Vertically Mounted PCB for UAV Aerodynamic Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in stability and aerodynamics, particularly when flying close to surfaces, and lack modularity and desirable flight characteristics for applications like drone racing.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a vertically-mounted printed circuit board (PCB) that lies in a plane defined by the yaw and roll axes, improving stability and reducing air resistance, along with novel peripheral attachment mechanisms such as cutouts for attaching peripherals like cameras, enhancing the UAV's maneuverability and aerodynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional horizontally-mounted PCB is used in UAV, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the UAV experiences increased air resistance and reduced stability when flying close to surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent rotates the PCB from a horizontal mounting orientation to a vertical mounting orientation. This dimensional change repositions the PCB edge-on to the airflow during forward flight, dramatically reducing the surface area exposed to air resistance. The vertical mounting also lowers the PCB's position relative to the ground during low-altitude flight, improving stability by reducing ground effect interference.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the PCB is vertically mounted to reduce air resistance, then aerodynamic performance improves, but the PCB may intersect with propeller rotation axes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the vertically-mounted PCB, placing it offset from the UAV's central vertical axis. This asymmetric placement strategically positions the PCB in a location where it achieves maximum aerodynamic benefit (edge-on to airflow) while maintaining clear separation from the horizontal planes of propeller rotation, preventing any intersection or interference with the four propeller assemblies.
3Strength
If traditional peripheral attachment methods are used, then the structure is robust, but modularity and ease of peripheral integration are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the peripheral attachment system into separate, modular components: the PCB serves as the base platform with integrated mounting features, while peripherals (cameras, sensors, etc.) are distinct attachable modules. This segmentation allows peripherals to be independently selected, attached, or removed without affecting the core UAV structure, achieving both robust connection and high modularity.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCB is designed with universal mounting features (such as standardized cutouts, mounting holes, or attachment interfaces) that can accommodate multiple types of peripherals. This universal design allows the same PCB platform to support various cameras, sensors, or other peripherals through the same attachment mechanism, enhancing adaptability while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Some UAVs include a vertically-mounted printed circuit board (PCB). The UAVs have yaw, pitch, and roll axes. The UAVs comprise a plurality of propellers, each of the plurality of propellers configured to rotate about a respective one of a plurality of axes of rotation; a base assembly coupled to each of the plurality of propellers; and a PCB coupled to the base assembly. A surface of the PCB lies in a plane defined by the yaw axis and the roll axis, and no portion of the PCB intersects any axis of rotation of any propeller of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The PCB may have a non-rectangular shape, such as the shape of a shark. Some UAVs include a PCB comprising a mechanical feature configured to engage with a peripheral or a peripheral subassembly.