17 patents in this list

Updated:

Both professionals and drone hobbyists are increasingly choosing foldable drones. Their small size makes them perfect for travel, outdoor activities, and business uses because it makes them simple to pack, store, and quickly assemble.

 

But creating a foldable drone has its own set of difficulties. Structural integrity and foldability must be balanced by engineers to provide steady flying performance.

 

Complexity is further increased by component downsizing and folding mechanism integration.

1. Self-Folding Propeller Assembly for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

GoPro, Inc., 2023

A propeller assembly for unmanned aerial vehicles that self-folds and unfolds without human intervention. The propeller blades have connectors that move within the central hub, allowing the blades to fold when at rest and extend when spinning during flight.

2. Modular Flat-Packable Drone Kit with Swappable Components for Multiple Configurations

Boy Scouts of America, 2023

A modular, flat-packable drone kit can be assembled in multiple configurations with swappable components. The drone kit is made of flat plates that can be cut from a sheet of material, enabling low-cost manufacturing and compact packaging. The components can be secured using integrated mechanisms and elastic bands without specialized tools. The drone can be built in various configurations using different-sized propellers, above/below propeller placement, and modular accessories like cameras or grabbing arms. Multiple drones can be coupled, with one acting as a master flight controller.

3. Automatic Folding Mechanism for Compact Storage and Deployment of Multi-Arm UAVs

Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force, 2023

Automatic folding and unfolding of multi-arm unmanned vehicles enable compact storage and long-distance deployment. When released, the arms of a UAV can automatically extend from a contracted position to an expanded position. This allows the UAV to be stored in a highly compact configuration for transport and then deployed by autonomously expanding the arms. The expansion can use actuation, shoulder/rotations, and release mechanisms to save over eight times the storage space.

4. Foldable Wing VTOL Drone with Twin-Ducted Fan System for Enhanced Stability and Efficiency

South China University of Technology, 2023

Vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle with a foldable fixed wing that improves stability and efficiency compared to existing designs. The VTOL drone has a twin-ducted fan power system, foldable wing, and retractable landing gear. The ducted fans provide vertical lift for takeoff/landing and horizontal thrust for forward flight. The ducts also stabilize the aircraft in crosswinds. The foldable wing reduces drag during vertical operations. The rearward center of gravity and duct position enable self-stabilization in the wind.

5. Centrifugal Force-Activated Foldable Blades for Compact Drone Design

Ascent AeroSystems Inc., 2022

An unmanned flying device with foldable blades that collapse when not spinning. The blades extend and deploy due to centrifugal force when rotating. This provides a compact and durable drone construction that avoids damage on landing without needing landing gear. The collapsible blades automatically fold along the body when not spinning, protecting the blades and minimizing device size for transport.

6. Compact Folding Mechanism for Multi-Rotor Vertical Take-Off and Landing Drones

X-CONTROL SYSTEM CO., LTD., 2020

A vertical take-off and landing unmanned helicopter with multiple rotors that can fold to a compact size for easy transportation. The helicopter has 4, 6, or 8 arms with a rotor. The arms pivot at one end to fold vertically along the fuselage. When folded, the rotors overlap, and the arms nest closely together to minimize the folded size. This allows the helicopter to reduce its size without needing longer, heavier arms or a larger fuselage.

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7. Omnidirectional Impact Protection Mechanism for Foldable Drones

Vantage Robotics LLC, 2019

A foldable drone design that protects itself and others during collisions. The drone arms have an impact protection mechanism that allows them to deform omnidirectionally when hitting something. This reduces peak forces and energy. The mechanism uses magnets, springs, or joints to keep the arms rigid until a maximum load is exceeded. The propellers have soft sections to reduce injury risk. This folding drone design prevents damage to the drone and injury to people during impacts.

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8. Foldable Arm Mechanism for Enhanced UAV Portability and Storage

SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., 2019

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with foldable arms to improve portability and storage of drones. The UAV has multiple arms that can fold up towards the body when not in use, reducing its size for transportation. The arms extend outwards into a flight configuration when the UAV is operational.

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9. Lightweight Foldable Drone with Locking Arms for Easy Transport and Enhanced Flight Performance

Parrot Drones, 2019

A foldable drone with a lightweight folding structure to allow easy transport while maintaining flight performance. The drone has a central body with multiple arms that can rotate between extended positions for flight and folded positions for transport. The arms rotate about a common axis and lock in place in both positions using teeth and notches. This allows the drone to be easily folded into a compact transportation shape.

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10. Compact and Rapidly Deployable Collapsible UAV Design

UVISION AIR LTD, 2019

Collapsible unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that has foldable wings, tail, propellers, and control surfaces to reduce bulk and enable portable storage and launch from tubes or tubes. The UAV has a collapsible design with foldable wings, tail surfaces, and propellers that can be stored in compact form and extended when ready to fly. This allows the UAV to be packed in a small container for transport while enabling rapid deployment with fully functional flight surfaces. The foldable design allows the UAV to be man-portable, launched from tubes, and rapidly transition between compact storage and complete flight configurations.

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11. Safety-Enhanced Foldable Drone with Protective Housing and Retractable Wings

Hangzhou Zero Zero Technology Co., Ltd, 2018

A fully protected and foldable drone design to improve safety and portability while maintaining flight capability. The drone has a meshed protective housing around the rotors to prevent injuries. The rotors are mounted inside the housing. The drone also has foldable wings that can be folded up when not in use to reduce its size for easier transport.

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12. Compact Storage Solution with Dual-Bend Foldable Arms for UAVs

AUTEL ROBOTICS CO., LTD., 2018

Foldable arm design for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that allows compact storage and transport. The foldable arm has a joint that enables it to bend in two places, reducing its overall length when folded. This allows the UAV to be folded into a smaller package for easier carrying.

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13. Compact Foldable Landing Gear Mechanism for Enhanced UAV Aerodynamics

AUTEL ROBOTICS CO., LTD., 2018

A foldable landing gear for unmanned aerial vehicles that can be fully retracted into the UAV body when folded. The landing gear uses a linkage mechanism and powered fold/unfold actuators to retract the legs. This allows the landing gear to be completely enclosed within the UAV body when not in use, reducing drag, improving aerodynamics, and preventing obstruction of the camera field of view. The landing gear linkage is designed to fold in a compact manner and the actuators are housed within the UAV body.

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14. Compact Storage Solution for Drones with Innovative Foldable Arm Mechanism

Haoxiang Electric Energy (Kunshan) Co., Ltd., 2018

A foldable drone that can easily fold its arms inwards for compact storage and transport. The arms rotate relative to the body to fold upwards towards the fuselage. The rear arm folds first and fits below the fuselage, then the front arm folds and fits above the fuselage. The foldable propeller blades are positioned between the folded arms and the fuselage. This provides high space utilization after folding, compactness, clean appearance, and prevents exposed blades from contacting objects. The arm folding is enabled by a rotating mechanism with a pivot shaft connecting each arm to the fuselage.

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15. Compact Folding Mechanism for Collapsible Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

ATLAS DYNAMIC LIMITED, 2017

Collapsible unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) design that can be folded into a compact form for transport. The UAV has arms that can fold inwards towards the body, reducing its overall dimensions when not in use. This allows for easier packing and carrying of the UAV compared to fixed-arm designs. The folding arms are hinged segments that fold inward towards the body of the UAV.

16. Compact Foldable Drone with Hinged Wings for Enhanced Portability

BEIJING ZERO ZERO INFINITY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, 2016

Foldable drone that improves portability by allowing the wings to fold up against the body. The drone has a body and two wings. The wings are connected to the body with hinges so they can fold up. When folded, the drone becomes more compact and easier to carry. When unfolded, the wings provide lift for flight.

17. Automatic Blade Folding Mechanism for Compact and Transportable Drones

Ascent AeroSystems LLC, 2016

Compact unmanned flying device with collapsible rotor blades that automatically fold when not spinning or spinning slowly to protect the blades and make the device easier to transport. The blades deploy and extend when spinning due to centrifugal force. The unmanned flying device has a body, foldable blades, and a collapsing mechanism to fold the blades against the body when not spinning.

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Request the PDF report with complete details of all 17 patents for offline reading.

These developments show the ongoing progress in foldable drone technology, as do designs that put an emphasis on omnidirectional impact protection, improved portability with foldable arms, lightweight folding structures, and quick deployability. Future folding drones could be even more feature-rich and simple to operate as these concepts develop.