Drone folding arm locking joint, arm and drone

Abstract

A folding drone arm locking joint, an arm, and a drone relate to the technical field of fastening. To address the existing technical problem that the locking structure of the existing folding drone arm has high friction, requiring greater force to operate the locking member to lock and unlock, which is not conducive to convenient use of the locking member, the present invention provides a technical solution: the folding drone arm locking joint includes: a fixed base, a movable base, and a locking wrench; the fixed base and the movable base are movably connected; the fixed base is also provided with a groove, and the locking wrench is provided with a locking member. The locking member is driven by the locking wrench and falls into the groove, locking the joint; the locking member is a roller, and the angle between the line connecting the centers of the two circles where the roller and the small shaft are projected and the line connecting the centers of the two circles where the roller and the large shaft are projected is not less than 90 degrees. Suitable for application in the design of drone arms.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of fastening, in particular to a drone with foldable arms. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing application of drones in various industries and fields, people are becoming more and more familiar with drones with a growing range of functions. Multi-rotor agricultural drones are primarily composed of a fuselage, arms, rotors, and a tripod. Under the fuselage are various modules, such as a precision direct seeding device, a sowing system, and sprayers and fertilizer applicators, to meet the diverse needs of agricultural aviation for seeding, fertilizing, and spraying.

[0003] Currently, in the agricultural aviation sector, larger payloads are increasingly favored by users. Increased payloads improve agricultural unit efficiency. This increased payload undoubtedly requires correspondingly higher requirements for various drone components, such as longer arms, increased battery capacity, higher rotor motor power, and larger rotors. This translates to a larger overall drone footprint. With the typical 40-50 kg drone weight, this increased size creates inconveniences in packaging, transport, control, and handling.

[0004] The industry generally adopts a folding arm mechanism to achieve the foldability of the arm. In this way, the size of the entire machine can be reduced accordingly after folding. In existing technologies, fixed structures, thicker and larger folding buckles are usually used to obtain more stable and reliable locking capabilities.

[0005] The utility model patent with the publication date of May 7, 2021 and the patent number ZN202120352005.6, provided by Dongguan XAG UAV Technology Co., Ltd., is a drone arm locking assembly, which includes a locking structure that can lock the arm in the state when the arm is deployed. The locking structure includes a first locking member and a second locking member that can surround each other in a circular ring. The first locking member includes a push rod toward the fixed end of the first locking member. In the buckled state, the push rod will be pushed toward the connection part between the first locking member and the arm. The end of the second locking member has a force-bearing structure. When the second locking member is fully pressed down and the first locking member is fully buckled, the push rod will push the end of the second locking member toward the fixed end of the first locking member to the limit through the force-bearing structure to ensure that the first locking member and the second locking member are fully wrapped; in this state, the effect of locking the deployed arm is achieved;

[0006] The push rod and force-bearing structure used for the locking part are fixed, stable and thick castings;

[0007] The utility model patent with patent number ZN202022577797.5, published on November 9, 2021, provides a folding arm for a drone provided by Shenzhen DJI Innovations Technology Co., Ltd., which includes an arm body that can be switched between an unfolded position and a folded position. The arm body includes a first body and a second body, and is locked by using a first locking member and a second locking member that cooperate with each other. Judging from its pictures and text, the way it achieves locking is that the first locking member and the second locking member cooperate and restrict each other through a diagonal structure. When the length of the diagonal structure remains unchanged, when the first locking member is buckled, it pushes the end of the diagonal structure connected to the second locking member to move toward the fixed end of the first locking member. When the second locking member moves toward the fixed end of the first locking member under the action of the driving force, it produces a negative angle against the diagonal structure, thereby achieving locking;

[0008] The inclined-stayed structure for achieving locking is also a fixed, stable, thick long strip casting.

[0009] Although the fixed, stable and heavy casting brings a more stable locking ability, in actual application, the friction during operation is relatively greater, and the wear of the locking part is more severe, which is not conducive to the service life of the locking part; and because of its large friction, in actual use, greater force is required to operate the locking part to lock and unlock, which is not conducive to the convenient use of the locking part. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To solve the technical problems in the prior art that, in the locking structure of the existing folding arm of a drone, the fixed, stable and heavy casting used for locking provides a more stable locking ability, but in actual application, the friction during operation is relatively greater, and the wear of the locking part is more severe, which is not conducive to the service life of the locking part; and because of the large friction, in actual use, greater force is required to operate the locking part to lock and unlock, which is not conducive to the convenient use of the locking part, the technical solution provided by the present invention is:

[0011] The UAV folding arm locking joint includes:

[0012] A fixed base for connecting the fixed end of the drone's folding arm,

[0013] A movable base for connecting the movable end of the machine arm,

[0014] and a locking wrench for locking the fixed base and the movable base;

[0015] The fixed base is provided with a large rotating shaft, and the fixed base is movably connected to the movable base via the large rotating shaft;

[0016] The fixed base is also provided with a groove.

[0017] The locking wrench is movably connected to the movable base via a small rotating shaft.

[0018] The locking wrench is provided with a locking piece.

[0019] The locking member is driven by the locking wrench and falls into the groove, so that the joint is in a locked state;

[0020] The locking member is a roller,

[0021] On a plane perpendicular to the axis of the roller, the angle between the line connecting the centers of the two circles where the projections of the roller and the small rotating shaft are located and the line connecting the centers of the two circles where the projections of the roller and the large rotating shaft are located is not less than 90 degrees.

[0022] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided in which a fixing buckle is provided on the locking wrench, and when the joint is in a locked state, the locking wrench is fixedly connected to the movable base via the fixing buckle.

[0023] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided in which the locking wrench is further provided with a trigger, and the trigger is used to release the locking wrench and the movable base that are in fixed connection when triggered.

[0024] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided in which the locking wrench is provided with a through hole for surrounding the trigger.

[0025] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided, in which the projection of the fixed base on the plane is a right-angled trapezoid, and the large rotation axis is arranged close to the inner angle of the trapezoid with the smallest angle.

[0026] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided, in which the locking wrench is arranged at the upper bottom surface of the right-angled trapezoid when the joint is in a locked state.

[0027] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided, wherein the angle is 120 degrees.

[0028] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is provided, wherein the groove is a protrusion with a concave surface in the middle, which is provided on the fixed base.

[0029] Based on the same inventive concept, the present invention also provides a folding arm for a drone, wherein the movable end and the fixed end of the arm are connected via the joint.

[0030] Based on the same inventive concept, the present invention also provides a drone, which includes the aforementioned arm.

[0031] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by the present invention is beneficial in that:

[0032] The UAV folding arm locking joint provided by the present invention overcomes the prejudice of the prior art;

[0033] In the prior art, when designing the deployment of a folding drone arm, people usually choose a fixed, heavy casting that is not easily deformed and has extremely high stability as a locking member to ensure the stability of the deployment. The larger locking member provides a more stable and secure locking capability, improving the sense of security.

[0034] However, they overlook the technical disadvantages that the greater the friction during operation, the more severe the wear of the locking member, and the greater the force required to operate the locking member to lock and unlock in actual use.

[0035] The UAV folding arm locking joint provided by the present invention has the following effects:

[0036] The straight line a connecting the arm locking part and the small rotating shaft, and the line b connecting the midpoint of the large rotating shaft axis of the joint and the locking part; through a specific structural relationship, the angle between the straight line a and the line b is fixed to no less than 90 degrees. In this way, when locked, the force between the contact surfaces of the locking parts is perpendicular to the tangent of the contact surface and toward the axis of the roller. There is no angular deviation, so the roller will not rotate when subjected to force. In this way, under certain conditions, the roller that cannot rotate can achieve the stability effect of fixing the casting.

[0037] On the basis of achieving a stable effect, due to the design of the roller, in the non-locking state, due to the angle deviation, the interaction between the locking parts changes from sliding friction of fixed castings to rolling friction, which increases the service life of the locking parts, provides a smooth transition method for the interaction, and achieves a faster and more labor-saving locking and unlocking effect.

[0038] Suitable for use in the design of drone arms. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the locking joint of the folding arm of the drone mentioned in embodiment 1;

[0040] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Side view of the locked state;

[0041] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Side view of the unlocked state;

[0042] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Side view of the locking wrench raised;

[0043] Among them, 1 represents a fixed base, 11 represents a large rotating shaft, 12 represents a groove, 2 represents a movable base, 3 represents a locking wrench, 31 represents a small rotating shaft, 32 represents a locking piece, 33 represents a fixed buckle, and 34 represents a trigger. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In order to make the advantages and benefits of the technical solution provided by the present invention more clearly reflected, the technical solution provided by the present invention is now further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, specifically:

[0045] Implementation Method 1: Combination Figure 1-4 This embodiment describes a locking joint for a folding arm of a drone, comprising:

[0046] A fixed base for connecting the fixed end of the folding arm of the drone 1,

[0047] A movable base 2 for connecting the movable end of the arm,

[0048] and a locking wrench 3 for locking the fixed base 1 and the movable base 2;

[0049] The fixed base 1 is provided with a large rotating shaft 11, and the fixed base 1 is movably connected to the movable base 2 via the large rotating shaft 11;

[0050] The fixed base 1 is also provided with a groove 12.

[0051] The locking wrench 3 is movably connected to the movable base 2 via a small rotating shaft 31.

[0052] The locking wrench 3 is provided with a locking member 32.

[0053] The locking member 32 is driven by the locking wrench 3 and falls into the groove 12, so that the joint is in a locked state;

[0054] The locking member 32 is a roller.

[0055] On a plane perpendicular to the axis of the roller, the angle between the line connecting the centers of the two circles where the projections of the roller and the small rotating shaft 31 are located and the line connecting the centers of the two circles where the projections of the roller and the large rotating shaft 11 are located is not less than 90 degrees.

[0056] In order to ensure the stability of the deployment, people usually choose fixed, heavy castings that are not easy to deform and have extremely high stability as locking parts. Therefore, in the locking structure of the existing drone folding arm, the fixed, stable and heavy castings used for locking provide a more stable locking ability. However, in actual application, the friction during operation is relatively greater, and the wear of the locking parts is more severe, which is not conducive to the service life of the locking parts. Moreover, due to the high friction, greater force is required to operate the locking parts to lock and unlock in actual use, which is not conducive to the convenient use of the locking parts.

[0057] Although the larger locking member provides a more stable and secure locking ability and improves the sense of security, the friction during operation is relatively greater, and the wear of the locking member is more severe. Due to the greater friction, in actual use, more force is required to operate the locking member to lock and unlock;

[0058] The locking joint provided in this embodiment has a fixed angle of not less than 90 degrees between the straight line a where the arm locking member 32 is connected to the small shaft 31 and the line b between the midpoint of the axis of the large shaft 11 of the joint and the locking member 32 in the locked state. Figure 3 As shown, in the locked state, due to the relative positional relationship between the fixed base 1 and the movable base 2, the direction of the force between the locking member 32 and the contact surface of the locking member 32 on the groove 12 is perpendicular to the tangent of the contact surface and toward the axis of the roller. There is no angular deviation, so the roller will not rotate when subjected to force. In a specific state, the roller that cannot rotate can achieve the stabilization effect of the fixed casting.

[0059] On the basis of achieving a stable effect, due to the design of the roller, in the non-locked state, due to the angle deviation, the interaction between the locking member 32 and the locking member 32 changes from the sliding friction of the fixed casting to rolling friction, thereby increasing the service life of the locking member 32, providing a smooth transition method for the interaction, and achieving a faster and more labor-saving locking and unlocking effect.

[0060] Implementation method 2. This implementation method further limits the locking joint of the folding arm of the drone provided in implementation method 1. A fixing buckle 33 is provided on the locking wrench 3. When the joint is in the locked state, the locking wrench 3 is fixedly connected to the movable base 2 through the fixing buckle 33.

[0061] In the joint locking state, after the locking wrench 3 drives the locking piece 32 to lock the fixed base 1 and the movable base 2, the locking wrench 3 falls to the lowest point, and the fixed buckle 33 provided on the locking wrench 3 can cooperate with the fixed slot buckle fixed on the movable base 2 to achieve further locking of the locking wrench 3, avoiding the wrench from being lifted up due to external forces such as impact, making the locking ineffective, and the machine arm folding and causing losses.

[0062] Implementation method three: This implementation method further limits the locking joint of the drone folding arm provided in implementation method two. The locking wrench 3 is also provided with a trigger 34, and the trigger 34 is used to release the locking wrench 3 and the movable base 2 that are fixedly connected when triggered.

[0063] A trigger 34 is provided for releasing the snap fit state. The trigger 34 and the fixed snap fit 33 are an integrated structure and are fixed to the locking wrench 3 through a snap fit shaft. The snap fit state is released by triggering the trigger 34, which reduces the difficulty of operation and further improves the simplicity of operation.

[0064] Embodiment 4: This embodiment further limits the locking joint of the folding arm of the drone provided in Embodiment 3. A through hole for surrounding the trigger 34 is provided on the locking wrench 3 .

[0065] By surrounding the trigger 34 inside the locking wrench 3, the trigger 34 is prevented from being accidentally touched by impact, etc., which may cause the snap fit to loosen and the locking wrench 3 to rise, causing the joint to lose its locking effect, thereby improving the stability of the shutdown and reducing the risk of causing losses.

[0066] Implementation method 5. This implementation method further limits the locking joint of the folding arm of the drone provided in implementation method 1. The projection of the fixed base 1 on the plane is a right-angled trapezoid, and the setting position of the large rotating shaft 11 is close to the inner angle with the smallest angle of the trapezoid.

[0067] Implementation 6: This implementation further limits the UAV folding arm locking joint provided in Implementation 5. The locking wrench 3 is set at the upper bottom surface of the right-angled trapezoid when the joint is in the locked state.

[0068] Implementation 7: This implementation further limits the locking joint of the folding arm of the drone provided in Implementation 1, and the angle is 120 degrees.

[0069] Embodiment 8: This embodiment further defines the locking joint of the folding arm of the drone provided in Embodiment 1. The groove 12 is a protrusion with a concave surface in the middle provided on the fixed base 1 .

[0070] Implementation method 9: This implementation method provides a foldable drone arm, wherein the movable end and the fixed end of the arm are connected via the joint provided in implementation method 1.

[0071] Implementation method 10: This implementation method provides a drone, which includes the arm provided in implementation method 9.

[0072] The above further describes the technical solution provided by the present invention in detail through several specific embodiments in order to highlight the advantages and benefits of the technical solution provided by the present invention. However, the several specific embodiments described above are not intended to limit the present invention. Any reasonable modification and improvement of the present invention, reasonable combination of implementation methods and equivalent replacement based on the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. The UAV folding arm locking joint is characterized by: The joints include: A fixed base for connecting the fixed end of the drone's folding arm, A movable base for connecting the movable end of the machine arm, and a locking wrench for locking the fixed base and the movable base; The fixed base is provided with a large rotating shaft, and the fixed base is movably connected to the movable base via the large rotating shaft; The fixed base is also provided with a groove. The locking wrench is movably connected to the movable base via a small rotating shaft. The locking wrench is provided with a locking piece. The locking member is driven by the locking wrench and falls into the groove, so that the joint is in a locked state; The locking member is a roller, On a plane perpendicular to the axis of the roller, the angle between the line connecting the centers of the two circles where the projections of the roller and the small rotating shaft are located and the line connecting the centers of the two circles where the projections of the roller and the large rotating shaft are located is not less than 90 degrees.

2. The UAV folding arm locking joint according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking wrench is provided with a fixing buckle. When the joint is in a locked state, the locking wrench is fixedly connected to the movable base through the fixing buckle.

3. The UAV folding arm locking joint according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking wrench is also provided with a trigger, and the trigger is used to release the locking wrench and the movable base that are in fixed connection when triggered.

4. The UAV folding arm locking joint according to claim 3, characterized in that: The locking wrench is provided with a through hole for surrounding the trigger.

5. The UAV folding arm locking joint according to claim 1, characterized in that: The projection of the fixed base on the plane is a right-angled trapezoid, and the arrangement position of the large rotating shaft is close to the inner angle of the trapezoid with the smallest angle.

6. The UAV folding arm locking joint according to claim 5, characterized in that: The locking wrench is arranged at the upper bottom surface of the right-angled trapezoid when the joint is in a locked state.

7. The UAV folding arm locking joint according to claim 1, characterized in that: The angle is 120 degrees.

8. The UAV folding arm locking joint according to claim 1, characterized in that: The groove is a protrusion provided on the fixed base with a concave surface in the middle.

9. The folding arm of the drone is characterized by: The movable end and the fixed end of the arm are connected by the joint according to claim 1.

10. UAV, characterized in that The drone includes the arm according to claim 9.

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