17 patents in this list
Updated: April 30, 2024
The durability of drone technology is one of the key issues. They must be strong enough to work consistently and shield from damage during fall or recovery.
There are many uses for it because of its resistance to bad weather, all while remaining lightweight and sturdy.
The list that follows examines more dependable and well-made drone technology.
AeroVironment, Inc., 2023
A motor designed for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to prevent damage when landing on rough terrain. The motor has a hub with a skid surface that contacts the motor casing during propeller strikes on the ground. This reinforcement prevents excessive bending of the rotor shaft, which could damage the motor.
PARROT, 2015
Removable protection for quadcopter drones that provides propeller protection without adding bulk when not needed. The protection consists of removable lateral bumpers that extend beyond the propeller's rotation area. A deformable arm connects Each bumper to the drone's propulsion units on that side. The arm can flex if the bumper hits an obstacle, reducing shock and preventing damage.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 2023
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with retractable landing gear that extends when landing to protect the main body and retracts during flight for aerodynamic efficiency. The landing gear has a cam mechanism that detects contact with the ground and extends the legs. The cam structure is part of the rotors and housing, so it is automatic and doesn't require separate components. When the rotors rotate, the cam engages with the landing gear to push it out.
Flyability SA, 2023
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a protective outer cage provides high collision resistance while allowing maneuverability and access to inner components. The UAV has an inner frame with flight propulsion, an outer frame connected by a gimbal system, and an actuation system to actively orient the outer frame relative to the inner frame. This allows the outer cage to protect inner components from collisions while still reaping benefits like protection from the outer frame. The actuation can be through outer propellers or electrical actuators on the gimbal connections.
EXEDY Corporation, 2023
A lightweight, dustproof drone motor that balances conflicting requirements of weight reduction and dust protection. The motor includes a housing with a top plate opening and a punching plate attached to cover the opening. The punching plate has through holes. A rotor and stator are inside the housing. The punching plate allows airflow for cooling while blocking dust from entering.
LG INNOTEK CO., LTD., 2021
A drone motor design that reduces size and weight while improving mounting strength. The motor has a support member between the rotating shaft and the stator, with a bearing between the support member and the stator. The support member surrounds the shaft and has a flange that connects to the rotor. This provides axial force support without needing a large-diameter shaft through the stator. It enables using smaller, lighter shafts and bearings while maintaining strength. The reduced weight motor can make drones more efficient and agile.
SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., 2021
Protection assembly for signal lines on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to prevent damage and disconnection. The assembly includes a protective sleeve that encases the signal lines and a footstand with a sleeve that receives the protective sleeve. This allows the signal lines to be routed through the footstand interior, protecting them from the external environment while the UAV is on the ground.
Flyability SA, 2021
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a protective outer cage and a sensor system like a camera. The cage protects the inner components from collisions, but can interfere with sensors and cameras. To solve this, the UAV has a releasable coupling between the sensors and the cage. The coupling is rigid in normal operation, but can release when subjected to a collision force above a threshold. This allows the sensors to be decoupled from the cage upon impact, protecting them from damage.
VANTAGE ROBOTICS, LLC, 2021
Improving the safety, durability, and modularity of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that protect the propellers from damage and reduce injury risk in case of impact. The UAV has a protective cage around each propeller that allows airflow through. The propeller assemblies are modular and can release upon impact to minimize damage. The UAV also has modular components like battery packs that can detach on impact.
VANTAGE ROBOTICS, LLC, 2021
Improved motor hub and pod configurations for protecting propellers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from damage during flight. The motor hub features a central hub with slots to receive carbon fiber spokes that extend radially outward to a protective outer ring. The spokes are oriented to resist flexure out of the plane of rotation, reducing the chances of blade strikes. The pod incorporates a rugged protective structure with ribs, hoops, and rims to encase the propellers. The motor hub and pod designs are lightweight, durable, and resistant to impacts that can damage conventional UAVs.
PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO, LTD., 2021
An aircraft configuration comprised of multiple rotor units covered by an expandable balloon. The balloon acts as a shock absorber and expands to provide cushioning if the aircraft crashes. The balloon contains a gas that can be released to control its buoyancy. It also has ventilation holes to prevent it from bursting due to pressure changes.
Intel Corporation, 2020
Aircraft landing gear system that reduces impact forces during landing through a multi-stage shock absorbing mechanism. The landing gear has flexible portions that engage with fixed portions on the aircraft frame at different rotation angles. This allows the landing gear leg to rotate and flex at different stages during landing, progressively absorbing and reducing impact forces as the leg compresses.
Horizon Hobby, LLC, 2020
An RC quadcopter with protected drivetrain to prevent debris accumulation and improve performance and durability. The quadcopter has housing arms that enclose the motors, gears, and propeller shafts. Each arm contains a motor with a gear on its output shaft that meshes with a gear on the propeller shaft. This gear arrangement translates motion between the motor's axis and the propeller axis. The enclosed drivetrain prevents debris from entering and accumulating around the gears and motor shafts.
Amazon Technologies, Inc., 2020
Quadcopter design with enclosed propellers for improved safety and efficiency. The quadcopter has a cylindrical fuselage with motors mounted around the perimeter. Rotating propellers are attached to the outside of the motors. A cylindrical wing is mounted above the motors to provide lift. The enclosed propellers and fuselage offer protection and reduce hazards compared to exposed propellers.
Roger Freeman, 2019
A drone design with enclosed propellers for safety, reduced vibration for quieter operation, and modular components for flexibility and customization. The drone has a protective outer frame that encompasses the propellers to prevent contact with people or objects. It also has components like motor mounts and body sections that can be customized and replaced. The drone further has features like vibration-damping motor sleeves to reduce noise and vibration.
OPTIM CORPORATION, 2017
A drone (uninhabited airborne vehicle) that reduces impact when it crashes to enhance safety. The drone has a buffer system to protect it from damage in case of a crash. The buffer system can be activated based on parameters such as battery charge level, altitude, distance to objects, and velocity. It wraps around the drone to absorb impact forces during a crash. The buffer driving process is activated when sensors detect conditions indicating a crash is imminent. This allows the drone to land with reduced impact forces to prevent damage.
BEIJING ZERO ZERO INFINITY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, 2016
A fully protected drone that improves safety and portability compared to conventional drones. The drone includes a protective mesh housing that encloses the rotors. This prevents contact between the rotors and humans or objects, improving safety. The closed housing also reduces the height of the drone for better portability.
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Drones are becoming more trustworthy and durable for a variety of applications via improvements like retractable landing gear for increased aerodynamics and motors strengthened by skids for rough landings. Progress in weight reduction and safety are creating opportunities for a durable, sturdy drone future.