Remote-Control Flying Craft with Downward-Facing Motors and Safety Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current designs for smaller, hovering remote-control flying craft face challenges in cost, durability, ease of operation, accuracy of navigation, and safety due to competing design considerations of weight, cost, and performance, particularly with exposed rotors that are prone to damage from obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A smaller, hovering flying craft with a molded frame assembly, downward-facing motor assemblies, and a circuit-board assembly controlled by radio frequency signals, featuring a removable safety ring for propeller protection and a single-handed controller with ergonomic design for easy operation, supporting both infrared and radio frequency communications for enhanced durability and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If rotors are exposed for better performance, then flight capability is improved, but durability deteriorates due to collision risk with obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a protective ring structure that acts as a flexible barrier around the rotors. This ring can be made of flexible material that allows rotor movement while preventing direct contact with obstacles, thus protecting the rotors without significantly impeding flight performance
Solution Approach 2:
The protective ring serves as a preliminary cushioning mechanism that absorbs impact forces before they reach the rotors. By positioning the ring between potential obstacles and the rotors, it provides advance protection against collisions, reducing damage risk while maintaining flight capability
2Measurement precision
If conventional dual joystick control is used for precision, then navigation accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The single-handed controller integrates multiple control functions into one device. It combines pitch, roll, yaw, and throttle control in a unified ergonomic design that can be operated with one hand, simplifying the interface while maintaining comprehensive navigation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The controller merges multiple joystick functions into a single integrated control unit. By combining the functions of traditional dual joysticks into one ergonomic device with appropriate control elements, it reduces operational complexity while preserving navigation precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a robust, cost-effective, and safe hovering flying craft that can operate in small indoor areas and outdoors, with improved durability and ease of control, reducing the risk of damage from obstacles and enhancing navigation and game play capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
at least three motor assemblies that each include an electromechanical motor
Implementation Method 2
at least one corresponding propeller operably mounted downwardly-facing
Implementation Method 3
a circuit-board assembly operably mounted to the center body and configured to control the craft in response to radio frequency signals
Data Source
AI summary
A hovering remote-control flying craft having a molded frame assembly includes a plurality of arms extending from a center body with an electric motor and corresponding propeller on each arm. In various embodiments, the motor and propeller are mounted downward-facing at a distal portion of each arm with a motor cover over the motor. The center body can be formed of a two-piece molded structure that sandwiches a circuit board to provide structural support for the frame. The circuit board can include a plurality of tabs that facilitate mounting of wire connectors, and can also provide antennas and emitters for both IR and RF communications. In some embodiments, a removable safety ring protects the propellers from lateral contact.