Flying device

Abstract

An exhaust pipe 40 extends from an engine 30. The exhaust pipe 40 has: lateral exhaust portions 41, 42 that extend laterally within a range of the vertical width of the body part and protrude outward from a lateral part of the body part where arm parts are not provided; an upward-facing exhaust portion 43 that extends upward from an end part of the lateral exhaust portions 41, 42; and an exhaust port 44 provided at the upper end section of the upward exhaust portion 43.

Description

Flying device

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

[0002] An example of a flying device is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, 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.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, an engine, a generator driven by the engine, and a battery that stores the generated electric power are provided in the main body portion, and an electric motor that rotationally drives the rotor is provided in the arm portion, and the electric motor operates by the power of the battery.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-81015

[0005] In a flying device in which an arm portion extends from the main body portion and a rotor is attached to the arm portion, a working device is often attached to the lower portion of the main body portion, so it is necessary to consider making it difficult for the exhaust gas of the engine to reach the working device. When assuming a state where the flying device is flying at a low altitude above a farm field, it is necessary to consider making it difficult for the exhaust gas of the engine to reach the crops in the farm field.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to configure a flying device in which an engine is provided in the main body portion as a power source for driving a rotor so that the exhaust gas of the engine is less likely to reach a working device or crops in a farm field.

[0007] The flying device of the present invention includes a main body portion, an engine provided in the main body portion, an arm portion extending outward from the main body portion, a rotor attached to the arm portion, and an exhaust pipe extending from the engine. The exhaust pipe extends horizontally within the range of the vertical width of the main body portion, and has a horizontal exhaust portion that protrudes outward from a horizontal portion of the main body portion where the arm portion is not provided, an upward exhaust portion that extends upward from an end of the horizontal exhaust portion, and an exhaust port provided at an upper end of the upward exhaust portion.

[0008] According to the present invention, the engine is provided on the main body, the arm extends outward from the main body, and the rotor is attached to the arm. The exhaust pipe has a lateral exhaust section, an upward exhaust section, and an exhaust port. In the exhaust pipe, the lateral exhaust section extends laterally from the engine within the vertical width of the main body and protrudes outward from the lateral section of the main body where the arm is not provided. The upward exhaust section extends upward from the lateral exhaust section, and the exhaust port is provided at the upper end of the upward exhaust section. The exhaust gas exits upward from the exhaust port.

[0009] According to the present invention, when a work device is attached to the lower part of the main body, the exhaust pipe has a lateral exhaust portion that protrudes outward from the side of the main body, so that the exhaust port is located far from the work device at the lower part of the main body. The upward exhaust portion extends upward, so that the exhaust gas exits the exhaust port upward away from the work device. This makes it less likely for the exhaust gas to come into contact with the work device attached to the lower part of the main body.

[0010] According to the present invention, when the aircraft flies at a low altitude above the field, the upward-facing exhaust portion of the exhaust pipe extends upward, causing the exhaust gas to exit the exhaust port upward away from the field, thus making it less likely for the exhaust gas to come into contact with the crops in the field.

[0011] According to the present invention, in the exhaust pipe, the lateral exhaust portion extends laterally from the engine within the vertical width range of the main body, so that the lateral exhaust portion does not protrude upward or downward from the main body. The upward exhaust portion extends upward from the lateral exhaust portion located within the vertical width range of the main body, so that the upward exhaust portion does not protrude upward or downward from the main body. As a result, the lateral and upward exhaust portions of the exhaust pipe do not create air resistance when the aircraft is in flight.

[0012] As described above, by reducing the air resistance caused by the lateral and upward exhaust sections of the exhaust pipe during flight, and by making it less likely for exhaust gases to come into contact with the work equipment attached to the lower part of the main body, as well as less likely for exhaust gases to come into contact with crops in the field, the working performance of the aircraft can be improved.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that a muffler is provided in the lateral exhaust portion.

[0014] According to the present invention, by providing the muffler on the lateral exhaust portion of the exhaust pipe, the muffler is positioned laterally along the lateral exhaust portion of the exhaust pipe and does not protrude upward or downward from the main body. As a result, the muffler does not create air resistance during the flight of the aircraft, which is advantageous in terms of improving the operational performance of the aircraft.

[0015] In the present invention, the main body portion has an upper horizontal frame located at the upper part of the horizontal portion and a lower horizontal frame located at the lower part of the horizontal portion, and it is preferable that the muffler is provided between the upper horizontal frame and the lower horizontal frame in a side view.

[0016] According to the present invention, the upper and lower parts of the muffler are protected by the upper and lower horizontal frames of the main body, thereby preventing damage to the muffler.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that one vertical frame and the other vertical frame are provided, spaced apart and connected across the upper horizontal frame and the lower horizontal frame, and that the muffler is provided between the one and the other vertical frame in a plan view.

[0018] According to the present invention, in addition to the upper and lower parts of the muffler being protected by the upper and lower horizontal frames of the main body, the sides of the muffler are also protected by the vertical frames of the main body, which is advantageous in terms of preventing damage to the muffler.

[0019] In the present invention, it is preferable that a support member is provided that is attached across the upper horizontal frame and the lower horizontal frame, and that the muffler is attached to the support member.

[0020] According to the present invention, the muffler is attached to a support member that spans the upper and lower horizontal frames of the main body, thereby stably attaching the lateral exhaust portion of the exhaust pipe and the muffler to the main body.

[0021] According to the present invention, the muffler is provided on the side of the main body, and since the muffler, which is a heat source, is located away from the various components of the main body, the heat impact on the various components of the main body is reduced.

[0022] In the present invention, it is preferable that the support member is formed in a curved shape so as to protrude outward from the upper horizontal frame and the lower horizontal frame when viewed from the side.

[0023] According to the present invention, by bending the support member so as to protrude outward from the upper and lower horizontal frames of the main body, the muffler, which is a heat source, is positioned further outward from the various components of the main body, which is advantageous in that it reduces the thermal impact on the various components of the main body.

[0024] This is a plan view of the flight device. This is a left side view of the flight device. This is a plan view of the flight device with the second arm folded. This is a left side view of the flight device with the second arm folded. This is a plan view of the main body, first arm, and second arm. This is an exploded plan view of the main body, first arm, and second arm. This is an exploded rear view of the main body, first arm, and second arm. This is a plan view showing the interior of the main body. This is a left side view showing the interior of the main body. This is a rear view showing the interior of the main body. This is a perspective view of the fuel tank. This is a front view showing the drive structure of the main rotor. This is a plan view showing the drive structure of the main rotor.

[0025] Figures 1 to 13 show the flying device, where F indicates the forward direction, B indicates the backward direction, U indicates the upward direction, D indicates the downward direction, R indicates the right direction, and L indicates the left direction.

[0026] (Overall configuration of the flight 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, etc.

[0027] (Configuration of the main body 1) As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the main body 1 has 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.

[0028] 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 to each other by eight upper joints 4, so that the upper horizontal frames 2 and 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] (Configuration of Skid 29) 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] (Configuration of the first arm section 11) As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, two sets of first arm sections 11, one on the right and one on the left, are provided on the main body section 1.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, the right and left first arm portions 11 extend outward from the main body portion 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 portion 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.

[0040] (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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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 so as to be foldable as will be described later. The second arm portion 21 is configured to be longer than the first arm portion 11.

[0043] In the second arm portions 21 at the right front and the right rear, the upper frame 22 is connected to the front and rear upper connecting portions 4 of the upper horizontal frame 2 at the right front and the right rear of the main body portion 1, and the lower frame 23 is connected to the front and rear lower connecting portions 5 of the lower horizontal frame 3 at the right front and the right rear of the main body portion 1.

[0044] As a result, the second arm portion 21 at the right front is provided on the upper horizontal frame 2 and the lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body portion 1 located on the front side (one side) of the first arm portion 11 on the right. The second arm portion 21 at the right rear is provided on the upper horizontal frame 2 and the lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body portion 1 located on the rear side (the other side) of the first arm portion 11 on the right.

[0045] In the second arm portions 21 at the left front and the left rear, the upper frame 22 is connected to the front and rear upper connecting portions 4 of the upper horizontal frame 2 at the left front and the left rear of the main body portion 1, and the lower frame 23 is connected to the front and rear lower connecting portions 5 of the lower horizontal frame 3 at the left front and the left rear of the main body portion 1.

[0046] As a result, the second arm portion 21 at the left front is provided on the upper horizontal frame 2 and the lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body portion 1 located on the front side (one side) of the first arm portion 11 on the left. The second arm portion 21 at the left rear is provided on the upper horizontal frame 2 and the lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body portion 1 located on the rear side (the other side) of the first arm portion 11 on the left.

[0047] The second arm portions 21 at the right front and the left rear extend outward in opposite directions from the main body portion 1 in a plan view. The second arm portions 21 at the left front and the right rear extend outward in opposite directions from the main body portion 1 in a plan view.

[0048] In front of the upper horizontal frame 2 and the lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body 1 located between the right front and left front second arm portions 21, the first arm portion 11 and the second arm portion 21 are not provided. Behind the upper horizontal frame 2 and the lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body 1 located between the right rear and left rear second arm portions 21, the first arm portion 11 and the second arm portion 21 are not provided.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 23 are configured to have the same length. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the support plate 24 is located at the height of the intermediate position between the upper frame 22 of the main body 1 and the lower horizontal frame 3 in a side view, and is located at a position higher than the support plate 14 of the first arm portion 11. As will be described later, the right front and right rear sub-rotors 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and the left front and left rear sub-rotors 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) are attached to the ends of the support frame 26.

[0050] (Configuration of the main rotor 19 and the sub-rotor 20) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the right and left main rotors 19 are provided. As will be described later, the main rotor 19 is rotatably attached to the end (support plate 14) of the first arm portion 11 around the axis P1 along the vertical direction, and is rotationally driven by the power of the engine 30 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). When the main rotor 19 is rotationally driven, a lift force for supporting the main body 1 is generated.

[0051] In each of the four sets of second arm portions 21 on the right front, right rear, left front, and left rear, an electric motor 27 is attached upward to the upper part of the end of the support frame 26, and the sub-rotor 20 is attached to the drive shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 27. An electric motor 28 is attached downward to the lower part of the end of the support frame 26, and the sub-rotor 20 is attached to the drive shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 28. The sub-rotor 20 is removable from the drive shafts of the electric motors 27 and 28.

[0052] 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 enables forward and backward flight, right and left flight, right and left turns, etc., using the lift generated by the main rotor 19.

[0053] As the main rotor 19 is driven to rotate around the axis P1, two sets of circular rotation surfaces A1 are formed by the rotation 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 rotation trajectory of the sub-rotor 20.

[0054] 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.

[0055] (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 sections 21, one on the right front and right rear, and the other on the left front and left rear, the portion of the support frame 26 closest to the first arm section 11 is attached to the support plate 24 so as to be able to swing around the axis P3 along the vertical direction.

[0056] The state shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7 is one in which the upper frame 22, the lower frame 233, and the 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.

[0057] When an operator transports the aircraft on the cargo bed of a transport vehicle (not shown), the operator performs the operations described below. In this case, the operator may remove the main rotor 19 and sub-rotor 20 in advance.

[0058] 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 worker then pivots 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 approaching the right main rotor 19. The worker then pivots the support frame 26 of the right rear second arm section 21 around the axis P3 towards the front, where the right rear sub-rotor 20 is approaching the right main rotor 19.

[0059] 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 approaching the left main rotor 19. The operator then swings the support frame 26 of the left rear second arm section 21 around the axis P3 towards the front, where the left rear sub-rotor 20 is approaching the left main rotor 19.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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 aircraft is loaded onto the cargo bed of the transport vehicle, 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 cargo bed of the transport vehicle.

[0063] (Folding configuration of the second arm section 21) - 2 As shown in Figure 3, assume that a tangent line L1 is assumed to extend from the front of the rotation surface A1 of the right main rotor 19 to the front of the rotation surface A1 of the left main rotor 19. Assume that a tangent line L2 is assumed to extend from the rear of the rotation surface A1 of the right main rotor 19 to the rear of the rotation surface A1 of the left main rotor 19.

[0064] The axis P3 of the second arm portion 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 portion 11 with respect to the tangents L1 and L2. The upward exhaust portion 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 portion 1 with respect to the tangent L2 in a plan view.

[0065] 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.

[0066] When the second arm portion 21 is folded (by the swinging operation of the support frame 26), the support frame 26 of the second arm portion 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.

[0067] 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 tangents L1 and L2 in a plan view.

[0068] (Configuration of Engine 30) - 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 are mounted side by side, front to back.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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, the front and rear engines 30 are attached to the main body 1.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] (Configuration of Engine 30) - 2 As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, the intake manifold 32 is provided 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.

[0074] 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. The cooling water pump 36 is mounted on the lower part of the engine 30. The oil pump 37 for circulating the lubricating oil of the engine 30 is mounted on the lower part of the engine 30.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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. The cooling water pump 36 and 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 in a side view.

[0078] (Configuration of the exhaust pipe 40 and muffler 38 of the engine 30) - 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.

[0079] The 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 point of the first lateral exhaust sections 41.

[0080] 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).

[0081] Behind the confluence of the first lateral exhaust section 41 of the exhaust pipe 40, a rectangular frame (lateral section) is provided, which is composed of an upper lateral frame 2 and a lower lateral frame 3 at the rear of the main body 1, and right and left vertical frames 6. The second lateral exhaust section 42 of the exhaust pipe 40 protrudes rearward from the aforementioned rectangular frame (lateral section).

[0082] The upward-facing exhaust portion 43 of the exhaust pipe 40 extends upward from the second horizontal 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 (horizontal portion) through which the second horizontal 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).

[0083] (Configuration of the exhaust pipe 40 and muffler 38 of the engine 30) - 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 1.

[0084] In a side view, the support member 39 is composed of the upper horizontal frame 2 and lower horizontal frame 3 at the rear of the main body 1, and the right and left vertical frames 6, and is bent so as to protrude rearward (outward) from the rectangular frame (horizontal part).

[0085] 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.

[0086] The second lateral exhaust portion 42 of the exhaust pipe 40 and the front portion 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] (Configuration of fuel tank 50) - 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.

[0089] 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 horizontal frame 3 and lower joint 5 of the main body 1 when viewed from the side. The regular octagon formed by the lower horizontal 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).

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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 engine 30's coolant pump 36 and oil pump 37, and the engine 30's flywheel 30b are positioned above between the second portion 52 and the third portion 53 of the fuel tank 50.

[0094] (Configuration of the fuel tank 50) - 2 As shown in Figures 9 and 11, a fuel pump 45 is located inside the first part 51 of the fuel tank 50, at the bottom of the first part 51, and fuel from the fuel tank 50 is supplied to the engine 30 by the fuel pump 45. Round pipe-shaped support members 47 are connected across the upper and lower parts of the first part 51 of the fuel tank 50, and the support members 47 are located on the front and rear sides of the fuel pump 45.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] (Drive structure of the 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 portion 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, with the main rotor 19 attached to the drive shaft 57a. The main rotor 19 is detachable from the drive shaft 57a of the gear mechanism 57.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] The power from the engine 30 is transmitted to the input shaft 57b of the gear mechanism 57 via the transmission shaft 60, and the main rotor 19 is rotated by the drive shaft 57a of the gear mechanism 57 around the axis P1 in the vertical direction of the gear mechanism 57.

[0103] 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 speed of the front engine 30 and the rotational speed of the rear engine 30 are synchronized by the transmission belt 68, so that the right and left main rotors 19 are driven to rotate at the same speed.

[0104] The rotating surface A1 of the main rotor 19 follows the 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.

[0105] (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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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 the disc coupling 72.

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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 front upper frame 12 and the rear upper frame 12 of the first arm portion 11 in a plan view. 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.

[0110] (Configuration of the radiator 63) 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.

[0111] 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 the rear lower frame 13 of the first arm portion 11. The radiator 63 is attached to the bracket 64 and, via the bracket 64, is attached to the first arm portion 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.

[0112] The radiator 63 is positioned laterally along the rotational 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 the bearing 59. In a plan view, the radiator 63 is located inside the rotational plane A1 of the main rotor 19 and overlaps with the rotational plane A1 of the main rotor 19.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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 in a side view. Because the radiator 63 is located in a position between the upper frame 12 and the lower frame 13 of the first arm portion 11 in a side view, 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 located higher than the fuel tank 50.

[0115] (First alternative embodiment of the invention) The battery 34 may be provided at the rear of the main body 1, and the first lateral exhaust portion 41 and the second lateral exhaust portion 42 of the exhaust pipe 40 may be configured to extend forward from the engine 30. The first lateral exhaust portion 41 and the second lateral exhaust portion 42 of the exhaust pipe 40 may be configured to extend to the right lateral from the engine 30, or to extend to the left lateral.

[0116] (Second alternative embodiment of the invention) In two sets of engines 30, an exhaust pipe 40 and a muffler 38 may be provided on each of the engines 30. In the above configuration, the first lateral exhaust portion 41 and the second lateral exhaust portion 42 of the exhaust pipe 40 may extend forward from the front engine 30, and the first lateral exhaust portion 41 and the second lateral exhaust portion 42 of the other exhaust pipe 40 may extend rearward from the rear engine 30.

[0117] (Third alternative embodiment of the invention) The muffler 38 may be provided inside the main body 1 so as not to protrude outward from the upper horizontal frame 2 and lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body 1 (so as not to protrude outward from the vertical frame 6 of the main body 1).

[0118] (Fourth alternative embodiment of the invention) The support member 39 may be attached horizontally across one adjacent vertical frame 6 and the other vertical frame 6 of the main body 1.

[0119] (Fifth alternative embodiment of the invention) The support member 39 may be omitted. In the above configuration, the muffler 38 may be configured to be attached to the upper horizontal frame 2 of the main body 1, to be attached to the lower horizontal frame 3 of the main body 1, or to be attached to the vertical frame 6 of the main body 1.

[0120] (Correspondence with Claims) - 1. The first arm portion 11 and the second arm portion 21 correspond to the arm portion. The main rotor 19 and the sub-rotor 20 correspond to the rotor. The first lateral exhaust portion 41 and the second lateral exhaust portion 42 correspond to the lateral exhaust portion.

[0121] (Correspondence with the claims) - 2. The device comprises a main body 1, an engine 30 provided on the main body 1, arm portions (first arm portion 11, second arm portion 21) extending outward from the main body 1, and rotors (main rotor 19, sub-rotor 20) attached to the arm portions (first arm portion 11, second arm portion 21).

[0122] An exhaust pipe 40 is provided extending from the engine 30. The exhaust pipe 40 extends laterally within the vertical width of the main body 1 and has a lateral exhaust portion (first lateral exhaust portion 41, second lateral exhaust portion 42) that protrudes outward from the lateral portion of the main body 1 where there are no arm portions (first lateral exhaust portion 11, second lateral arm portion 21), an upward exhaust portion 43 that extends upward from the ends of the lateral exhaust portions (first lateral exhaust portion 41, second lateral exhaust portion 42), and an exhaust port 44 provided at the upper end of the upward exhaust portion 43.

[0123] (Correspondence with Claims) - 3 A muffler 38 is provided in the lateral exhaust section (second lateral exhaust section 42). The main body 1 has an upper lateral frame 2 located at the top of the lateral section and a lower lateral frame 3 located at the bottom of the lateral section. In a side view, the muffler 38 is provided between the upper lateral frame 2 and the lower lateral frame 3.

[0124] One and the other vertical frames 6 are provided, spaced apart and connected across the upper horizontal frame 2 and the lower horizontal frame 3. The muffler 38 is located between the one and the other vertical frames 6 in a plan view.

[0125] (Correspondence with Claims) - 4 A support member 39 is provided, which is attached across the upper horizontal frame 2 and the lower horizontal frame 3. The muffler 38 is attached to the support member 39. In a side view, the support member 39 is formed by bending so as to protrude outward from the upper horizontal frame 2 and the lower horizontal frame 3.

[0126] This invention can be applied to flying devices.

[0127] 1 Main body 2 Upper horizontal frame 3 Lower horizontal frame 6 Vertical frame 11 First arm section (arm section) 19 Main rotor (rotor) 20 Sub-rotor (rotor) 21 Second arm section (arm section) 30 Engine 38 Muffler 39 Support member 40 Exhaust pipe 41 First horizontal exhaust section (horizontal exhaust section) 42 Second horizontal exhaust section (horizontal exhaust section) 43 Upward exhaust section 44 Exhaust port

Claims

1. An aircraft comprising: a main body; an engine provided on the main body; an arm extending outward from the main body; a rotor attached to the arm; and an exhaust pipe extending from the engine, wherein the exhaust pipe extends laterally within the vertical width of the main body and has a lateral exhaust portion protruding outward from a lateral portion of the main body where the arm is not provided; an upward exhaust portion extending upward from the end of the lateral exhaust portion; and an exhaust port provided at the upper end of the upward exhaust portion.

2. The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein a muffler is provided in the lateral exhaust portion.

3. The flight device according to claim 2, wherein the main body has an upper horizontal frame located at the top of the horizontal section and a lower horizontal frame located at the bottom of the horizontal section, and the muffler is provided between the upper horizontal frame and the lower horizontal frame in a side view.

4. The flight device according to claim 3, wherein one and the other vertical frames are provided, spaced apart and connected across the upper horizontal frame and the lower horizontal frame, and the muffler is provided between the one and the other vertical frames in a plan view.

5. The flight device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a support member is provided that is attached across the upper horizontal frame and the lower horizontal frame, and the muffler is attached to the support member.

6. The flight device according to claim 5, wherein the support member is formed by bending so as to protrude outward from the upper horizontal frame and the lower horizontal frame in a side view.

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