COLLAPSIBLE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV)

• US 20170313400A1
• Filed: 04/26/2017
• Published: 11/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Atlas Dynamic Limited
• Original Assignee: Atlas Dynamic Limited
• Inventors: Zhydanov, Igor
• Application Number:
  US15/497,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20170313400A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/063 Folding or collapsing to reduce overall dimensions, e.g. foldable tail booms
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/293 Foldable or collapsible rotors or rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/00 Transport or storage specially adapted for UAVs

Abstract

Disclosed is an aerial vehicle such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In one implementation, the vehicle includes a base and one or more front-facing arms extending from the base. Each front facing arm includes an inner segment affixed to the base and an outer segment. The vehicle also includes a rear-facing arm affixed to the base. In another implementation, a UAV includes one or more arms mounted to a base. At least one of the arms includes a first segment that is proximate to the base and a second segment that is distant from the base. A first hinge connects the first segment and the second segment. Various dimensions of the UAV are reduced when the arm(s) are folded along the first hinge.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a base;

a plurality of front-facing arms extending from the base, each front facing arm comprising an inner segment affixed to the base and an outer segment; and

a rear-facing arm affixed to the base.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the inner segment and the outer segment are joined by at least one of a hinge or a joint.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of front-facing arms can be positioned in at least one of (a) a locked position or (b) an unlocked position.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the outer segment of at least one of the plurality of front-facing arms comprises a lock that enters into a slot present within the inner segment of the at least one of the plurality of front-facing arms.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the outer segment of at least one of the plurality of front-facing arms comprises a motor.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the outer segment of at least one of the plurality of front-facing arms comprises a propeller.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein, when folded, the outer segment of at least one of the front facing arms is parallel to a rear arm of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein, when folded and rotated, the outer segment of at least one of the front facing arms is parallel to a rear arm of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the inner segment is affixed to the base via a hinge or joint.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the hinge or joint, when rotated, enables the front facing arm to rotate in relation to the base.

11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the hinge or joint, when rotated, enables the front facing arm to rotate up to 180 degrees in relation to the base.

12. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the rear-facing arm comprises a motor and a servomotor.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the motor is attached to a motor shaft that is attached to the servomotor.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein force originating from the servomotor is transferred directly to the motor shaft.

15. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the motor shaft is mounted in a plurality of ball bearings.

16. A collapsible unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:

one or more arms mounted to a base;

wherein at least one of the one or more arms comprises a first segment that is proximate to the base and a second segment that is distant from the base;

wherein a first hinge connects the first segment and the second segment; and

wherein one or more dimensions of the UAV are reduced when the at least one of the one or more arms is folded along the first hinge.

17. The UAV of claim 16, wherein a second hinge attaches the first segment to the base.

18. The UAV of claim 16, wherein the second hinge, when rotated, enables the at least one of the one or more arms to rotate in relation to the base.

19. The UAV of claim 16, wherein the hinge, when rotated, enables the at least one of the one or more arms to rotate up to 180 degrees in relation to the base.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a base, and

a plurality arms extending from the base;

wherein at least one of the arms comprises a motor, a propeller, an inner segment affixed to the base and an outer segment; and

wherein the inner segment is affixed to the base via a hinge that, when rotated, enables the at least one of the arms to rotate up to 180 degrees in relation to the base.