Unmanned aerial vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11027835-B2
Application number	US-201815965617-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 27, 2018
Priority date	May 4, 2017
Publication date	Jun 8, 2021
Grant date	Jun 8, 2021

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to various embodiments includes: a housing; a communication circuit, wherein the communication circuit establishes wireless communication with an external controller; and a plurality of propulsion systems connected to the housing, wherein the propulsion systems include: a motor; a rotation shaft having an axis extending in a first direction, wherein a first end is connected to the motor, and wherein the rotation shaft is rotates in a first direction by the motor; a cap structure fixed to the second end of the rotation shaft, a propeller including: a hub including a through-hole formed in the first direction, such that the rotation shaft rotatably passes through the through-hole, wherein the propeller is detachably connected to the cap structure, such that, when an external force is exerted on the blade, the propeller is released from the cap structure to be freely movable along the axis toward the motor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:
a housing;
a wireless communication circuit positioned inside or connected to the housing, wherein the wireless communication circuit is configured to establish wireless communication with an external controller;
a plurality of propulsion systems connected to or at least partially embedded in the housing; and
a navigation circuit configured to control the propulsion systems,
wherein at least one of the plurality of propulsion systems includes:
a motor controlled by the navigation circuit;
a rotation shaft having an axis extending in a first direction, and including a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the motor, and wherein the rotation shaft is configured to be rotated in a first rotational direction by the motor;
a cap structure fixed to the second end of the rotation shaft; and
a propeller including:
a hub including a through-hole formed in the first direction, such that the rotation shaft rotatably passes through the through-hole; and
a plurality of blades connected to the hub in second directions substantially perpendicular to the first direction,

wherein the propeller is detachably fixed to or connected to the cap structure, such that, when an external force is exerted on at least one of the blades, the propeller is released from the cap structure to be freely movable along the axis toward the motor,
wherein the cap structure includes a surface facing toward the propeller, and at least one spiral recess formed in the surface,
wherein the hub includes at least one protrusion slidably engaged in the at least one spiral recess when the propeller is connected to the cap structure,
wherein at least one of the propulsion systems includes a coupling structure configured to apply a predetermined force to the propeller in the first direction such that the propeller is not separated from the cap structure, and
wherein the coupling structure is composed of a surface, which faces the propeller, of the cap structure, magnets disposed on the surface, and metallic portions disposed at positions corresponding to the magnets on the hub.

2. The UAV of claim 1 , wherein the at least one spiral recess extends toward the propeller in a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction.

3. The UAV of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one protrusion includes an inclined portion further protruding from the hub in the first rotational direction, and
as the at least one protrusion slides in the at least one spiral recess, the propeller is separated from the cap structure by the inclined portion.

4. A propulsion system comprising:
a motor;
a rotation shaft having a first end and a second end connected to the motor and extending in a first direction to be rotated in a first rotational direction by the motor;
a cap structure fixed to the second end of the rotation shaft; and
a propeller including:
a hub having a through-hole formed in the first direction such that that rotation shaft can be rotated therein, and
a plurality of blades connected to the hub in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction,

wherein the propeller is configured to be fixed or connected to the cap structure, and to be separated from the cap structure by rotating in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction relative to the cap structure when rotation of the blades is stopped by an external force,
wherein the cap structure includes a surface facing toward the propeller, and at least one spiral recess formed in the surface,
wherein the hub includes at least one protrusion slidably engaged in the at least one spiral recess when the propeller is connected to the cap structure,
wherein the propulsion system includes a coupling structure configured to apply a predetermined force to the propeller in the first direction such that the propeller is not separated from the cap structure, and
wherein the coupling structure is composed of a surface, which faces the propeller, of the cap structure, magnets disposed on the surface, and metallic portions disposed at positions corresponding to the magnets on the hub.

5. The propulsion system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one protrusion has a first inclined portion rising in the first rotational direction.

6. The propulsion system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one spiral recess has a second inclined portion corresponding to the first inclined portion such that the propeller and the cap structure come in close contact with each other when being coupled.

7. The propulsion system of claim 5 , wherein the propeller is configured to be slid down toward the motor relative to the cap structure by the first inclined portion when rotation of the blades is stopped and the propeller slides in a second rotational direction relative to the cap structure.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Baek Seung-Chul
• Choi Wonhee
• Baek Sang-In
• YOO Min-Woo
• Yoon Byoung-Uk
• Lee Min-Sung
• Choi Jong-Chul

Classifications

• B64U2101/30

  for imaging, photography or videography · CPC title

• B64U2201/10

  autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS] · CPC title

• B64U50/13

  using external fans or propellers · CPC title

• B64U50/19

  using electrically powered motors · CPC title

• B64C11/02 Primary

  Hub construction · CPC title