Folding Propeller System with Hinge Mechanism for UAV Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hovering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in transportation due to bulky and fragile propellers, which are prone to damage, leading to maintenance issues, increased costs, and delayed deployment. Existing solutions like detachable propellers are cumbersome to reassemble and may be lost during shipping, while protective shrouds add weight, reduce aerodynamic performance, and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A folding propeller system with a novel hinge mechanism and engagement mechanism that allows propeller blades to be easily stowed and securely mounted, reducing the risk of damage during transport and deployment, and eliminating the need for additional protective shrouds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If propellers are made detachable for safe transport, then propeller damage during shipping is reduced, but reassembly becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller system is divided into modular components (propeller blades and hub) that can be separated for transport but quickly reconnected using the quick-release mechanism with spring-loaded latches and alignment features
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment features and guide structures are pre-configured on the propeller hub and blades to automatically guide proper positioning during reassembly, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protective shrouds are added around propellers, then propeller protection during transport is improved, but HUAV weight increases reducing flight time
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is extracted from permanent shrouds and implemented through the folding propeller mechanism itself, which can be configured in a protected state during transport and a operational state during flight without additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The propeller system transitions dynamically between folded (protected) and extended (operational) configurations, providing protection only when needed during transport while eliminating weight penalties during flight operations
3Object-affected harmful factors
If protective shrouds are added around propellers, then propeller protection during transport is improved, but aerodynamic performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller system dynamically changes configuration based on operational state: folded to protect blades during transport, and fully extended for optimal aerodynamic performance during flight, eliminating the continuous performance penalty of permanent shrouds
4Object-affected harmful factors
If protective shrouds are added around propellers, then propeller protection during transport is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is merged with the propeller structure itself through the folding mechanism, eliminating the need for separate protective shrouds and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining protection capabilities
5Object-affected harmful factors
If folding mechanism is implemented, then propeller protection during transport is improved, but propeller assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism incorporates self-aligning features, spring-loaded latches, and automatic locking that reduce the need for complex manual operation or precise alignment procedures during assembly and deployment
Data Source
AI summary
Folding propeller system for safe packing and shipping, and easy deployment.