Systems and methods for foldable arms

• US 9,914,537 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2016
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (d/b/a DJI) (iFlight Technology Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (d/b/a DJI) (iFlight Technology Company Limited)
• Inventors: Wu, Xumin, Wu, Xiaolong, Lee, Sungki, Ao, Jiyuan, Feng, Zhuang
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Hara, Brian M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kreiner, Michael B
• Application Number:
  US15/336,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20170043870A1
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/12 Rotor drives
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/50 Foldable or collapsible UAVs with frangible components B64U20/30
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/291 Detachable rotors or 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 50/30 Supply or distribution of electrical power
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 60/50 with landing legs
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for transformation of a UAV from an extended state to a compacted state. The UAV can be transported in the compacted state. The UAV can comprise one or more segmented arms that can be folded to reduce the volume of the UAV. The segmented arms can be sealed to prevent ambient air, dirt, and or water vapor from entering the segmented arm. The UAV can comprise a cooling and air filtering system on-board the UAV.

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the UAV comprising:

a central body;

a plurality of arms that extend out from the central body, each arm having one or more joints that segment the arm into a stem portion proximal to the central body and one or more branch portions distal to the central body, wherein the one or more joints permit the one or more branch portions to move horizontally relative to the stem portion; and

a plurality of rotors, each rotor in the plurality attached to the one or more branch portions, wherein the plurality of arms are configured to provide fluid to the plurality of rotors.

2. The UAV of claim 1, wherein each arm of the plurality of arms supports at least two rotor blades.

3. The UAV of claim 1, wherein each arm has a joint connected to the stem portion, and at least two branch portions connected to the joint.

4. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the one or more branch portions of each arm are movable relative to the corresponding stem portion between an extended state and a compacted state.

5. The UAV of claim 4, wherein an angle between a branch portion and the corresponding stem portion is greater than 90 degrees when the branch portion is in the extended state, and wherein an angle between a branch portion and the corresponding stem portion is less than or equal to 90 degrees when the branch portion is in the compacted state.

6. The UAV of claim 4, wherein a distance from the central body to a rotor supported by the branch portion in the extended state is greater than a distance from the central body to the rotor supported by the branch portion in the compacted state.

7. The UAV of claim 4, wherein the one or more branch portions include at least two branch portions that form a Y-shape with the corresponding stem portion when the branch portions are in the extended state.

8. The UAV of claim 4, wherein movement of the one or more branch portions between the extended state and the compacted state includes less than a 5 degree range of vertical motion relative to the central body.

9. The UAV of claim 4, wherein the one or more joints lock a position of each branch portion relative to the corresponding stem portion in the extended state.

10. The UAV of claim 9, wherein the one or more joints each comprises a seal that isolates an inner portion of the joint from an ambient environment in the extended state.

11. The UAV of claim 9, wherein the one or more branch portions move relative to the stem portion between the extended state and the compacted state in response to an electronic signal to change configuration.

12. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the one or more joints include a first pivot region that allows a first branch portion to pivot about an axis with respect to the stem portion and a second pivot region that allows a second branch portion to pivot about an axis with respect to the stem portion.

13. A method of operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:

providing the UAV of claim 1; and

providing energy to the plurality of rotors, thereby generating lift for the UAV.

14. An arm configured to support a propulsion unit of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the arm comprising:

a stem portion of the arm;

one or more branch portions of the arm; and

one or more joints configured to connect the stem portion with the one or more branch portions, wherein the one or more joints permit the one or more branch portions to move horizontally relative to the stem portion when the arm is connected to the UAV, and wherein the arm is configured to provide fluid to the propulsion unit.

15. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the UAV comprising:

a central body;

a plurality of arms that extend out from the central body, each arm having one or more joints that segment the arm into a stem portion proximal to the central body and one or more branch portions distal to the central body, wherein the one or more branch portions are configured to move horizontally relative to the central body without the stem portion moving relative to the central body; and

a plurality of rotors, each rotor in the plurality attached to the one or more branch portions, wherein the plurality of arms are configured to provide fluid to the plurality of rotors.

16. The UAV of claim 15, wherein each arm has a joint connected to the stem portion, and at least two branch portions connected to the joint.

17. The UAV of claim 15, wherein the one or more branch portions are movable relative to the central body between an extended state and a compacted state.

18. The UAV of claim 17, wherein the one or more branch portions include at least two branch portions that form a Y-shape with the corresponding stem portion when the branch portions are in the extended state.

19. The UAV of claim 17, wherein movement of the one or more branch portions between the extended state and the compacted state do not include any vertical motion relative to the central body.

20. A method of operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:

providing the UAV of claim 15;

providing energy to the plurality of rotors, thereby generating lift for the UAV.