Portable spring energy storage starter for unmanned aerial vehicle and starting method thereof

Abstract

The application relates to a portable spring energy storage starter for a drone and a starting method thereof, which is suitable for a drone with a piston engine and comprises a speed reduction motor, a starter dog, an energy storage spring, a transmission shaft, a crank handle and a hand-operated mechanical dog. The crank handle is inserted into the hand-operated mechanical dog to drive the hand-operated mechanical dog to rotate, the hand-operated mechanical dog is in transmission connection with the transmission shaft, the energy storage spring is wound around the transmission shaft, the transmission shaft is driven to rotate through the rotation of the hand-operated mechanical dog, and the energy storage spring is stored with energy. The motor is in transmission connection with the transmission shaft and can also store energy for the energy storage spring. The starter dog is fixedly connected with the transmission shaft, the rotation of the transmission shaft can be transmitted to the piston engine crankshaft of the drone to start the engine of the drone. The portable spring energy storage starter for the drone has two energy storage modes of manual and electric, is light in weight, small in size, simple in structure and high in safety coefficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of starting system technology for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), specifically to a portable spring-powered starter for UAVs and its starting method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, traditional starting technologies for drones, both domestically and internationally, primarily utilize starter motors. These starter motors, comprising reduction gears and electric motors, are relatively heavy and bulky, and require high battery power, which is disadvantageous for aircraft piston engines with stringent power-to-weight ratio requirements. Small drones, due to their limited payload, mostly lack built-in starting systems, relying on handheld electric starters or propeller starts for flight. Handheld electric starters also require high-power power supplies in the field, while propeller starts pose safety hazards.

[0003] Chinese patent application number 201310463330.X, entitled "An Invention Patent for a Starter Motor for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles," proposes an internal combustion engine starter motor for use in unmanned aerial vehicles and model aircraft. Specifically, it involves injecting fuel gas from a high-pressure gas tank directly into the cylinder combustion chamber via a gas valve, mixing it with the air inside. The mixture ignites and explodes, pushing a piston. The piston, through a transmission mechanism, drives the engine, and then a spring-loaded device returns the piston to its original position. This technology requires a high-pressure gas tank and an ignition device, resulting in lower safety and reliability, and a larger size.

[0004] Chinese patent application number 201611157845.7, entitled "A High-Altitude Energy Storage UAV Starting Device and Method," proposes a high-altitude energy storage UAV starting device. This device addresses the problem of insufficient diesel generator power during field and high-altitude starting by employing an electronic energy storage scheme, with the energy storage circuit providing the engine starting energy. This technology features a relatively complex control circuit, and for high-power engines, it inevitably increases the overall weight and volume of the starting system.

[0005] Given the numerous shortcomings of current drone starters, there is an urgent need to provide a drone starter that is lightweight, compact, simple in structure, and has a high safety factor. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a portable spring-powered starter for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). By setting an energy storage spring and using both manual and electric methods to store energy in the spring, a convenient and simple way to start piston engine UAVs can be achieved. The starter of this invention is lightweight, small in size, simple in structure, and has a high safety factor.

[0007] This invention relates to a portable spring-powered starter motor for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), applicable to UAVs employing piston engines. It includes a geared motor, a starter pawl, an energy storage spring, a drive shaft, a crank handle, and a hand-cranked mechanical pawl. The hand-cranked mechanical pawl is connected to the drive shaft, and the energy storage spring is wound around the drive shaft. When the crank handle is inserted into the hand-cranked mechanical pawl, it rotates, causing the drive shaft to rotate and thus storing energy in the energy storage spring. The motor, also connected to the drive shaft, can store energy in the energy storage spring. The starter pawl is fixedly connected to the drive shaft, transmitting the rotation of the drive shaft to the crankshaft of the UAV's piston engine to start the UAV's engine.

[0008] Furthermore, the transmission connection structure between the hand-cranked mechanical chuck and the transmission shaft includes a hand-cranked mechanical chuck torque transmission groove at one end of the hand-cranked mechanical chuck and a transmission shaft torque transmission key at one end of the transmission shaft; when the crank handle is inserted into the hand-cranked mechanical chuck, the hand-cranked mechanical chuck moves axially along the transmission shaft, so that the hand-cranked mechanical chuck torque transmission groove is inserted into the transmission shaft torque transmission key, and the transmission shaft rotates together with the hand-cranked mechanical chuck.

[0009] Furthermore, the transmission connection structure between the geared motor and the transmission shaft includes a geared motor drive gear and a drive shaft gear disk connected to the geared motor, with the drive shaft gear disk sleeved on the transmission shaft; after the geared motor starts, the geared motor drive gear drives the drive shaft gear disk to rotate, and the transmission shaft rotates with the drive shaft gear disk.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a reset spring fitted on the transmission key of the transmission shaft. After the energy storage is completed, the hand-cranked mechanical chuck is reset under the action of the reset spring and disengaged from the transmission shaft. After the hand-cranked mechanical chuck is disengaged from the transmission shaft, a limit key 20 is set on the hand-cranked mechanical chuck to limit it and prevent the hand-cranked mechanical chuck from falling off.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a check mechanism, including a check slider, a thrust spring, and a check ratchet. The check ratchet is fixedly connected to the drive shaft, and the thrust spring is connected to the check slider. After energy storage is completed, the check slider pushes against the check ratchet under the action of the thrust spring, locking it, thereby preventing the drive shaft and the energy storage spring from automatically releasing energy.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a starter handle, on which an energy storage switch and a start switch are installed. The energy storage motor switch is used to start the geared motor to store energy in the energy storage spring, and the start switch is used to release the energy of the energy storage spring, causing the drive shaft to rotate.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes an electromagnet electrically connected to the start switch. The electromagnet is connected to a thrust spring. When the electromagnet is energized, the check slider overcomes the thrust of the thrust spring and disengages from the check ratchet, thereby releasing the energy of the energy storage spring to drive the drive shaft to rotate.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a geared motor drive gear housing and an energy storage spring housing; the starter handle is fixedly connected to the geared motor drive gear housing and the energy storage spring housing; both ends of the drive shaft are supported in the energy storage spring housing by hand-cranked drive shaft bearings, and the geared motor is supported on the outer surface of the geared motor drive gear housing by geared motor drive gear bearings.

[0015] Furthermore, the starter has two energy storage methods: one is to manually store energy in the spring using the starter handle, and the other is to store energy in the spring using a geared motor.

[0016] A method for starting a drone using the aforementioned starter motor includes the following steps:

[0017] First, hold the starter handle of the starter motor that has completed energy storage and connect the starter pawl to the crankshaft of the drone's piston engine.

[0018] Then, press the start switch, the electromagnet is energized, the energy storage spring begins to release energy, and the drive shaft rotates under the energy release of the energy storage spring;

[0019] Finally, the starter pawl transmits the rotation of the drive shaft to the crankshaft of the UAV's piston engine. The engine crankshaft rotates, driving the piston engine to compress the heavy oil spray, which then burns, and the piston engine starts normally.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0021] 1. The starter of the present invention can be applied to small drones that do not have a starting system, and multiple such portable starters can be connected in series after energy storage by a geared motor to start drones of different power levels.

[0022] 2. This invention addresses the problem of insufficient starting energy when drones are flying in outdoor or high-altitude environments. It also includes both manual and electric energy storage systems, allowing for manual energy storage when multiple starts are required in an emergency.

[0023] 3. The starter motor of this invention is lightweight and compact. Compared with an electric starting system of the same power rating, it is nearly two-thirds lighter and has a low battery power, making it easy to carry. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 A front view of a portable spring-powered starter for unmanned aerial vehicles.

[0026] Figure 2 Side view of a portable spring-powered starter for unmanned aerial vehicles.

[0027] Figure 3 Top view of a portable spring-powered starter for unmanned aerial vehicles.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0029] 1-Hand-cranked drive shaft bearing, 2-Energy storage spring housing, 3-Gearbox drive gear, 4-Gearbox drive gear housing, 5-Starter handle, 6-Gearbox, 7-Hand-cranked mechanical chuck, 8-Drive shaft gear disc, 9-Energy storage spring, 10-Starter chuck, 11-Gearbox drive gear bearing, 12-Check ratchet, 13-Check slider, 14-Thrust spring, 15-Electromagnet, 16-Energy storage switch, 17-Starter switch, 18-Drive shaft, 19-Reset spring, 20-Limit key, 21-Drive shaft torque transmission key, 22-Hand-cranked mechanical chuck torque transmission groove. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Manual energy storage: When the portable starter is storing energy, the crank handle is inserted into the hand-cranked mechanical pawl 7. The hand-cranked mechanical pawl 7 moves forward, and the torque transmission groove 22 of the hand-cranked mechanical pawl is inserted into the torque transmission key 21 of the drive shaft. The drive shaft 18 rotates together with the hand-cranked mechanical pawl 7. The energy storage spring 9 wrapped around the drive shaft 18 begins to store energy until the energy storage spring 9 has completed energy storage. After energy storage is completed, the hand-cranked mechanical pawl 7 is reset by the action of the reset spring 19 sleeved on the torque transmission key 21 of the drive shaft, and disengages from the drive shaft 18. That is, the torque transmission groove of the hand-cranked mechanical pawl and the torque transmission key of the drive shaft are disengaged, so that when the energy storage spring 9 releases energy, the hand-cranked mechanical pawl 7 will not rotate at high speed with the drive shaft 18, reducing safety hazards. After disengagement, a limit key 20 is set on the hand-cranked mechanical pawl 7 to limit it and prevent the hand-cranked mechanical pawl 7 from falling off. After energy storage is completed, the anti-return slider 13 pushes against the anti-return ratchet 12 under the action of the thrust spring 14. The anti-return ratchet 12 is fixedly connected to the drive shaft 18, and the drive shaft 18 and the energy storage spring 9 cannot release energy automatically.

[0032] Electric energy storage: Pressing the energy storage switch 16 on the starter handle 5 causes the geared motor 6 to start rotating. The geared motor drives the gear 3, which in turn drives the drive shaft gear disc 8 to rotate. The transmission shaft 18 rotates together with the drive shaft gear disc 8 mounted on it. The energy storage spring 9, which is wound around the transmission shaft 18, begins to store energy until it is fully charged. After energy storage is complete, the check slider 13, under the action of the thrust spring 14, pushes against the check ratchet 12, preventing the transmission shaft 18 and the energy storage spring 9 from automatically releasing energy.

[0033] The starter motor also includes a geared motor drive gear housing 4 and an energy storage spring housing 2, which are electrically connected. The starter handle 5 is fixedly connected to the geared motor drive gear housing 4 and the energy storage spring housing 2. The hand crank drive shaft bearing 1, starter handle 5, geared motor 6, drive shaft gear disc 8, energy storage spring 9, check ratchet 12, check slider 13, thrust spring, electromagnet 15, drive shaft 18, return spring 19, limit key 20, and drive shaft torque key 21 are all housed within the energy storage spring housing 2. The drive gear 3 is located inside the geared motor drive gear housing 4; one end of the drive shaft 18 is provided with a starter pawl 10 and the other end is provided with a drive shaft torque key 21. The hand-cranked mechanical pawl 7 can be inserted through the through hole on the energy storage spring housing 2 and inserted into the drive shaft torque key 21 through the hand-cranked mechanical pawl torque groove 22; both ends of the drive shaft 18 are supported in the energy storage spring housing 2 by the hand-cranked drive shaft bearing 1, and the geared motor 6 is supported on the outer surface of the geared motor drive gear housing 4 by the geared motor drive gear bearing 11.

[0034] Starting the drone: Hold the starter handle 5 and connect the starter pawl 10 to the crankshaft of the drone's aviation piston engine. Press the start switch 17, and the electromagnet 15 is energized. The check slider 13 overcomes the thrust of the thrust spring 14 and disengages from the check ratchet 12. The check ratchet 12 is fixedly connected to the drive shaft 18. Therefore, the drive shaft 18 rotates under the release of energy from the energy storage spring 9. The drive shaft 18 is fixedly connected to the starter pawl 10. The starter pawl 10 transmits force to the crankshaft of the drone's aviation piston engine. The engine crankshaft rotates, driving the piston engine to compress heavy oil spray. The heavy oil is burned, and the engine starts normally.

[0035] The present invention can also connect multiple of these portable starters in series after storing energy in a geared motor, so as to start drones of different power levels.

[0036] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A portable spring-powered starter for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), characterized in that, This device is suitable for drones using piston engines and includes a geared motor, a starter pawl, an energy storage spring, a drive shaft, a crank handle, and a hand-cranked mechanical pawl. The hand-cranked mechanical pawl is connected to the drive shaft, and the energy storage spring is wound around the drive shaft. When the crank handle is inserted into the hand-cranked mechanical pawl, it rotates, which in turn rotates the drive shaft, thus storing energy in the energy storage spring. The motor is also connected to the drive shaft and can store energy in the energy storage spring. The starter pawl is fixedly connected to the drive shaft and can transmit the rotation of the drive shaft to the crankshaft of the drone's piston engine to start the drone's engine. The hand-cranked mechanical chuck and drive shaft transmission connection structure includes a hand-cranked mechanical chuck torque transmission groove at one end of the hand-cranked mechanical chuck and a drive shaft torque transmission key at one end of the drive shaft. When the handle is inserted into the hand-cranked mechanical chuck, the hand-cranked mechanical chuck moves axially along the drive shaft, causing the hand-cranked mechanical chuck torque transmission groove to engage with the drive shaft torque transmission key, and the drive shaft rotates together with the hand-cranked mechanical chuck. It also includes a return spring sleeved on the drive shaft torque transmission key. After energy storage, the hand-cranked mechanical chuck resets under the action of the return spring and disengages from the drive shaft. A limit key is provided on the hand-cranked mechanical chuck for limiting its movement and preventing it from falling off. It also includes a check mechanism, including a check slider, a thrust spring, and a check ratchet. The check ratchet is fixedly connected to the drive shaft, and the thrust spring is connected to the check slider. After energy storage is completed, the check slider pushes against the check ratchet under the action of the thrust spring, locking it, thereby preventing the drive shaft and the energy storage spring from automatically releasing energy.

2. A portable spring-powered starter for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission connection structure between the geared motor and the transmission shaft includes a geared motor drive gear and a drive shaft gear disk connected to the gear reducer. The drive shaft gear disk is sleeved on the transmission shaft. After the geared motor starts, the geared motor drive gear drives the drive shaft gear disk to rotate, and the transmission shaft rotates with the drive shaft gear disk.

3. A portable spring-powered starter for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a starter handle, on which an energy storage switch and a starter switch are installed. The energy storage motor switch is used to start the geared motor to store energy in the energy storage spring, and the starter switch is used to release the energy of the energy storage spring, causing the drive shaft to rotate.

4. A portable spring-powered starter for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes an electromagnet electrically connected to the start switch. The electromagnet is connected to a thrust spring. When the electromagnet is energized, the check slider overcomes the thrust of the thrust spring and disengages from the check ratchet, thereby releasing the energy of the energy storage spring to drive the drive shaft to rotate.

5. A portable spring-powered starter for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a geared motor drive gear housing and an energy storage spring housing; the starter handle is fixedly connected to the geared motor drive gear housing and the energy storage spring housing. The two ends of the drive shaft are supported by hand-cranked drive shaft bearings inside the energy storage spring housing, and the geared motor is supported by geared motor drive gear bearings on the outer surface of the geared motor drive gear housing.

6. A portable spring-powered starter for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 5, characterized in that, The starter has two energy storage methods: one is to manually store energy in the spring using the starter handle, and the other is to store energy in the spring using a geared motor.

7. A method for starting a drone using the starter motor according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: First, hold the starter handle of the starter motor that has completed energy storage and connect the starter pawl to the crankshaft of the drone's piston engine. Then, press the start switch, the electromagnet is energized, the energy storage spring begins to release energy, and the drive shaft rotates under the energy release of the energy storage spring; Finally, the starter pawl transmits the rotation of the drive shaft to the crankshaft of the UAV's piston engine. The engine crankshaft rotates, driving the piston engine to compress the heavy oil spray, which then burns, and the piston engine starts normally.

Images