Resilient Propeller Mounting for Drone Vibration Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional propeller systems in drones experience significant vibrations due to differences in lift between advancing and retreating blades under wind conditions, which affects video quality and autopilot performance, and existing solutions like fully articulated helicopter rotor systems are bulky and impractical for drones.
Innovation Solution
A propeller system with resilient components made of materials like silicon rubber, allowing the propeller to tilt about a tethering axis under differential lift conditions, enabling the blades to flap and reduce vibrations, and featuring a mounting arrangement that includes inserts and a damper to secure the propeller and motor mounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If larger propellers are used to improve endurance, then endurance is improved, but vibrations increase due to greater difference in relative wind speed between advancing and retreating blades
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller mounting system incorporates resilient components (springs or elastomeric materials) that allow the propeller to dynamically tilt about a tethering axis in response to differential lift forces. This dynamic adjustment enables the propeller to adapt to varying wind conditions and blade speed differences, reducing vibrations while maintaining the benefits of larger propeller size for improved endurance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fully articulated helicopter rotor system with flapping hinges is used to reduce vibrations, then vibrations are reduced, but the assembly becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing a complex articulated system with multiple hinges throughout the rotor assembly, the invention applies vibration reduction locally at the propeller mounting point. The resilient component is positioned specifically between the motor mount and propeller mount to provide the necessary compliance and vibration absorption, eliminating the need for bulky external articulation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses flexible resilient materials (such as elastomers or spring elements) to create a compliant mounting system that allows the propeller to tilt and absorb vibrations. This flexible approach replaces rigid articulated hinges with a simpler elastic deformation mechanism that achieves the same vibration reduction effect without the bulk.
3Device complexity
If conventional rigid propeller mounting is used to simplify structure, then structural simplicity is maintained, but vibrations are not reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient component acts as an intermediary element between the rigid motor mount and the propeller mount. This intermediate flexible element transmits power while allowing relative motion and absorbing vibrations, bridging the gap between the simplicity of rigid mounting and the vibration reduction benefits of articulated systems.
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 propeller system effectively reduces vibrations and differential drag by allowing the blades to achieve equilibrium and balance, improving performance without adding bulk or requiring major modifications.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient component is made of a resilient material that allows the propeller to tilt about a tethering axis under conditions of differential lift force on blades of the propeller
Implementation Method 2
A propeller system with resilient components made of materials like silicon rubber, allowing the propeller to tilt about a tethering axis under differential lift conditions, enabling the blades to flap and reduce vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
An improved propeller system is disclosed, including at least one resilient component configured with a mounting arrangement of a propeller of the propeller system. The resilient component is made of a resilient material that allows the propeller to tilt about a tethering axis under conditions of differential lift force on blades of the propeller under an advancing condition and a retreating condition. The resilient component includes a pair of cutouts for locating inserts made of a rigid material and positioned with a longitudinal axis of the inserts oriented in radial direction. The orientation of the inserts results in a radially oriented line contact between the propeller and the inserts to ensure that tilting of the propeller is about longitudinal axis of the inserts, defining the tethering axis of the propeller system.