UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE PROTECTIVE FRAME CONFIGURATION

摘要

This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes a frame that provides both structural support for the UAV and protection for foreign objects that may come into contact with the UAV. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV may also include one or more pushing motor and propeller assemblies that are oriented at approximately ninety degrees to one or more of the lifting motors. When the UAV is moving horizontally, the pushing motor(s) may be engaged and the pushing propeller(s) will aid in the horizontal propulsion of the UAV.

主权项

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) frame, comprising:
a hub; a first motor arm extending from the hub in a first direction; a second motor arm extending from the hub in a second direction; a third motor arm extending from the hub in a third direction; a fourth motor arm extending from the hub in a fourth direction; a first motor mount coupled to the first motor arm; a second motor mount coupled to the second motor arm; a third motor mount coupled to the third motor arm; a fourth motor mount coupled to the fourth motor arm; a first plurality of support arms extending from the first motor mount; a second plurality of support arms extending from the second motor mount; a third plurality of support arms extending from the third motor mount; a fourth plurality of support arms extending from the fourth motor mount; a perimeter protective barrier coupled to the first plurality of support arms, the second plurality of support arms, the third plurality of support arms and the fourth plurality of support arms; and wherein the hub, the first motor arm, the second motor arm, the third motor arm, the fourth motor arm, the first motor mount, the second motor mount, the third motor mount, the fourth motor mount, the first plurality of support arms, the second plurality of support arms, the third plurality of support arms, the fourth plurality of support arms and the perimeter protective barrier are formed as a single uni-body.