Foldable Drone Frame Architecture for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer drones require efficient, safe, small, and lightweight designs to be successful, particularly in achieving hovering capabilities for photo and video taking from diverse angles, while existing solutions lack effective protection and portability.
Innovation Solution
A foldable frame architecture for aerial systems, including a twin rotor drone with a propeller guard system, featuring a hinge assembly that allows rotor assemblies to rotate relative to the body, enabling compact storage and protection during flight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the drone uses a fixed frame structure, then structural strength and stability are improved, but portability and storage efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the frame structure movable rather than fixed. The rotor assemblies are coupled to the body through hinge assemblies that enable rotation between deployed and stowed positions. This dynamic configuration allows the frame to adapt its shape - extending outward when in use for structural strength, and folding inward for compact storage, thus resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and portability
2Volume of moving object
If the drone uses a foldable frame architecture, then portability is improved, but structural strength and protection during flight deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly enables dynamic transformation of the frame structure between compact folded state for portability and extended deployed state for flight. The mechanical connection maintains structural integrity during operation while allowing compact storage when not in use
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is segmented into modular components - the rotor assemblies are separated from the main body through hinge connections, allowing independent movement and folding of each rotor assembly. This segmentation enables compact storage while maintaining structural strength during flight operations
3Productivity
If the rotor assemblies are positioned outwardly from sidewalls, then lift efficiency is improved, but safety and protection from harmful factors deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor assemblies are dynamically positioned - extending outwardly from the sidewalls during flight to maximize lift efficiency, and folding inward toward the body when not in use to provide protection and reduce exposure to harmful factors. The hinge assembly enables this dynamic repositioning
Data Source
AI summary
A frame assembly for an aerial system including a fuselage body and first and second rotor assemblies is described herein. The first and second rotor assemblies are coupled to the fuselage body by respective positioning assemblies. Each positioning assembly including a hinge assembly to enable the first and second rotor assemblies to pivot between a deployed position and a stowed position. A first positioning assembly including tapered positioning shaft. A second positioning assembly including a positioning sleeve having a tapered inner surface defining a cavity that is configure to receive the positioning shaft therein. The first positioning assembly being coupled to the second positioning assembly such that the first positioning assembly is rotatable about the rotor assembly rotational axis independent of the second rotor assembly.