Rotorcraft with integrated light pipe support members

• US 9,938,009 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2015
• Issued: 04/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Traxxas LP (Traxxas)
• Original Assignee: Traxxas LP (Traxxas)
• Inventors: Christensen, Casey Christen Jens, Allmendinger, Otto Karl, Hohnholt, Richard Douglas, Poteet, Kent, Schmitz, Scott Rollin Michael, Blackwell, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonzell, Philip J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kreiner, Michael B
• Application Number:
  US14/746,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20150360778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/28 Electric lighting systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/12 Helicopters A63H27/04 takes precedence; Flying tops
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/32 Rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/65 Composite materials
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/80 Arrangement of on-board electronics, e.g. avionics systems or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/29 Constructional aspects of rotors or rotor supports; Arrangements thereof

Abstract

A radio controlled model rotorcraft implemented with features improving ease of flight and flight performance by increasing structural stability, increasing rotorcraft visibility and orientation awareness through the use of multifunctioning, configurable, and aesthetically pleasing components, while also increasing resistance to damage from crashes through use of impact and vibration absorbing components.

Claims

1. A radio controlled model rotorcraft, comprising:

a plurality of rotor assemblies;

a plurality of arms;

one or more light sources; and

a plurality of support members, each configured to couple to an arm along at least a portion of the length of the arm, providing structural support to the arm;

wherein at least a portion of the support member, extending along substantially the entire length of the support member, is composed of an at least semi-transparent material; and

wherein at least a portion of the semi-transparent material is exposed to at least one of the one or more light sources, transferring the light received substantially throughout the portion of the support member composed of an at least semi-transparent material, illuminating the support member.

2. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1, wherein the support members are configured to resist deflection and flexing of the arms.

3. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1, wherein the support members are configured to resist twisting of the arms.

4. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1, wherein the support members further comprise one or more coupling members integrally formed into the support members for coupling system components to the support members without the use of additional fastening devices.

5. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 4, wherein the arms further comprise a bar member, and wherein at least one of the coupling members of the support members comprises a hook member, with the hook member configured to fit over and grip the bar member to removably couple the support member to the arm.

6. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 5, wherein while the hook member is coupled to the bar, the arm is secured against displacement along a direction substantially coincident with the lengthwise direction of the arm.

7. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 4, wherein the arms further comprise a slot extending along at least a portion of the length of the arm, and wherein at least one of the coupling members of the support members comprises one or more ridges configured to be received by the slot.

8. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 7, wherein while at least a portion of the ridge is received within the slot, the arm is secured against twisting about its length.

9. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 4, wherein the support members further comprise:

a first side configured to be substantially planar and oriented to face in a direction away from the lengthwise direction of the support member; and

a second side disposed across from the first side;

wherein at least one of the coupling members of the support members comprises one or more pairs of snap tabs disposed along at least a portion of the first and second sides.

10. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 9, wherein the arms further comprises:

a curved surface extending along substantially the entire length of the arm;

a first set of lips, disposed along at least a portion of the length of the curved surface; and

a second set of lips, disposed along at least a portion of the length of the curved surface;

wherein the first set and second set of lips are configured to receive the pairs of snap tabs of the support members, holding the support members in place as the snap tabs engage the first and second sets of lips.

11. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1:

wherein the support members are configured to removably couple to the arms;

wherein the portion of the support members composed of an at least semi-transparent material is configured to emit illuminated light having a color;

wherein the light sources are configured to emit substantially white light; and

wherein the color of illuminated light emitted from the rotorcraft is configurable through replacement of one or more support members with support members having a desired color.

12. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 11, wherein each support member comprises a single piece of an at least semi-transparent material.

13. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 11, wherein each support member is exposed to light from a single light source.

14. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1, wherein the number of light sources corresponds to at least the number of support members, with each support member configured to receive light emitted from a single light source.

15. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the illuminated portion of the support members is visible from both above and below the rotorcraft.

16. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 15, wherein the support members are disposed along the underside of the rotorcraft during level flight.

17. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 16, wherein the arms are implemented with a cutout portion, forming an opening through the arm, and wherein at least a portion of the illuminated portion of the support member is disposed within the opening through the arm.

18. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1, wherein the support members are configured to receive one or more components, securing the received components to the rotorcraft.

19. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 18:

wherein the rotor assemblies comprise a motor having a length and a cross sectional shape, the motor further comprising a motor shaft extending outward from the motor in a direction substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of the motor; and

wherein the support member is configured to receive the motor, providing landing support and impact resistance to the motor.

20. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 19, further comprising:

a foot member composed of a resiliently deformable material;

wherein the support members further comprise a cup member, the cup member comprising;

a surface having a perimeter substantially coincident with the cross sectional shape of the motor;

an open end; and

one or more walls extending away from the surface, in a direction oriented away from the plane of the surface and towards the open end;

wherein the cup member is configured to receive, and at least partially enclose, the motor; and

wherein the cup member is configured to receive and hold in place the foot member, with the foot member in contact with the motor, providing landing support and impact resistance to the motor.

21. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 20, wherein the arms further comprise:

a motor channel for receiving and at least partially enclosing a motor, the motor channel comprising;

a rim with an opening and a perimeter shape substantially coincident with the cross sectional shape of the motor; and

one or more channel sides extending away from the perimeter of the rim, in a direction oriented away from to the plane of the rim;

wherein the motor shaft passes through the opening of the rim;

wherein the rim perimeter is substantially coincident with the perimeter of the surface of the cup member;

wherein the motor channel and cup member are configured to align when the arm and support member are coupled, forming a motor cradle for at least partially enclosing the motor; and

wherein the cradle formed is configured to prevents shifting of the motor within the housing formed, with the rim pressing the motor against the foot member.

22. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1, further comprising a base, the base comprising:

a base open end having a boundary;

a mounting surface, extending a distance inward from the boundary, for receiving the one or more light sources;

one or more side surfaces, not coplanar to the mounting surface, extending a distance upward from the outer edge of the mounting surface and toward the boundary of the base open end.

23. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 22, further comprising a first cover, and wherein the base is configured to removably couple to the first cover, forming a housing at least partially enclosing the one or more light sources.

24. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 23, wherein the base further comprises one or more openings, having a boundary with a shape, and extending through one or more side surfaces.

25. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 24, wherein the light sources are received by the mounting surface of the base, with each light source positioned proximal to an opening and oriented to project light through the opening.

26. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 25, wherein each of the openings of the base is configured to receive a support member, wherein further light emitted from a light source is received by the support member, illuminating the portion of the support member composed of an at least semi-translucent material.

27. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 24, wherein the support members further comprise:

a first end proximal to the first cover;

a second end distal from the first cover; and

a groove disposed proximal to the first end and having a profile substantially coincident with the at least a portion of the boundary shape of a cutout;

wherein the groove is received by a cutout, thereby trapping a portion along the length of the support member within the housing formed by the coupled base and first cover, coupling the support member to the base and first cover.

28. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 22, wherein the first cover further comprises one or more cradles, with the number of inserts corresponding to the number of light sources, and wherein each cradle is configured to receive a light source.

29. The radio controlled rotorcraft of claim 22, wherein the mounting surface further comprises one or more recesses, with the number of recesses corresponding to the number of light sources, and wherein each recess is configured to receive a light source.

30. The radio controlled rotorcraft of claim 29, wherein the first cover further comprises:

one or more inserts, each insert configured to receive a light source;

wherein the inserts are disposed so that each insert aligns with a recess of the base when the base and first cover are coupled together; and

wherein each of the one or more light sources is held in place between an insert and a recess while the base is coupled to the first cover.

31. The radio controlled rotorcraft of claim 30, wherein the light sources further comprise a locator, with the locator made from an elastic material and having a length sufficient to fit over and couple to a light source with substantially the entire inner portion of the locator in contact with the light source, and further sized to fit within, and be held in place between a cradle and a recess while the base is coupled to the first cover.

32. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 31, further comprising a circuit board assembly, configured to be at least partially enclosed with the housing formed by the first cover and base, wherein the circuit board assembly is electrically coupled to the one or more light sources.

33. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 32, wherein the electrical couplings connecting the circuit board assembly to the light sources are rigid and configured to support the circuit board assembly.

34. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 33, wherein the circuit board assembly is held in place within the housing formed by the coupled first cover and base without the circuit board assembly directly contacting any portion of the interior surfaces of the housing formed.

35. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 34, wherein the locators are configured to fit snugly within the inserts and recesses, vibrationally isolating the circuit board assembly.

36. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 22, further comprising a taillight, wherein at least a portion of the taillight is viewable from the exterior of the rotorcraft.

37. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 22, further comprising a taillight, and wherein the base further comprises an aperture through a portion a side surface through which at least a portion of the light emitted by the taillight is configured to pass.

38. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1, wherein the arms further comprise one or more wire channels extending along at least a portion of the length of the arms.

39. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 38, wherein the wire channels are disposed along a portion of the arm to which the support member couples, whereby the wire channels are interposed between the arm and support member when the arm and support member are coupled.

40. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1, further comprising a pod cover configured to removably couple to the first cover.

41. The radio controlled model rotorcraft of claim 1, wherein the first cover and plurality of arms comprise a single piece of material.

42. A radio controlled model rotorcraft, comprising:

a plurality of rotor assemblies;

a first cover;

a plurality of arms, with each arm extending outwardly from the first cover;

one or more light sources; and

a plurality of support members, each configured to removeably couple to an arm;

wherein at least a portion of the support member, extending along substantially the entire length of the support member, is composed of an at least semi-transparent material;

wherein at least a portion of the semi-transparent material is exposed to at least one of the one or more light sources, transferring the light received throughout the portion of the support member composed of an at least semi-transparent material, illuminating the support member; and

wherein the color arrangement of the support members is configurable through replacing one or more support members with one or more support members configured to illuminate and emit light of a desired color.

43. A radio controlled model rotorcraft, comprising:

a plurality of rotor assemblies comprising;

a motor; and

a propeller;

a first cover;

a plurality of arms, with each arm extending outwardly from the first cover;

one or more light sources; and

a plurality of support members, each configured to couple to an arm along at least a portion of the length of the arm, providing structural support to the arm;

wherein at least a portion of the support member, extending along substantially the entire length of the support member, is composed of an at least semi-transparent material having a color;

wherein at least a portion of the semi-transparent material is exposed to at least one of the one or more light sources, transferring the light received along substantially the entire length of the portion of the support member composed of an at least semi-transparent material, illuminating the support member;

wherein the support members are implemented with one or more coupling members for receiving, and securing to the support member, one or more rotor assembly components;

wherein the color arrangement of the support members is configurable through replacing one or more support members with a replacement support member having a desired color.

44. A radio controlled model rotorcraft, comprising:

a plurality of rotor assemblies having a propeller, configured so that all of the propellers are substantially coplanar;

a circuit board assembly;

a first cover;

a plurality of arms, with each arm extending outwardly from the first cover;

a base configured to couple to the first cover; and

a plurality of support members, each composed of an at least semi-transparent material and configured to couple to an arm of the center pod along at least a portion of the length of the arm, providing structural support to the arm;

wherein the first cover and base are configured to fit together to form a housing for receiving and at least partially enclosing the circuit board assembly within; and

wherein, when coupled to one another, the first cover and base are configured to trap and hold the circuit board assembly in place without the circuit board assembly directly contacting any portion of the interior surfaces of the first cover.