Clutch mechanism and unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a clutch mechanism and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The clutch mechanism comprises a shell; the connecting piece is arranged in the shell and used for being connected with an engine; the first rotor is provided with an inner cavity, and the first rotor is rotationally arranged in the shell and used for being connected with the paddle seat; the second rotor is located in the inner cavity of the first rotor and comprises a base and a plurality of friction plates, the base is connected with the connecting piece, the first ends of the friction plates are movably connected with the base, the second ends are provided with elastic pieces, the elastic pieces are used for making the second ends away from the inner wall of the first rotor, and the second ends can be attached to the inner wall of the first rotor to make the first rotor rotate. By means of the structure, power transmission is kept, and meanwhile it is ensured that the propellers can be kept static in the low-speed and idle-speed states and cannot interfere with a launcher.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicles, and in particular, to a clutch mechanism and an unmanned aerial vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Most fixed-wing aircraft using piston shaft engines adopt a clutchless power output scheme. With this power output scheme, the aircraft propeller starts to rotate following the start of the engine. However, at many mission flight times, it is required that the engine be in the idle state but the propeller does not need to rotate to generate flight power, or even the rotation of the propeller is not desired. For example, during the launch stage from the launch rack, the engine needs to be started in advance and enter the idle state, but the rotation of the propeller may hit the launch rack and damage the propeller. During the boost takeoff stage of the booster rocket, the engine needs to be started in advance and enter the idle state, and the rotation of the propeller may place the propeller in the high-temperature tail flame area of the booster rocket and burn out the propeller. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a clutch mechanism and an unmanned aerial vehicle, aiming to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] A first aspect of the present invention aims to provide a clutch mechanism, including: a housing; a connecting member disposed in the housing for connecting an engine; a first rotor having an inner cavity, the first rotor being rotatably disposed in the housing for connecting a propeller base; a second rotor located in the inner cavity of the first rotor, including a base and a plurality of friction plates, the base connecting the connecting member, a first end of the friction plate being movably connected to the base, and a second end being provided with an elastic member for moving the second end away from the inner wall of the first rotor, and the second end can be in contact with the inner wall of the first rotor to make the first rotor rotate.

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of the friction plates are provided, and the plurality of friction plates are arranged in a circumferential array around the central axis of the base.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a connecting seat extends inward from the first end of the friction plate, and two ends of the elastic member are respectively connected to the second end of the friction plate and the connecting seat of an adjacent friction plate.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the elastic member is a tension spring.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the second rotor further includes an upper cover, a plurality of rotating shafts are provided on the base, two ends of the rotating shaft are respectively connected to the base and the upper cover, and the first end of the friction plate is hinged to the rotating shaft.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a stepped recess is provided at the second end of the friction plate, a fixing post is provided on the stepped recess, and one end of the elastic member is connected to the fixing post.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an annular groove is provided on the upper cover, and one end of the fixing post away from the stepped recess penetrates through the annular groove.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the connecting member and the upper cover are connected by gear meshing.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a power output shaft is further included, the power output shaft is arranged in the housing and fixedly connected to the first rotor, and one end of the power output shaft away from the first rotor is connected to the paddle base.

[0013] The purpose of the first aspect of the present invention is to provide an unmanned aerial vehicle including the clutch mechanism described in any one of the above.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. The first end of the friction plate is movably arranged on the base, and the second end is provided with an elastic member. When the engine rotates at a low speed, the centrifugal force generated is less than the elastic force of the elastic member. At this time, the second end of the friction plate cannot fit against the inner wall of the first rotor under the action of the elastic member and cannot drive the first rotor to rotate synchronously. The stop mechanism on the paddle base can lock the propeller. When the engine rotates at a high speed, the centrifugal force generated is greater than the elastic force of the elastic member. At this time, the second end of the friction plate fits against the inner wall of the first rotor under the action of the centrifugal force, driving the first rotor to rotate, thereby driving the paddle base to rotate. After the power is transmitted to the propeller, it provides flight power for the unmanned aerial vehicle. While maintaining power transmission, it ensures that the propeller can remain stationary at low speed and idle speed and will not interfere with the launch rack. Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 It is an overall schematic diagram of the clutch mechanism and the brake mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 For Figure 1 The side sectional view of the clutch mechanism shown; Figure 3 It is a sectional view at the end face of the second rotor of the clutch mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 It is a sectional view at the brake mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Reference Numerals in the Drawings: Housing 100, support plate 110; Connecting member 200; First rotor 300; Second rotor 400, base 410, rotating shaft 411, friction plate 420, first end 421, second end 422, stepped recess 423, fixing post 424, connecting seat 425, elastic member 430, upper cover 440; Power output shaft 500; Paddle base 600, groove 610; Servo 700, second connecting rod 710; Rocking arm 800, reduction gear 810; Elastic component 900, first connecting rod 910, fixing block 920, spring 930, baffle 940. Detailed implementation manners

[0017] The following content will describe several embodiments of the present invention, including the embodiments corresponding to the drawings. It can be understood that the drawings are used to assist in understanding the technical features and technical solutions of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the protection scope of the present invention.

[0018] The following will clearly and completely describe the concept, specific structure and technical effects generated by the present invention in combination with the embodiments and the drawings, so as to fully understand the purpose, solution and effects of the present invention. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0019] It should be noted that unless otherwise clearly defined, when a certain feature is referred to as "fixed", "connected", "installed", "set" on another feature, it can be directly "fixed", "connected", "installed", "set" on another feature, or indirectly "fixed", "connected", "installed", "set" on another feature. The words such as "fixed", "connected", "installed", "set" should be understood in a broad sense, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above words in the present invention in combination with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0020] It should be noted that the description of the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the upper, lower, left, right, top, bottom, front, back, inside, outside, etc. used in the present invention is based on the orientation or positional relationship of the drawings or embodiments, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0021] It should be noted that the term "and / or" used in the present invention includes any combination of one or more of the related listed items. The meaning of several is one or more, the meaning of multiple is at least two, understandings such as greater than, less than, exceeding, etc. do not include the present number, and understandings such as above, below, within, etc. include the present number.

[0022] It should be noted that in the present invention, if the first and second are described, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features or implicitly indicating the sequence relationship of the indicated technical features.

[0023] It should be noted that unless otherwise clearly defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which this technology belongs. The terms used in the description of this specification are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0024] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 , an object of the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a clutch mechanism, including: a housing 100; a connecting member 200 disposed in the housing 100 for connecting an engine; a first rotor 300 having an inner cavity, the first rotor 300 is rotatably disposed in the housing 100 for connecting a propeller base 600; a second rotor 400 located in the inner cavity of the first rotor 300, including a base 410 and a plurality of friction plates 420, the base 410 is connected to the connecting member 200, a first end 421 of the friction plate 420 is movably connected to the base 410, a second end 422 is provided with an elastic member 430, and the elastic member 430 is used to keep the second end 422 away from the inner wall of the first rotor 300, and the second end 422 can fit against the inner wall of the first rotor 300 to make the first rotor 300 rotate.

[0025] Applying the above clutch mechanism, at least has the following beneficial effects: the first end 421 of the friction plate 420 is movably disposed on the base, and the second end 422 is provided with an elastic member. When the engine rotates at a low speed, the centrifugal force generated is less than the elastic force of the elastic member. At this time, the second end 422 of the friction plate 420 cannot fit against the inner wall of the first rotor 300 under the action of the elastic member and cannot drive the first rotor 300 to rotate synchronously. The stop mechanism on the propeller base 600 can lock the propeller. When the engine rotates at a high speed, the centrifugal force generated is greater than the elastic force of the elastic member. At this time, the second end 422 of the friction plate 420 fits against the inner wall of the first rotor 300 under the action of the centrifugal force, driving the first rotor 300 to rotate, thereby driving the propeller base 600 to rotate. After the power is transmitted to the propeller, it provides flight power for the drone, maintaining power transmission while ensuring that the propeller can remain stationary at low speed and idle speed and will not interfere with the launch rack.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of friction plates 420 are provided, and the plurality of friction plates 420 are arranged in a circumferential array around the central axis of the base 410. The circumferential array arrangement can make the centrifugal forces generated by the plurality of friction plates 420 equal, and the pressures and frictional forces generated by the plurality of friction plates 420 on the inner wall of the first rotor 300 equal, ensuring the accuracy and stability of power transmission.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a connecting seat 425 is extended inwardly from the first end 421 of the friction plate 420, and two ends of the elastic member 430 are respectively connected to the second end 422 of the friction plate 420 and the connecting seat 425 of the adjacent friction plate 420. The elastic member 430 is connected by extending the connecting seat 425 inwardly to avoid interference friction between the elastic member 430 and the friction plate 420 body, thereby causing wear of the elastic member 430.

[0028] In this embodiment, the elastic member 430 is configured as a tension spring. Under the action of the tension spring, the second end 422 of the friction plate 420 always remains contracted inward, so that the outer wall of the friction plate 420 does not contact the inner wall of the first rotor 300, thereby blocking the transmission of power. When the engine drives the connecting member 200 to rotate at high speed, the centrifugal force generated exceeds the elastic force of the tension spring. At this time, the second end 422 of the friction plate 420 swings outward under the action of centrifugal force, and the outer wall of the friction plate 420 fits against the inner wall of the first rotor 300, so that the second rotor 400 can carry the first rotor 300 to rotate together to complete the power transmission.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the second rotor 400 also includes an upper cover 440, and a plurality of rotating shafts 411 are provided on the base 410, and the two ends of the rotating shaft 411 are respectively connected to the base 410 and the upper cover 440, and the first end 421 of the friction plate 420 is hinged to the rotating shaft 411, and the first end 421 of the friction plate 420 can rotate around the rotating shaft 411 on the base 410, so that the second end 422 can swing inward to disengage from the contact with the inner wall of the first rotor 300, or swing outward to fit the inner wall of the first rotor 300.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a step recess 423 is provided at the second end 422 of the friction plate 420, a fixing column 424 is provided on the step recess 423, one end of the elastic member 430 is connected to the fixing column 424, and the elastic member 430 is sunk under the end surface of the friction plate 420 through the step recess 423 to avoid interference with other structures.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an annular groove is provided on the upper cover 440, and one end of the fixing column 424 away from the step recess 423 is inserted into the annular groove. The annular groove not only avoids the fixing column 424, but also guides the rotation of the second end 422 of the friction plate 420.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the connecting member 200 and the upper cover 440 are connected via gear meshing, and the gear meshing connection can ensure the accuracy of power transmission. In addition to this embodiment, in some other embodiments, a flat key, spline or other structure can be set on the connecting member 200, and a keyway can be set at the corresponding connection of the upper cover 440, or some other structure that can achieve power transmission can be set.

[0033] According to some embodiments of the present invention, it further includes a power output shaft 500. The power output shaft 500 is arranged in the housing 100 and fixedly connected to the first rotor 300. One end of the power output shaft 500 away from the first rotor 300 is connected to a paddle base 600.

[0034] In this embodiment, the housing 100 is installed on the outer shell of the engine. The connection between the connecting piece and the engine output shaft is installed and connected through a conical surface and a flat key and then through fasteners. The first rotor 300 and the power output shaft 500 are installed and connected through fasteners. A bearing is provided between the power output shaft 500 and the housing 100, and a bearing is also provided between the paddle base 600 and the housing 100. The paddle base and the power output shaft 500 are installed and connected through gear meshing and then through fasteners. In this embodiment, the paddle base 600 also serves as the clamping piece in the braking mechanism described below.

[0035] Refer to Figures 1 to 4 , the object of the second aspect of the present invention is to provide a braking mechanism, including: a housing 100, provided with a power output shaft 500, and the housing 100 is further provided with a support plate 110; a clamping piece, arranged on the shaft body of the power output shaft 500, and a groove 610 is provided on the outer periphery of the clamping piece; a servo motor 700, arranged on the housing 100 and located on the side away from the support plate 110; a rocker arm 800, one end of which is hinged to a support frame, and the other end is connected to the output end of the servo motor 700. A reduction gear 810 is hinged on the rocker arm 800. The reduction gear 810 is used to be inserted into the groove 610 to stop the power output shaft 500 from rotating. The servo motor 700 is used to drive the rocker arm 800 to swing, so that the reduction gear 810 is inserted into or disengaged from the groove 610; wherein, when the reduction gear 810 is inserted into the groove 610, the propeller connected to the power output shaft 500 remains in a horizontal state.

[0036] Applying the above braking mechanism has at least the following beneficial effects: When at rest, the propeller is toggled to the horizontal state, and the servo 700 is started to drive the rocker arm 800 to swing to the clamping position. At this time, the reduction wheel 810 is snapped into the groove 610, so that the propeller always remains in the horizontal state; during deceleration, the servo 700 is started to drive the rocker arm 800 to swing to the clamping position, and the reduction wheel 810 is pressed against the outer periphery of the holding member until the speed is reduced to the point where the reduction wheel 810 is snapped into the groove 610. At this time, the power output shaft 500 cannot continue to drive the holding member to rotate to disengage the groove 610 from the reduction wheel 810. At this time, the reduction wheel 810 is stuck in the groove 610 to keep the propeller in the horizontal position. To disengage the reduction wheel 810 from the groove 610, only the rotational speed of the power output shaft 500 needs to be increased. This enables the propeller of the drone to remain in the horizontal state during both the process of remaining stationary until launch and the process of landing after shutdown, without interfering with the launch rack or the parachute rope; at the same time, during deceleration and shutdown during flight, even if the reduction wheel 810 is not in the groove 610 at this time, the wind force during the gliding process will cause the propeller to rotate until the reduction wheel 810 is snapped into the groove 610. After that, the wind force is not sufficient to disengage the reduction wheel 810 from the groove 610, and the propeller remains in the horizontal position.

[0037] According to some embodiments of the present invention, it further includes an elastic component 900. The elastic component 900 is arranged between the output end of the rocker arm 800 and the servo 700. When the rocker arm 800 is in the clamping position, the elastic component 900 is used to keep the rocker arm 800 always tending to be close to the clamping member. The elastic component 900 includes: a first connecting rod 910, one end of which is hinged to the output end of the servo 700; a fixed block 920, which is movably arranged on the rod body of the first connecting rod 910 and is laterally hinged to the rocker arm 800; a spring 930, which is arranged on the rod body of the first connecting rod 910. When the rocker arm 800 is in the clamping position, the spring 930 is used to keep the fixed block 920 always tending to move in the direction close to the clamping member. When the servo 700 drives the rocker arm 800 to the clamping position, under the action of the spring 930, the reduction gear 810 always abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the clamping member. When the power output shaft 500 drives the clamping member to rotate to the position where the groove 610 corresponds to the reduction gear 810, under the action of the spring 930, the reduction gear 810 is pushed into the groove 610. When the rotational speed of the power output shaft 500 is still relatively high, the clamping member continues to rotate, causing the groove 610 to disengage from the reduction gear 810 and continue to rotate. At this time, the rocker arm 800 swings back, and the fixed block 920 moves on the first connecting rod 910 in the direction away from the clamping member. The spring 930 plays a buffering role for the fixed block 920, avoiding the swinging force being directly transmitted back to the servo 700 and causing damage to the servo 700. At the same time, during the above process, a frictional force is generated between the fixed block 920 and the first connecting rod 910, and this part of the frictional force can offset part of the energy of the power output shaft 500. When the energy generated by the power output shaft 500 is not sufficient to cause the groove 610 to eject the reduction gear 810, that is, not sufficient to overcome the above frictional force and the elastic force of the spring 930, the reduction gear 810 will stay in the groove 610, and the power output shaft 500 will stop rotating, completing the braking of the power output shaft 500 and keeping the propeller in the horizontal position.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the reduction gear 810 is set as a ball bearing. That is, the deceleration effect is achieved through the frictional force between the fixed block 920 and the first connecting rod 910, and the elastic force of the spring 930. The reduction gear 810 is used to transmit the energy of the power output shaft 500. In some other embodiments, the reduction gear 810 can also be directly set as a runner with a rough surface to further decelerate and brake the power output shaft 500.

[0039] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a baffle 940 is provided at the other end of the first connecting rod 910. The spring 930 is a compression spring, and the two ends of the compression spring are respectively connected to the baffle 940 and the fixed block 920. When in the clamping position, that is, during the braking operation, under the action of the servo 700, the reduction wheel 810 fits on the outer peripheral wall of the clamping member. At this time, the fixed block 920 and the baffle 940 compress the compression spring by a certain amount, so that the compression spring generates a certain elastic force to ensure that the reduction wheel 810 fits on the outer peripheral wall of the clamping member, and at the same time, the compression spring also has a certain buffering effect.

[0040] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a baffle 940 or a stop block is provided at one end of the first connecting rod 910. The spring 930 is a tension spring, and the two ends of the tension spring are respectively connected to the baffle 940 and the fixed block 920, or are respectively connected to the stop block and the fixed block 920. When in the clamping position, that is, during the braking operation, under the action of the servo 700, the reduction wheel 810 fits on the outer peripheral wall of the clamping member. At this time, the tension spring between the fixed block 920 and the baffle 940 or the stop block is stretched, and the elastic force generated by the rebound of the tension spring ensures that the reduction wheel 810 fits on the outer peripheral wall of the clamping member, and at the same time, the tension spring can also generate a certain buffering effect.

[0041] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a torsion spring is provided at the hinge point where the rocker arm 800 is hinged to the support frame. When the rocker arm 800 is in the clamping position, the torsion spring is used to keep the rocker arm 800 always in a tendency to approach the clamping member. The function of the torsion spring is the same as that of the above-mentioned compression spring, and will not be elaborated here.

[0042] According to some embodiments of the present invention, there are two rocker arms 800, and two corresponding grooves 610 are provided on the clamping member. The output end of the servo 700 is provided with a second connecting rod 710. The middle of the second connecting rod 710 is connected to the output end of the servo 700, and the two ends are respectively hinged to a rocker arm 800. Through the two rocker arms 800, the braking effect can be more obvious and the braking process can be more efficient. At the same time, it can also ensure that when one of the rocker arms 800 fails, there is still a rocker arm 800 that can perform deceleration braking. In some other embodiments, according to the actual situation and the needs of the actual structure, multiple rocker arms 800 can also be set to further improve the deceleration braking efficiency.

[0043] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the two grooves 610 are respectively provided on both sides of the clamping member, and the plane formed between the central axes of the two grooves 610 is parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0044] The purpose of the third aspect of the present invention is to provide a drone, including the clutch mechanism and the braking mechanism as described in any one of the above.

[0045] It should be noted that in this specification, terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "basic embodiment", "extended embodiment" can be used to describe several embodiments of the present invention. The specific features, structures, materials or characteristics in several embodiments can be combined under the premise of conforming to the principles and purposes of the present invention.

[0046] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in this specification, the present invention should not be limited to the above embodiments. As long as it achieves the technical effects of the present invention by the same or equivalent means, all changes, modifications, equivalent replacements and equivalent variations made to these embodiments within the spirit and principles of this disclosure and without departing from the principles and purposes of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure and should be considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A clutch mechanism, characterized in that: include: The housing is provided with a power output shaft, and a support plate is also provided on the housing; A connecting member, disposed in the housing and used for connecting to the engine; A first rotor is provided with an inner cavity, and the first rotor is rotatably disposed in the housing and is used for connecting with a propeller seat; The second rotor is located in the inner cavity of the first rotor, and comprises a base and a plurality of friction plates, wherein the plurality of friction plates are arranged in a circular array around the central axis of the base, the base is connected to the connecting member, the first end of the friction plate is movably connected to the base, and the second end is provided with an elastic member, the first end of the friction plate is provided with a connecting seat extending inwardly, the two ends of the elastic member are respectively connected to the second end of the friction plate and the connecting seat of the adjacent friction plate, the elastic member is used to make the second end away from the inner wall of the first rotor, and the second end can be attached to the inner wall of the first rotor to make the first rotor rotate, and the elastic member is set as a tension spring; A clamping member is arranged on the shaft body of the power output shaft, and a groove is arranged on the outer periphery of the clamping member; A driving member, disposed on the housing and located at a side away from the supporting plate; A rocker arm, one end of which is hinged to the support frame, and the other end is connected to the output end of the driving member. A reduction wheel is hinged on the rocker arm, and the reduction wheel is used to be inserted into the groove to reduce the rotation speed of the power output shaft. The driving member is used to drive the rocker arm to swing, so that the reduction wheel is inserted into or out of the groove.

2. A clutch mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second rotor also includes an upper cover. The base is provided with a plurality of rotating shafts. Two ends of the rotating shafts are respectively connected to the base and the upper cover. The first end of the friction plate is hinged to the rotating shaft.

3. A clutch mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second end of the friction plate is provided with a step recess, the step recess is provided with a fixing column, and one end of the elastic member is connected to the fixing column.

4. A clutch mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upper cover is provided with an annular groove, and one end of the fixing column away from the step recess is inserted into the annular groove.

5. A clutch mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting member is meshed with the upper cover via gears.

6. A clutch mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a power output shaft, which is arranged in the shell and fixedly connected to the first rotor, and one end of the power output shaft away from the first rotor is connected to the propeller seat.

7. A drone, characterized in that: Comprising the clutch mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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