WO2018172815A1 - A multicopter frame - Google Patents

A multicopter frame Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018172815A1
WO2018172815A1 PCT/IB2017/051666 IB2017051666W WO2018172815A1 WO 2018172815 A1 WO2018172815 A1 WO 2018172815A1 IB 2017051666 W IB2017051666 W IB 2017051666W WO 2018172815 A1 WO2018172815 A1 WO 2018172815A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
arms
housing
coupled
propeller
rods
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2017/051666
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Andris DAMBIS
Original Assignee
Aerones, Sia
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aerones, Sia filed Critical Aerones, Sia
Priority to PCT/IB2017/051666 priority Critical patent/WO2018172815A1/en
Publication of WO2018172815A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018172815A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64U50/00—Propulsion; Power supply
    • B64U50/10—Propulsion
    • B64U50/19—Propulsion using electrically powered motors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64U10/00—Type of UAV
    • B64U10/10—Rotorcrafts
    • B64U10/13—Flying platforms
    • B64U10/16—Flying platforms with five or more distinct rotor axes, e.g. octocopters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64U30/00—Means for producing lift; Empennages; Arrangements thereof
    • B64U30/20—Rotors; Rotor supports
    • B64U30/29—Constructional aspects of rotors or rotor supports; Arrangements thereof
    • B64U30/299—Rotor guards

Definitions

  • the invention relates to multicopter frames.
  • Frame of an unmanned aerial vehicle commonly known as a drone plays an important role. It bears all elements of a drone, also ensures sustainability of the whole vehicle.
  • the main drawback of the known multicopter frames is that there is a tradeoff between weight and safety.
  • Minimalistic frames feature good weight characteristics but lack in safety because propellers are exposed.
  • Introducing additional structures for propeller protection improves on safety and collision protection but increases structure weight.
  • Increased weight for multicopters is very undesirable because it decreases maximum flight time, reduces mobility as well as possibilities for payload.
  • the aim of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a multicopter frame ensuring optimal modulus of elasticity as well as ensuring sufficient mechanical protection for propellers in case of collision with another object.
  • the multicopter frame comprising: (i) a first housing and a second housing, both the first housing and the second housing are substantially centrally located, where the first housing is situated substantially above the second housing; (ii) a first plurality of propeller drives and a second plurality of propeller drives, each propeller drive comprising a propeller attached to an electric motor; (iii) a first set of arms coupled to the first housing such that each arm extends in a substantially longitudinal direction from the first housing and a second set of arms coupled to the second housing such that each arm extends in a substantially longitudinal direction from the second housing; wherein the first plurality of the propeller drives is coupled to the arms of the first set of arms such that the propellers are located substantially under the arms of the first set of arms, and the second plurality of the propeller drives is coupled to the arms of the second set of arms such that the propellers are located substantially above the arms of the second set of arms; where peripheral end of each arm of the first set of arms is connected with peripheral ends of two adjacent arms
  • FIG. 1 - shows perspective view of the multicopter frame according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 top view of the multicopter frame
  • FIG. 3 perspective view of the multicopter frame according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 - top view of the multicopter frame according to the embodiment of the invention as shown on Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 - a schematic top view of the multicopter frame showing angular displacement of position of the first set of arms relative to position of the second set of arms (and viceversa).
  • the multicopter frame (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) comprising: a first housing 1 and a second housing 2; a first plurality of propeller drives 3 and a second plurality of propeller drives 4, each propeller drive comprising a propeller attached to an electric motor; a first set of arms 5 and a second set of arms 6; rods 7.
  • the multicopter frame may further contain rods 8 and/or rods 9.
  • the first housing 1 is situated substantially above the second housing 2. Both the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are substantially centrally located.
  • the first set of arms 5 is coupled to the first housing 1 such that each arm extends in a substantially longitudinal direction from the first housing 1 and the second set of arms 6 is coupled to the second housing 2 such that each arm extends in a substantially longitudinal direction from the second housing 2.
  • the first set of arms 5 may be situated from the second set of arms 6 at a distance, which is selected from the range from zero to about one diameter of the (biggest) propellers used in the multicopter.
  • the first plurality of the propeller drives 3 is coupled to the arms of the first set of arms 5 such that the propellers are located substantially under the arms of the first set of arms 5.
  • the second plurality of the propeller drives 4 is coupled to the arms of the second set of arms 6 such that the propellers are located substantially above the arms of the second set of arms 6.
  • Peripheral end of each arm of the first set of arms 5 is connected with peripheral ends of two adjacent arms of the second set of arms 6 by rods 7.
  • each arm of the first set of arms 5 is connected with peripheral end of two adjacent arms of the first set of arms 5 by the rods 8.
  • the peripheral end of each arm of the second set of arms 6 is connected with peripheral end of two adjacent arms of the second set of arms 6 by the rods 9.
  • the multicopter frame may comprise either rods 7, or rods 8, or rods 9, or their combination (e.g. rod 8 and 9 only; rods 7 and 8; rods 7 and 9; rods 7, 8 and 9). Said connection of the peripheral ends the arms by the rods (7; or 8 and 9; or 7, 8 and 9) provides improved modulus of elasticity as well as ensuring sufficient mechanical protection for the propellers in case of collision with another object.
  • the embodiment with the frame comprising the rods 7, 8, and 9 is shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.
  • the arms (5 and 6) and/or the rods 7, 8 and 9 are substantially hollow pipes.
  • an angle a between each two adjacent arms of the first set of arms 5 equals to the angle a between each two adjacent arms of the second set of arms 6; where the second set of arms 6 is angularly displaced (i.e. rotated in a horizontal plane) at an angle a/2 relative to position of the first set of arms 5 as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the invention provides a multicopter frame ensuring optimal modulus of elasticity as well as ensuring sufficient mechanical protection for propellers in case of collision with another object.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to multicopter frames. The multicopter frame according to the present invention comprising: (i) a first housing (1) and a second housing (2), both the first housing and the second housing are substantially centrally located, where the first housing is situated substantially above the second housing; (ii) a first plurality of propeller drives (3) and a second plurality of propeller drives (4), each propeller drive comprising a propeller attached to an electric motor; (iii) a first set of arms (5) coupled to the first housing such that each arm extends in a substantially longitudinal direction from the first housing and a second set of arms (6) coupled to the second housing such that each arm extends in a substantially longitudinal direction from the second housing; wherein the first plurality of the propeller drives is coupled to the arms of the first set of arms such that the propellers are located substantially under the arms of the first set of arms, and the second plurality of the propeller drives is coupled to the arms of the second set of arms such that the propellers are located substantially above the arms of the second set of arms; where peripheral end of each arm of the first set of arms is connected with peripheral ends of two adjacent arms of the second set of arms by rods (7).

Description

A multicopter frame
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to multicopter frames.
Prior Art
Frame of an unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone plays an important role. It bears all elements of a drone, also ensures sustainability of the whole vehicle.
There are known different structures of a multirotor drone frames depending on motor configuration, function of a drone and other features (US2015298799, KR20150145853, EP2818218, KR20120102880, USD747775S).
The main drawback of the known multicopter frames is that there is a tradeoff between weight and safety. Minimalistic frames feature good weight characteristics but lack in safety because propellers are exposed. Introducing additional structures for propeller protection improves on safety and collision protection but increases structure weight. Increased weight for multicopters is very undesirable because it decreases maximum flight time, reduces mobility as well as possibilities for payload.
Disclosure of the Invention
The aim of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a multicopter frame ensuring optimal modulus of elasticity as well as ensuring sufficient mechanical protection for propellers in case of collision with another object.
The multicopter frame according to the present invention comprising: (i) a first housing and a second housing, both the first housing and the second housing are substantially centrally located, where the first housing is situated substantially above the second housing; (ii) a first plurality of propeller drives and a second plurality of propeller drives, each propeller drive comprising a propeller attached to an electric motor; (iii) a first set of arms coupled to the first housing such that each arm extends in a substantially longitudinal direction from the first housing and a second set of arms coupled to the second housing such that each arm extends in a substantially longitudinal direction from the second housing; wherein the first plurality of the propeller drives is coupled to the arms of the first set of arms such that the propellers are located substantially under the arms of the first set of arms, and the second plurality of the propeller drives is coupled to the arms of the second set of arms such that the propellers are located substantially above the arms of the second set of arms; where peripheral end of each arm of the first set of arms is connected with peripheral ends of two adjacent arms of the second set of arms by rods. Brief Description of Drawings
Fig. 1 - shows perspective view of the multicopter frame according to the invention; Fig. 2 - top view of the multicopter frame;
Fig. 3 - perspective view of the multicopter frame according to another embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 - top view of the multicopter frame according to the embodiment of the invention as shown on Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 - a schematic top view of the multicopter frame showing angular displacement of position of the first set of arms relative to position of the second set of arms (and viceversa).
Detailed Description of the Invention
The multicopter frame (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) comprising: a first housing 1 and a second housing 2; a first plurality of propeller drives 3 and a second plurality of propeller drives 4, each propeller drive comprising a propeller attached to an electric motor; a first set of arms 5 and a second set of arms 6; rods 7. The multicopter frame may further contain rods 8 and/or rods 9.
The first housing 1 is situated substantially above the second housing 2. Both the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are substantially centrally located.
The first set of arms 5 is coupled to the first housing 1 such that each arm extends in a substantially longitudinal direction from the first housing 1 and the second set of arms 6 is coupled to the second housing 2 such that each arm extends in a substantially longitudinal direction from the second housing 2. The first set of arms 5 may be situated from the second set of arms 6 at a distance, which is selected from the range from zero to about one diameter of the (biggest) propellers used in the multicopter.
The first plurality of the propeller drives 3 is coupled to the arms of the first set of arms 5 such that the propellers are located substantially under the arms of the first set of arms 5. The second plurality of the propeller drives 4 is coupled to the arms of the second set of arms 6 such that the propellers are located substantially above the arms of the second set of arms 6.
Peripheral end of each arm of the first set of arms 5 is connected with peripheral ends of two adjacent arms of the second set of arms 6 by rods 7.
According to another embodiment of the invention the peripheral end of each arm of the first set of arms 5 is connected with peripheral end of two adjacent arms of the first set of arms 5 by the rods 8. According to yet another embodiment the peripheral end of each arm of the second set of arms 6 is connected with peripheral end of two adjacent arms of the second set of arms 6 by the rods 9. The multicopter frame may comprise either rods 7, or rods 8, or rods 9, or their combination (e.g. rod 8 and 9 only; rods 7 and 8; rods 7 and 9; rods 7, 8 and 9). Said connection of the peripheral ends the arms by the rods (7; or 8 and 9; or 7, 8 and 9) provides improved modulus of elasticity as well as ensuring sufficient mechanical protection for the propellers in case of collision with another object. The embodiment with the frame comprising the rods 7, 8, and 9 is shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.
According to the preferred embodiment the arms (5 and 6) and/or the rods 7, 8 and 9 are substantially hollow pipes.
According to yet another preferred embodiment an angle a between each two adjacent arms of the first set of arms 5 equals to the angle a between each two adjacent arms of the second set of arms 6; where the second set of arms 6 is angularly displaced (i.e. rotated in a horizontal plane) at an angle a/2 relative to position of the first set of arms 5 as shown in Fig. 5.
The invention provides a multicopter frame ensuring optimal modulus of elasticity as well as ensuring sufficient mechanical protection for propellers in case of collision with another object.

Claims

Claims
1. A multicopter frame comprising:
- a first housing (1) and a second housing (2), both the first housing (1) and the second housing (2) are substantially centrally located;
- a first plurality of propeller drives (3) and a second plurality of propeller drives (4), each propeller drive comprising a propeller attached to an electric motor;
- a first set of arms (5) coupled to the first housing (1) such that each arm extends in a substantially longitudinal direction from the first housing (1) and a second set of arms (6) coupled to the second housing (2) such that each arm extends in a substantially longitudinal direction from the second housing (2); wherein
- the first housing (1) is situated substantially above the second housing (2); - the first plurality of the propeller drives (3) is coupled to the arms of the first set of arms (5) such that the propellers are located substantially under the arms of the first set of arms (5), and the second plurality of the propeller drives (4) is coupled to the arms of the second set of arms (6) such that the propellers are located substantially above the arms of the second set of arms (6);
- peripheral end of each arm of the first set of arms (5) is connected with peripheral ends of two adjacent arms of the second set of arms (6) by rods (7).
2. The multicopter frame according to claim 1, wherein an angle a between each two adjacent arms of the first set of arms (5) equals to the angle a between each two adjacent arms of the second set of arms (6); where the second set of arms (6) is angularly displaced at an angle a/2 relative to position of the first set of arms (5).
3. The multicopter frame according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the peripheral end of each arm of the first set of arms (5) is connected with peripheral end of two adjacent arms of the first set of arms (5) by rods (8).
4. The multicopter frame according to any preceding claims, wherein the peripheral end of each arm of the second set of arms (6) is connected with peripheral end of two adjacent arms of the second set of arms (6) by rods (9).
5. The multicopter frame according to any preceding claims, wherein the arms of the first set of arms (5) and the arms of the second set of arms (6) are substantially hollow pipes.
6. The multicopter frame according to any preceding claims, wherein the rods (7, 8, 9) connecting the peripheral ends of the arms are substantially hollow pipes.
PCT/IB2017/051666 2017-03-22 2017-03-22 A multicopter frame WO2018172815A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2017/051666 WO2018172815A1 (en) 2017-03-22 2017-03-22 A multicopter frame

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2017/051666 WO2018172815A1 (en) 2017-03-22 2017-03-22 A multicopter frame

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2018172815A1 true WO2018172815A1 (en) 2018-09-27

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102019113548A1 (en) * 2019-05-21 2020-11-26 Universität Stuttgart Support structure for an aircraft and aircraft with such
US10988255B1 (en) * 2019-12-18 2021-04-27 Shanghai Autoflight Co., Ltd. Multi-rotor aircraft with multi-axis misalignment layout
KR20210001992U (en) * 2020-02-25 2021-09-03 주식회사 위즈윙 Unmanned vehicle
EP3889044A1 (en) * 2020-03-31 2021-10-06 Shandong Dingfeng Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. Multi-rotor aircraft with multi-shaft dislocation layout
US20210387721A1 (en) * 2019-12-18 2021-12-16 Shanghai Autoflight Co., Ltd. Multi-rotor aircraft with multi-shaft dislocation layout

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JP2002370696A (en) * 2001-06-14 2002-12-24 Ishigaki Foods Co Ltd Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
KR20120102880A (en) 2011-03-09 2012-09-19 유세혁 Octocopter and control methods thereof
EP2818218A1 (en) 2013-06-27 2014-12-31 Robert Schmidkonz Multicopter boom
US20150298799A1 (en) 2014-04-22 2015-10-22 Blaise Bertrand Quadcopter with a printable payload extension system and method
WO2015179624A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-26 Rutgers The State University Of New Nersey Unmanned air and underwater vehicle
KR20150145853A (en) 2014-06-19 2015-12-31 한양대학교 에리카산학협력단 Multicopter
USD747775S1 (en) 2014-04-15 2016-01-19 Fatdoor, Inc. Quadcopter
GB2529896A (en) * 2014-09-05 2016-03-09 Richard Nathan Hadder Multirotor
CN205150229U (en) * 2015-11-11 2016-04-13 北京苏哈科技有限公司 Many rotors of multilayer airborne vehicle
CN205239901U (en) * 2015-08-25 2016-05-18 吴会能 Many rotor unmanned aerial vehicle and frame thereof
JP2016219941A (en) * 2015-05-18 2016-12-22 株式会社ａｍｕｓｅ ｏｎｅｓｅｌｆ Unmanned aerial vehicle

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002370696A (en) * 2001-06-14 2002-12-24 Ishigaki Foods Co Ltd Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
KR20120102880A (en) 2011-03-09 2012-09-19 유세혁 Octocopter and control methods thereof
EP2818218A1 (en) 2013-06-27 2014-12-31 Robert Schmidkonz Multicopter boom
USD747775S1 (en) 2014-04-15 2016-01-19 Fatdoor, Inc. Quadcopter
US20150298799A1 (en) 2014-04-22 2015-10-22 Blaise Bertrand Quadcopter with a printable payload extension system and method
WO2015179624A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-26 Rutgers The State University Of New Nersey Unmanned air and underwater vehicle
KR20150145853A (en) 2014-06-19 2015-12-31 한양대학교 에리카산학협력단 Multicopter
GB2529896A (en) * 2014-09-05 2016-03-09 Richard Nathan Hadder Multirotor
JP2016219941A (en) * 2015-05-18 2016-12-22 株式会社ａｍｕｓｅ ｏｎｅｓｅｌｆ Unmanned aerial vehicle
CN205239901U (en) * 2015-08-25 2016-05-18 吴会能 Many rotor unmanned aerial vehicle and frame thereof
CN205150229U (en) * 2015-11-11 2016-04-13 北京苏哈科技有限公司 Many rotors of multilayer airborne vehicle

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102019113548A1 (en) * 2019-05-21 2020-11-26 Universität Stuttgart Support structure for an aircraft and aircraft with such
US11603181B2 (en) 2019-05-21 2023-03-14 Volocopter Gmbh Supporting wing structure for an aircraft, and aircraft having such a supporting wing structure
US10988255B1 (en) * 2019-12-18 2021-04-27 Shanghai Autoflight Co., Ltd. Multi-rotor aircraft with multi-axis misalignment layout
US20210387721A1 (en) * 2019-12-18 2021-12-16 Shanghai Autoflight Co., Ltd. Multi-rotor aircraft with multi-shaft dislocation layout
KR20210001992U (en) * 2020-02-25 2021-09-03 주식회사 위즈윙 Unmanned vehicle
KR200494426Y1 (en) * 2020-02-25 2021-10-13 주식회사 위즈윙 Unmanned vehicle
EP3889044A1 (en) * 2020-03-31 2021-10-06 Shandong Dingfeng Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. Multi-rotor aircraft with multi-shaft dislocation layout

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