UAV Rotor Assembly Locking Mechanism for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotor assemblies for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in simplifying installation and ensuring operation safety, particularly due to complex connections between the propeller and motor, which lead to difficulties in assembly/disassembly, wear and tear, and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A rotor assembly with a connection assembly that includes a locking member between the propeller and the motor, allowing for easy locking and unlocking of the propeller by rotating the locking member relative to the propeller, thereby separating the locking mechanism from the propeller's rotation mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complicated connection is used to fixed the propeller to the motor, then the propeller can be securely attached, but the assembling and disassembling process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly is divided into separate functional components: a locking member with locking blocks, a propeller with corresponding locking block receiving structures, and a motor with a rotating shaft. This segmentation allows the locking function to be independent from the mounting function, enabling secure attachment while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly through simple rotational locking motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is designed to be rotatable relative to both the propeller and the motor's rotating shaft. This dynamic element transforms the static complicated connection into a dynamic locking mechanism where rotation of the locking member engages or disengages the locking blocks, providing both secure attachment and operational convenience.
2Ease of operation
If the propeller is made detachable for easy assembly, then the installation becomes simpler, but the propeller is subject to severe wear and tear and may loosen during long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically maintain its locking state during operation. The locking blocks engage with the propeller's locking block receiving structures in a way that self-secures the connection during rotation, preventing loosening without requiring additional active components or maintenance during long-term use.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism incorporates built-in features that prevent wear and tear before they lead to failure. The locking blocks and receiving structures are designed with appropriate clearance and engagement geometry that accommodates normal operational wear while maintaining secure locking, preventing loosening during long-term use.
3Device complexity
If the locking mechanism is integrated with the propeller rotation mechanism, then the structure is more compact, but the torque generated during locking transmits to the propeller causing wear and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted from the propeller rotation mechanism as a separate, independent function. The locking member rotates independently on the motor's rotating shaft to engage the locking blocks, while the propeller rotates independently on the locking member. This separation ensures that torque generated during locking does not transmit to the propeller, preventing wear and damage while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor assembly includes a propeller, a motor, and a connection assembly. The motor includes a stator and a rotator rotatable with respect to the stator, and is configured to drive the propeller to rotate through the rotator. The connection assembly is arranged between the propeller and the motor, and includes a locking member and an elastic member. The elastic member is configured to provide a force onto the locking member in response to the propeller being locked to the motor by the locking member, to maintain a locking state of the locking member.