to roll the means of transport to start flight operations. The direction of the thrust can be influenced by the variation in the adjustment of the rotor elements. It is conceivable that an alignment of the rotor elements after a vertical take-off enables flight operation of the means of transport parallel to a ground, ie in particular parallel or essentially parallel to the ground, in that the first rotor unit changes the orientation of the rotor elements. Because of the vertical take-off, it is not necessary to provide a runway to switch from ferry operations to flight operations and / or vice versa.

Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided in a means of transport according to the invention that each of the rotor elements has a secondary axis about which the respective rotor element can be rotated in order to change an angle of incidence of the rotor elements with respect to a fluid flow depending on an angle of rotation of the rotor elements about the first rotor axis. In particular, the alignment of the rotor elements can be varied via the secondary axis. The alignment can be predetermined by the angle of incidence of the rotor elements in relation to the fluid flow, in particular the air flow. For example, it is conceivable that the rotor position is varied for a long-haul flight in order to keep a cruising speed constant at low acceleration and to save energy. This can extend the range of the means of transport. The rotation around the secondary axis can remain constant during flight operations or change within one revolution around the rotation axis. It can be provided that each rotor element has two rotor blades which are arranged parallel to one another and are firmly connected to one another, so that the two rotor blades form a pair of blades. The pair of wings can be mounted symmetrically about a single secondary axis. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the rotor elements of at least one, preferably two, front rotor units can be statically aligned in order to influence an air flow and / or water flow. Additional rotor units can generate the thrust.

Preferably, it can be provided in a means of transport according to the invention, through which rotor elements can be carried out in one, in particular full, revolution, ie in particular through 360 °, around the first rotor axis, half a secondary revolution, ie in particular a rotation through 180 ° around the secondary axis, and / or that the rotor elements of the first rotor unit, in particular during the revolution around the first rotor axis, can be rotated around the secondary axes in such a way that a resulting thrust force of the first rotor unit can be generated eccentrically to the first rotor axis. For example, it is conceivable that each of the rotor elements rotates half a revolution around the respective secondary axis during one revolution about the first rotor axis. Depending on the starting point of the rotation of the rotor elements about the secondary axes, the direction of the thrust can thus be changed by rotating the resulting thrust force about the first axis of rotation. It can thus be provided in particular that the rotor elements rotate through 180 ° around the Carry out the secondary axis while the rotor elements rotate through 360 ° around the first rotor axis. In particular, the first rotor unit can therefore be designed so that one full rotation of one of the rotor elements about the secondary axis takes place with two full rotations of one of the rotor elements about the first rotor axis.

Furthermore, it is conceivable in a means of transport according to the invention that the first rotor unit has a gear unit for synchronizing a rotation of the rotor elements about the secondary axes and / or the first rotor unit has a secondary drive for rotating the rotor elements about the secondary axes. The gear unit can enable an automatic mechanical coupling of the rotor elements of the first rotor unit and / or within each rotor unit. It can thereby be ensured that the rotor elements reliably execute the respectively desired rotation around the secondary axes without one of the rotor elements negatively influencing the thrust due to a lack of synchronization. The secondary drive can be used to control the rotor elements individually and / or jointly, for example via an electronic controller, in order to carry out a synchronization or, for example, individually to counteract a synchronization, for example in order to carry out a special flight maneuver or to compensate for an operating parameter. Furthermore, the setting of the thrust can thereby advantageously be made possible. In particular, the gear unit can be a planetary gear, preferably so that the gear unit can be driven centrally via a sun gear and / or a ring gear in order to synchronize the rotation of the rotor elements. Preferably, an axis of rotation of the ring gear and / or of the sun gear of the gear unit can be arranged coaxially to the first axis of rotation of the first rotor unit. In particular, each rotor unit of the means of transport can have a gear unit for synchronizing a rotation of the respective rotor elements about the secondary axes.

Furthermore, in the case of a means of transport according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that an axial distance between the secondary axes and the first axis of rotation can be varied. For example, the secondary axles can be connected to planetary gears, it being possible for the center distance to be changed via intermediate planets. The intermediate planets can be adjustable over the circumference of a sun gear and can thereby be positioned between the rotor elements and the sun gear. The planetary gear can be designed without a ring gear. Preferably, a maximum adjustable center distance can result from the radius of planets that are associated with the Rotor elements are coupled or connected, the diameter of the intermediate planets and the radius of the sun gear. However, several intermediate planets per rotor element are also conceivable in order to be able to increase the center distance even further. As a result, further flight parameters can be changed via settings in the first rotor unit and / or further rotor units.

Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided in a means of transport according to the invention that an adjustment drive is provided for moving the rotor elements between the operating position and the rest position. By means of the adjustment drive, the rotor elements can preferably be moved parallel to the first rotor axis. For example, the adjustment drive can comprise an electric motor, a hydraulic motor and / or a pneumatic drive, by means of which the rotor elements can be brought from the operating position into the rest position. As a result, an automated movement of the rotor elements can be provided so that an automated transition from flight operation to ferry operation and / or vice versa can be made possible. In particular, the adjustment drive can be designed to move the rotor elements from the operating position to the rest position and / or from the rest position to the operating position. The adjustment drive can preferably be in operative connection with the rotor housing in which the rotor elements are arranged in order to move the rotor elements with the rotor housing between the operating position and the rest position. It is conceivable that an adjustment drive is assigned to each of the rotor units or an adjustment drive is designed to move all of the rotor units.

In the case of a means of transport according to the invention, it can preferably be provided that a locking mechanism is provided for locking the rotor elements in the operating position and / or in the rest position. The locking mechanism can for example comprise a latching mechanism by which the rotor elements can be latched in the operating position and / or in the rest position. In addition, the locking mechanism can have a locking bolt, by means of which the rotor elements can be secured in the operating position and / or in the rest position. The locking mechanism can thus ensure that the rotor elements are completely in the operating position and / or in the rest position and thus the safety in the ferry operation and / or in the flight operation of the means of transport can be improved. In addition, a simple securing means can make the means of transport suitable for use by untrained or poorly trained people. Furthermore, it is conceivable in a means of transport according to the invention that the housing unit has a floating structure for water operation of the means of transport. Thus, the means of transport can also be designed as an amphibious vehicle. The floating structure can comprise, for example, a ship's hull, which improves the propulsion of the means of transport in the water. In water operation it can be provided that the rotor elements are in the operating position in order to enable propulsion in the water. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the rotor elements are in the rest position when the water is operating. For example, an additional water drive, for example in the form of a ship's propeller, can be provided. The floating structure of the housing unit preferably comprises a seal for the drive device and / or the load space. In particular, the means of transport can thus enable multimodal mobility.

In a means of transport according to the invention, it can preferably be provided that a control unit is provided for controlling the drive device, in particular wherein the control unit has a rotor module for controlling and / or synchronizing a rotation of the rotor elements about the secondary axes. The control unit can preferably comprise a computing unit, in particular in the form of a processor and / or a microprocessor. As a result, the drive device can be controlled electronically, as a result of which control signals from a user can be transmitted to the drive device and / or driving and / or flight assistance systems can support a user in operating the means of transport. In particular, the control unit can enable autonomous driving, flight and / or water operation of the means of transport. For example, a secondary drive of the rotor elements and / or a gear unit of the rotor units can be controlled by the rotor module. The rotor module can preferably provide that each of the rotor elements can be controlled via two parameters. In particular, the parameters can include a phase and / or a radius of the rotor element in relation to the axis of rotation of the respective rotor unit. The phase can in particular include a change in a force vector.

It is also conceivable in the case of a means of transport according to the invention that the control unit has an operating module for switching between the flight operation and the ferry operation and / or the water operation of the means of transport. Preferably the operating module can be designed to control the adjustment drive, whereby the rotor elements of the first rotor unit can be automatically adjusted between the operating position and the rest position. By means of the operating module, the means of transport can in particular be automatically adjusted to the conditions of the respective operating mode. For example, the operating module can be used to control an adjustment drive, by means of which the rotor elements can be adjusted from an operating position during the transition to ferry operation into a rest position. Thus, automation of the conveyance can be further improved.

Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided in a means of transport according to the invention that the control unit has a direction module for changing a thrust direction of the first and / or further rotor unit by changing a rotation of the rotor elements about the secondary axes. In particular, the rotor module can be controlled by the direction module in order to change the synchronization of the rotor elements. This allows electronic dosing of the thrust in relation to the direction and / or size of the thrust.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for transporting a load, in particular in the form of a person and / or freight, with a means of transport, in particular a means of transport according to the invention. The conveyance has a housing unit, through which a load space for accommodating the load is formed, and a drive device for moving the conveyance. The drive device comprises at least one first rotor unit which can be driven for flight operation of the means of transport, in particular by a drive unit of the drive device. The method further comprises the following steps: operating the means of transport in flight mode, a thrust being generated by rotating a plurality of rotor elements of the first rotor unit about a first rotor axis,

Moving the rotor elements from an operating position in which the rotor elements are located outside a receiving structure of the housing unit and can be rotated around the first rotor axis to generate the thrust, into a rest position in which the rotor elements are at least partially received in the receiving structure. Thus, a method according to the invention has the same advantages as have already been described in detail with reference to a means of transport according to the invention. The moving of the rotor elements from the operating position to the rest position can take place manually and / or automatically. For this purpose, a locking mechanism can be released to enable the rotor elements to be moved. In particular, the means of transport can be stopped before the rotor elements are moved from the operating position to the rest position, ie in particular landed on a ground and / or braked. The moving of the rotor elements from the operating position into the rest position can in particular take place by moving a rotor housing in which the rotor elements are arranged and / or fastened. Furthermore, the operation of the means of transport during flight operations can include generating thrust by a central rotor unit which is arranged in the housing unit. The thrust of the first rotor unit can be used, for example, to support the central rotor unit and / or to control the means of transport.

Furthermore, it is conceivable in a method according to the invention that the method comprises the following step:

Operating the means of transport in a ferry company, with several wheels one

Wheel assembly of the drive device are driven.

In this way, for example, larger distances can be covered in flight operations, while smaller distances are covered in ferry operations. In particular, it is possible to switch from flight operation to ferry operation and / or vice versa during operation of the means of transport in order to adapt the operating mode to the respective environment and / or situation.

Furthermore, it is conceivable in a method according to the invention that the rotor elements are rotated about their own secondary axis while rotating about the first rotor axis in order to change an angle of incidence of the rotor elements with respect to a fluid flow depending on an angle of rotation of the rotor elements about the first rotor axis. This allows the thrust to be changed in terms of its size and / or direction. In particular, the change can thereby take place continuously and / or by 360 degrees around the first axis of rotation. As a result, maneuverability of the transportation means can be improved. To change the direction of the thrust, for example, a sun gear of a gear unit can be rotatable about the first axis of rotation, in particular if the sun gear is designed to be rigid for a thrust in a constant direction. Furthermore, in a method according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that the movement of the rotor elements from the operating position into the rest position takes place automatically. This means that there is no need to manually adjust the rotor elements. For example, an adjustment drive that initiates the movement of the rotor elements can be controlled for the automatic movement of the rotor elements. The rotor elements are preferably guided in the process.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. They show schematically:

1 shows a means of transport according to the invention in a flight operation in a first embodiment,

2 shows the means of transport in a schematic plan view,

Figs. 3, 4 the means of transport in a front view with rotor elements in one

Operating position and in a rest position,

5 shows a rotation of a rotor element, about an axis of rotation and a

Secondary axis,

6 shows a gear unit for synchronizing several rotor elements,

7 shows a method according to the invention for transporting a load with the

Means of transport,

Figs. 8a-c different embodiments of a receiving structure of the

Means of transport,

9 shows a means of transport according to the invention in another

Embodiment, Figs. 10, 11 a means of transport according to the invention in a further embodiment,

FIG. 12 shows a means of transport according to the invention in a flight operation in a further exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 13 shows the means of transport in a schematic plan view, and FIG

FIG. 14 shows a first rotor unit of the means of transport in a cross-sectional view.

In the following description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention, identical reference symbols are used for the same technical features in different exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a means of transport 1 according to the invention for transporting a load, in particular in the form of a person and / or freight, in a first exemplary embodiment in a schematic representation during flight operation 110 of means of transport 1. The means of transport 1 flies above ground through a fluid flow 210 , in particular in the form of an air flow, wherein a thrust 200 for moving the means of transport within the fluid flow 210 can be generated by a drive device 20. For this purpose, the drive device 20 has a plurality of rotor units 21, i.e. in particular a first and further rotor units 21. The rotor units 21 each have a plurality of, in particular three, rotor elements 22 which can be rotated about rotor axes 21.1 of the rotor units 21 in order to generate the thrust 200. In particular, the rotor units 21 each have a stabilizing element 28 on which the rotor elements 22 are rotatably mounted and connected to one another. Furthermore, the means of transport 1 has a housing unit 10 which comprises a load space 11. One or more people and / or freight can be transported in the load space 11. In particular, the load space 11 can be a passenger cell and / or a cargo space.

As shown in FIG. 2, the means of transport 1 has a total of four rotor units 21, each of which can be rotated about a rotor axis 21.1. In addition, the means of transport 1 has a wheel arrangement 23 with several, preferably four, wheels 24 on. Each of the wheels 24 can be rotated about a respective wheel axle 24.1 in order to enable a ferry operation 111 of the means of transport 1. The wheel axles 24.1 are arranged coaxially and / or parallel to the rotor axles 21.1, which results in a compact design of the rotor units 21 and the wheels 24. In addition, the drive device 20 has drive units 25 in order to drive the rotor units 21 and / or the wheels 24. The rotor units 21 and the wheels 24 can be operated at least partially by the same drive units 25. However, it is also conceivable that each of the wheels 24 and / or each of the rotor units 21 has its own drive unit 25. The wheels 24 can preferably be mechanically decoupled from the rotor units 21 or can be decoupled in order to enable the wheels 24 to rotate independently of the rotor units 21. To operate the drive units 25, a fuel cell system 26 is also provided, by means of which electrical energy can be provided for the drive units 25. This results in an environmentally friendly drive with a long range. A control unit 30 can also be provided for automating the means of transport 1. In addition, a receiving structure 14 is provided which is integrated into the housing unit 10 and extends from a first housing side 10.1 to a second housing side 10.2 of the housing unit 10. The transverse extension of the receiving unit 14 can provide mechanical stabilization of the housing unit 10 and in particular of the means of transport 1 as a whole.

The functioning of the receiving structure 14 with the rotor units 21 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Reference is also made to FIG. 7, which shows a method 100 according to the invention for operating the means of transport 1 in a schematic representation. FIG. 3 shows the rotor elements 22 of the rotor units 21 in an operating position I in which the rotor elements 22 are located outside the receiving structure 14 and can each be rotated about a rotation axis 21.1 of the respective rotor unit 21 to generate the thrust 200. This enables the means of transport 1 to be operated 101 in flight operations 110, it being possible for the means of transport 1 to be buoyant, for example. FIG. 4 shows the rotor elements 22 in a rest position II, in which the rotor elements 22 are at least partially, preferably completely, received in the receiving structure 14. As a result, the transverse extent of the means of transport 1 is reduced overall, as a result of which the means of transport 1 is particularly suitable for road use. Moving 102 the rotor elements 22 from the operating position I to the rest position II can be done by a Adjustment drive 15 are carried out, by means of which the rotor elements 22 can be automatically adjusted between the operating position I and the rest position II. However, it is also conceivable that the rotor elements 22 are designed to be manually adjustable between the operating position I and the rest position II. The receiving structure 14 can preferably have a plurality of cavities 14. 1 in order to receive the rotor elements 22. For example, each rotor element 22 can be assigned to a rotor unit 21 of a cavity 14.1. It is also conceivable that two rotor elements 22 of two opposing rotor units 21 can be accommodated in a cavity 14.1.

For this purpose, FIGS. 8a and 8b show two different embodiments of cavities 14.1 of the receiving structure 14. According to FIG. 8a, two rotor elements 22 of opposite rotor units 21 are concealed at least partially overlapping in a single cavity in the rest position II. According to FIG. 8b, however, it is also conceivable that the rotor elements 22 are arranged opposite one another, preferably in abutment, and in particular are located on the same axis. In both embodiments of FIGS. 8a and 8b, it is sufficient if one cavity 14.1 is provided for two opposite rotor elements 22. The embodiment according to FIG. 8a has the advantage that it has a smaller transverse extent. FIG. 8b has the advantage that both rotor elements 22 can be guided through the cavity 14.1, in particular in a form-fitting manner, in order to improve their security within the receiving structure 14, and / or that the cavity 14.1 can be made narrower. FIG. 8c also shows an embodiment of a cross section of the receiving structure 14, in which a rotor element 22 is received in a form-fitting manner in a cavity 14.1 of the receiving structure 14. Furthermore, the cavity 14.1 is designed to influence a fluid flow, in particular an air flow, 210 through an outer shape of the cavity 14.1 and / or through an alignment of the cavity 14.1 with the fluid flow 210.

To lock the rotor elements 22 in the rest position II and / or in the operating position I, a locking mechanism 16 can be provided, by means of which the rotor elements 22 can be fixed in the operating position I and / or the rest position II. The means of transport 1 is preferably operated 103 in the ferry operation 11 only when the rotor elements 22 are in the rest position II, particularly preferably only when the rotor elements 22 are fixed in the rest position II. Furthermore, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a floating structure 17 of the housing unit 10, through which the means of transport 1 may be suitable for water operation. For example, the floating structure 17 can comprise a hydrodynamic shape and / or a seal, by means of which the drive unit 20 and / or the housing unit 10 are protected against the ingress of water. Thus, the means of transport 1 can preferably be operated on land, on water and in the air.

The rotor units 21 are preferably cyclorotors. FIG. 5 shows a rotation of a rotor element 22 about a rotor axis 21.1 of a rotor unit 21 in different positions. It is shown here that the rotor element 22 rotates through half a secondary revolution 203 around a secondary axis 22.1 during one revolution 202 about the rotor axis 21.1. The rotor element 22 preferably executes half a revolution around the secondary axis 22.1 for a full revolution around the rotor axis 21.1. As a result, depending on the starting position of the rotation about the secondary axis 22.1 of the rotor element 22, an, in particular eccentric, resulting thrust force 201 of the rotor unit 21 can be changed in its direction. In particular, the thrust force 201 can be adjustable by 360 degrees about the axis of rotation 21.1. As a result, for example, the rotor unit 21 can be used to execute a thrust 200 parallel to a ground and / or perpendicular to a ground. As a result, a vertical take-off can be made possible and finally, in flight operation 110, the thrust 200 can be changed in a direction of movement parallel to the ground. To execute the secondary rotation 203, the rotor element 22 can be in operative connection with a secondary drive 22. 2, by means of which the rotor element 22 can be driven during the secondary rotation 203.

In addition or as an alternative to the secondary drive 22.2, several or all of the rotor elements 22 of a rotor unit 21 can be synchronized by a gear unit 27. The gear unit 27 is shown with the rotor elements 22 in FIG. The rotor elements 22 can be arranged to rotate around the rotor axis 21.1 by a secondary drive. To synchronize the rotor elements 22, the gear unit 27 can be arranged within a wheel 24, whereby the wheel 24 is preferably supported by a wheel bearing 24.2, in particular in the form of a roller bearing, from the rotor unit 21 is decoupled. The rotor elements 22 can be coupled to planets of the gear unit 27, so that all rotor elements 22 are mechanically coordinated with one another, that is to say in particular have a mechanical synchronization with one another. This can ensure that each of the rotor elements 22, in accordance with the cycle shown in FIG. 5, when rotating about the rotor axis 21.1, also rotates about its respective secondary axis 22.1 executes. In particular, a sun gear 27.1 of the gear unit 27 can remain rigid when the rotor elements 22 rotate about the rotor axis 21.1. To set a direction of the thrust force 201, it can be provided that the sun gear 27.1 of the gear unit 27 is rotated about the axis of rotation 21.1. Furthermore, a radial distance between the rotor elements 22 and the axis of rotation 21.1 can be changed by changing the position of intermediate planets 27.2 of the gear unit 27.

FIG. 9 shows a means of transport 1 in a further embodiment. A wheel arrangement 23 can be provided with wheels 24 which are arranged in the manner of a motorcycle. The load space 11 is located between the wheels 24. Two rotor units 21 can extend to the side of the wheels 24. However, it is also conceivable that only two rotor units 21 are provided, whereby these can be arranged diagonally offset or on one side of the means of transport 1.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, a further exemplary embodiment of a means of transport 1 according to the invention is shown. The means of transport 1 is designed without a wheel, as a result of which a ferry operation 111 cannot be carried out. Instead, the means of transport 1 can have runners, for example. The rotor units 21 can for example be arranged laterally. By adjusting the rotor elements 22 of the rotor units 21 from an operating position I to a rest position II in a receiving structure 14 of a housing unit 10 of the means of transport 1, space can be saved, in particular when the means of transport 1 is parked. It is also conceivable that the means of transport 1 of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 10 and 11 also has a wheel arrangement 23 for a ferry service 111. For example, the means of transport 1 can be designed in the manner of a truck for transporting large loads and / or a large number of people.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a further exemplary embodiment of a means of transport 1 according to the invention for transporting a load, in particular in the form of a person and / or freight, in a schematic representation during a flight operation 110 of the means of transport 1. The means of transport 1 has a drive device 20 with four rotor units 21, ie in particular with a first and three further rotor units 21. In addition, the means of transport 1 has a wheel arrangement 23 with several, preferably four, wheels 24. The rotor units 21 are also within wheel diameters, in particular within Tire diameters, the wheels 24 arranged. The rotor units 21 preferably have a cross-flow rotor with a plurality of rotor elements 22. In particular, the rotor units 21 each have a rotor axis 21.1 about which the rotor elements 22 can be rotated. The wheel axles 24.1 of the wheels 24 can be aligned parallel to the rotor axles 21.1. Furthermore, each of the rotor units 21 comprises a rotor housing 21.2.

One of the rotor units 21 is shown by way of example in FIG. 14 in a cross-sectional view. The rotor housing 21.2 is designed like a wing, so that a fluid flow 210, in particular in the form of an air flow, can be guided through the rotor housing 21.2. A buoyancy of the means of transport 1 during flight operation 110 can thus be achieved by means of the rotor housing 21.2. Furthermore, the rotor unit 21 has a flow channel 21.3 in which the rotor elements 22 are rotatably arranged. In order to direct a fluid flow 210 within the flow channel 21.3, the rotor housing 21.2 furthermore has a control flap 21.4 which is pivotably mounted, in particular for a thrust vector control. As a result, a diameter of the flow channel 21.3, in particular at the outlet, can be changed. Furthermore, the rotor unit 21 is articulated by a rotor joint 21.5 on the housing unit 10 and / or the receiving structure 14, whereby the rotor housing 21.2 can be pivoted in order to adjust the rotor housing 21.2 relative to the fluid flow 210.

Together with the rotor housing 21.2, each of the rotor units 21, in particular individually or together with the other rotor units 21, can be moved between an operating position I and a rest position II. In the operating position I, the rotor elements 22 with the respective rotor housing 21.2 are located outside a receiving structure 14 of a housing unit 10 of the means of transport 1. As a result, the rotor units 21 can generate a thrust 200 for moving and / or controlling the means of transport 1. For example, the thrust 200 by two rotor units 21 on one side of the conveyor 1 can cause the conveyor 1 to rotate about a central axis in order to steer the conveyor 1. In the rest position II, the rotor elements 22 with the respective rotor housing 21.2 are received in the receiving structure 14, i.e. in particular sunk into the receiving structure 14, in order to enable a ferry operation 111 of the means of transport 1.

FIG. 13 shows the means of transport 1 in a plan view. The receiving structure 14 has a plurality of cavities 14.1, which are each assigned to one of the rotor units 21. There a rotor housing 21.2 with the rotor elements 22 of the associated rotor unit 21 can be received in each of the cavities 14.1. The cavities 14.1 are preferably each designed to correspond to the respective rotor housing 21.2. Furthermore, FIG. 13 shows two central rotor units 29 of the drive device 20 for generating the thrust 200, the central rotor units 29 being arranged in the housing unit 10. The central rotor units 29 form a primary drive for the flight operation 110 of the means of transport 1, a maximum capacity of the central rotor unit 29 being greater than a maximum capacity of the rotor units 21. The rotor units 21 form a secondary drive to support the central rotor units 29 and to control the means of transport 1 in flight operation 110. The central rotor units 29 can be of different dimensions or of identical construction. The central rotor units 29 are designed in particular as a cross-flow rotor. One of the central rotor units 29 is arranged in a front of the means of transport 1 and one of the central control units 29 in the spot. As a result, a balanced vertical takeoff of the means of transport 1 can be made possible. The housing unit 10 of the means of transport 1 is designed in the manner of a wing in order to support a buoyancy of the means of transport 1. The wing-like design interacts with one of the central control units 29, which is arranged in a central flow channel 18 of the housing unit 10. As a result, advantageous pressure conditions for flight operation 110 of the means of transport 1 can be achieved. In particular, the fluid flow 210 can be guided through the central flow channel 18 during flight operation 110 when the central rotor unit 29, which is arranged in the central flow channel 18, is driven. The central flow channel 18 can run, for example, behind a headrest for a passenger in the load space 11. The housing unit 10 also has a control flap 18.1 which is pivotably mounted in the central flow channel 18, in particular for a thrust vector control of the central rotor unit 29.

The drive device 20 has several drive units 25, so that the rotor units 21 and the central rotor units 29 are each assigned to a drive unit 25. This enables the individual rotor units 21 and central rotor units 29 to be controlled separately. However, it is also conceivable that several of the rotor units 21 and / or the central rotor units 29 can be driven by a common drive unit. In addition, the means of transport 1 can preferably be designed in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment. For example, the means of transport 1 can preferably be designed for water operation, as was the case with the first Embodiment described. Propulsion of the means of transport 1 in the water by the rotor units 21 and / or the central rotor units 29 can thereby be made possible.

The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively in the context of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided that they are technically sensible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

References

I means of transport

10 housing unit

10.1 first side of the housing

10.2 second side of the housing

I I load space

14 Recording structure

14.1 cavity

15 adjustment drive

16 locking mechanism

17 Swimming structure

18 central flow channel

18.1 Control flap

20 drive device

21 rotor unit

21.1 rotor axis

21.2 rotor housing

21.3 flow channel

21.4 Control flap

21.5 rotor joint

22 rotor element

22.1 secondary axis

22.2 Secondary Drive

23 Wheel arrangement

24 wheel

24.1 wheel axle

24.2 wheel bearings

25 Drive unit

26 Fuel cell system

27 Gear unit

27.1 sun gear

27.2 Intermediate Planets

28 stabilizing element

29 Central rotor unit

30 control unit

31 rotor module 32 operating module

33 Direction module

I operating position II rest position

100 procedures

101 running 1 in 110

102 Moving 22 from I to II 103 Operating 1 to 111

110 Flight Operations

111 ferry service 200 thrust

201 thrust

202 revolutions

203 Secondary rotation 210 Fluid flow, in particular air flow

Claims

Patent claims

1. Means of transport (1) for transporting a load, in particular in the form of a person and / or freight, comprising a housing unit (10) through which a load space (11) is formed for accommodating the load, and a drive device (20) for Moving the means of transport (1) with at least one first rotor unit (21) which can be driven for flight operation (110) of the means of transport (1), the first rotor unit (21) having a plurality of rotor elements (22) which are used to generate a thrust ( 200) for the means of transport (1) are rotatable about a first rotor axis (21 .1), characterized in that the housing unit (10) has a receiving structure (14) for at least partially receiving the rotor elements (22), the rotor elements (22 ) from an operating position (I), in which the rotor elements (22) are located outside the receiving structure (14) and can be rotated around the first rotor axis (21.1) to generate the thrust (200), into a rest position (I I), in which the rotor elements (22) are at least partially received in the receiving structure (14), are movable.

2. Means of transport (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive device (20) has a wheel arrangement (23) with several wheels (24) which can be driven for a ferry operation (111) of the means of transport (1), in particular wherein at least a wheel axis (24.1) of one of the wheels (24) can be aligned coaxially and / or parallel to the first rotor axis (21 .1).

3. Means of transport (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wheels (24) of the wheel arrangement (23) from the first rotor unit (21) are mechanically decoupled or decoupled, in particular whereby a pivoting of the first rotor unit (21) and / or a rotation of the rotor elements (22) about the first rotor axis (21.1) independently of the wheels (24) is made possible.

4. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ferry operation (111) is mechanically and / or electronically prevented when the rotor elements (22) are in the operating position (I).

5. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device (20) for driving the first rotor unit (21) and / or the wheel arrangement (23) has a, preferably electrical, drive unit (25), in particular wherein the drive device (20) has a fuel cell system (26) for operating the drive unit (25).

6. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device (20) has at least one further rotor unit (21) with a plurality of rotor elements (22) which are used to generate thrust (200) for the means of transport (1) are rotatable about a further rotor axis (21.1).

7. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first rotor unit (21) has a cross-flow rotor and / or a cyclorotor.

8. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first rotor unit (21) has a rotor housing (21.2) which is designed like a wing, in particular wherein the rotor elements (22) within the rotor housing (21.2) in a flow channel (21.3) are arranged for a fluid to flow through depending on the rotation of the rotor elements (22).

9. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device (20) has at least one central rotor unit (29) for generating thrust (200) for the means of transport (1), which is arranged in the housing unit (10) is, in particular wherein a maximum performance of the central rotor unit (29) is greater than a maximum performance of the first rotor unit (21).

10. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing unit (10) has a wing-like cross section, in particular wherein the central rotor unit (29) is arranged in a central flow channel (18) of the housing unit (10).

11. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving structure (14) has a cavity (14.1) for each of the rotor elements (22) of the first rotor unit (21) and / or that the receiving structure (14) has a cavity (14.1) for receiving the rotor housing (21.2), in particular wherein at least one of the cavities (14.1) is designed for receiving at least one rotor element (22) and / or a rotor housing (21.2) of the further rotor unit (21).

12. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing unit (10) has a first and a second housing side (10.1, 10.2), wherein the receiving structure (14) for stiffening the housing unit (10) between the first and second housing side (10.1, 10.2).

13. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first rotor unit (21) is designed to vary a direction of the thrust (200) by aligning the rotor elements (22), in particular whereby a vertical take-off of the means of transport (1) is enabled.

14. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the rotor elements (22) has a secondary axis (22.1), about which the respective rotor element (22) can be rotated to a setting angle of the rotor elements (22) To change the fluid flow (210) as a function of an angle of rotation (202) of the rotor elements (22) about the first rotor axis (21.1).

15. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotor elements (22) can carry out half a secondary revolution (203) around the secondary axis (22.1) during one revolution (202) around the first rotor axis (21.1), and / or that the rotor elements (22) of the first rotor unit (21) can be rotated about the secondary axes (22.1) in such a way that a resulting thrust force (201) of the first rotor unit (21) can be generated eccentrically to the first rotor axis (21.1).

16. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first rotor unit (21) has a gear unit (27) for synchronizing a rotation of the rotor elements (22) about the secondary axes (22.1) and / or the first rotor unit (21 ) has a secondary drive (22.2) for rotating the rotor elements (22) about the secondary axes (22.1).

17. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a center distance of the secondary axes (22.1) to the first axis of rotation (21.1) can be varied.

18. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adjusting drive (15) for moving the rotor elements (22) between the operating position (I) and the rest position (II) is provided.

19. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that a locking mechanism (16) is provided for locking the rotor elements (22) in the operating position (I) and / or in the rest position (II).

20. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing unit (10) has a floating structure (17) for water operation of the means of transport (1).

21. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control unit (30) for controlling the drive device (20) is provided, in particular wherein the control unit (30) has a rotor module (31) for controlling and / or synchronizing a Has rotation of the rotor elements (22) about the secondary axes (22.1).

22. Means of transport (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (30) has an operating module (32) for switching between the flight operation (110) and the ferry operation (111) and / or the water operation of the means of transport (1) having.

23. Means of transport (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (30) has a direction module (33) for changing a thrust direction (201) of the first rotor unit (21) by changing a rotation of the rotor elements (22) around the Having secondary axes (22.1).

24. The method (100) for transporting a load, in particular in the form of a person and / or freight, with a means of transport (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing unit (10) through which a load space (11) is designed to accommodate the load, and has a drive device (20) for moving the means of transport (1) with at least one first rotor unit (21) which can be driven for flight operation (110) of the means of transport (1), comprising the following steps :

Operating (101) the means of transport (1) in flight operation (110), a thrust (200) being generated by rotating (101.1) several rotor elements (22) of the first rotor unit (21) about a first rotor axis (21.1),

Moving (102) the rotor elements (22) from an operating position (I) in which the rotor elements (22) are located outside a receiving structure (14) of the housing unit (10) and to generate the thrust (200) around the first rotor axis (21.1 ) are rotatable, into a rest position (II) in which the rotor elements (22) are at least partially received in the receiving structure (14).

25. The method (100) according to claim 24, characterized in that the method (100) comprises the following step:

Operating (103) the means of transport (1) in a ferry operation (111), a plurality of wheels (24) of a wheel arrangement (23) of the drive device (20) being driven.

26. The method (100) according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the rotor elements (22) while rotating (101.1) about the first rotor axis (21.1) are each rotated about their own secondary axis (22.1), by an angle of attack of the rotor elements (22) to a fluid flow (210) depending on an angle of rotation (202) of the rotor elements (22) around the first rotor axis (21.1).

27. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement of the rotor elements (22) from the operating position (I) to the rest position (II) takes place automatically.