Folding arm mechanism of unmanned aerial vehicle
By designing the pin and button components of the drone's folding arm mechanism, the automatic locking and unlocking of the cantilever is achieved, solving the stability problem of the cantilever in the unfolded and retracted states, simplifying the operation process, and improving the drone's portability and flight stability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- WENZHOU TAROT AVIATION TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing foldable cantilever drones have difficulty maintaining a stable locked state when switching between unfolded and retracted states, which affects flight stability and makes operation complex.
A drone folding arm mechanism was designed. Through the cooperation of pins, return springs and button components, the cantilever can be automatically locked and unlocked to ensure that the unfolding angle meets the design requirements. The design includes guide grooves and locking grooves to limit rotational movement.
It enables rapid unlocking and automatic locking of the cantilever, ensuring a stable deployment angle, simplifying the operation process, and improving the flight stability and portability of the drone.
Smart Images
Figure CN224197994U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, and in particular to a folding arm mechanism for UAVs. Background Technology
[0002] Most current drones are multi-rotor drones, such as quadcopters and hexacopters. While their overall takeoff weight is small, their extended arms are quite large, posing challenges for transportation, carrying, and storage. Therefore, to improve the portability of drones and reduce transportation costs, many drones with foldable cantilever arms have emerged. However, existing foldable cantilever arms have a technical problem: as the cantilever switches between extended and retracted states, it needs to maintain a stable locking state after rotating to the designed position. Especially during extension, if the cantilever cannot smoothly extend to the flight control angle and maintain a stable locked posture as designed, it will affect the drone's flight stability. Therefore, a fixed locking structure for the cantilever in both extended and retracted states needs to be designed. This structure should automatically lock and maintain the extended posture as the cantilever rotates, allow for easy unlocking by the user, and prevent accidental opening during transport in the retracted state. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address the shortcomings of the aforementioned technologies, this invention provides a folding arm mechanism for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
[0004] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows: A folding arm mechanism for a drone includes a drone cantilever, a folding arm, a fixed base, a button assembly, a pin, a first return spring, and a wire guide cover. The folding arm includes a connecting end and a rotating end. The connecting end is detachably sleeved and fixed to the drone cantilever. The rotating end is provided with a first central through hole. An axial limiting ring is coaxially provided in the first central through hole. The axial limiting ring is provided with a first locking groove along the axial direction.
[0005] The fixed base includes an operating end face and a mating end face. The mating end face is provided with a rotating shaft portion adapted to the first central through hole. A guide groove is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft portion extending axially and radially penetrating the rotating shaft portion. The operating end face is provided with a second central through hole coaxial with the rotating shaft portion.
[0006] The threading cover and the rotating shaft are detachably fixedly connected. The rotating end of the folding arm is located between the threading cover and the fixed base, and the first central through hole is sleeved on the rotating shaft for rotational engagement. The folding arm includes an opening station and a closing station.
[0007] The two ends of the pin pass through the guide groove and extend into the first central through hole, where they slide against the axial end face of the axial limiting ring. The first return spring is compressed and disposed in the rotating shaft, and keeps the drive pin moving along the guide groove toward the direction closer to the axial limiting ring.
[0008] When the folding arm rotates to the open position, the position of the first locking groove coincides with the position of the guide groove. The pin is driven by the first reset spring to enter the first locking groove along the guide groove, thus restricting the rotational movement of the folding arm.
[0009] The button assembly is axially slidably fitted in the second central through hole, and the button assembly pushes the pin away from the first locking groove along the guide groove.
[0010] Using the above technical solution, when the cantilever needs to be deployed for flight, the cantilever is rotated, which in turn drives the connecting end to rotate around the pivot. When it rotates to the preset opening position, the position of the first locking groove coincides with the position of the guide groove. The pin is driven by the first reset spring to enter the first locking groove along the guide groove, restricting the rotational movement of the folding arm, thereby locking the cantilever to maintain the preset deployment angle and stably deploying for flight.
[0011] When the cantilever needs to be folded and stored, the control button assembly slides along the second central through hole, and the push pin moves away from the first locking groove along the guide groove. At this time, the rotating end resumes free rotation, while the pin slides against the end face of the axial limiting ring, which does not affect the rotation of the rotating end and can enter the overlapping locking groove at any time.
[0012] The guide groove can be set at an angle.
[0013] A further feature of this invention is that a limiting end face is provided on the side of the connecting end facing the rotating end, and a first stop end face and a second stop end face are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed seat corresponding to the opening and closing positions. An arc transition surface is provided between the first stop end face and the second stop end face. The limiting end face stops when it comes into contact with the first stop end face or the second stop end face as the folding arm rotates, and the limiting end face and the arc transition surface are tangentially engaged.
[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the connecting end is stopped by the first stop end face and the second stop end face, thereby restricting its rotation within a preset angle, and further assisting the stability of the cantilever when it is deployed and locked.
[0015] A further feature of this invention is that the guide groove includes a locking end near the mating end face and an unlocking end near the wire guide cover. The pin enters the first locking groove when it is on the locking end side and leaves the first locking groove when it is on the unlocking end side.
[0016] A further feature of this invention is that the connecting end of the folding arm is provided with a first threading hole that extends through the first central through hole, the threading cover is provided with a second threading hole that connects to the second central through hole, and an arc-shaped threading groove that connects the first threading hole and the second threading hole is provided through the outer circumference of the rotating shaft. The central angle of the arc-shaped threading groove is adapted to the rotation angle from the opening position to the closing position.
[0017] The above technical solution includes a wire hole and an arc-shaped wire groove so that the drone's cables can pass through it, and the chemical wire groove can cooperate with the rotation of the cantilever to reduce the bending of the cables.
[0018] A further feature of this invention is that the axial limiting ring is provided with a second locking groove along the axial direction. When the folding arm rotates to the closing position, the position of the second locking groove coincides with the position of the guide groove. The pin is driven by the first reset spring to enter the second locking groove along the guide groove, thereby restricting the rotational movement of the folding arm.
[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the cantilever can also be locked in the retracted state through the similarly designed second locking slot, thus preventing loosening during storage.
[0020] A further feature of this invention is that a first groove is coaxially provided at the two openings of the first central through hole of the folding arm, and a bearing spacer and a washer are coaxially provided in the first groove.
[0021] The above technical solution is adopted to set up a rotational fit between the bearing spacer and the rotating end and the rotating shaft.
[0022] Further features of this invention: The operating end face is provided with a plurality of first mounting screw holes; the button assembly includes a button base, a button switch, and a button; the button base is provided with a second mounting hole corresponding to the position of the first mounting screw hole and is fixed to the first mounting screw hole by screws; the button base is provided with a third central through hole coaxial with the second central through hole; the button switch includes a first cap portion located in the second central through hole and a pin abutting against it, and a sliding shaft portion that makes axial sliding fit with the third central through hole; the sliding shaft portion is provided with a threaded hole on its end face away from the pin; the button includes an operating cap portion and a threaded shaft portion that is threadedly fitted with the threaded hole; the operating cap portion is located on the side of the button base away from the second central through hole.
[0023] The above technical solution facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the button assembly.
[0024] A further feature of this invention is that a spring hole is provided on the end face of the rotating shaft away from the mating end face, and the spring hole extends axially to the guide groove; the first reset spring is compressed and disposed in the spring hole, one end of which keeps the push pin moving along the guide groove toward the direction close to the axial limiting ring, and the other end abuts against the wire cover that closes the spring hole.
[0025] Using the above technical solution, as a specific embodiment of the first reset spring, the pin is directly actuated, and the button assembly moves up and down automatically with the movement of the pin.
[0026] A further feature of this invention is that the first cap has a sleeve hole through which the pin passes. The sleeve hole is fitted with the pin and moves axially up and down as it slides along the guide groove. The first return spring is sleeved on the sliding shaft and compressed between the operating cap and the button seat. The first return spring keeps the operating cap moving away from the button seat and drives the pin along the guide groove toward the axial limiting ring.
[0027] Using the above technical solution, as a specific embodiment of the first reset spring, the button assembly moves under force, driving the pin shaft to move through the provided sleeve hole.
[0028] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Through the interlocking of the button assembly with the pin and the folding arm, the operator can quickly unlock the device by pressing a single button. The locking function is always open and automatically locks when the folding arm is rotated open and the angle is reached, ensuring that the cantilever unfolding angle meets the pre-design. The overall function is simple to operate, stable and reliable. Attached Figure Description
[0029] Figure 1 The structure of this utility model embodiment Figure 1 ;
[0030] Figure 2 The structure of this utility model embodiment Figure 2 ;
[0031] Figure 3 The structure of this utility model embodiment Figure 3 ;
[0032] Figure 4 The structure of this utility model embodiment Figure 4 ;
[0033] Figure 5 The structure of this utility model embodiment Figure 5 ;
[0034] Figure 6 The structure of this utility model embodiment Figure 6 .
[0035] Among them, 1-folding arm, 11-connecting end, 111-first threading hole, 12-rotating end, 13-first central through hole, 131-first groove, 132-bearing spacer, 133-washer, 14-axial limiting ring, 15-first locking groove, 16-limiting end face, 161-first stop end face, 162-second stop end face, 163-arc transition surface, 2-fixed seat, 21-rotating shaft, 211-arc-shaped threading groove 212-Spring hole, 22-Guide groove, 221-Locking end, 222-Unlocking end, 23-Second center through hole, 24-First mounting screw hole, 3-Pin, 4-Button assembly, 41-Button seat, 411-Third center through hole, 42-Button switch, 421-First cap, 422-Sliding shaft, 43-Button, 431-Operating cap, 5-First return spring, 6-Wire guide cover, 61-Second wire guide hole.
[0036] To better illustrate this embodiment, some parts in the accompanying drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual size of the product. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting this patent. Detailed Implementation
[0037] To make the technical solution and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solution of this application will be described in a clearer and more complete manner below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only some embodiments of this application, and are only used to explain this application, not to limit this application. It should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts related to this application are shown in the accompanying drawings. Other related parts can be referred to the general design. In the absence of conflict, the embodiments and technical features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.
[0038] like Figure 1-6 As shown, a folding arm 1 mechanism for a drone includes a drone cantilever, a folding arm 1, a fixed base 2, a button assembly 4, a pin 3, a first return spring 5, and a wire guide cover 6. The folding arm 1 includes a connecting end 11 and a rotating end 12. The connecting end 11 is detachably sleeved and fixed to the drone cantilever. The rotating end 12 is provided with a first central through hole 13. An axial limiting ring 14 is coaxially provided in the first central through hole 13. The axial limiting ring 14 is provided with a first locking groove 15 along the axial direction.
[0039] The fixed base 2 includes an operating end face and a mating end face. The mating end face is provided with a rotating shaft portion 21 that is adapted to the first central through hole 13. A guide groove 22 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft portion 21 along the axial direction. The guide groove 22 radially penetrates the rotating shaft portion 21. The operating end face is provided with a second central through hole 23 that is coaxial with the rotating shaft portion 21.
[0040] The threading cover 6 is detachably fixed to the rotating shaft 21. The rotating end 12 of the folding arm 1 is located between the threading cover 6 and the fixed base 2, and the first central through hole 13 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 21 for rotational engagement. The folding arm 1 includes an opening station and a closing station.
[0041] The pin 3 passes through the guide groove 22 at both ends and extends into the first central through hole 13, where it slides against the axial end face of the axial limiting ring 14. The first return spring 5 is compressed and disposed in the rotating shaft 21, and keeps the driving pin 3 moving along the guide groove 22 toward the direction close to the axial limiting ring 14.
[0042] When the folding arm 1 rotates to the open position, the position of the first locking groove 15 coincides with the position of the guide groove 22. The pin 3 is driven by the first reset spring 5 to enter the first locking groove 15 along the guide groove 22, restricting the rotational movement of the folding arm 1. The button assembly 4 is set in the second central through hole 23 for axial sliding engagement. The button assembly 4 pushes the pin 3 away from the first locking groove 15 along the guide groove 22.
[0043] When the cantilever needs to be deployed for flight, the cantilever is rotated, which in turn drives the connecting end 11 to rotate around the rotating shaft 21. When it rotates to the preset opening position, the position of the first locking groove 15 coincides with the position of the guide groove 22. The pin 3 is driven by the first reset spring 5 to enter the first locking groove 15 along the guide groove 22, restricting the rotational movement of the folding arm 1, thereby locking the cantilever to maintain the preset deployment angle and stably deploying for flight.
[0044] When the cantilever needs to be folded and stored, the control button assembly 4 slides along the second central through hole 23, and the push pin 3 moves away from the first locking groove 15 along the guide groove 22. At this time, the rotating end 12 resumes free rotation, and the pin 3 slides against the end face of the axial limiting ring 14, which does not affect the rotation of the rotating end 12 and can enter the overlapping locking groove at any time.
[0045] The connecting end 11 is provided with a limiting end face 16 on the side facing the rotating end 12. The outer peripheral surface of the fixed base 2 is provided with a first stop end face 161 and a second stop end face 162 corresponding to the opening and closing positions. An arc transition surface 163 is provided between the first stop end face 161 and the second stop end face 162. The limiting end face 16 stops when it comes into contact with the first stop end face 161 or the second stop end face 162 as the folding arm 1 rotates. The limiting end face 16 and the arc transition surface 163 are tangentially engaged.
[0046] The connecting end 11 is stopped by the first stop end face 161 and the second stop end face 162, thereby limiting its rotation within a preset angle, and further assisting the stability of the cantilever when it is deployed and locked.
[0047] The guide groove 22 includes a locking end 221 near the mating end face and an unlocking end 222 near the wire guide cover 6. The pin 3 enters the first locking groove 15 when it is on the locking end 221 side and leaves the first locking groove 15 when it is on the unlocking end 222 side.
[0048] The connecting end 11 of the folding arm 1 is provided with a first threading hole 111 that extends through the first central through hole 13, and the threading cover 6 is provided with a second threading hole 61 that connects to the second central through hole 23. The outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 21 is provided with an arc-shaped thread groove 211 that connects the first threading hole 111 and the second threading hole 61. The central angle of the arc-shaped thread groove 211 is adapted to the rotation angle from the opening position to the closing position.
[0049] The cable threading hole and arc-shaped cable groove 211 are designed so that the drone's cables can pass through them, and the chemical cable groove can cooperate with the rotation of the cantilever to reduce the bending of the cables.
[0050] The axial limiting ring 14 is provided with a second locking groove along the axial direction. When the folding arm 1 rotates to the closing position, the position of the second locking groove coincides with the position of the guide groove 22. The pin 3 is driven by the first reset spring 5 to enter the second locking groove along the guide groove 22, thereby restricting the rotational movement of the folding arm 1.
[0051] The second locking slot, which is designed similarly, allows the cantilever to be locked in the retracted state, preventing it from becoming loose during storage.
[0052] At the two openings of the first central through hole 13 of the folding arm 1, a first groove 131 is coaxially provided, and a bearing spacer 132 and a washer 133 are coaxially provided in the first groove 131.
[0053] The bearing spacer 132 and washer 133 are provided to lubricate the rotational fit between the rotating end 12 and the rotating shaft 21.
[0054] The operating end face is provided with a plurality of first mounting screw holes 24. The button assembly 4 includes a button base 41, a button switch 42 and a button 43. The button base 41 is provided with a second mounting hole corresponding to the position of the first mounting screw hole 24 and is fixed to the first mounting screw hole 24 by screws. The button base 41 is provided with a third central through hole 411 coaxial with the second central through hole 23. The button switch 42 includes a first cap 421 located in the second central through hole 23 and a pin abutting, and a sliding shaft 422 that is axially slidingly engaged with the third central through hole 411. The sliding shaft 422 is provided with a threaded hole on the end face away from the pin 3. The button 43 includes an operating cap 431 and a threaded shaft that is threadedly engaged with the threaded hole. The operating cap is located on the side of the button base 41 away from the second central through hole 23.
[0055] The structural design of button assembly 4 facilitates assembly and disassembly.
[0056] A spring hole 212 is provided on the end face of the rotating shaft part 21 away from the mating end face. The spring hole 212 extends axially to the guide groove 22. The first reset spring 5 is compressed in the spring hole 212. One end keeps the push pin 3 moving along the guide groove 22 toward the direction close to the axial limiting ring 14, and the other end abuts against the wire cover 6 that closes the spring hole 212.
[0057] As a specific embodiment of the first reset spring 5, it directly actuates the pin, and the button assembly 4 moves up and down in response to the movement of the pin.
[0058] The first cap portion 421 is provided with a sleeve hole through which the pin 3 passes. The sleeve hole is fitted with the pin 3 and moves axially up and down as it slides along the guide groove 22. The first return spring 5 is sleeved on the sliding shaft portion 422 and compressed between the operating cap and the button seat 41. The first return spring 5 keeps the driving operating cap moving away from the button seat 41, driving the pin 3 along the guide groove 22 toward the axial limiting ring 14.
[0059] In a second specific embodiment of the first reset spring 5, the button assembly 4 moves under force, driving the pin shaft to move through the provided sleeve hole.
[0060] Through the interlocking of button assembly 4 with pin shaft and folding arm 1, the operator can quickly unlock the device by pressing a button. The locking function is always open and automatically locks when the folding arm 1 is rotated open and the angle is reached, ensuring that the cantilever unfolding angle meets the pre-design. The overall function is simple to operate, stable and reliable.
[0061] The technical solution of this application has been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of protection of this application is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principles of this application, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these changes or substitutions will all fall within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. A folding arm mechanism for a drone, characterized in that: The device includes a drone cantilever, a folding arm, a fixed base, a button assembly, a pin, a first return spring, and a wire guide cover. The folding arm includes a connecting end and a rotating end. The connecting end is detachably sleeved and fixed to the drone cantilever. The rotating end is provided with a first central through hole. An axial limiting ring is coaxially provided in the first central through hole. The axial limiting ring is provided with a first locking groove along the axial direction. The fixed base includes an operating end face and a mating end face. The mating end face is provided with a rotating shaft portion adapted to the first central through hole. A guide groove is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft portion extending axially and radially penetrating the rotating shaft portion. The operating end face is provided with a second central through hole coaxial with the rotating shaft portion. The threading cover and the rotating shaft are detachably fixedly connected. The rotating end of the folding arm is located between the threading cover and the fixed base, and the first central through hole is sleeved on the rotating shaft for rotational engagement. The folding arm includes an opening station and a closing station. The two ends of the pin pass through the guide groove and extend into the first central through hole, where they slide against the axial end face of the axial limiting ring. The first return spring is compressed and disposed in the rotating shaft, and keeps the drive pin moving along the guide groove toward the direction closer to the axial limiting ring. When the folding arm rotates to the open position, the position of the first locking groove coincides with the position of the guide groove. The pin is driven by the first reset spring to enter the first locking groove along the guide groove, thus restricting the rotational movement of the folding arm. The button assembly is axially slidably fitted in the second central through hole, and the button assembly pushes the pin away from the first locking groove along the guide groove.
2. The folding arm mechanism for a drone according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting end is provided with a limiting end face on the side facing the rotating end. The outer peripheral surface of the fixed seat is provided with a first stop end face and a second stop end face corresponding to the opening and closing positions. An arc transition surface is provided between the first stop end face and the second stop end face. The limiting end face stops when it comes into contact with the first stop end face or the second stop end face as the folding arm rotates. The limiting end face and the arc transition surface are tangentially engaged.
3. The folding arm mechanism for a drone according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guide groove includes a locking end near the mating end face and an unlocking end near the wire guide cover. The pin enters the first locking groove when it is on the locking end side and leaves the first locking groove when it is on the unlocking end side.
4. The folding arm mechanism for a drone according to claim 3, characterized in that: The folding arm connecting end is provided with a first threading hole that extends through the first central through hole, the threading cover is provided with a second threading hole that connects to the second central through hole, and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft is provided with an arc-shaped threading groove that connects the first threading hole and the second threading hole. The central angle of the arc-shaped threading groove is adapted to the rotation angle from the opening position to the closing position.
5. The folding arm mechanism for a drone according to claim 4, characterized in that: At the two openings of the first central through hole of the folding arm, a first groove is coaxially provided, and a bearing spacer and a washer are coaxially provided in the first groove.
6. The folding arm mechanism for a drone according to claim 5, characterized in that: The axial limiting ring is provided with a second locking groove along the axial direction. When the folding arm rotates to the closing position, the position of the second locking groove coincides with the position of the guide groove. The pin is driven by the first reset spring to enter the second locking groove along the guide groove, thereby restricting the rotational movement of the folding arm.
7. A folding arm mechanism for a drone according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The operating end face is provided with a plurality of first mounting screw holes. The button assembly includes a button base, a button switch, and a button. The button base is provided with a second mounting hole corresponding to the position of the first mounting screw hole and is fixed to the first mounting screw hole by screws. The button base is provided with a third central through hole coaxial with the second central through hole. The button switch includes a first cap portion located in the second central through hole and abutting against the pin, and a sliding shaft portion that makes axial sliding fit with the third central through hole. The end face of the sliding shaft portion away from the pin is provided with a threaded hole. The button includes an operating cap portion and a threaded shaft portion that is threadedly fitted with the threaded hole. The operating cap portion is located on the side of the button base away from the second central through hole.
8. A folding arm mechanism for a drone according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: A spring hole is provided on the end face of the rotating shaft away from the mating end face, and the spring hole extends axially to the guide groove; the first reset spring is compressed in the spring hole, one end of which keeps the push pin moving along the guide groove toward the direction close to the axial limiting ring, and the other end abuts against the wire cover that closes the spring hole.
9. A folding arm mechanism for a drone according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first cap is provided with a sleeve hole through which the pin passes. The sleeve hole is fitted with the pin and moves axially up and down as it slides along the guide groove. The first return spring is sleeved on the sliding shaft and compressed between the operating cap and the button seat. The first return spring keeps the driving operating cap moving away from the button seat and drives the pin along the guide groove toward the axial limiting ring.