Self-tightening rotor

摘要

Systems, methods, and devices for propelling self-propelled movable objects are provided. In one aspect, a rotor assembly for a self-propelled movable object comprises: a hub comprising a first fastening feature; a drive shaft comprising a second fastening feature and directly coupled to the hub by a mating connection of the first and second fastening features, wherein the drive shaft is configured to cause rotation of the hub such that the mating connection of the first and second fastening features is tightened by the rotation; and a plurality of rotor blades coupled to the hub and configured to rotate therewith to generate a propulsive force.

主权项

1. A multi-rotor self-propelled movable object, the movable object comprising:
(a) a first rotor assembly comprising:
a first hub coupled to a first plurality of blades and comprising a first fastening feature;a first adapter coupled to the first hub and comprising a second fastening feature; anda first drive shaft coupled to the first hub through the first adapter by a mating connection of the first and second fastening features, wherein the first drive shaft is configured to cause rotation of the first hub in a first direction, and the mating connection of the first and second fastening features is able to be tightened by the rotation in only the first direction,wherein the first plurality of blades coupled to the first hub are configured to rotate therewith in the first direction to generate a first propulsive force; and (b) a second rotor assembly comprising:
a second hub coupled to a second plurality of blades and comprising a third fastening feature;a second adapter coupled to the second hub and comprising a fourth fastening feature;a second drive shaft coupled to the second hub through the second adapter by a mating connection of the third and fourth fastening features, wherein the second drive shaft is configured to cause rotation of the second hub in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the mating connection of the third and fourth fastening features is able to be tightened by the rotation in only the second direction,wherein the second plurality of blades coupled to the second hub are configured to rotate therewith in the second direction to generate a second propulsive force, wherein the first fastening feature comprises a first aperture, a first pair of guides, and a first pair of stops, and wherein the third fastening feature comprises a second aperture, a second pair of guides, and a second pair of stops, wherein the second fastening feature comprises a first pair of protrusions, and wherein the fourth fastening feature comprises a second pair of protrusions, wherein the first propulsive force (1) includes a lift component that provides lift to the movable object, and (2) is imparted via contact between the first hub and the first adapter; and wherein the second propulsive force (1) includes a lift component that provides lift to the movable object, and (2) is imparted via contact between the second hub and the second adapter, and wherein the rotation of the first hub in the first direction imparts a rotational force component that is transmitted from the first drive shaft to the first hub via contact between the first pair of protrusions and the first pair of stops, and wherein the rotation of the second hub in the second direction imparts a rotational force component that is transmitted from the second drive shaft to the second hub via contact between the second pair of protrusions and the second pair of stops.