Unmanned aerial vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020122828-A1
Application number	US-201816629706-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 11, 2018
Priority date	Jul 28, 2017
Publication date	Apr 23, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

An example unmanned aerial vehicle includes a housing; a wireless communication module; a plurality of propulsion systems; and a navigation circuit. At least one of the plurality of propulsion systems includes a motor; and a propeller assembly rotatably connected to the motor. The propeller assembly comprises: a hub structure including a surface facing away from the motor; a first connecting member including a first post and a second post extending in parallel to and spaced apart from the first post, and the first post and the second post are fixed to the surface and are able to move elastically in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a first blade detachably coupled to the first connecting member and comprising an opening to which the first post and the second post are coupled; and a cap detachably coupled to the top of the first connecting member.

First claim

1 . An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:
a housing; a wireless communication module located inside or connected to the housing, the wireless communication module being configured to perform wireless communication with an external controller; a plurality of propulsion systems connected to the housing or at least partially mounted in the housing; and a navigation circuit configured to control the propulsion systems, at least one of the plurality of propulsion systems including a motor controlled by the navigation circuit and a propeller assembly rotatably connected to the motor, wherein the propeller assembly includes: a hub structure configured to be rotated by the motor, the hub structure including a surface facing away from the motor; a first connection member protruding from the surface in a first direction perpendicular to the surface, the first connection member including a first post and a second post extending parallel to the first post and spaced apart from the first post, the first post and the second post being elastically movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the state of being fixed to the surface; a first blade detachably coupled to the first connection member, the first blade including an opening to which the first post and the second post are coupled; and a cap detachably coupled to an upper portion of the first connection member.

2 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1 ,
wherein the first blade has an elongated shape having an axis extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction when viewed from above the surface.

3 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 2 ,
wherein the third direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

4 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 3 ,
wherein the first blade is rotatable relative to the first connection member between a mounting position and a dismounting position, wherein the third direction is perpendicular to the second direction at the mounting position, and wherein the third direction is a same as the second direction at the dismounting position.

5 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the propeller assembly further includes:
a second connection member protruding from the surface in the first direction and spaced apart from the first connection member; and a second blade detachably coupled with the second connection member.

6 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the propeller assembly further includes:
a third connection member protruding from the surface in the first direction and spaced apart from the first connection member and the second connection member; and a third blade detachably coupled with the third connection member.

7 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 3 ,
wherein a slit is formed between the first post and the second post of the first connection member, wherein the slit provides a space in which the first post and the second post are movable in the second direction, and wherein the slit is formed in the third direction parallel to the axial direction of the first blade.

8 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 7 ,
wherein the upper end of each of the first post and the second post include a hook protruding outwards with respect to the slit, and wherein the hook is fitted into a fastening hole formed in the cap, and is formed to be oriented in the second direction perpendicular to the third direction.

9 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 3 ,
wherein the opening of the first blade includes at least one protrusion that protrudes inwards in a longitudinal direction of the first blade, and the protrusion has a round shape.

10 . A propeller assembly included in an unmanned aerial vehicle, the propeller assembly comprising:
a hub structure disposed to surround at least a portion of a motor and configured to rotate depending on operation of the motor; a handle structure disposed on one surface of the hub structure and including at least one connection member protruding in a first direction perpendicular to the one surface; at least one blade including a rotation hole detachably coupled to the at least one connection member, the blade being configured to rotate in response to rotation of the handle structure; an elastic member disposed inside the hub structure and configured to provide an elastic force inside the handle structure; and a cap detachably coupled to an upper end of the at least one connection member.

11 . The propeller assembly of claim 10 , wherein the handle structure includes:
an opening disposed in a central region through which a shaft of the cap passes; and a plurality of connection members disposed in a straight line on opposite sides with respect to the opening, wherein a diameter of an upper end of each of the connection members is larger than a diameter of another portion of each of the connection members.

12 . The propeller assembly of claim 10 ,
wherein the at least one connection member includes a first post and a second post extending parallel to the first post and spaced apart from the first post, and wherein the first post and the second post are elastically movable relative to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a state of being fixed to the surface.

13 . The propeller assembly of claim 10 ,
wherein, in the cap, the shaft disposed in the central region of the cap is arranged on a same line as a rotation shaft of the motor, and wherein a plurality of fastening holes, which are arranged in a line with respect to each other with the shaft of the cap interposed therebetween, are detachably coupled to the hook disposed at respective upper ends of the connection members.

14 . The propeller assembly of claim 10 , wherein each of the connection members includes:
a first portion extending from the one surface of the handle structure in the first direction; a second portion extending from the first portion and forming a diameter different from a diameter of the first portion; and a third portion extending from the second portion and including at least one groove, wherein central axes of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are arranged on a same line, the rotation hole of the blade includes a plurality of protrusions protruding perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the first blade, a plurality of grooves are formed in the third portion of the connection member to be disposed in a straight line with respect to the central axis of the connection member, and the grooves guide fitting of the protrusions.

15 . The propeller assembly of claim 10 , wherein each of the connection members includes:
a first portion extending from the one surface of the handle structure in the first direction; a second portion extending from the first portion and including one or more guide grooves, wherein the second portion includes: a first guide groove extending from an upper end, and formed in a fourth direction opposite the first direction; a second guide groove formed along an outer surface of the first connection member in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first guide groove is oriented; and a third guide groove extending from the second guide groove and formed in the fourth direction, wherein the rotation hole of the blade includes at least one protrusion protruding perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the first blade, and the protrusion is inserted along the first guide groove of the connection member and is guided along the first guide groove, the second guide groove, and the

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Kim Jong-Keun
• YOO Min-Woo

Classifications

• B64C11/20

  Constructional features · CPC title

• B64C27/82 Primary

  characterised by the provision of an auxiliary rotor or fluid-jet device for counter-balancing lifting rotor torque or changing direction of rotorcraft · CPC title

• B64C27/50

  Blades foldable to facilitate stowage of aircraft · CPC title

• B64C27/72

  Means acting on blades · CPC title

• B64C27/52

  Tilting of rotor bodily relative to fuselage (of see-saw type construction B64C27/43) · CPC title