Foldable Rotor Blade Assembly with Paddle Clamp Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional drone propeller structures are either too complex with many parts, increasing costs, or too simple, lacking a suitable arrangement for folding and transport, which complicates storage and handling.
Innovation Solution
A rotor blade assembly with a foldable propeller design featuring upper and lower paddle clamps that securely hold rotor blades in place, allowing them to be pivoted for stowed positions, reducing the aircraft's size and minimizing damage during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple propeller structure is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the blades cannot be moved into a suitable position for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller blades are designed with a pivotable coupling mechanism that allows them to rotate between an operational position (extending laterally from the rotor) and a transport position (folded parallel to the rotor axis). This dynamic reconfiguration capability enables the simple structure to adapt to different operational and storage requirements without adding significant complexity to the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The propeller assembly is segmented into the rotor, multiple blades, and a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism can independently secure blades in either operational or transport positions, allowing selective positioning of individual blades. This segmentation enables the simple structure to achieve versatile blade positioning through modular components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex propeller structure is used, then blade positioning for transport is enabled, but the number of parts increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it secures blades to the rotor during operation, enables folding of blades for transport, and maintains blade alignment. By merging these functions into a single integrated mechanism rather than using separate components for each function, the design achieves versatile blade positioning without proportionally increasing the number of parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The paddle clamp mechanism is designed as a universal component that performs multiple operations: clamping blades in the operational position, releasing blades for folding, and securing blades in the transport position. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of parts needed compared to having separate mechanisms for each function.
3Volume of moving object
If blades are made foldable for transport, then storage size is minimized, but the clamping mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex actuating mechanism to actively fold blades during transport, the design allows blades to be passively folded by releasing the clamping mechanism. The simplicity is achieved by inverting the approach: rather than actively moving blades to folded position, the system simply releases constraints, allowing blades to be positioned without significant mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial vehicle is described herein. The aerial vehicle includes a lift mechanism that includes a rotor blade assembly coupled to a motor assembly. The rotor blade assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades that are pivotably coupled to a rotor blade clamping mechanism. The rotor blade clamping mechanism includes an upper paddle clamp that is coupled to a lower paddle clamp. The upper paddle clamp includes a center protrusion and a plurality of blade support protrusions extending outwardly from the lower outer surface. The center protrusion includes a center shaft aperture sized and shaped to receive a motor shaft therein. Each blade support protrusion is sized and shaped to be inserted through a corresponding positioning aperture of a corresponding rotor blade. The lower paddle clamp includes a central recess to receive the center protrusion therein and a plurality of blade recesses to receive a corresponding blade support protrusion therein.