Front wheel steering mechanism for unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a front wheel steering mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle, which belongs to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle accessories and comprises a shock absorber, the top of the shock absorber is connected with a front wheel steering engine for driving the shock absorber to rotate, the bottom of the shock absorber is connected with a front wheel body, the output end of the front wheel steering engine is connected with a steering engine rocker arm, and the middle of the steering engine rocker arm is connected with the front wheel steering engine. A front wheel rocker arm parallel to the steering engine rocker arm is arranged on one side of the steering engine rocker arm, and the two ends of the front wheel rocker arm are hinged to the two ends of the steering engine rocker arm through ball connecting rods respectively. The middle of the front wheel rocker arm is connected with a shock absorber. The middle of the steering engine rocker arm is connected with the output end of the front wheel steering engine, so that the swing amplitudes of the two ends of the multi-stage rocker arm are consistent, and front wheel steering control is achieved by connecting the middle of the front wheel rocker arm with the shock absorber under the action of the two parallel ball head connecting rods. On the basis that the steering structure is simple, the control precision, the torsion resistance and the operation efficiency are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of drone accessories technology, specifically a front wheel steering mechanism for drones. Background Technology

[0002] A drone, or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is an unmanned aerial vehicle piloted by ground radio equipment or an onboard flight control system. The drone, along with its onboard payload, ground control equipment, communication equipment and links, takeoff (launch) and recovery devices, and storage and monitoring systems, are collectively referred to as an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), also known as a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). An UAS contains all the necessary equipment for the drone to perform its mission. It not only accurately controls the payload in real time to complete the task, but also provides strong guarantees for the drone's stability, the reliability of real-time data transmission, the accuracy of spatial positioning, and the safety during takeoff and landing.

[0003] The nose wheel steering system is particularly important for the takeoff and landing of drones. It is a key component that ensures stable directional control during ground taxiing, takeoff, and landing. The nose wheel steering mechanism must ensure that the drone taxis stably in a designated straight line on the runway. Most small fixed-wing drones use a single-link nose wheel steering control mechanism. The single-link nose wheel has the following problems: low steering control accuracy and insufficient torsional resistance. Therefore, there is a lack of a control structure that can guarantee both structural simplicity and accuracy and torsional resistance. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the problem of insufficient steering in the front wheels of current drones, this invention provides a dual-link front wheel steering mechanism for drones with high control precision and strong torsional resistance.

[0005] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A front wheel steering mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a shock absorber. A front wheel servo motor that drives the shock absorber to rotate is connected to the top of the shock absorber, and a front wheel body is connected to the bottom of the shock absorber. A servo motor rocker arm is connected to the output end of the front wheel servo motor. The middle part of the servo motor rocker arm is connected to the front wheel servo motor. A front wheel rocker arm is provided on one side of the servo motor rocker arm and is arranged parallel to it. The two ends of the front wheel rocker arm are respectively hinged to the two ends of the servo motor rocker arm through ball joints. The middle part of the front wheel rocker arm is connected to the shock absorber.

[0007] The middle part of the servo rocker arm is connected to the output end of the front wheel servo, so that the swing amplitude of the two ends of the multi-stage rocker arm is consistent. Under the action of two parallel ball joints, the front wheel steering control is realized through the connection between the middle part of the front wheel rocker arm and the shock absorber. This achieves improved control accuracy, torsional resistance and operating efficiency while simplifying the steering structure.

[0008] A further improvement of this invention is that a limiting hole is provided in the middle of the aforementioned front wheel rocker arm; a limiting block adapted to the limiting hole is provided on the top of the shock absorber; the limiting hole has a polygonal structure. The cooperation between the limiting hole and the limiting block helps to ensure the linkage of the drive shock absorber rotation and improves control accuracy.

[0009] A further improvement of this utility model is that the above-mentioned shock absorber includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, wherein the lower part of the inner cylinder slides and extends within the outer cylinder.

[0010] A further improvement of this invention is that the upper end of the inner cylinder is connected to the front wheel servo via a front wheel steering mounting bracket. The front wheel steering mounting bracket provides support for the front wheel servo and the shock absorber.

[0011] A further improvement of this invention is that the aforementioned front wheel steering mounting bracket has a hollow, double-layered structure. The upper layer of the front wheel steering mounting bracket has an upper through hole that allows the inner cylinder to pass through, and the upper through hole is rotatably connected to the inner cylinder via a bearing. The lower layer of the front wheel steering mounting bracket has a lower through hole that allows the inner cylinder to pass through, and the lower through hole is rotatably connected to the inner cylinder via a bearing. The two vertically positioned through holes help to improve the support strength of the shock absorber's inner cylinder and help to improve the stability of the shock absorber's circumferential rotation around its axis.

[0012] A further improvement of this invention is that one set of opposite sides of the aforementioned front wheel steering mounting bracket is provided with mounting pad one and mounting pad two, which are fixedly connected to the aircraft fuselage. Through the cooperation of mounting pad one and mounting pad two, the steering mechanism is fixedly installed to the aircraft fuselage.

[0013] A further improvement of this utility model is that a horizontally arranged servo mounting plate two is integrally connected to the aforementioned mounting pad two, and the front wheel servo is provided with a servo mounting plate one connected to the servo mounting plate two. The front wheel servo is fixed to the servo mounting plate two via the servo mounting plate one, thus realizing the fixed installation of the front wheel servo on the front wheel steering mounting bracket.

[0014] A further improvement of this invention is that the aforementioned front wheel body is mounted on the shock absorber via a torque arm. This helps to ensure that the front wheel body is cushioned during the takeoff and landing of the drone, reducing the impact of the force on the steering mechanism.

[0015] A further improvement of this utility model is that the aforementioned torque arm includes a torque arm one and a torque arm two that are hinged sequentially from top to bottom; the top of the torque arm one is rotatably mounted on the shock absorber, the middle part of the torque arm two is rotatably mounted on the shock absorber, and the front wheel body is rotatably mounted at the bottom of the torque arm two.

[0016] A further improvement of this invention is that a torsion arm seat is hinged to the top of the first torsion arm, and the torsion arm seat is mounted on the shock absorber; the lower part of the second torsion arm is a wheel fork structure, and the front wheel body is rotatably mounted within this wheel fork structure. This helps to improve the structural stability of the front wheel body on the torsion arm.

[0017] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: the middle part of the servo rocker arm is connected to the output end of the front wheel servo, so that the swing amplitude of the two ends of the multi-stage rocker arm is consistent. Under the action of two parallel ball joints, the front wheel steering control is realized through the connection between the middle part of the front wheel rocker arm and the shock absorber; on the basis of simple steering structure, the control accuracy, anti-torsion ability and operating efficiency are improved, and it is convenient for later maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this utility model, the drawings used in the description will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the present utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the combined structure of the front wheel servo and the front wheel steering mounting bracket, which is a specific embodiment of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the front wheel steering mechanism.

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the front wheel steering mounting bracket.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the combined structure of the shock absorber and the front wheel body in a specific embodiment of this utility model.

[0024] In the attached diagram: 10. Shock absorber; 11. Limiting protrusion; 20. Front wheel steering mounting bracket; 21. Upper through hole; 22. Lower through hole; 23. Mounting shim one; 24. Mounting shim two; 25. Servo mounting plate two; 30. Front wheel servo; 31. Servo rocker arm; 32. Front wheel rocker arm; 33. Limiting hole; 34. Servo mounting plate one; 40. Ball joint connecting rod; 50. Torque arm; 51. Torque arm one; 52. Torque arm two; 53. Torque arm seat; 60. Front wheel body. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the specific embodiments. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this patent, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this patent.

[0026] like Figure 1-3 As shown, a front wheel steering mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a shock absorber 10, which comprises an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The lower part of the inner cylinder slides and extends within the outer cylinder. The upper end of the inner cylinder is connected to a front wheel servo 30 via a front wheel steering mounting bracket 20. The front wheel steering mounting bracket 20 supports the front wheel servo 30 and the shock absorber 10. The bottom of the outer cylinder is connected to the front wheel body 60. A servo arm 31 is connected to the output end of the front wheel servo 30. The middle part of the servo arm 31 is connected to the front wheel servo 30. A front wheel rocker arm 32 is provided on one side of the servo arm 31 and is arranged parallel to it. The two ends of the front wheel rocker arm 32 are respectively hinged to the two ends of the servo arm 31 through ball joint connecting rods 40. The middle part of the front wheel rocker arm 32 is connected to the shock absorber 10. A polygonal limiting hole 33 is opened in the middle part of the front wheel rocker arm 32. The top of the shock absorber 10 is provided with a limiting block 11 that matches the limiting hole 33. The limiting hole 33 and the limiting block 11 cooperate to ensure the linkage of driving the shock absorber 10 to rotate and improve the control accuracy. The front wheel rocker arm 32 has an upwardly extending protrusion at its center, through which the limiting hole 33 passes. The protrusion helps to increase the axial depth of the limiting hole 33, increase the contact surface with the limiting block 11, and strengthen the structural strength of the front wheel rocker arm 32.

[0027] The middle part of the servo rocker arm 31 is connected to the output end of the front wheel servo 30, so that the swing amplitude of the two ends of the multi-stage rocker arm is consistent. Under the action of two parallel ball joints 40, the front wheel steering control is realized through the connection between the middle part of the front wheel rocker arm 32 and the shock absorber 10. On the basis of simple steering structure, the control accuracy, anti-torsion ability and operation efficiency are improved.

[0028] like Figure 1 , 4 As shown in Figure 5, the front wheel steering mounting bracket 20 has a hollow, double-layered structure. The upper layer of the front wheel steering mounting bracket 20 has an upper through hole 21 that allows the inner cylinder to pass through, and the upper through hole 21 is rotatably connected to the inner cylinder via a bearing. The lower layer of the front wheel steering mounting bracket 20 has a lower through hole 22 that allows the inner cylinder to pass through, and the lower through hole 22 is rotatably connected to the inner cylinder via a bearing. The two vertically positioned through holes help to improve the support strength of the inner cylinder of the shock absorber 10 and help to improve the stability of the shock absorber 10 rotating circumferentially around its axis. A washer is provided at the top of the outer cylinder, which can form contact protection with the lower layer of the front wheel steering mounting bracket 20 when the shock absorber 10 is cushioning.

[0029] like Figure 1-4 As shown, mounting pads 23 and 24, which are fixedly connected to the aircraft fuselage, are respectively provided on one set of opposite sides of the front wheel steering mounting bracket 20. The cooperation of mounting pads 23 and 24 achieves the fixed installation of the steering mechanism to the aircraft fuselage. A horizontally arranged servo mounting plate 25 is integrally connected to mounting pad 24, and the front wheel servo 30 is provided with a servo mounting plate 34 connected to servo mounting plate 25. The front wheel servo 30 is fixed to servo mounting plate 25 via servo mounting plate 34, thus achieving the fixed installation of the front wheel servo 30 on the front wheel steering mounting bracket 20.

[0030] like Figure 1 and 5 As shown, the front wheel body 60 is mounted on the shock absorber 10 via a torque arm 50. This helps to ensure the front wheel body 60 is buffered during the takeoff and landing of the UAV, reducing the impact of the force on the steering mechanism. The torque arm 50 includes a first torque arm 51 and a second torque arm 52, which are hinged from top to bottom. The top of the first torque arm 51 is rotatably mounted on the shock absorber 10, the middle of the second torque arm 52 is rotatably mounted on the shock absorber 10, and the front wheel body 60 is rotatably mounted at the bottom of the second torque arm 52. A torque arm seat 53 is hinged to the top of the first torque arm 51 and is mounted on the shock absorber 10. The lower part of the second torque arm 52 is a wheel fork structure, and the front wheel body 60 is rotatably mounted within this wheel fork structure. This helps to improve the structural stability of the front wheel body 60 on the torque arm 50.

[0031] The present invention discloses a front wheel steering mechanism for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The middle part of the servo rocker arm is connected to the output end of the front wheel servo, so that the swing amplitude of the two ends of the multi-stage rocker arm is consistent. Under the action of two parallel ball joints, the front wheel steering control is realized through the connection between the middle part of the front wheel rocker arm and the shock absorber. The mechanism achieves improved control accuracy, torsional resistance and operating efficiency while simplifying the steering structure, and is also convenient for later maintenance.

[0032] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0033] The terms "upper," "lower," "outer," "inner," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this utility model, are used to distinguish relative positional relationships and are not necessarily qualitative. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of the utility model described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0034] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A front wheel steering mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising a shock absorber (10), wherein a front wheel servo motor (30) for driving rotation is connected to the top of the shock absorber (10), and a front wheel body (60) is connected to the bottom of the shock absorber (10), characterized in that, The output end of the front wheel servo (30) is connected to a servo rocker arm (31). The middle part of the servo rocker arm (31) is connected to the front wheel servo (30). A front wheel rocker arm (32) is provided on one side of the servo rocker arm (31) and is arranged parallel to it. The two ends of the front wheel rocker arm (32) are respectively hinged to the two ends of the servo rocker arm (31) through ball joint connecting rod (40). The middle part of the front wheel rocker arm (32) is connected to the shock absorber (10).

2. The front wheel steering mechanism for a drone according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front wheel rocker arm (32) has a limiting hole (33) in the middle; the top of the shock absorber (10) is provided with a limiting block (11) that is compatible with the limiting hole (33).

3. The front wheel steering mechanism for a drone according to claim 2, characterized in that, The shock absorber (10) includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, with the lower part of the inner cylinder slidingly extending and retracting inside the outer cylinder.

4. A front wheel steering mechanism for a drone according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper end of the inner cylinder is connected to the front wheel servo (30) via the front wheel steering mounting bracket (20).

5. A front wheel steering mechanism for a drone according to claim 4, characterized in that, The front wheel steering mounting bracket (20) is a hollow double-layer structure. The upper layer of the front wheel steering mounting bracket (20) is provided with an upper through hole (21) that allows the inner cylinder to pass through. The upper through hole (21) is rotatably connected to the inner cylinder through a bearing. The lower layer of the front wheel steering mounting bracket (20) is provided with a lower through hole (22) that allows the inner cylinder to pass through. The lower through hole (22) is rotatably connected to the inner cylinder through a bearing.

6. A front wheel steering mechanism for a drone according to claim 4, characterized in that, The front wheel steering mounting bracket (20) has a set of opposite sides provided with mounting pad one (23) and mounting pad two (24) that are fixedly connected to the aircraft fuselage.

7. A front wheel steering mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, The mounting pad 2 (24) is integrally connected to a horizontally arranged servo mounting plate 2 (25), and the front wheel servo (30) is provided with a servo mounting plate 1 (34) connected to the servo mounting plate 2 (25).

8. A front wheel steering mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The front wheel body (60) is mounted on the shock absorber (10) via a torsion arm (50).

9. A front wheel steering mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that, The torque arm (50) includes a torque arm one (51) and a torque arm two (52) that are hinged from top to bottom; the top of the torque arm one (51) is rotatably mounted on the shock absorber (10), the middle part of the torque arm two (52) is rotatably mounted on the shock absorber (10), and the bottom of the torque arm two (52) is rotatably mounted on the front wheel body (60).

10. A front wheel steering mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that, The top of the first torque arm (51) is hinged with a torque arm seat (53), which is mounted on the shock absorber (10); the lower part of the second torque arm (52) is a wheel fork structure, and the front wheel body (60) is rotatably mounted in the wheel fork structure.

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