FOLDING PROPELLER FOR AIR MOBILITY

Abstract

Foldable propeller for air mobility, wherein the foldable propeller includes: a shaft (100) with a hub (500) at an upper end section of the shaft (100); Blades (700), each of which is attached to the hub (500) via a rotating shaft (710) in order to be rotated with the hub (500) or to be rotated relative to the hub (500); a movable section (300) which is slidably mounted on the shaft (100); and a link arrangement (900) with a plurality of links (910, 920, 930, 940) connecting the movable section (300) and the vane blades (700) and enabling the vane blades (700) to be rotated around the hub (500) while the movable section (300) slides along the shaft (100) such that the vane blades (700) are folded towards each other or folded away from each other, wherein the plurality of members (910, 920, 930, 940) comprises a first member (910) and a second member (920), and wherein a first end section of the first member (910) is pivotably connected to the movable section (300) and a first end section of the second member (920) is pivotably connected to a point on the shaft (100) between the movable section (300) and the hub (500).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Area of ​​the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable propeller for air mobility, which can be folded in such a way that the propeller, which is used for lifting purposes, can be loaded onto a fuselage in a folded state during flight for air mobility, thereby effectively reducing air resistance during cruising flight when the propeller is loaded onto the fuselage in the folded state, making it possible to improve energy efficiency and correspondingly increase flight distance. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Compared to conventional aircraft, the most significant feature of urban air mobility (UAM) is vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). Vertical takeoff and landing require more propellers for significantly greater propulsion than normal flight.

[0003] On the other hand, the flight can continue in cruise flight due to the lift generated by the wings, meaning that some of the propellers used in VTOL (lift propellers) are not used. The propellers not used during high-speed flight create drag, which leads to energy losses.

[0004] To reduce drag and increase energy efficiency, it is necessary to load the propellers onto the fuselage in a folded state. Loading the lift propellers, each comprising three or more blades with a radius of 1 meter or more, inevitably requires a folding technique. Furthermore, the propellers must be folded and unfolded during flight, which is why the folding technique must be highly reliable, safe, and stable.

[0005] However, until now there has been no design in which the propellers can be folded during flight, or in which folding and blade pitch control can be performed simultaneously and independently of each other.

[0006] From US 2017 / 0 144 746 A1, CN 2 07 658 045 U and US 2015 / 0 274 ​​290 A1, a folding propeller is known, comprising a shaft with a hub at an upper end section of the shaft; blades, each of which is attached to the hub via a rotating shaft to be rotated with the hub or to be rotated relative to the hub; a movable section that is slidably mounted on the shaft; and a linkage assembly with a plurality of links connecting the movable section and the blades and enabling the blades, while the movable section slides along the shaft, to be rotated around the hub such that the blades are folded towards each other or folded away from each other.

[0007] US 2018 / 0 079 502 A1 reveals a tiltrotor aircraft with two three-bladed rotors, in which two rotor blades are folded and the third remains in its orientation to the hub.

[0008] The information disclosed in this section “Background of the Invention” is provided solely for a better understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be construed as an acknowledgment or as an indication that this information constitutes prior art already known to the person skilled in the art. QUICK OVERVIEW

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a foldable propeller for air mobility which can be folded in such a way that the propeller, which is used for lifting purposes, can be loaded onto a fuselage in a folded state during flight for air mobility, whereby the air resistance during cruising flight is effectively reduced when the propeller is loaded onto the fuselage in the folded state, which makes it possible to improve energy efficiency and increase a flight distance accordingly.

[0010] The problem is solved by a foldable propeller with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are found in the dependent claims.

[0011] According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention, a foldable propeller for air mobility comprises: a shaft provided with a hub at an upper end section of the shaft; blades, each attached to the hub via a rotating shaft, to be rotated with the hub or relative to the hub; a movable section slidably mounted on the shaft; and a linkage assembly comprising a plurality of links connecting the movable section and the blades and allowing the blades to be rotated around the hub while the movable section slides vertically, such that the blades are folded towards each other or unfolded from each other.The multiple links comprise a first link and a second link; a first end section of the first link is pivotably connected to the movable section, and a first end section of the second link is pivotably connected to a point on the shaft between the movable section and the hub.

[0012] The hub and the vanes can be rotated together when the shaft rotates, and the vanes can be folded or unfolded relative to the hub in a state in which the hub is stationary when the movable section slides along the shaft in a state in which the shaft is stationary.

[0013] The wing blades can be connected to the hub at points spaced apart from each other on the hub, and each of the wing blades can be connected to the movable section via the linkage arrangement.

[0014] One of the several vane blades can be attached to the hub, and each of the other vane blades can be pivotally connected to the movable section via the linkage arrangement in such a way that, when the movable section slides along the shaft, the other vane blades are folded towards the fixed vane blade or unfolded in a direction away from the fixed vane blade.

[0015] The first link and the second link can be connected in such a way that they cross each other, so that when the movable section slides along the shaft, the first link and the second link perform a scissor-like movement between them.

[0016] The first and second links can move in one direction to spread out when the movable section moves upwards, and the first and second links can move in one direction to close up when the movable section moves downwards.

[0017] A third segment can be connected to a terminal section of the first segment, the third segment can be bent in a horizontal direction, a fourth segment can be connected to the bent terminal section of the third segment, and each of the wing leaves can be connected to the fourth segment.

[0018] The fourth segment can be guided through the third segment to perform a rotary motion, and the wing blade is folded or unfolded while rotating according to the rotation of the fourth segment.

[0019] When the first link is moved in one direction to approach the shaft, while the movable section slides along the shaft, the third link can be brought close to the shaft, the fourth link can be rotated according to the movement of the third link, and the blade can be folded while being rotated according to the rotation of the fourth link.

[0020] If the first link is moved in a direction away from the shaft while the movable section slides along the shaft, the third link can be moved away from the shaft, the fourth link can be rotated according to the movement of the third link, and the wing blade can be unfolded while it is rotated according to the rotation of the fourth link.

[0021] The first and second links can be links lying in a plane in a direction perpendicular to the ground, the fourth link can be a link lying in a plane in a direction horizontal to the ground, and the third link can be a link whose two end sections are connected to the first and fourth links respectively and which has a curved middle section.

[0022] The blade can be folded in or out horizontally towards the ground on a single plane.

[0023] The methods and devices according to the invention have further features and advantages which are evident from the accompanying drawing figures included herein and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES Fig. Figure 1 is a view showing, by way of example, an unfolded state of a foldable propeller for air mobility according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a view showing, by way of example, a folded state of the foldable propeller for air mobility according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0024] The accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and represent a somewhat simplified depiction of various features that illustrate the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention, as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, are partly determined by the intended application and operating environment.

[0025] In the drawing figures, the reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention in the different figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) is / are described in connection with exemplary embodiments according to the invention, it is understood that the present description does not serve to limit the invention(s) to these exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the invention(s) are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments according to the invention, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments that may be included within the scope of the inventive idea and the scope of protection according to the invention, as defined by the accompanying claims.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 is a view showing, by way of example, an unfolded state of a foldable propeller for air mobility according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention, and Fig. Figure 2 is a view showing, by way of example, a folded state of the foldable propeller for air mobility according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0028] The foldable propeller for air mobility according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention comprises: a shaft 100 provided with a hub 500 at an upper end section thereof; blades 700, each provided on the hub 500 by a rotating shaft 710 to be rotated with the hub 500 or to be rotated relative to the hub 500; a movable section 300 provided to be vertically displaceable on the shaft 100; and a linkage 900 comprising a plurality of connections connecting the movable section 300 and the blades 700 to one another and enabling the blades 700, while the movable section 300 slides vertically, to be rotated around the hub 500 in such a way as to fold or unfold the blades 700.

[0029] The propeller according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention is not only fundamentally designed to generate thrust through rotation, but also has a structure for folding or unfolding the blades. If the propeller according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention is used as a propeller for lifting purposes, the propeller generates thrust by rotating during a lifting operation and is folded during travel or flight after the lifting operation to reduce air resistance, which serves to increase energy efficiency and reduce noise.

[0030] Shaft 100 is responsible for the basic rotational function of the propeller. Shaft 100 is connected to a drive unit to receive the torque required for rotation, and the propeller generates drive as it rotates in accordance with the rotation of shaft 100.

[0031] The hub 500 is provided at the upper end section of the shaft 100. Furthermore, a plurality of vanes 700 are connected to the hub 500, and the drive is generated by the vanes 700 when the hub 500 is rotated by the shaft.

[0032] As shown, the blades 700 are each connected to the hub 500 via the rotating shaft 710, in order to be rotated with the hub 500 or to be rotated relative to the hub 500. The rotation of the blades 700 relative to the hub 500 results in a folding motion of the blade 700.

[0033] An additional component is provided on the shaft 100 for folding the blades 700. The movable section 300 is designed to be vertically displaceable on the shaft 100. The movable section 300 is connected to the shaft 100 by a wedge connection such that it can be rotated with the shaft 100 and can also perform a relative vertical sliding movement on the shaft 100. The movable section 300 can be moved by a separate linear actuator or the like.

[0034] Furthermore, the linkage 900 is provided between the movable section 300 and the vanes 700. Accordingly, the linkage 900 transmits the sliding motion of the movable section 300 to the vanes 700, and the vanes 700 are folded when they are rotated relative to the rotating shaft 710. Thus, in a case where the movable section 300 is attached to the shaft 100 in a state where the vanes 700 are unfolded, as in Fig. Figure 1 shows how, when the shaft 100 rotates, the propeller generates a drive. In a case where the movable section 300 slides, the blade 700 is folded as it rotates, as shown in Figure 1. Fig. 2 shown.

[0035] The linkage 900 comprises a plurality of links connecting the movable section 300 and the vane blades 700, and allows the vane blades 700 to rotate about the hub 500 while the movable section 300 slides vertically, so that the vane blades 700 are folded in or unfolded. On this basis, the vane blades 700 can be folded or unfolded relative to the hub 500 in a state where the hub 500 is stationary, while the movable section 300 slides in a state where the shaft 100 is stationary, and the hub 500 and the vane blades 700 rotate together when the shaft 100 rotates.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the blades 700 can be connected to the hub 500 at corresponding, spaced-apart points, and each of the blades 700 can be connected to the movable section 300 via the linkage 900. One blade 700' of the plurality of blades is attached to the hub 500, and each of the other blades 700 is connected to the movable section 300 via the linkage 900. When the movable section 300 slides, the fixed blade 700' remains in the same position, and the other blades 700 are rotated by the linkage 900 such that the blades 700 can be folded towards the fixed blade 700' or unfolded in a direction far from the fixed blade 700'.In the present configuration, it is possible to fold the propeller in such a way that all blades converge at one point, which reduces the drag acting on the fuselage.

[0037] A first link 910 is connected to the movable section 300, a second link 920 is connected to a point on the shaft 100 between the movable section 300 and the hub 500, and the first link 910 and the second link 920 are connected to each other in such a way that they intersect, allowing the first link 910 and the second link 920 to perform a scissor-like movement when the movable section 300 slides. Furthermore, the first link 910 and the second link 920 can move in one direction to spread out when the movable section 300 moves upwards, and the first link 910 and the second link 920 can move in one direction to close up when the movable section 300 moves downwards.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second member 920 is connected to a body 110 of the shaft 100 between the movable section 300 and the hub 500. The body 110 of the shaft 100 is connected to the shaft 100 and can limit the upper movement of the movable section 300.

[0039] Furthermore, a third link 930 can be connected to an end section of the first link 910; the third link 930 can be bent in a horizontal direction; a fourth link 940 can be connected to the bent end section of the third link 930; and the wing blade 700 can be connected to the fourth link 940. The fourth link 940 can be guided through the third link 930 to perform a rotational movement, and the wing blade 700 can be folded or unfolded while being rotated according to the rotation of the fourth link 940.

[0040] That is, if the first link 910 is moved in one direction to approach the shaft 100 while the movable section 300 slides, the third link 930 can also be brought close to the shaft 100, the fourth link 940 can be rotated according to the movement of the third link 930, and the vane 700 can be folded while it is rotated according to the rotation of the fourth link 940.

[0041] On the other hand, if the first link 910 is moved in a direction in which it moves far away from the shaft 100 while the movable section 300 slides, the third link 930 can also be moved far away from the shaft 100, the fourth link 940 can be rotated according to the movement of the third link 930, and the wing blade 700 can be unfolded while being rotated in the opposite direction according to the rotation of the fourth link 940.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown, the first segment 910 and the second segment 920 can be segments lying on a plane in a direction perpendicular to the ground, the fourth segment 940 can be a segment lying on a plane in a direction horizontal to the ground, and the third segment 930 can be a segment whose two end sections are connected to the first segment 910 and the fourth segment 940, respectively, and which has a curved central section. Additionally, the wing blade 700 can be folded or unfolded on the plane in the horizontal direction to the ground.

[0043] Fig. Figure 1 is a view showing, by way of example, an unfolded state of a foldable propeller for air mobility according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention, and Fig. Figure 2 is a view that exemplifies a folded state of the foldable propeller for air mobility according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention. With reference to the figures in the drawing, the movement of the propeller during folding will now be described below according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0044] The movable section 300 slides in the state of Fig. 1 on wave 100 following the arrow downwards, as in Fig. 2 shown. When the movable section 300 is in the state of Fig. As the first link 910 and the second link 920 slide downwards, they are rotated in a direction in which they correspond to the scissor movement, as in Fig. 2 shown, join together.

[0045] When the first link 910 acts in the present manner, the first link 910 is brought close to the shaft 100, and accordingly the third link 930 is also moved to approach the shaft 100 in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0046] Corresponding to the movement of the third link 930, the third link 930 guides the fourth link 940, and accordingly, the fourth link 940 is simultaneously moved and rotated. Consequently, the blade 700 is rotated relative to the rotating shaft 710 in the direction indicated by the arrow, and as a result, the blade 700 is rotated as shown. Fig. 2 shown folded.

[0047] The foldable propeller for air mobility according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention can be folded in such a way that the propeller, which is used for lifting purposes, can be loaded onto the fuselage in a folded state during flight for air mobility, thereby effectively reducing air resistance during cruising flight when the propeller is loaded onto the fuselage in the folded state, making it possible to improve energy efficiency and correspondingly increase the flight distance.

[0048] For the sake of simplicity and for precise definition in the accompanying claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "up", "upwards", "downwards", "front", "backwards", "rear", "inside", "outside", "inwards", "outwards", "internal", "external", "forwards", and "backwards" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of these features shown in the figures. The term "connect" or its derivatives refer to both a direct and an indirect connection.

Claims

[1] Foldable propeller for air mobility, wherein the foldable propeller comprises: a shaft (100) with a hub (500) at an upper end section of the shaft (100); Blades (700), each of which is attached to the hub (500) via a rotating shaft (710) in order to be rotated with the hub (500) or to be rotated relative to the hub (500); a movable section (300) which is slidably mounted on the shaft (100); and a link arrangement (900) with a plurality of links (910, 920, 930, 940) connecting the movable section (300) and the vane blades (700) and enabling the vane blades (700) to be rotated around the hub (500) while the movable section (300) slides along the shaft (100) such that the vane blades (700) are folded towards each other or folded away from each other, wherein the plurality of members (910, 920, 930, 940) comprises a first member (910) and a second member (920), and wherein a first end section of the first member (910) is pivotably connected to the movable section (300) and a first end section of the second member (920) is pivotably connected to a point on the shaft (100) between the movable section (300) and the hub (500). [2] Foldable propeller according to claim 1, wherein the hub (500) and the blades (700) are rotated together when the shaft (100) rotates, and the blades (700) are folded or unfolded with respect to the hub (500) in a state in which the hub (500) is stationary when the movable section (300) slides along the shaft (100) in a state in which the shaft (100) is stationary. [3] Foldable propeller according to claim 1, wherein the blades (700) are connected to the hub (500) at points on the hub (500) which are spaced apart from each other, and each of the blades (700) is pivotably connected to the movable section (300) by the link arrangement (900). [4] Folding propeller according to claim 3, wherein one of the blades (700) is a fixed blade (700') attached to the hub (500), and each of the remaining blades (700), with the exception of the fixed blade (700'), is pivotably connected to the movable section (300) by the link arrangement (900) such that when the movable section (300) slides along the shaft (100), the remaining blades (700) are folded in the direction of the fixed blade (700') or unfolded in a direction to be away from the fixed blade (700'). [5] Foldable propeller according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of members (910, 920, 930, 940) comprises a first member (910) and a second member (920), and wherein a first end section of the first link is pivotably connected to the movable section (300), a first end section of the second link (920) is pivotably connected to a point on the shaft (100) between the movable section (300) and the hub (500), and a section of the first link is pivotably connected to a second end section of the second link (920) such that when the movable section (300) slides along the shaft (100), the first link and the second link (920) perform a scissor motion between them. [6] Foldable propeller according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of members (910, 920, 930, 940) further includes a third member (930) and a fourth member (940), and wherein a first end section of the third member (930) is pivotably connected to a second end section of the first member, a second end section of the third member (930) is bent in a perpendicular direction to a longitudinal axis of the third member (930), a first end section of the fourth member (940) is pivotably connected to the second end section of the third member (930), and a second end section of the fourth member (940) is connected to one of the wing blades (700) except for the fixed wing blade (700'). [7] Foldable propeller according to claim 1, wherein a section of the first member is pivotably connected to a second end section of the second member (920) such that when the movable section (300) slides along the shaft (100), the first member and the second member (920) perform a scissor movement between them. [8] Foldable propeller according to claim 1, wherein the first member (910) and the second member (920) move in one direction to unfold with respect to the shaft (100) when the movable section (300) moves towards the hub (500), and the first member (910) and the second member (920) move in one direction to be folded with respect to the shaft (100) when the movable section (300) moves away from the hub (500). [9] Foldable propeller according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of members (910, 920, 930, 940) further includes a third member (930) and a fourth member (940), and wherein a first end section of the third member (930) is pivotably connected to a second end section of the first member, a second end section of the third member (930) is bent in a perpendicular direction to a longitudinal axis of the third member (930), a first end section of the fourth member (940) is pivotably connected to the second end section of the third member (930), and a second end section of the fourth member (940) is connected to one of the wing blades (700). [10] Foldable propeller according to claim 9, wherein the fourth member (940) is guided through the third member (930) to perform a rotational movement of the fourth member (940), and one of the blades (700) is folded or unfolded while being rotated according to the rotation of the fourth member (940). [11] Foldable propeller according to claim 9, wherein when the first member is moved in a direction in which it is adjacent to the shaft (100) while the movable section (300) slides along the shaft (100), the third member (930) is brought close to the shaft (100), the fourth member (940) is rotated in accordance with the movement of the third member (930) and one of the blades (700) is folded while it is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the fourth member (940). [12] Foldable propeller according to claim 9, wherein when the first member is moved in a direction to be away from the shaft (100) while the movable section (300) slides along the shaft (100), the third member (930) is moved away from the shaft (100), the fourth member (940) is rotated in accordance with the movement of the third member (930) and one of the blades (700) is unfolded while it is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the fourth member (940). [13] Foldable propeller according to claim 9, wherein the first link (910) and the second link (920) are links which lie in a plane in a direction perpendicular to the ground, the fourth link (940) is a link which lies in a plane in a direction horizontal to the ground, and the third link (930) is a link whose two end sections are connected to the first link and the fourth link (940) respectively and which has a curved central section. [14] Foldable propeller according to claim 9, wherein one of the blades (700) is folded or unfolded in a plane in a horizontal direction towards the ground.

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