AU2017100937A4

AU2017100937A4 - A foldable arm configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2017100937A4
Application number: AU2017100937A
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: JP3213202U; MY190788A; CN207141365U

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a foldable arm of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a housing, and a plurality of arms (2) arranged on the top housing. Each arm is rotatably connected to the housing. Each arm comprises a motor, an airscrew, a limiting unit having a first fixing component (3) connected to the arm and a second fixing component (5) connected to the housing, the first fixing component being connected to the second fixing component to circumferentially limit the arm and the housing, and a driving component to actuate at least one of the first fixing component and the second fixing component to separate the first fixing component from the second fixing component. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a robust foldable arm configuration for the UAV. Fig. 1

Description

- 1 - 2017100937 07 Μ 2017

A FOLDABLE ARM CONFIGURATION 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 configuration 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 [0004] a housing, and a plurality of arms arranged on the top housing, each arm being rotatably connected to the housing, wherein each arm comprises a motor, an airscrew, a limiting unit having a first fixing component connected to the arm and a second fixing component connected to the housing, the first fixing component being connected to the second fixing component to circumferentially limit the arm and the housing, and a driving component to actuate at least one of the first fixing component and the second fixing component to separate the first fixing component from the second fixing component.

[0005] In some embodiments, the UAV further comprises an elastic reset component to actuate at least one of the first fixing component and the second fixing component to connect the first fixing component to the second fixing component. - 2 - 2017100937 07 Μ 2017 [0006] In some embodiments, the first fixing component is slidably connected to the arm, the second fixing component is fixed to the housing, and the first fixing component is to insert into the second fixing component along the sliding direction of the first fixing component.

[0007] In some embodiments, an inserting block is arranged on the first fixing component along the sliding direction of the first fixing component, and an inserting hole is arranged on the second fixing component to engage with the inserting block.

[0008] In some embodiments, a rotating ring rotatably connected to the housing is deployed near a side wall of the end of the arm, the second fixing component is arranged near the rotating ring, the first fixing component is arranged within the arm, and one end of the second fixing component traverses the arm to connect to the first fixing component.

[0009] In some embodiments, a guiding column is arranged on an inner wall of the arm, the driving component is arranged on the guiding column, the first fixing component is fixed to the driving component, and the elastic reset component is arranged between the arm and the driving component.

[0010] In some embodiments, one end of the driving unit is extruded from the arm to form a press button.

[0011] In some embodiments, a wire space for conducting wires is provided within the arm.

[0012] In some embodiments, a first sealing pad is provided between the arm and the second fixing component, and a second sealing pad is provided between the driving component and the arm.

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure solve some of the problem in prior arts by providing an UAV with robust foldable arm configuration. -3- 2017100937 07 Μ 2017

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawing, in which: [0015] Figure 1 illustrates a foldable arm configuration of an UAV according an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 2 illustrates a profile of a foldable arm configuration of an UAV according an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 3 illustrates an explosive view of a foldable arm configuration of an UAV according an embodiment of the present disclosure.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0018] 1 fixing base, 2 arm, 3 first fixing component, 4 spring, 5 second fixing component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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 -4- 2017100937 07 Μ 2017 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.

[0021] As shown in Fig.1-3, a foldable arm configuration of the present disclosure comprises a housing 1, and a plurality of arms 2 arranged on the top housing. Each arm 2 is rotatably connected to the housing 1. Each arm 2 comprises a motor, an airscrew, and a limiting unit having a first fixing component 3 connected to the arm 2 and a second fixing component 5 connected to the housing 1. The first fixing component 3 is connected to the second fixing component 5 to circumferentially limit the arm 2 and the housing 1 so that stability can be improved. The arm 2 further comprises a driving component to actuate at least one of the first fixing component 3 and the second fixing component 5 to separate the first fixing component 3 from the second fixing component 5.The driving component allows a convenient way of folding the arm 2 by providing an alternative choice of the component to actuate. The external structure of the arm 2 can be retained by using the disclosed configuration. Meanwhile, waterproof and dustproof performances can also be achieved.

[0022] The first fixing component 3 is slidably connected to the arm 2. The second fixing component 5 is fixed to the housing 1. The first fixing component 3 is to insert into the second fixing component 5 along the sliding direction of the first fixing component 3. An inserting block is arranged on the first fixing component 3 along the sliding direction of the first fixing component 3, and an inserting hole is arranged on the second fixing component 5 to engage with the inserting block. Implementing a coupling with the inserting hole and the inserting block avoids elastic deformation within the arm 2. Therefore, working life of the arm 2 can be - 5- 2017100937 07 Μ 2017 increased. One end of the driving unit is extruded from the arm 2 to form a press button which facilitates manual operation.

[0023] An elastic reset component can be provided to actuate at least one of the first fixing component 3 and the second fixing component 5 to connect the first fixing component 3 with the second fixing component 5. Folding of the arm 2 can be more readily performed by using the elastic reset component to engage the first fixing component 3 with the second fixing component 5 in response to a rotation of at least one of the first fixing component 3 and the second fixing component 5. A guiding column is arranged on an inner wall of the arm 2. The driving component is arranged on the guiding column. The first fixing component is fixed to the driving component, and the elastic reset component is arranged between the arm 2 and the driving component in consideration of structural stability of the arm 2.

[0024] A rotating ring is rotatably connected to the housing 1 and deployed near a side wall of the end of the arm 2. The second fixing component 5 is arranged near the rotating ring on the housing 1. The first fixing component 3 is arranged within the arm 2. One end of the second fixing component 5 traverses the arm 2 to connect to the first fixing component 3 in order to provide a compact configuration. In an embodiment, the first fixing component 3 is arranged within the arm 2 while the second fixing component 5 is arranged near the rotating ring. In other words, the second fixing component 5 can be accommodated within the arm 2 following a rotation of the arm 2. One or more sealing pads can be provided between the arm 2 and the second fixing component 5, as well as between the driving component and the arm 2, to form a leakproof sealing structure. A wire space for conducting wires is provided within the arm 2 to protect the conducting wires without affecting the external structure of the arm 2.

[0025] 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 2017100937 07 Μ 2017 - 6- 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; and a plurality of arms arranged on the top housing, each arm being rotatably connected to the housing, wherein each arm comprises a motor; an airscrew; a limiting unit having a first fixing component connected to the arm and a second fixing component connected to the housing, the first fixing component being connected to the second fixing component to circumferentially limit the arm and the housing; and a driving component to actuate at least one of the first fixing component and the second fixing component to separate the first fixing component from the second fixing component.

2. The foldable arm of claim 1, further comprising an elastic reset component to actuate at least one of the first fixing component and the second fixing component to connect the first fixing component to the second fixing component.

3. The foldable arm of claim 2, wherein the first fixing component is slidably connected to the arm, the second fixing component is fixed to the housing, and the first fixing component is to insert into the second fixing component along the sliding direction of the first fixing component.

4. The foldable arm of claim 3, wherein an inserting block is arranged on the first fixing component along the sliding direction of the first fixing component, and an inserting hole is arranged on the second fixing component to engage with the inserting block.

5. The foldable arm of claim 3, wherein a rotating ring rotatably connected to the housing is deployed near a side wall of the end of the arm, the second fixing component is arranged near the rotating ring, the first fixing component is arranged within the arm, and one end of the second fixing component traverses the arm to connect to the first fixing component.

6. The foldable arm of claim 3, wherein a guiding column is arranged on an inner wall of the arm, the driving component is arranged on the guiding column, the first fixing component is fixed to the driving component, and the elastic reset component is arranged between the arm and the driving component.

7. The foldable arm of claim 6, wherein one end of the driving unit is extruded from the arm to form a press button.

8. The foldable arm of claim 1, wherein a wire space for conducting wires is provided within the arm.

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