Patent Application
20140094090
The present invention relates to a propulsion apparatus and method of use. The invention has particular application to the control of toys which are propelled through a fluid, including flying toys such as aeroplanes and blimp-type aircraft. Aspects of the invention relate to toys which incorporate such apparatus.
Remote-controlled toys have enjoyed increasingly popularity as designs and manufacturing techniques have improved to enable toys with improved functionality to be produced and sold at reduced cost than previously possible. Examples of such toys include aeroplanes, blimp-type flying toys (which may be neutrally buoyant), wheeled vehicles, and waterborne toys including vessels such as boats, hovercraft and submarines. Improved design and manufacture has been achieved by replacing conventional control mechanisms such as those which include multiple motors and/or expensive servo motors with simpler mechanisms. A typical objective is to provide the toy with motion control in two-dimensions with as few components as possible in order to reduce the cost and weight of the apparatus.
Various methods for simplifying directional control of toy aircraft have been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,505 describes a method stated to be suitable for use in toy aeroplanes and ornithopters (flapping-wing aircraft) which uses a single reversible electric motor to generate a propulsion force. In one example, the propulsion force is produced by a propeller with a reversible pitch so that it provides a forward propulsion force regardless of its direction of rotation. A torque reaction force from the propeller motor provides directional control for the aircraft. In another example, applied to an ornithopter, a torque reaction force from the motor changes the direction of an in-built asymmetry in the wing-flapping mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,838 describes a toy aircraft in which the motor torque and tail trim are configured to provide a high turning radius and lift at high throttle, but enable substantially straight flight when the throttle is eased back into a low throttle position.
WO 2011/057048 describes another control mechanism for a neutrally buoyant flying toy. The mechanism improves on previously proposed propulsion and control mechanisms by using a reciprocating propulsion surface in conjunction with a movable weight element to adjust the pitch of the toy. The arrangement of WO 2011/057048 facilitates the production of a toy which simulates the movement of a swimming animal such as a shark or a fish.
While the implementations disclosed in the above references provide some improvements in the field of toy control, each has its own deficiencies and drawbacks. For example, the configuration of U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,505 is only suitable for use with articulated propellers. Such propellers are less durable, heavier, and more expensive than permanent twist propellers. U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,838 describes a simple control mechanism with relatively low cost, but which has severely limited control. The mechanism of WO 2011/057048 is relatively complex and does not have general application to a wide range of toy or vehicle types.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an apparatus and method for control of the toy which obviates or mitigates the disadvantages of previously proposed apparatus and methods.
It is amongst the aims and objective of the invention to provide a propulsion apparatus and method of use which is applicable to a wide range of toy and vehicle types, including aeroplanes, blimp-type aircraft, surface and subsurface water-borne vessels, and wheeled vehicles.
It is a further aim and objective of the invention to provide a simple and/or low-cost mechanism for the control of the motion of a toy or vehicle.
Other aims and objects of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a propulsion apparatus for a toy, the propulsion apparatus comprising:
The present invention therefore provides a simple means of varying the propulsion direction of the toy using only the control of a single reversible motor.
Preferably, the rotating drive member is a propeller, which may be a rigid propeller and/or have a fixed propeller pitch. Alternatively the rotating drive member may be a wheel.
The reversible motor and rotating drive member may form a drive assembly, which may be configured to be pivotally mounted on the toy.
The mount axis is preferably inclined (i.e. non-parallel) with respect to the axis of rotation, and may be substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The axis of rotation may be substantially horizontal, and/or the mount axis may be substantially vertical.
The pivot stop mechanism may comprise a pivoting component coupled to the rotating drive member and one or more stop members in a fixed position relative to the toy.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a toy comprising the propulsion apparatus of the first aspect of the invention. Preferably the toy is a remote-control toy, and may comprise a receiver for wirelessly reception of a control signal.
The toy may be selected from the group consisting of: an aeroplane, a blimp-type aircraft, a waterborne toy, or a wheeled toy. The apparatus may be configured to enable the rotating drive member to pivot through approximately 180 degrees.
The first and second propulsion directions are preferably both in a predominant direction. For example, the first and second propulsion directions may be within 180 degrees of one another, and preferably are within 90 degrees of one another. More preferably, the first and second propulsion directions may be within 45 degrees of one another.
The first and second propulsion directions are preferably non-parallel (i.e. are inclined to one another). The first and second propulsion directions may therefore be selected alternately to impart a serpentine or meandering motion to a toy in use. By varying the relative periods during which the drive member is driven to rotate in the first and second directions, the predominant direction of movement can be selected. In some embodiments of the invention, a control system for the propulsion apparatus may be configured to enable a user to manually select the periods during which the drive member is driven to rotate in the first and second directions, and may therefore enable manual control of a serpentine or meandering motion. In alternative embodiments, a control system for the propulsion apparatus may be configured to enable a user to select a predominant direction of motion of the toy, with the periods during which the drive member is driven to rotate in the first and second directions selected automatically by the control system.
One or both of the first and second propulsion directions may comprise an arcuate or curved propulsion direction to the toy. The propulsion apparatus may therefore provide the toy with a turn radius when in one or both of the first or second positions. The turn radius or arcuate or curved propulsion direction may be determined by design parameters of the propulsion apparatus and/or toy selected from trim and motor torque.
Preferably the turn radius is dependent on the operating power of the reversible motor. The propulsion apparatus may be configured to drive the reversible motor at a plurality of operating power levels, and may therefore provide a plurality of turn radii when in one or both of the first or second positions. Preferably the operating power level of the reversible motor is substantially continuously variable (between lower and upper limits). A control system for the propulsion apparatus may be configured to enable a user to manually select the operating power of the reversible motor, or alternatively, a control system may be configured to enable a user to select a predominant direction of motion of the toy, with the operating power selected automatically by the control system.
The toy may comprise a secondary movement mechanism configured to be actuated by pivoting of the drive member, and which may affect the propulsion direction. The secondary movement mechanism may actuate a secondary directional control element of the toy, which may be for example a rudder or a tail. Alternatively or in addition, the secondary movement mechanism may provide animation to the toy.
Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first aspect of the invention or its embodiments, or vice versa.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a toy aeroplane comprising:
Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first or second aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a flying toy comprising:
The flying toy may be configured as a blimp-type aircraft. Alternatively, the flying toy may be configured as an animal, which may be a swimming animal such as a shark, a fish or a whale, or may be a flying animal such as an insect or bird.
The present invention enables a realistic serpentine or meandering motion to be imparted to the flying toy in use, resembling the movement of a swimming animal or a flying animal, with relatively few component parts, a simple means of control and light weight.
Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to third aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling the motion of a toy, the method comprising:
The method may comprise operating the reversible motor to rotate the rotating drive member in the first direction to cause the rotating drive member to pivot with respect to the toy to the first position and provide a propulsion force in a first propulsion direction.
The method may comprise alternately operating the reversible motor to rotate the rotating drive member in the first direction and second directions to cause the rotating drive member to pivot with respect to the toy between the first and second positions and alternately provide a propulsion force in the first and second propulsion directions.
Embodiments of the fifth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to fourth aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a propulsion apparatus for a vehicle, the propulsion apparatus comprising:
Embodiments of the sixth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to fifth aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling the motion of a vehicle, the method comprising:
The method may comprise operating the reversible motor to rotate the rotating drive member in the first direction to cause the rotating drive member to pivot with respect to the toy to the first position and provide a propulsion force in a first propulsion direction.
The method may comprise alternately operating the reversible motor to rotate the rotating drive member in the first direction and second directions to cause the rotating drive member to pivot with respect to the vehicle between the first and second positions and alternately provide a propulsion force in the first and second propulsion directions.
Embodiments of the seventh aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to sixth aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
There will now be described, by way of example only, various embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, of which:
Referring firstly to
The drive assembly 14 comprises a reversible electric motor 18 controlled remotely via a control cable 27 coupled to a receiver (not shown). The electric motor is reversible and is therefore capable of running the propeller in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, dependent on polarity of a current signal to the motor. The motor drives a gearing mechanism 20 which comprises a gear cog 24 and a pinion cog 26 selected to provide a suitable ratio of torque and revolution speed for the propeller according to the operational parameters of the motor 18.
The propeller 12 and drive assembly 14 are mounted to a support member 17 by a mounting shaft 28, which is pivotally mounted on the support member 17. The propeller and drive assembly are rotationally keyed with the mounting shaft 28 such that pivoting of the shaft on the support assembly causes the propeller 12 and drive assembly 14 to be pivoted with respect to the support member 17. The apparatus also comprises a stop assembly 30 which functions to limit the pivoting of the propeller 12 and drive assembly 14 about the support member 17. The stop assembly 30 comprises a pair of laterally extending beams 31 which support stop rods 32. The stop rods 32 are arranged to abut against stop surfaces 34 provided on opposing sides of the support member 17.
In this example, when the motor 18 and propeller 12 are driven to rotate in a first rotational direction (e.g. clockwise), the propulsion unit generates a forward thrust in the direction A, to which the surface 36 of the propeller faces (i.e. away from the propeller shaft side). In the position shown in
In a second mode of operation, the motor and propeller are driven in a second rotational direction (e.g. anti-clockwise). This causes the propeller to generate a thrust in the opposing direction, in this case in the direction B, away from the surface 38 of the propeller (i.e. on the propeller shaft side). The initial effect of the change in thrust direction is to generate an opposing thrust reaction force to cause the propeller 12 and drive assembly 14 to pivot until the stop assembly 30 abuts stop surfaces 34 on the opposing side of the support member 17. This position is shown in
It will be apparent from the above description that the propulsion apparatus generates an overall thrust in the same general direction, regardless of the rotational direction of the motor. This is achieved by the pivoting of elements of the propulsion apparatus (and in particular the propeller which generates the thrust) to reverse the thrust direction.
When the motor direction is reversed, the thrust direction from the propeller is also reversed. This causes the propulsion unit to be rotated to a second position as shown in
The propulsion apparatus of this embodiment therefore enables the flight path to be varied simply by reversing the direction of the motor. Alternating the direction of the motor allows the aircraft to follow a serpentine or meandering flight path. By varying the periods during which the motor is run in the first and second directions, the aeroplane can be provided with directional control. By providing alternating periods of motor direction, a predominantly straight flight path can be achieved by means of the simple control mechanism. Varying the power to the motor causes a variation to the turning radius, with increased power decreasing the turning radius. Therefore directional control can be provided by adjusting the power to the motor to provide a tighter or less tight turning radius during operation.
Although the embodiment of
Other implementations of the propulsion unit are within the scope of the invention, and
In
The invention has application to flying toys and aircraft other than the toy aeroplanes described above, and there will now be described an application to a blimp-type aircraft which uses lighter-than-air gas to provide the aircraft with buoyancy in air.
The drive assembly 214 is joined to a mounting shaft 220 by a support arm 222. The support arm 222 is able to pivot with respect to the mounting shaft about pivot point 224, within limits defined by a stop mechanism 230. The stop mechanism comprises a tab 232 attached to the support arm 222, and a pair of stop plates 234 secured to the mounting shaft 222. The support arm is capable of rotating with respect to the mounting shaft by up to approximately 180 degrees.
At an end of the support arm 222 opposed from the drive assembly 214 is a printed circuit board (PCB) 236 which provides the receiver and control circuitry for the propulsion unit.
An upper end 238 of the mounting shaft 220 is provided with an attachment pad 240 which permits the propulsion unit 210 to be mounted to a flying toy. A ballast ring 250 is located towards the upper end 238 of the mounting shaft 220.
Operation of the flying toy 200 will now be described with reference to
In
As with the previously described embodiments, the propulsion unit enables the flight path to be varied simply by reversing the direction of the motor. Alternating the direction of the motor allows the aircraft to follow a serpentine or meandering flight path, and by varying the periods during which the motor is run in the first and second directions, the aircraft can be provided with directional control. The invention facilitates the production of a toy which simulates the movement of a swimming animal such as a shark or a fish, or a flying animal such as an insect or bird. Embodiments of the invention may be configured to have the appearance of swimming animals or flying animals rather than the vehicles shown in the drawings.
The above-described embodiments of the invention relate to remote-control toy aircraft implementations, but it will be appreciated that the invention also has application to the control of vehicles of other types.
Applications to other vehicle types are also within the scope of the invention, and include remote controlled submarine vessels.
Further non-illustrated embodiments of the invention may be configured to include secondary directional control mechanisms actuated by movement of the drive assembly between first and second positions. In one such arrangement, the pivoting of the drive member of the propulsion unit by changing the direction of the motor adjusts the position of the centre of gravity of the apparatus and has a direct effect on the pitch or bank of an aircraft in flight. In another configuration, pivoting of the drive member of the propulsion is coupled to the movement of an additional directional element of an apparatus, such as movement of a rudder or raising or lowering of landing gear. The additional motion may be of a functional nature (as in the case of a rudder or landing gear), or may be simply for additional animation to the toy. For example, on a fish-like blimp implementation, each time the drive mechanism changes position, it could cause fins mounted on the body to flap up and down. On a boat implementation, the change in position could actuate a small figurine changing position of a steering wheel, or mimicking a rowing motion. Other variations are within the scope of the invention.
The invention provides a propulsion apparatus for a toy or a vehicle. The propulsion apparatus comprises a rotating drive member having an axis of rotation, and a reversible motor coupled to the rotating drive member to rotate the drive member in first and second directions. A mounting arrangement is configured to pivotally mount the rotating drive member onto a toy about a mount axis, and at least one pivot stop mechanism is provided. The apparatus is configured such that operation of the reversible motor to rotate the drive member in the first direction causes the drive member to pivot about the mount axis to a first position defined by the at least one pivot stop mechanism and provide a propulsion force in a first propulsion direction. Operation of the reversible motor to rotate the drive member in the second direction causes the drive member to pivot about the mount axis to a second position defined by the at least one pivot stop mechanism and provide a propulsion force in a second propulsion direction. The invention has application to flying toys, vehicles and vessels.
The invention delivers a number of benefits over convention control mechanisms used in the toy industry. For example, a toy equipped with the propulsion unit of the present invention can turn in two directions, which provides improved control compared existing solutions in which propeller speed is simply varied to control the turning radius of a single circle. The propulsion unit does not require an articulated propeller, and therefore has increased durability coupled with reduced weight and cost. Propellers used in embodiments of the invention can have permanent blade twist to increase thrust compared with articulated propeller systems. In addition, the present invention when applied to aircraft allows an airframe that is very stable in roll can be used, as it does not rely on roll-yaw coupling to turn. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention can be used on buoyant craft such as blimps and boats (where since roll-yaw coupling does not exist). The invention can also be used to control pitch of an aircraft by changing the orientation of the pivot, which is this is not possible when relying on the torque reaction systems of the prior art.
Variations to the above-described embodiments of the invention are within the scope of the invention, and the invention extends to combinations of features other than those expressly claimed herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1217535.2 | Oct 2012 | GB | national |
