Modular Rotor Shroud Assembly for UAV Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) pose safety risks due to unprotected spinning blades and have complex assembly and disassembly processes, which are time-consuming and challenging for untrained users.

Innovation Solution

A supporting assembly with rotor shrouds that are easily assembled and disassembled, featuring a base with rotor arms, motor seats, and shroud seats, allowing for quick attachment and detachment of rotor shrouds using snap-fit or plug-in engagements, and a design that integrates components to minimize parts and simplify assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If shrouds are provided to protect the rotors, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety risk from unprotected spinning bladesVSAvoidcomplexity of assembly and disassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shroud assembly is segmented into modular components: a shroud body, a mounting bracket, and quick-release latches. Each component is independently manufacturable and can be rapidly assembled/disassembled without complex tools or procedures, resolving the contradiction between providing protection and maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shroud mounting system employs dynamic quick-release latches that transition between locked and unlocked states with simple actuation. This dynamic mechanism allows the shroud to be securely fixed during operation yet rapidly removed when needed, eliminating the trade-off between safety protection and assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If complicated and numerous separate parts are used in UAV assembly, then structural integrity is improved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of UAVVSAvoidtime required for assembly and disassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple structural functions are merged into integrated components. The shroud mounting bracket combines attachment, positioning, and locking functions in a single piece. The quick-release latches integrate release mechanisms and securing features, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining structural integrity through thoughtful design of each integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9914538B2Rotor shrouding apparatus, supporting assembly, and unmanned aerial vehicle using the same

Publication Date: 2018.03.13 ZEROTECH (SHENZHEN) INTELLIGENCE ROBOT CO LTD

AI summary

A supporting assembly for an unmanned aerial vehicle is disclosed. The supporting assembly includes a base, rotor arms, and rotor shrouds. The rotor arms extend from the base. Each of the rotor arms includes a proximal end secured to the base and a distal end opposite to the proximal end. Each of the rotor shrouds includes a converged end removably engaged with and secured to the distal end, an arc shaped end, and one or more connecting members extending from the arc shaped end to the converged end. An unmanned aerial vehicle and a rotor shroud apparatus are also disclosed.