AU2017100935A4

AU2017100935A4 - A foldable arm structure of an unmanned aerial vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2017100935A4
Application number: AU2017100935A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Tao GAN
Original assignee: Ningbo Pelican Drone Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ningbo Pelican Drone Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-06-21
Filing date: 2017-07-07
Publication date: 2017-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-07
Also published as: JP3212712U; CN207157487U

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a foldable arm of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a housing, a plurality of fixing bases (1) arranged on the housing and a plurality of arms (2) arranged on the top housing. Each fixing base has a limiting groove. Each arm is rotatably connected to one fixing base on one end of the arm. Each arm comprises a motor, an airscrew, at least one recess, a fixing component engaging with both the limiting groove and one recess to circumferentially limit the arm and the fixing base, and a driving component to actuate the fixing component to disengage from at least one of the limiting groove and the one recess. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a robust foldable arm configuration for the UAV. Fig. 1

Description

- 1 - 2017100935 07 Μ 2017

A FOLDABLE ARM STRUCTURE OF AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and more particularly, to a foldable arm structure of the UAV.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Some of existing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) may provide a foldable arm configuration which separates the arm of the UAV into two tubular components. A hinge shaft is provided on the joint of the two tubular components. A fixing mechanism is provides on the opposite side of the hinge shaft. Although such a structure allows folding of the arm, it has an impact on the external structures of the arm. Further, folding at a small angle would not be possible.

SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure discloses a foldable arm of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising a housing, a plurality of fixing bases arranged on the housing, each fixing base having a limiting groove, and a plurality of arms arranged on the top housing, each arm being rotatably connected to one fixing base on one end of the arm. Each arm comprises a motor, an airscrew, at least one recess, a fixing component engaging with both the limiting groove and one recess to circumferentially limit the arm and the fixing base, and a driving component to actuate the fixing component to disengage from at least one of the limiting groove and the one recess.

[0004] In some embodiments, the limiting groove is arranged in the same direction as a notch of the recess, wherein the fixing component is slidably connected within the limiting groove, and wherein the limiting groove provides a slide space for the fixing component to slide within to disengage from the recess. - 2 - 2017100935 07M2017 [0005] In some embodiments, the fixing component is fixed to the driving component, wherein the driving component is slidably connected within the fixing base, and wherein an elastic component is arranged between the driving component and the fixing component.

[0006] In some embodiments, the fixing component comprises a press button protruding through the fixing base and the arm.

[0007] In some embodiments, the limiting groove is arranged on a side wall of the fixing base, wherein the arm is mounted on an outer wall of the fixing base, and wherein the fixing base comprises a fixing ring to engage with the arm to axially limit the arm and the fixing base.

[0008] In some embodiments, a first sealing pad is arranged between the arm and the fixing base, and wherein a second sealing pad is arranged between the driving component and the arm.

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure solve some of the problem in prior arts by providing an UAV with robust foldable arm configuration.

[0010] Brief Description of the Drawings [0011] The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawing, in which: [0012] Figure 1 illustrates a foldable arm structure of an UAV according an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 illustrates a profile of a foldable arm structure of an UAV according an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3 illustrates an explosive view of a foldable arm structure of an UAV according an embodiment of the present disclosure. -3- 2017100935 07M2017

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0015] 1 fixing base, 2 arm, 3 fixing component, 4 spring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alternate embodiments may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. It will be apparent that alternate embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

[0017] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms to indicate or imply any relative importance. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The terms center, upper, lower, left, right, vertical, lateral, inner, outer, etc. may indicate directions or positions as illustrated in some of the drawings. These terms are only used in order not to obscure the description, and should not be construed as an indication of particular positional relation or sequence. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The terms connected, coupled or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling either direct or indirect between two or more elements. Such a coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, electrical, logical or a combination thereof.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1 ~3, the foldable arm structure of an UAV according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a plurality of fixing bases 3 -4- 2017100935 07 Μ 2017 arranged on the housing, and a plurality of arms 2 arranged on the top housing. Each fixing base 3 has a limiting groove. Each arm 2 is rotatably connected to one fixing base 3 on one end of the arm 2. Each arm 2 also comprises a motor, an airscrew, at least one recess, a fixing component 3 engaging with both the limiting groove and one recess to circumferentially limit the arm 2 and the fixing base 3, and a driving component to actuate the fixing component to disengage from at least one of the limiting groove and the recess. The arm 2 is integrally hinged to the fixing base 3 such the external structures of the arm 2 would be retained. Folding of the arm 2 can be performed more stably using the configuration as provided. For example, rotation of the arm 2 can be performed with increased convenience by detaching any one of the limiting groove and the recess.

[0019] The limiting groove is arranged in the same direction as a notch of the recess. The fixing base 3 is slidably connected with the limiting groove. The limiting groove provides a slide space for the fixing component 3 to slide within to disengage from the recess. For example, the depth of the limiting groove is larger than the depth of the recess. If the fixing component 3 has reached a certain position after sliding a distance within the limiting groove, the fixing component 3 would disengage with the recess and thus relieve the circumferential limitation to the arm 2 and the fixing base 1. A line space for any conducting lines to traverse is provided within the arm 2 and the fixing base 1. For example, the conducting lines can be provided within the arm 2 to retain the external integrity of the arm 2. A sealing pad can be arranged between the arm 2 and the fixing base 1. Another sealing pad can be similarly arranged between the driving unit and the arm 2. The sealing pads provide waterproof and dustproof performances.

[0020] The fixing component 3 is fixedly connected to the driving component. The driving component is slidably connected within the fixing base 1. An elastic component is arranged between the driving component and the fixing base 1. The elastic component is used to reset the driving component while retaining a compact overall structure. For example, the elastic component can be a spring. The fixing component 3 can be a press button protruding through the fixing base 1 and the arm 2. The limiting groove can be arranged on a side wall of the 2017100935 07 Μ 2017 -5- fixing base 1. The arm 2 is mounted on the outer wall of the fixing base 1 to retain the external structure of the arm 2. A fixing ring engaging with the arm 2 to axially limit the arm and the fixing base is provided on the fixing base 1. The fixing ring is used to provide the slide space for the fixing component 3 to slide within until disengaging from the recess. The fixing ring can further contribute to a more stable fastening of the arm 2 to the fixing base 1.

[0021] Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for purposes of description, a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments described herein be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A foldable arm of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising: a housing; a plurality of fixing bases arranged on the housing, each fixing base having a limiting groove; and a plurality of arms arranged on the top housing, each arm being rotatably connected to one fixing base on one end of the arm, wherein each arm comprises a motor; an airscrew; at least one recess; a fixing component engaging with both the limiting groove and one recess to circumferentially limit the arm and the fixing base; and a driving component to actuate the fixing component to disengage from at least one of the limiting groove and the one recess.

2. The foldable arm of claim 1, wherein the limiting groove is arranged in the same direction as a notch of the recess, wherein the fixing component is slidably connected within the limiting groove, and wherein the limiting groove provides a slide space for the fixing component to slide within to disengage from the recess.

3. The foldable arm of claim 1, wherein the fixing component is fixed to the driving component, wherein the driving component is slidably connected within the fixing base, and wherein an elastic component is arranged between the driving component and the fixing base.

4. The foldable arm of claim 1, wherein the fixing component comprises a press button protruding through the fixing base and the arm.

5. The foldable arm of claim 2, wherein the limiting groove is arranged on a side wall of the fixing base, wherein the arm is mounted on an outer wall of the fixing base, and wherein the fixing base comprises a fixing ring to engage with the arm to axially limit the arm and the fixing base.

6. The foldable arm of claim 1, wherein a first sealing pad is arranged between the arm and the fixing base, and wherein a second sealing pad is arranged between the driving component and the arm.