阅读说明：本技术 一种具有无人机类型的旋转翼的飞行装置 (Flying device with unmanned aerial vehicle type rotary wing ) 是由 克罗沙·菲利普 于 2020-06-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种具有无人机类型的旋转翼(3)的飞行装置(1),该飞行装置包括形成转子(2)的中央底盘,从该转子(2)径向向外延伸的至少一个叶片(4)围绕转子(2)旋转；每个叶片(4)在其自由端(4a)设置有电动推进螺旋桨(5),使得叶片(4)能够围绕转子(2)转动,从而使飞行装置(1)起飞/飞行；其特征在于,至少一个叶片(4)包括局部具有至少一个中空内部壳体的内部结构(4c),该至少一个中空内部壳体具有至少一个与叶片(4)的电动推进螺旋桨(5)连接的电池(7)。(The invention relates to a flying device (1) having a rotor (3) of the drone type, comprising a central chassis forming a rotor (2), around which rotor (2) at least one blade (4) extending radially outwards from the rotor (2) rotates; each blade (4) is provided with an electric propulsion propeller (5) at its free end (4a) so that the blade (4) can rotate around the rotor (2) in order to take off/fly the flying device (1); characterized in that at least one blade (4) comprises an internal structure (4c) partially having at least one hollow internal casing with at least one battery (7) connected to the electric propulsion propeller (5) of the blade (4).)

1. A flying device (1) with a rotary wing (3) of the drone type, comprising a central chassis forming a rotor (2) around which at least one blade (4) extending radially outwards from the rotor (2) rotates (2); each blade (4) is provided with an electric propulsion propeller (5) at its free end (4a) so that the blade (4) can rotate around the rotor (2) in order to take off/fly the flying device (1); characterized in that said at least one blade (4) comprises an internal structure (4c) partially having at least one hollow internal casing (8; 8 a; 8 b; 8c), said at least one hollow internal casing (8; 8 a; 8 b; 8c) having at least one battery (7) or electric core (7 a; 7b) connected to said electric propulsion propeller (5) of said blade (4).

2. The flying device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the internal structure (4c) is made of cellular foam material.

3. The flying device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the blade (4) comprises a rigid outer structure (4b) covering the inner structure (4c) made of cellular foam material.

4. A flying device (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the rigid outer structure (4b) is made of composite resin fibres, such as epoxy carbon fibres.

5. The flying device (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the blade (4) is made entirely of cellular foam material (4 c).

6. The flying device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the cellular foam material (4c) is expanded polypropylene (EPP).

7. The flying device (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein each hollow inner casing (8; 8 a; 8 b; 8c) is arranged next to one and/or the other end of the blade (4).

8. The flying device (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein each hollow inner housing (8; 8 a; 8b) has the exact shape of the battery (7)/the electric core (7 a; 7b) such that the battery (7)/the electric core (7 a; 7b) is forcibly placed in the hollow inner housing (8; 8 a; 8 b).

9. The flying device (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein each hollow inner shell (8; 8 a; 8 b; 8c) is manufactured in the blade (4) moulding process without material removal.

10. Flying device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that each hollow inner shell (8; 8 a; 8 b; 8c) is made by cutting the cellular foam material (4c) by a hot wire tool.

11. The flying device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two rotors (2) axially superimposed and rotating in opposite directions.

12. The flying device (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein each battery (7)/cell (7a, 7b) is of the lithium ion type and has a cylindrical shape.

13. The flying device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade (4) further comprises at least one accessory (10; 15) in the housing (8; 8 a; 8 b; 8c) of the internal structure (4c), said accessory (10; 15) comprising a barrel-type linear actuator (10), a camera (15), a speed/acceleration sensor, a gyroscope and a geolocation system.

14. The flying device (1) according to claim 13, characterised in that said linear actuators (10) of all the blades of a first rotor (2) push said batteries radially outwards to increase the inertia of said first rotor; the linear actuators (10) of all the blades of the second rotor (3) pull the batteries radially inwards to reduce the inertia of the second rotor (3), thereby creating an inertial difference between the two rotors (3) to provide gyroscopic stability for the drone.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a rotorcraft for unmanned aerial vehicles, comprising at least one blade equipped with an internal area made of cellular foam material housing a battery. The invention is particularly suitable for unmanned reconnaissance aircrafts and video or image aerial photographing devices, and is also suitable for civil unmanned aerial vehicles and military unmanned aerial vehicles.

Background

Motor drive unmanned aerial vehicle all has the main problem about the battery position. In addition, whether made of lead or nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydrate (NiMH), or lithium batteries, are the primary elements of their design.

To date, lithium-based batteries are the most used batteries in drones because they provide longer flight times and have lighter weight than other technologies. These batteries are recombined into so-called "battery packs", usually located inside or below the drone. The battery pack may be composed of a plurality of battery arrays. The cells are welded together and secured in an outer mechanical housing. Such mechanical enclosures take many forms, such as heat shrinkable sheaths, or plastic or metal enclosures.

In the field of drones, the main problem that all drone manufacturers need to solve is to maximize the flight time, since a short flight time implies strict restrictions on their use. Maximizing the time of flight is mainly achieved by selecting the battery technology with the highest energy/weight ratio.

Unfortunately, the energy/weight ratio of modern drones is greatly reduced due to the weight of the mechanical housing of the battery pack.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by means of a completely innovative, simple, reliable and effective method.

To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a flying device with a rotary wing of the drone type, comprising a central chassis forming a rotor; at least one blade extending radially outward from the rotor rotates about the rotor; each of said blades being provided at its free end with an electric propulsion propeller such that said blade can be rotated about said rotor to take off/fly said flying device; characterized in that said at least one blade comprises an internal structure partially having at least one hollow internal casing having at least one battery connected to said electric propulsion propeller of said blade.

From this, the energy/weight ratio has been fully optimized, and has not lost unmanned aerial vehicle's efficiency (easily drive), can protect the battery better when the collision takes place moreover.

The invention can be implemented according to the following embodiments and variants thereof, which are to be implemented individually or according to any technically feasible combination.

In a particular embodiment, the internal structure is made of cellular foam material.

Advantageously, the blade comprises a rigid outer structure covering the inner structure made of cellular foam material.

Preferably, the rigid outer structure is made of composite resin fibres, such as epoxy carbon fibres.

Thus, a shell made of composite fibers (e.g., carbon fiber + epoxy) provides stretch resistance, while a low density foam provides crush resistance. The combination of these two materials makes it possible to make the blade light in weight and strong in load-bearing capacity, so that the blade remains light in weight while having a large volume.

In some embodiments, the blade is made entirely of cellular foam.

In particular, the cellular foam material is expanded polypropylene (EPP).

Preferably, each said hollow inner shell is arranged immediately adjacent one and/or other end of said blade.

Preferably, each said hollow inner casing has the exact shape of the battery/cell, so that the battery/cell is forcibly placed in the hollow inner casing.

Thus, the battery can be secured without the need for a containment case or other expensive, heavy and complex equipment.

Preferably each said hollow inner shell is manufactured during moulding of the blade without the need to remove material.

Optionally, each hollow inner shell is made by cutting the cellular foam material with a hot wire tool.

In a particular embodiment, the flying device comprises at least two said rotors axially superimposed and rotating in opposite directions.

Advantageously, each of said batteries/cells is of the lithium-ion type and has a cylindrical shape, so as to facilitate its integration into said blade.

Drawings

Other advantages, objects, and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, and in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of the drone of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the blade of the drone in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a variation of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of fig. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of fig. 2 and 3.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment to fig. 1 to 4.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a drone 1 according to the invention.

The drone 1 generally comprises a central rotor 2, around the axis (vertical) XX' of which the rotating blades 3 rotate. The rotating blade 3 is formed by two profiled blades 4 extending symmetrically on both sides of the rotor 2.

Each blade 4 is provided at its free end 4a with a propeller 5 having an axis YY', which propeller 5 is substantially perpendicular to the radial extension direction of the respective blade 4. The propellers 5 are each powered by a motor 6 to rotate the blades 4 about the rotor 2 to enable the drone 1 to take off vertically and then fly.

Each blade 4 contains a battery 7 (shown in broken lines in fig. 1) near its respective propeller 5, which battery 7 supplies each motor 6 with electrical energy.

More specifically, as shown in the cross-sectional view of fig. 2, each blade 4 comprises an outer rigid structure 4b, for example made of a composite resin, such as carbon fibre, Kevlar (Kevlar) or glass reinforced epoxy, which outer rigid structure 4b surrounds a cellular foamed material 4c, such as a low density foamed polypropylene foam.

The combination of "outer shells" and "inner cores" of different materials makes it possible to obtain at the same time a light and durable blade 4 (drone 1).

According to a particularly innovative feature of the present invention, a hollow internal casing 8 is provided in the expanded polypropylene foam 4c to house the battery 7 or batteries 7.

Each hollow inner shell 8 is manufactured in a molding process, so that it is not necessary to remove the cellular foaming material 4c from each of the blades 4; or subsequently removing material, for example by cutting with a hot wire tool.

According to an alternative embodiment shown in fig. 3, each blade 4 is made entirely of cellular foam material 4c, having a density slightly higher than that of the blades in the embodiment of fig. 1 and 2, so as to form a stronger blade 4 while maintaining a sufficiently light weight.

In the same way as described above, each hollow inner shell 8 is made in a moulding process without removing any material; or by subsequent removal of material as described above.

In both embodiments, each hollow inner casing 8 has exactly the same shape as the battery 7 it contains, so that it is inserted with force and is well held in place. A cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section can be used for simple and effective mounting of the battery 7 in the blade 4.

Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section through the blade 4, the blade 4 accommodating therein three cells 7a of a first battery pack and three cells 7b of a second battery pack, the three cells 7a of the first battery pack being placed in a hollow housing 8a close to the propeller 5, the three cells 7b of the second battery pack being placed in a second housing 8b close to the rotor 2. This solution can provide more electrical energy to the drone (e.g. using a more powerful motor), or it provides a smaller but equally powerful battery than the solution of a single hollow inner casing 8.

Fig. 5 shows a more complex variant in which the blade 4 has a first housing 8a adjacent the propeller 5 to accommodate a first battery pack similar to the battery pack of fig. 4 having three cells 7a and a linear internal actuator 10, for example a cylinder having a stem 11 and a base plate 12, to support a load (not shown) which is movable longitudinally along the blade under the action of the actuator 10.

Optionally, the blade 4 comprises a hollow casing 8a for housing the actuator 10, the movable stem 11 of which is connected to the battery 7 (directly or by means of a removable connection system). Thus, the battery 7 can be linearly moved along the blade 4 to change the center of inertia of the blade 4. This dynamically rebalances the center of mass of the rotor so that the center of inertia of the blade coincides with the center of rotation and avoids the drone being subjected to undue vibration.

A second casing 8b is located adjacent the rotor 2 to house three cells 7b of a second battery similar to the battery of fig. 4. Further, a lens-visible camera 15 is inserted into the third housing 8c near the rotor 2. As in the previous embodiment, each of the shells 8a, 8b and 8c is made of cellular foam material 4 c.

Other accessories, such as speed/acceleration sensors, gyroscopes or global positioning systems, such as GPS, may also be incorporated in the other housing.

In an alternative embodiment shown in fig. 6, the drone 1 comprises two superimposed and counter-rotating rotors 2, each comprising five blades 4, which surround each central rotor 2 in a regular manner.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 6, a linear actuator may be used to move all of the battery packs on one rotor outward to increase their inertia and all of the battery packs on the other rotor inward to decrease their inertia. Such an inertial difference can provide gyroscopic stability for the drone even if both rotors rotate at the same speed.

The blading 4 of one or both of the rotors 2 may be equipped with batteries 7, the batteries 7 being integrated in a hollow inner casing 8 of its internal structure, made of cellular foam material 4 c. Also, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, it is conceivable to insert the battery pack into two hollow inner cases 8a/8b formed at both ends of each blade 4 made of the cellular plastic foam 4 c.

The invention has the following advantages:

the mechanical housing of the battery requires no additional weight due to the use of the existing internal structure of the blades.

The foam absorbs the impact, and thus, the battery can be protected from the impact.

The battery is held firmly in a fixed position by the positive fit insertion.

The installation of the battery is very simple and quick without any tools.

It is to be understood that the invention has been described in detail by way of illustration only and not as a limitation of the invention, and equivalent arrangements are intended to fall within the scope of the invention.

Thus, the battery or cell may have any shape as long as it can be integrated into the hollow inner casing 8 provided in the cellular foam 4 c.

The type of cellular foam 4c (polymer substrate) and its density will be selected according to the size of the drone (diameter and number of blades), the use, the final weight required, the blade stiffness and the number and size/weight of the batteries.

It is not necessary to equip all the blades 4 with batteries 7/battery packs 7a/7 b. Only one blade 4 may contain a battery 7 in a hollow inner housing 8 (such as in the drone shown in fig. 1), while the other opposing blade may contain a certain weight to balance the rotor 2.