Flight device

Abstract

In a flying device having a main body and an arm section equipped with a rotor, the strength of the connection between the arm section and the main body is to be improved. [Solution] The device is provided with a main body 1 that is formed in a polygonal shape in plan view, having a plurality of vertices 4, 5 located on the same circumscribed circle or circumscribed ellipse in plan view, and a plurality of edges 2, 3 connected across adjacent vertices 4, 5. The device is provided with arm portions 11, 21 having frames 12, 13, 22, 23 extending outward from one side vertex 4, 5 and the other side vertex 4, 5 of the edges 2, 3. The device is provided with rotors attached to the arm portions 11, 21.

Description

Technical Field

[0006]

[0001] The present invention relates to the overall configuration of a flying device such as a multicopter.

Background Art

[0002] An example of a flying device is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, a main body portion formed in a circular shape in plan view is provided, and a plurality of arm portions extend radially from the main body portion, and a rotor that generates lift is provided on each of the arm portions. The entire flying device is constituted by the main body portion and the plurality of arm portions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007] According to the present invention, the main body is formed in a polygonal shape, having a plurality of vertices located on the same circumscribed circle (circumscribed ellipse) in a plan view, and a plurality of edges connected across adjacent vertices. In a plan view, if we assume a virtual line perpendicular to each edge of the main body, each of these virtual lines extends radially outward from the main body without intersecting each other. When the arm portion is provided on the main body, the arm portion has a frame extending outward from one vertex and the other vertex of the edge of the main body. Each of the arm portions extends radially outward from the edge of the main body without intersecting each other.

[0008] According to the present invention, since the edges of the main body are relatively long, the portion of the arm that connects to the main body has a relatively large width. When a load is transmitted from the arm to the main body, the load is transmitted from the frame of the arm to the apex of the main body, and then from the apex to multiple sides of the main body. As a result, the load is distributed to various parts of the main body, making it easier for them to bear the load.

[0009] This results in a relatively large width at the connection point between the arm and the main body, and also allows the load from the arm to be distributed and more easily absorbed by various parts of the main body, thereby improving the strength of the connection point between the arm and the main body.

[0010] In the present invention, the arm portion preferably includes a first arm portion having a first frame extending outward from the vertex portion on one side of the edge and the vertex portion on the other side, and a second arm portion having a second frame extending outward from the vertex portion on one side of the edge and the vertex portion on the other side, on an edge different from the edge on which the first arm portion is provided, and the rotor preferably includes a main rotor attached to the first arm portion to generate lift and a sub-rotor attached to the second arm portion to control the attitude of the main body.

[0011] In aircraft equipped with rotors, a main rotor that generates lift and a sub-rotor that controls the attitude of the main body are sometimes provided. The main rotor, which generates lift, is preferably configured with a relatively large diameter to obtain a large lift, and is preferably located close to the main body in order to transmit the large lift to the main body.

[0012] The sub-rotor, which controls attitude, does not need to be large in diameter to avoid contact with the main rotor, and is preferably positioned far from the main body. When the sub-rotor is positioned far from the main body, the moment arm from the main body to the sub-rotor becomes longer, so even a small-diameter sub-rotor with low thrust can generate enough moment to change the attitude of the main body.

[0013] According to the present invention, when a main rotor and a sub-rotor are provided, a first arm portion having a first frame is provided on the side of the main body, and the main rotor is attached to the first arm portion. A second arm portion having a second frame is provided on a side of the main body different from the side on which the first arm portion is provided, and the sub-rotor is attached to the second arm portion.

[0014] This makes it possible to improve the strength of the connection between the first arm section, the second arm section and the main body section, while configuring the first arm section to be suitable for the main rotor and the second arm section to be suitable for the sub-rotor, all while minimizing the mutual influence between them.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the second arm portion is provided on both the side portion located on one side and the side portion located on the other side of the side portion on which the first arm portion is provided.

[0016] According to the present invention, second arm sections to which sub-rotors are attached are provided on both sides of a first arm section to which a main rotor is attached. This makes it easier to arrange the main rotor (first arm section) and the two sets of sub-rotors (second arm sections) symmetrically, thereby improving the overall balance of the flight device.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that the side portion not provided with the first arm portion and the second arm portion is provided between adjacent second arm portions.

[0018] In flying devices, batteries are sometimes mounted on the main body. If an engine is mounted on the main body as the power source, exhaust pipes and mufflers may be installed to extend outward from the main body.

[0019] According to the present invention, since the main body portion without the first arm portion and the second arm portion is provided, it is preferable to provide equipment such as a battery, exhaust pipe, and muffler near this edge portion. Since the edge of the main body where the first and second arm sections are not provided is located between the adjacent second arm sections, even if equipment such as batteries, exhaust pipes, and mufflers are installed near this edge, it will have little effect on the overall balance of the flight device.

[0020] This reduces the influence of the first arm portion and the second arm portion, and enables the devices such as the battery, the exhaust pipe, and the muffler to be provided without difficulty while reducing the influence on the overall balance of the flying device.

[0021] In the present invention, it is preferable that the main body portion is formed in a regular octagonal shape in plan view.

[0022] According to the present invention, since the main body portion is formed in a regular octagonal shape in plan view, the lengths of the respective side portions in the main body portion are the same, so that it is easy to make the respective parts of the arm portion provided in the main body portion common, and the structure can be simplified and the production cost can be reduced. According to the present invention, since the main body portion is formed in a regular octagonal shape in plan view, the whole of the main body portion and the arm portion is easily configured symmetrically, so that the overall balance of the flying device can be improved.

[0023] In the present invention, it is preferable that the main body portion has a plurality of upper horizontal frames which are the upper side portions, a plurality of lower horizontal frames which are the lower side portions disposed below the upper horizontal frames, a plurality of upper vertex portions which are portions where the ends of the adjacent upper horizontal frames are connected, a plurality of lower vertex portions which are portions where the ends of the adjacent lower horizontal frames are connected, and a plurality of vertical frames which are connected across the upper vertex portions and the lower vertex portions.

[0024] According to the present invention, a plurality of upper horizontal frames which are the upper side portions are connected to form an upper polygon. A plurality of lower horizontal frames which are the lower side portions are connected to form a lower polygon. A plurality of vertical frames are connected across the upper vertex portions which are the vertex portions of the upper polygon and the lower vertex portions which are the vertex portions of the lower polygon. Thereby, an upper horizontal frame, a lower horizontal frame, and a vertical frame can obtain a lightweight main body portion having sufficient strength, so that the flight performance of the flying device can be improved.

[0025] In the present invention, it is preferable that the arm portion has an upper frame extending outward from the upper vertices on one and the other sides of the upper edge portion, and a lower frame extending outward from the lower vertices on one and the other sides of the lower edge portion.

[0026] According to the present invention, the upper horizontal frame, lower horizontal frame, and vertical frame of the main body are relatively long. The arm section has an upper frame extending outward from one vertex and the other upper vertex of the upper edge (upper horizontal frame) of the main body, and a lower frame extending outward from one vertex and the other lower vertex of the lower edge (lower horizontal frame) of the main body.

[0027] According to the present invention, the connection portion of the arm to the upper edge of the main body has a relatively large width. The connection portion of the arm to the lower edge of the main body has a relatively large width. The connection portions of the arm to the upper and lower edges of the main body have a relatively large vertical width. This is advantageous in terms of improving the strength of the connection between the arm and the main body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0028] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of the flying machine. [Figure 2] This is a left side view of the flying machine. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the flight device with the second arm folded. [Figure 4] This is a left side view of the flight device with the second arm folded. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of the main body, the first arm, and the second arm. [Figure 6] This is an exploded plan view of the main body, the first arm, and the second arm. [Figure 7] This is a rear view of the disassembled main body, first arm, and second arm. [Figure 8]This is a plan view showing the interior of the main body. [Figure 9] This is a left side view showing the inside of the main unit. [Figure 10] This is a rear view showing the inside of the main unit. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of the fuel tank. [Figure 12] This is a front view showing the drive structure of the main rotor. [Figure 13] This is a plan view showing the drive structure of the main rotor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Figures 1 to 13 show the flying device, where F indicates forward, B indicates backward, U indicates upward, D indicates downward, R indicates right, and L indicates left.

[0030] (Overall configuration of the flying device) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the flight device includes a main body 1, two sets of first arm sections 11, four sets of second arm sections 21, two sets of main rotors 19, four sets of sub-rotors 20, skids 29, two sets of engines 30 (see Figures 8 and 9), a fuel tank 50, two sets of radiators 63, and the like.

[0031] (Configuration of main body 1) As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the main body 1 includes an upper horizontal frame 2, a lower horizontal frame 3, an upper joint 4, a lower joint 5, a vertical frame 6, and frames 7, 8, 9, and 10.

[0032] Eight round pipe-shaped upper horizontal frames 2 and eight round pipe-shaped lower horizontal frames 3 are provided, and each of the upper horizontal frames 2 and lower horizontal frames 3 is set to the same length. The ends of the upper horizontal frames 2 are connected by eight upper joints 4, so that the upper horizontal frames 2 and the upper joints 4 are formed in a regular octagon shape in plan view. Two round pipe-shaped frames 7 are connected to the upper joints 4 along the left-right direction, and two round pipe-shaped frames 8 are connected to the frames 7 along the front-back direction.

[0033] The ends of the lower horizontal frame 3 are connected by eight lower joints 5, so that the lower horizontal frame 3 and the lower joints 5 are formed in a regular octagon shape in plan view. Two round pipe-shaped frames 9 are connected to the lower horizontal frame 3 along the front-to-back direction. Two round pipe-shaped frames 10 are connected to the lower horizontal frame 3 and the frames 9 along the left-to-right direction.

[0034] Eight round pipe-shaped vertical frames 6 are provided, and these vertical frames 6 are connected across the upper joint section 4 and the lower joint section 5. The upper horizontal frame 2, the lower horizontal frame 3, and the vertical frames 6 constitute the main body 1, which is a regular octagonal cube in plan view.

[0035] In the main body 1, the regular octagon formed by the upper horizontal frame 2 and the upper joint 4, and the regular octagon formed by the lower horizontal frame 3 and the lower joint 5, are both regular octagons of the same size. The upper joint 4 and the lower joint 5 are located on the same circumscribed circle (not shown) in plan view, and the main body 1 has a point-symmetrical shape in plan view. The regular octagon formed by the lower horizontal frame 3 and the lower joint 5 of the main body 1 aligns with the rotation surface A1 of the main rotor 19 (see Figure 1) and the rotation surface A2 of the sub-rotor 20 (see Figure 1), which will be described later.

[0036] (Skid 29 configuration) As shown in Figures 2 and 7, trapezoidal front and rear connecting members 16 are provided in a front view. The connecting member 16 has one round pipe-shaped horizontal frame 17 and two round pipe-shaped connecting frames 18. The horizontal frame 17 has a wider width than the main body 1, and the connecting frames 18 are connected to both ends of the horizontal frame 17 and extend diagonally upward.

[0037] In the main body 1, the front and rear vertical frames 6 extend downward through the lower joint 5. The lower end of the front vertical frame 6 of the main body 1 is connected to the horizontal frame 17 of the front connecting member 16, and the upper end of the connecting frame 18 of the front connecting member 16 is connected to the lower joint 5 of the front lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body 1.

[0038] The lower end of the rear vertical frame 6 of the main body 1 is connected to the horizontal frame 17 of the rear connecting member 16, and the upper end of the connecting frame 18 of the rear connecting member 16 is connected to the lower joint portion 5 of the rear lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body 1. The skid 29 is connected to the lower part of the front and rear connecting members 16, and is connected to the lower part of the main body 1 via the front and rear connecting members 16.

[0039] (Configuration of the first arm section 11) As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, two sets of first arm portions 11, one on the right and one on the left, are provided on the main body portion 1.

[0040] The first arm section 11 has two round pipe-shaped upper frames 12, two round pipe-shaped lower frames 13, a flat plate-shaped support plate 14, and two flat plate-shaped connecting plates 15. The upper frames 12 and lower frames 13 are connected to the support plate 14, and the connecting plate 15 is connected across the upper frames 12 and lower frames 13.

[0041] In the right first arm section 11, the upper frame 12 is connected to the front and rear upper joint sections 4 of the right upper horizontal frame 2 of the main body section 1, and the lower frame 13 is connected to the front and rear lower joint sections 5 of the right lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body section 1.

[0042] In the left first arm section 11, the upper frame 12 is connected to the front and rear upper joint sections 4 of the left upper horizontal frame 2 of the main body section 1, and the lower frame 13 is connected to the front and rear lower joint sections 5 of the left lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body section 1.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, the right and left first arm sections 11 extend outward from the main body section 1 in opposite directions in a plan view. As shown in Figures 2 and 7, the upper frame 12 is configured to be slightly longer than the lower frame 13. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the support plate 14 is located at the same height as the lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body section 1 in a side view. As will be described later, the right and left main rotors 19 (see Figures 1 and 2) are attached to the support plate 14.

[0044] (Configuration of the second arm section 21) As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, four sets of second arm sections 21 are provided on the main body section 1: right front and right rear, left front and left rear.

[0045] The second arm section 21 includes two round pipe-shaped upper frames 22, two round pipe-shaped lower frames 23, a flat plate-shaped support plate 24, two flat plate-shaped connecting plates 25, and one round pipe-shaped support frame 26.

[0046] The upper frame 22 and the lower frame 23 are connected to the support plate 24, and the connecting plate 25 is connected across the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 23. The support frame 26 is attached to the support plate 24 in a foldable manner, as will be described later. The second arm portion 21 is configured to be longer than the first arm portion 11.

[0047] In the right front and right rear second arm sections 21, the upper frame 22 is connected to the front and rear upper joint sections 4 of the right front and right rear upper transverse frame 2 of the main body section 1, and the lower frame 23 is connected to the front and rear lower joint sections 5 of the right front and right rear lower transverse frame 3 of the main body section 1.

[0048] As a result, the right front second arm portion 21 is provided on the upper horizontal frame 2 and lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body portion 1, which are located on the front side (one side) of the right first arm portion 11. The right rear second arm portion 21 is provided on the upper horizontal frame 2 and lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body portion 1, which are located on the rear side (the other side) of the right first arm portion 11.

[0049] In the left front and left rear second arm sections 21, the upper frame 22 is connected to the front and rear upper joint sections 4 of the left front and left rear upper transverse frame 2 of the main body section 1, and the lower frame 23 is connected to the front and rear lower joint sections 5 of the left front and left rear lower transverse frame 3 of the main body section 1.

[0050] As a result, the left front second arm portion 21 is provided on the upper horizontal frame 2 and lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body portion 1, which are located on the front side (one side) of the left first arm portion 11. The left rear second arm portion 21 is provided on the upper horizontal frame 2 and lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body portion 1, which are located on the rear side (the other side) of the left first arm portion 11.

[0051] The right front and left rear second arm portions 21 extend outward from the main body portion 1 in opposite directions when viewed from above.

[0052] The upper and lower lateral frames 2 and 3 at the front of the main body 1, located between the right front and left front second arm portions 21, do not have the first arm portion 11 and the second arm portion 21. The upper and lower lateral frames 2 and 3 at the rear of the main body 1, located between the right rear and left rear second arm portions 21, do not have the first arm portion 11 and the second arm portion 21.

[0053] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 23 are configured to be the same length. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the support plate 24 is located at an intermediate height between the upper frame 22 and the lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body 1 in a side view, and is positioned higher than the support plate 14 of the first arm 11. As will be described later, the right front and right rear sub-rotors 20 (see Figures 1 and 2) and the left front and left rear sub-rotors 20 (see Figures 1 and 2) are attached to the ends of the support frame 26.

[0054] (Configuration of main rotor 19 and sub-rotor 20) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the right and left main rotors 19 are provided. As will be described later, the main rotor 19 is mounted on the end of the first arm section 11 (support plate 14) so ​​as to be rotatable around an axis P1 in the vertical direction, and is rotationally driven by the power of the engine 30 (see Figures 8 and 9). The rotational drive of the main rotor 19 generates a lift force that supports the main body section 1.

[0055] In each of the four sets of second arm sections 21 (right front and right rear, left front and left rear), an electric motor 27 is mounted upward on the upper part of the end of the support frame 26, and a sub-rotor 20 is attached to the drive shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 27. An electric motor 28 is mounted downward on the lower part of the end of the support frame 26, and a sub-rotor 20 is attached to the drive shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 28. The sub-rotor 20 is detachable from the drive shafts of the electric motors 27 and 28.

[0056] In the four sets of sub-rotors 20, the upper and lower sub-rotors 20 are rotated in opposite directions around the axis P2 aligned with the vertical direction of the electric motors 27 and 28. The rotational drive of the sub-rotors 20 generates lift for attitude control of the main body 1. Attitude control of the main body 1 by the sub-rotors 20, and the lift generated by the main rotor 19, enables forward and backward flight, right and left flight, right turns and left turns, etc.

[0057] As the main rotor 19 is driven to rotate around the axis P1, two sets of circular rotation surfaces A1 are formed by the rotational trajectory of the main rotor 19. As the sub-rotor 20 is driven to rotate around the axis P2, four sets of circular rotation surfaces A2 are formed by the rotational trajectory of the sub-rotor 20.

[0058] The rotation surface A1 of the main rotor 19 is larger in diameter than the rotation surface A2 of the sub-rotor 20. The rotation surfaces A2 of the right front and right rear sub-rotors 20 are located in front of and behind the rotation surface A1 of the right main rotor 19. The rotation surfaces A2 of the left front and left rear sub-rotors 20 are located in front of and behind the rotation surface A1 of the left main rotor 19.

[0059] (Folding configuration of the second arm section 21) - 1 As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, in each of the four sets of second arm portions 21 (front right and rear right, front left and rear left), the portion of the support frame 26 closest to the first arm portion 11 is attached to the support plate 24 so as to be able to swing around the axis P3 in the vertical direction.

[0060] The state shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7 is one in which the upper frame 22, lower frame 233, and support frame 26 are arranged in a straight line in a plan view, and the support frame 26 is connected to the support plate 24 by bolts 67. In the state shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the flight described above takes place.

[0061] When an operator transports the aircraft on the cargo bed of a transport vehicle (not shown), the operator performs the following operations. In this case, the operator may remove the main rotor 19 and sub-rotor 20 in advance.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3, the worker removes all bolts 67 (see Figure 5) from the support frame 26 of the second arm section 21. The operator swings the support frame 26 of the right front second arm section 21 around the axis P3 towards the rear, where the right front sub-rotor 20 is closer to the right main rotor 19. The operator swings the support frame 26 of the right rear second arm section 21 around the axis P3 forward, so that the right rear sub-rotor 20 is closer to the right main rotor 19.

[0063] The operator swings the support frame 26 of the left front second arm section 21 around the axis P3 towards the rear, where the left front sub-rotor 20 is closer to the left main rotor 19. The operator swings the support frame 26 of the left rear second arm section 21 around the axis P3 forward, so that the left rear sub-rotor 20 is closer to the left main rotor 19.

[0064] The worker attaches a jig (not shown) across the support frame 26 of the right front second arm section 21 and the support frame 26 of the right rear second arm section 21 to fix the support frame 26 of the right front second arm section 21 and the support frame 26 of the right rear second arm section 21 together.

[0065] The worker attaches a jig (not shown) across the support frame 26 of the left front second arm section 21 and the support frame 26 of the left rear second arm section 21 to fix the support frame 26 of the left front second arm section 21 and the support frame 26 of the left rear second arm section 21 together. In this manner, the worker folds the second arm section 21.

[0066] The worker loads the aircraft onto the cargo bed of the transport vehicle in the aforementioned state. In this case, the worker removes the main rotor 19 from the first arm section 11 and the sub-rotor 20 from the second arm section 21, depending on the transport conditions. After the flying device is loaded onto the transport vehicle's cargo bed, the worker prevents the second arm section 21 from swaying up and down by attaching a columnar jig (not shown) across the jig attached to the support frame 26 of the second arm section 21 and the floor of the transport vehicle's cargo bed.

[0067] (Folding configuration of the second arm section 21) - 2 As shown in Figure 3, let's assume that a tangent line L1 is assumed to extend from the front of the rotation plane A1 of the right main rotor 19 to the front of the rotation plane A1 of the left main rotor 19. Let's also assume that a tangent line L2 is assumed to extend from the rear of the rotation plane A1 of the right main rotor 19 to the rear of the rotation plane A1 of the left main rotor 19.

[0068] The axis P3 of the second arm section 21 is located outward from the rotation plane A1 of the main rotor 19 in a plan view, and is located on the side of the first arm section 11 with respect to the tangents L1 and L2. The upward exhaust section 43 (see Figures 8 and 9), which is the rear end of the exhaust pipe 40 of the engine 30 described later, is located on the side of the main body section 1 with respect to the tangent L2 in a plan view.

[0069] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the second arm portion 21 is folded (the support frame 26 is oscillated), the electric motors 27 and 28 are positioned above the rotation surface A1 of the main rotor 19 in a side view, and further from the main body portion 1 than the gear mechanism 57 (see Figures 12 and 13), which will be described later, in a plan view, and enter the interior of the rotation surface A1 of the main rotor 19.

[0070] When the second arm section 21 is folded (by the swinging operation of the support frame 26), the support frame 26 of the second arm section 21 and the rotational surface A2 of the sub-rotor 20 come into contact with the tangents L1 and L2 in a plan view. In a plan view, most of the support frame 26 and most of the rotational surface A2 of the sub-rotor 20 overlap with the rotational surface A1 of the main rotor 19.

[0071] As a result, when the second arm section 21 is folded (by the swinging operation of the support frame 26), all parts of the flight device, including the main body section 1, the first arm section 11 and the second arm section 21, the skids 29, the main rotor 19 and the sub-rotor 20, and the exhaust pipe 40, are positioned between tangent lines L1 and L2 in a plan view.

[0072] (Engine 30 configuration) - 1 As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, the two sets of engines 30 are of the inline four-cylinder type, and the output shafts 30a are mounted laterally along the left-right direction. A common cylinder head 30c is provided between the two sets of engines 30, and the two sets of engines 30 are connected to each other via the cylinder head 30c and mounted side by side, front to back.

[0073] In the previous engine 30, the output shaft 30a is located on the right side of the engine 30, and the flywheel 30b is located on the left side of the engine 30. In the later engine 30, the output shaft 30a is located on the left side of the engine 30, and the flywheel 30b is located on the right side of the engine 30.

[0074] The front engine 30 is attached to the front frame 9 of the main body 1 (see Figures 5 and 6) via a bracket 31. The rear engine 30 is attached to the rear frame 9 of the main body 1 (see Figures 5 and 6) via a bracket 31. In this way, both the front and rear engines 30 are attached to the main body 1.

[0075] In a plan view, the engine 30 is located inside the regular octagon formed by the upper horizontal frame 2 and upper joint 4 of the main body 1, and inside the regular octagon formed by the lower horizontal frame 3 and lower joint 5 of the main body 1.

[0076] In a side view, the engine 30 is located below the regular octagon formed by the upper horizontal frame 2 and upper joint 4 of the main body 1. In a side view, the engine 30 overlaps with the regular octagon formed by the lower horizontal frame 3 and lower joint 5 of the main body 1, and the lower part of the engine 30 extends downward from the regular octagon formed by the lower horizontal frame 3 and lower joint 5 of the main body 1 in a side view.

[0077] (Engine 30 configuration) - 2 As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, the intake manifold 32 is located on the upper part of the cylinder head 30c of the engine 30, and the air cleaner 33 is attached to the right side of the intake manifold 32.

[0078] The battery 34 is mounted on the lower horizontal frame 3 and the front frame 9 at the front of the main body 1, and is located in front of the engine 30. The control device 35 is mounted on the lower horizontal frame 3 at the right rear of the main body 1. A coolant pump 36 is mounted on the bottom of the engine 30. An oil pump 37, which circulates the lubricating oil for the engine 30, is also mounted on the bottom of the engine 30.

[0079] A generator (not shown) driven by the engine 30 is provided in the main body 1, and the power from the generator charges the battery 34. The power from the battery 34 is supplied to the control device 35, which in turn supplies power to the electric motors 27 and 28, causing the electric motors 27 and 28 to operate.

[0080] The intake manifold 32 and air cleaner 33, battery 34 and control device 35, coolant pump 36 and oil pump 37 are located, in a plan view, inside the regular octagon formed by the upper horizontal frame 2 and upper joint 4 of the main body 1, and inside the regular octagon formed by the lower horizontal frame 3 and lower joint 5 of the main body 1.

[0081] The intake manifold 32, air cleaner 33, battery 34, and control device 35 are located in a side view between the regular octagon formed by the upper horizontal frame 2 and upper joint 4 of the main body 1 and the regular octagon formed by the lower horizontal frame 3 and lower joint 5 of the main body 1. In a side view, the cooling water pump 36 and the oil pump 37 are located below the regular octagon formed by the lower horizontal frame 3 and lower joint 5 of the main body 1.

[0082] (Configuration of engine 30, exhaust pipe 40 and muffler 38) - 1 As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, the exhaust pipe 40 extends from the engine 30. The exhaust pipe 40 has four first lateral exhaust sections 41, one second lateral exhaust section 42, one upward exhaust section 43, and an exhaust port 44.

[0083] Four first lateral exhaust sections 41 of the exhaust pipe 40 extend rearward from the cylinder head 30c of the engine 30 and merge. One second lateral exhaust section 42 of the exhaust pipe 40 extends rearward from the merging section of the first lateral exhaust sections 41.

[0084] The first lateral exhaust portion 41 and the second lateral exhaust portion 42 of the exhaust pipe 40 are located in a side view between the regular octagon formed by the upper lateral frame 2 and upper joint portion 4 of the main body 1 and the regular octagon formed by the lower lateral frame 3 and lower joint portion 5 of the main body 1 (the vertical width of the main body 1).

[0085] Behind the confluence of the first horizontal exhaust section 41 of the exhaust pipe 40, a rectangular frame (horizontal section) is provided, which is composed of an upper horizontal frame 2 and a lower horizontal frame 3 at the rear of the main body 1, and right and left vertical frames 6. The second horizontal exhaust section 42 of the exhaust pipe 40 protrudes rearward from the aforementioned rectangular frame (horizontal section).

[0086] The upward-facing exhaust portion 43 of the exhaust pipe 40 extends upward from the second lateral exhaust portion 42, and the exhaust port 44 of the exhaust pipe 40 is provided at the upper end of the upward-facing exhaust portion 43. The aforementioned rectangular frame portion (lateral portion) through which the second lateral exhaust portion 42 of the exhaust pipe 40 passes does not have a first arm portion 11 (see Figure 1) or a second arm portion 21 (see Figure 1).

[0087] (Configuration of engine 30, exhaust pipe 40 and muffler 38) - 2 As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, in the aforementioned rectangular frame (horizontal section) where the first arm section 11 and the second arm section 21 are not provided, the right and left support members 39 are connected across the upper horizontal frame 2 and the lower horizontal frame 3 at the rear of the main body section 1.

[0088] In a side view, the support member 39 is composed of the upper horizontal frame 2 and lower horizontal frame 3 and the right and left vertical frames 6 at the rear of the main body 1, and is bent so as to protrude rearward (outward) from the rectangular frame (horizontal part).

[0089] The muffler 38 is provided on the second lateral exhaust portion 42 of the exhaust pipe 40, and is located between the right and left support members 39 and attached to the support members 39. The exhaust pipe 40 and the muffler 38 are attached to the main body 1 via the support members 39.

[0090] The second lateral exhaust portion 42 of the exhaust pipe 40 and the front part of the muffler 38 are located between the rear upper lateral frame 2 and the rear lower lateral frame 3 of the main body 1 in a side view, and overlap with the rear upper lateral frame 2 and the rear lower lateral frame 3 of the main body 1 in a plan view.

[0091] The second lateral exhaust portion 42 of the exhaust pipe 40 and the front portion of the muffler 38 are located between the right and left vertical frames 6 at the rear of the main body 1 in a plan view, and overlap with the right and left vertical frames 6 at the rear of the main body 1 in a side view.

[0092] (Fuel tank 50 configuration) - 1 As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the fuel tank 50 is located below the engine 30. The fuel tank 50 has a first part 51, a second part 52, and a third part 53, and is constructed by welding aluminum plates together.

[0093] The first portion 51 of the fuel tank 50 is formed in a long, slender shape that extends forward and backward along the regular octagon formed by the lower transverse frame 3 and lower joint 5 of the main body 1 when viewed from the side. The regular octagon formed by the lower transverse frame 3 and lower joint 5 of the main body 1 is aligned with the rotation surface A1 of the main rotor 19 (see Figure 1) and the rotation surface A2 of the sub-rotor 20 (see Figure 1).

[0094] The second portion 52 of the fuel tank 50 is formed by extending upward from the front of the first portion 51. The third portion 53 of the fuel tank 50 is formed by extending upward from the rear of the first portion 51.

[0095] The mounting member 46 is connected to the right and left frames 9 of the main body 1 (see Figures 5 and 6) and extends downward from the frames 9. The mounting member 46 is connected to the portion between the second portion 52 and the third portion 53 of the first portion 51 of the fuel tank 50, and the fuel tank 50 is connected to the main body 1 via the mounting member 46.

[0096] When the fuel tank 50 is connected to the main body 1, the fuel tank 50 is located between the front connecting member 16 and the rear connecting member 16 in a side view, and is positioned higher than the skid 29.

[0097] As shown in Figure 9, the second portion 52 of the fuel tank 50 is located below the battery 34. The third portion 53 of the fuel tank 50 is located below the first lateral exhaust portion 41 and the second lateral exhaust portion 42 of the exhaust pipe 40. The cooling water pump 36 and oil pump 37 of the engine 30, and the flywheel 30b of the engine 30, are positioned above between the second part 52 and the third part 53 of the fuel tank 50.

[0098] (Fuel tank 50 configuration) - 2 As shown in Figures 9 and 11, a fuel pump 45 is located inside the first portion 51 of the fuel tank 50, at the bottom of the first portion 51, and fuel from the fuel tank 50 is supplied to the engine 30 by the fuel pump 45. A round pipe-shaped support member 47 is connected across the upper and lower parts of the first portion 51 of the fuel tank 50, and the support member 47 is located on the front and rear sides of the fuel pump 45.

[0099] The pipe member 48 is attached across the upper left portion of the second portion 52 of the fuel tank 50 and the upper left portion of the third portion 53 of the fuel tank 50, and the pipe member 48 is located to the left and outward of the engine 30 and battery 34. The air inside the fuel tank 50 circulates through the pipe member 48 across the second portion 52 and the third portion 53 of the fuel tank 50.

[0100] A pipe joint 49 is provided in the middle of the pipe member 48, and a long, slender pipe-shaped breather section 54 is provided on the pipe joint 49 and extends upward. Outside air enters the second section 52 and the third section 53 of the fuel tank 50 via the breather section 54 and the pipe member 48. The air in the second section 52 and the third section 53 of the fuel tank 50 is discharged to the outside via the breather section 54 and the pipe member 48.

[0101] A refueling section 55 for supplying fuel to the fuel tank 50 is provided on the upper left side of the second section 52 of the fuel tank 50 and extends upward from the second section 52 of the fuel tank 50. The refueling section 55 is provided near the pipe member 48 and is located to the left and outward of the battery 34.

[0102] A guide pipe member 56 is installed across the upper part of the lubrication section 55 and the pipe joint section 49. External air enters the lubrication section 55 via the breather section 54, pipe member 48, and guide pipe member 56. The air in the lubrication section 55 is discharged to the outside via the breather section 54, pipe member 48, and guide pipe member 56.

[0103] (Drive structure of main rotor 19) As shown in Figures 12 and 13, right and left gear mechanisms 57, each housing a bevel gear (not shown), are attached to the support plate 14 of the first arm section 11. A drive shaft 57a protrudes downward from the gear mechanism 57, and an input shaft 57b protrudes from the gear mechanism 57 toward the engine 30. The main rotor 19 is attached to the drive shaft 57a. The main rotor 19 is detachable from the drive shaft 57a of the gear mechanism 57.

[0104] The output shaft 30a of the front engine 30 protrudes laterally outward to the right from the engine 30, and the right transmission shaft 60 is connected across the output shaft 30a of the front engine 30 and the input shaft 57b of the right gear mechanism 57.

[0105] The output shaft 30a of the rear engine 30 protrudes laterally outward to the left from the engine 30, and the left transmission shaft 60 is connected across the output shaft 30a of the rear engine 30 and the input shaft 57b of the left gear mechanism 57.

[0106] The power from the engine 30 is transmitted via the transmission shaft 60 to the input shaft 57b of the gear mechanism 57, and the main rotor 19 is rotationally driven by the drive shaft 57a of the gear mechanism 57 around the axis P1 in the vertical direction of the gear mechanism 57.

[0107] As shown in Figure 8, a transmission belt 68 is attached across the output shaft 30a of the front engine 30 and the flywheel 30b of the rear engine 30. The rotational speeds of the front engine 30 and the rear engine 30 are synchronized by the transmission belt 68, causing the right and left main rotors 19 to rotate at the same speed.

[0108] The rotating surface A1 of the main rotor 19 follows a regular octagon formed by the lower transverse frame 3 and lower joint 5 of the main body 1 in a side view. The rotating surface A1 of the main rotor 19 is located below the first arm 11 and the transmission shaft 60 in a side view, and below the bearing 59 and disc coupling 70, which will be described later. The end of the rotating surface A1 of the main rotor 19 on the side of the main body 1 is located near the upper transverse frame 2 and lower transverse frame 3 on the right (left) side of the main body 1 in a plan view.

[0109] (Configuration of the transmission shaft 60) As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the transmission shaft 60 is divided into a first shaft portion 61 and a second shaft portion 62, and the first shaft portion 61 and the second shaft portion 62 are connected by a disc coupling 70. The first shaft portion 61 and the second shaft portion 62 are the same length, but the outer diameter D2 of the second shaft portion 62 is set to a larger value than the outer diameter D1 of the first shaft portion 61.

[0110] A support member 58 is attached to the lower frame 13 of the first arm portion 11, and a bearing 59 is attached to the support member 58. One portion of the first shaft portion 61 of the transmission shaft 60 is connected to the output shaft 30a of the engine 30 via a disc coupling 71.

[0111] One portion of the second shaft portion 62 of the transmission shaft 60 is connected to the first shaft portion 61 of the transmission shaft 60 via a disc coupling 70. The other portion of the second shaft portion 62 of the transmission shaft 60 is connected to the input shaft 57b of the gear mechanism 57 via a disc coupling 72.

[0112] The other portion of the first shaft portion 61 of the transmission shaft 60 is supported by a bearing 59, and the portion of the first shaft portion 61 of the transmission shaft 60 near the disc coupling 70 is supported by the bearing 59.

[0113] The transmission shaft 60 (first shaft portion 61 and second shaft portion 62, disc coupling 70), the bearing 59, and the disc coupling 72 are located in a plan view between the front upper frame 12 and the rear upper frame 12 of the first arm portion 11. The transmission shaft 60 (first shaft portion 61 and second shaft portion 62, disc coupling 70), the bearing 59, and the disc coupling 72 are located between the upper frame 12 and the lower frame 13 of the first arm portion 11 in a side view.

[0114] (Radiator 63 configuration) As shown in Figures 1 and 3, right and left radiators 63 are provided to generate coolant for the engine 30, and the radiators 63 are attached to the first arm portion 11 as described below.

[0115] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a bracket 64 is mounted upward near the support member 58 in the front lower frame 13 and rear lower frame 13 of the first arm section 11. The radiator 63 is attached to the bracket 64 and, via the bracket 64, is attached to the first arm section 11 (front lower frame 13 and rear lower frame 13). A hose 65 connects the radiator 63 to the coolant pump 36 (see Figure 9). A hose 66 connects the radiator 63 to the engine 30.

[0116] The radiator 63 is positioned laterally along the rotation plane A1 of the main rotor 19, above the transmission shaft 60 (first shaft portion 61 and second shaft portion 62, disc coupling 70) and bearing 59. In a plan view, the radiator 63 is located inside the rotation plane A1 of the main rotor 19 and overlaps with the rotation plane A1 of the main rotor 19.

[0117] In a side view, the radiator 63 is located between the upper frame 12 and the lower frame 13 of the first arm portion 11, and in a plan view, it spans the front upper frame 12 (lower frame 13) and the rear upper frame 12 (lower frame 13) of the first arm portion 11.

[0118] The transmission shaft 60 (first shaft portion 61 and second shaft portion 62, disc coupling 70) and bearing 59 are located in a position between the radiator 63 and the lower frame 13 of the first arm portion 11, as seen from the side. The radiator 63 is positioned between the upper frame 12 and the lower frame 13 of the first arm portion 11 in a side view. As a result, in a side view from the left-right direction, which is along the longitudinal direction of the first arm portion 11, the radiator 63 overlaps with the engine 30 and is positioned higher than the fuel tank 50.

[0119] (First alternative embodiment of the invention) The upper joint 4 and the lower joint 5 are configured to be located on the same circumscribed ellipse (not shown) in a plan view, and the octagon formed by the upper horizontal frame 2 and the upper joint 4 and the octagon formed by the lower horizontal frame 3 and the lower joint 5 may be configured as octagons of the same size.

[0120] (Second alternative embodiment of the invention) The upper joint 4 and the lower joint 5 are configured to be located on the same circumscribed circle or circumscribed ellipse in a plan view, and the upper horizontal frame 2 and the upper joint 4 may form a regular hexagon or hexagon, and the lower horizontal frame 3 and the lower joint 5 may form a regular hexagon or hexagon. According to the above configuration, the upper lateral frame 2 and lower lateral frame 3, which do not have the first arm portion 11 and the second arm portion 21, do not need to exist.

[0121] (Third alternative embodiment of the invention) Each of the upper joint portion 4 and the lower joint portion 5 is configured to be located on the same circumscribed circle or circumscribed ellipse in a plan view, and a pentagon or quadrilateral may be formed by the upper horizontal frame 2 and the upper joint portion 4 (lower horizontal frame 3 and lower joint portion 5). According to the above configuration, all arm sections may be configured identically, the same rotor may be attached to the arm sections, and all rotors may be configured to generate lift and perform attitude control.

[0122] (Fourth alternative embodiment of the invention) Each of the upper joint 4 and the lower joint 5 is configured to be located on the same circumscribed circle or circumscribed ellipse in a plan view, and a decagon or dodecagon may be formed by the upper horizontal frame 2 and the upper joint 4 (lower horizontal frame 3 and lower joint 5). According to the above configuration, three or four sets of first arm sections 11 and main rotor 19 are provided, and four or more sets of second arm sections 21 and sub-rotors 20 may also be provided.

[0123] (Fifth alternative embodiment of the invention) In the main body 1, the upper horizontal frame 2, lower horizontal frame 3, vertical frame 6, upper joint 4, and lower joint 5 may be omitted. According to the above configuration, the main body 1 may be made up of a monocoque structure in which the edges of a flat, square, or rectangular plate material (not shown) are connected by welding. In this case, the welded edges of the two plates correspond to the upper horizontal frame 2, the lower horizontal frame 3, and the vertical frame 6, and represent the edges of the main body 1. The welded corners of three or more plates correspond to the upper joint 4 and the lower joint 5, and represent the apex of the main body 1.

[0124] (Correspondence with claims) - 1 The upper horizontal frame 2 corresponds to the edge, specifically the upper edge. The lower horizontal frame 3 corresponds to the edge, specifically the lower edge. The upper joint 4 corresponds to the vertex, specifically the upper vertex. The lower joint 5 corresponds to the vertex, specifically the lower vertex.

[0125] The first arm section 11 and the second arm section 21 correspond to the arm sections. The upper frame 12 and the lower frame 13 correspond to the frame and correspond to the first frame. The upper frame 22 and the lower frame 23 correspond to the frame and correspond to the second frame. The main rotor 19 and the sub-rotor 20 correspond to the rotors.

[0126] (Correspondence with claims) - 2 The main body 1 is formed in a polygonal shape in plan view, having multiple vertices (upper joint 4, lower joint 5) located on the same circumscribed circle or circumscribed ellipse in plan view, and multiple edges (upper horizontal frame 2, lower horizontal frame 3) connected across adjacent vertices (upper joint 4, lower joint 5). The main body 1 is formed in a regular octagonal shape in plan view.

[0127] The main body 1 has a plurality of upper horizontal frames 2 which are the upper edges, a plurality of lower horizontal frames 3 which are the lower edges located below the upper horizontal frames 2, a plurality of upper vertices (upper joints 4) which are the parts where the ends of adjacent upper horizontal frames 2 are connected, a plurality of lower vertices (lower joints 5) which are the parts where the ends of adjacent lower horizontal frames 3 are connected, and a plurality of vertical frames 6 which are connected across the upper vertices (upper joints 4) and lower vertices (lower joints 5).

[0128] (Correspondence with claims) - 3 The frame is provided with arm sections (first arm section 11, second arm section 21) having frames (upper frames 12, 22, lower frames 13, 23) that extend outward from the vertices (upper joint section 4, lower joint section 5) on one side of the edge section (upper horizontal frame 2, lower horizontal frame 3) and from the vertices (upper joint section 4, lower joint section 5) on the other side.

[0129] The arm section (first arm section 11, second arm section 21) has upper frames 12, 22 extending outward from the upper vertices (upper joint section 4) on one and the other sides of the upper edge section (upper horizontal frame 2), and lower frames 13, 23 extending outward from the lower vertices (lower joint section 5) on one and the other sides of the lower edge section (lower horizontal frame 3).

[0130] (Correspondence with claims) - 4 The arm portion (first arm portion 11, second arm portion 21) includes the first arm portion 11 which has a first frame (upper frame 12, lower frame 13) extending outward from one side vertex (upper joint portion 4, lower joint portion 5) and the other side vertex (upper joint portion 4, lower joint portion 5) of the edge portion (upper horizontal frame 2, lower horizontal frame 3).

[0131] The arm portion (first arm portion 11, second arm portion 21) includes a second arm portion 21 that has a second frame (upper frame 22, lower frame 23) extending outward from one side vertex (upper joint portion 4, lower joint portion 5) and the other side vertex (upper joint portion 4, lower joint portion 5) of the side portion (upper joint portion 4, lower joint portion 5) of the side portion (upper horizontal frame 2, lower horizontal frame 3) where the first arm portion 11 is provided.

[0132] The second arm portion 21 is provided on one side of the edge portion (upper horizontal frame 2, lower horizontal frame 3) where the first arm portion 11 is provided, and on the other side of the edge portion (upper horizontal frame 2, lower horizontal frame 3). The side sections (upper horizontal frame 2, lower horizontal frame 3) that do not have the first arm section 11 and the second arm section 21 are provided between adjacent second arm sections 21.

[0133] (Correspondence with claims) - 5 The rotor (main rotor 19, sub-rotor 20) is attached to the arm sections (first arm section 11, second arm section 21). The rotor (main rotor 19, sub-rotor 20) includes a main rotor 19 attached to the first arm section 11 that generates lift, and a sub-rotor 20 attached to the second arm section 21 that controls the attitude of the main body section 1. [Industrial applicability]

[0134] This invention can be applied to flying devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 1. Main body 2. Upper horizontal frame (edge) 3. Lower horizontal frame (edge) 4. Upper joint section (vertex section) (upper vertex section) 5. Lower joint section (vertex section) (lower vertex section) 6 Vertical Frames 11. First arm section (arm section) 12 Upper frame (frame) (1st frame) 13. Lower frame (frame) (1st frame) 19 Main rotor (rotor) 20 Sub-rotor (rotor) 21. Second arm section (arm section) 22 Upper frame (frame) (2nd frame) 23. Lower frame (frame) (2nd frame)

Claims

1. A main body having a polygonal shape in plan view, having multiple vertices located on the same circumscribed circle or circumscribed ellipse in plan view, and multiple edges connected across adjacent vertices, An arm portion having a frame extending outward from one vertex of the edge portion and from the other vertex portion, A flying device equipped with a rotor attached to the aforementioned arm.

2. The aforementioned arm portion is A first arm portion having a first frame extending outward from one vertex portion on one side of the edge and from the other vertex portion, In a side portion different from the side portion on which the first arm portion is provided, the side portion includes a second arm portion having a second frame extending outward from the vertex portion on one side of the side portion and the vertex portion on the other side, The rotor is A main rotor, which is attached to the first arm and generates lift, The flight device according to claim 1, further comprising a sub-rotor attached to the second arm portion for controlling the attitude of the main body portion.

3. The flight device according to claim 2, wherein the second arm portion is provided on the side portion located on one side of the side portion on which the first arm portion is provided, and on the side portion located on the other side.

4. The flying device according to claim 3, wherein the side portion not provided with the first arm portion and the second arm portion is provided between adjacent second arm portions.

5. The flying device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is formed in a regular octagonal shape in plan view.

6. The main body is, The above side portion consists of multiple upper horizontal frames, A plurality of lower horizontal frames, which are the lower edges, are located below the upper horizontal frame, Multiple upper vertices, which are the parts where the ends of adjacent upper horizontal frames are connected, Multiple lower vertices are the parts where the ends of adjacent lower horizontal frames are connected, The flight device according to claim 1, having a plurality of vertical frames connected across the upper vertex and the lower vertex.

7. The flight device according to claim 6, wherein the arm portion comprises an upper frame extending outward from one side and the other side of the upper vertex of the upper edge, and a lower frame extending outward from one side and the other side of the lower edge.

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