DRONE WITH FOLDING LINKING ARMS

• US 20170247098A1
• Filed: 02/22/2017
• Published: 08/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Parrot Drones
• Original Assignee: Parrot Drones
• Inventors: SANLAVILLE, Thierry, DUCLOUX, Maxime, MORRA, Flavien
• Application Number:
  US15/439,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20170247098A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/20 mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/52 Skis or runners
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/21 Rotary wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/00 Transport or storage specially adapted for UAVs
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/10 with means for moving the UAV to a supply or launch location, e.g. robotic arms or carousels

Abstract

Disclosed are embodiments of a rotary-wing drone that includes a drone body with two front linking arms and two rear linking arms extending from the drone body with a propulsion unit located on a distal end of the linking arms. The points of fixation of the front linking arms and the points of fixation of the rear linking arms are located at different respective heights with respect to the horizontal median plane of the drone body. The two front linking arms of the drone may form a first angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal median plane of the drone body and the two rear linking arms may form a second angle of inclination. Additionally, the linking arms of the drone may further be adapted to be folded over along the drone body.

Claims

1. A drone comprising:

a drone body; and

linking arms with a propulsion unit at a distal end of the linking arms;

wherein the linking arms comprise two front linking arms and two rear linking arms extending from the drone body that fold over along the drone body such that a point of fixation of the two front linking arms is located at a different respective height from a point of fixation of the two rear linking arms with respect to a horizontal median plane of the drone body;

wherein the two front linking arms form a first angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal median plane of the drone body and the two rear linking arms form a second angle of inclination different from the first angle of inclination.

2. The drone of claim 1, wherein the linking arms that fold along the drone body are folded in pairs with a first pair being formed by linking the two front linking arms and the second pair being formed by linking the two rear linking arms such that the linking arms of each pair are folded over the other.

3. The drone of claim 2, wherein the two front linking arms and the two rear linking arms extend in respective planes parallel to each other and extend on either side of the horizontal median plane of the drone body.

4. The drone of claim 1, wherein the linking arms are connected to the drone body by a pivoting mechanism, where the pivoting mechanism comprises a locking and unlocking mechanism for folding of the linking arms.

5. The drone of claim 4, wherein the locking and unlocking mechanism is in a locked position when the linking arms are in an unfolded position and in an unlocked position when the linking arms are in a folded position.

6. The drone of claim 4, wherein the locking and unlocking mechanism is located underneath the linking arms.

7. The drone of claim 4, wherein the folding and unlocking mechanism is a push button.

8. The drone of claim 4, wherein the push button comprises a locking pin and a spring.

9. The drone of claim 4, wherein the locking pin is conical.

10. The drone of claim 4, wherein the linking arms comprise a cable trough that is inserted into a grommet, where the grommet protects the cable when the two front linking arms and the two rear linking arms are folded.