Abstract:
A lock mechanism includes a snapping part and a pressing part configured to be slidably connected with a first body. The pressing part includes a pressing end and an abutting end opposite to the pressing end. The abutting end is configured to abut against the snapping part to make the snapping part engage with a second body and to lock the second body onto the first body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/CN2014/090276, filed on Nov. 4, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a propeller, and in particular, to a lock mechanism of a propeller. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    A propeller is generally used as a propulsor for aerial vehicles, ships, or other devices. The propeller generally includes a blade set and a base. The blade set is mounted on the base, and at the same time, a driving shaft is connected with the base. The driving shaft rotates under the action of a motor to drive the blade set to rotate together. At present, the base and the driving shaft are fixedly connected with each other generally through close-fit threading or by punching screw holes on the base and the driving shaft and then using screws to fixedly mount the base onto the driving shaft. 
         [0004]    When the base and a rotary shaft are fixed through the aforementioned close-fit threading, a tightening direction of the base is the same as a rotation direction of the blade set in the working process, and the blade set is in a good connection with the rotary shaft during startup and normal operation. However, in an event that the blade set suddenly slows down or the acceleration varies significantly, under the accelerations, the base and the driving shaft, are likely to loosen up. In addition, in an event of a vibration in a large amplitude, the base and the driving shaft are likely to loosen up, causing a propeller runaway. However, the base and the driving shaft fixed by the screwing manner above are not easy to be removed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    In view of this, the present disclosure provides a propeller that is easy to remove and has a lock mechanism, an aerial vehicle having the propeller and a lock mechanism. 
         [0006]    In accordance with the disclosure, there is provided a lock mechanism including a snapping part and a pressing part configured to be slidably connected with a first body. The pressing part includes a pressing end and an abutting end opposite to the pressing end. The abutting end is configured to abut against the snapping part to make the snapping part engage with a second body and to lock the second body onto the first body. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the snapping part is configured to fit in a slot disposed on a free end of a snapping arm on the second body and engage with the slot, to make the second body locked onto the first body. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the pressing part is configured to separate from the snapping part when the pressing part slides to a pre-set position relative to the first body, causing the snapping part to detach from the second body to allow the second body to separate from the first body. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the lock part further includes an elastic member configured to abut between the pressing part and the first body, and the snapping part is configured to engage with the second body when the elastic member is in a natural state. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the lock mechanism further includes a mounting base configured to be connected with the first body. The mounting base includes a bush part having a receiving hole configured to partially receive the second body. A side wall of the bush part includes a through hole accommodating the snapping part. The pressing part includes art accommodating hole disposed on the abutting end. An inner side wall of the accommodating hole includes a recess. When the snapping part engages with the second body, one end of the snapping part is snapped to the second body and another end of the snapping part abuts against the inner side wall of the accommodating hole. When the pressing part slides to a pre-set position relative to the first body, the recess is communicated with the through hole, and the snapping part is separated from the inner side wall of the accommodating hole, causing the snapping part to detach from the second body. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the mounting base includes a mounting hole configured to connect with the second body, the mounting hole being in communication with the receiving hole. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the lock part further includes a pin and the pressing part comprises a sliding slot. One end of the pin is configured to connect with the first body and another end of the pin is slidably received in the sliding slot. The pin is configured to slide in the sliding slot and limit movement of the pressing part relative to the first body. 
         [0013]    Also in accordance with the disclosure, there is provided a propeller including a blade set and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a snapping part and a pressing part configured to be slidably connected with the blade set. The pressing part includes a pressing end and an abetting end opposite to the pressing end. The abutting end is configured to abut against the snapping part to make the snapping part engage with a driving shaft and to lock the driving shaft onto the blade set. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the snapping part is configured to fit in a slot disposed on a free end of a snapping arm on the driving shaft and engage with the slot, to make the driving shaft locked onto the propeller. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the abutting end of the pressing part is configured to separate from the snapping part when the pressing part slides to a pre-set position relative to the blade set, causing the snapping part to detach from the driving to allow the driving shaft to separate from the blade set. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the propeller further includes a mounting base configured to be connected with the blade set. The mounting base includes a bush pan having a receiving hole configured to partially receive the snapping arm. A side wall of the bush part includes a through hole accommodating the snapping part. The pressing part includes an accommodating hole disposed on the abutting end. An inner side wall of the accommodating hole includes a recess. When the snapping part engages with the driving shaft, one end of the snapping part is snapped to the driving shaft and another end of the snapping part abuts against the inner side wall of the accommodating hole. When the pressing part slides to a pre-set position relative to the blade set, the recess is communicated with the through hole, and the snapping part is separated from the inner side wall of the accommodating hole, causing the snapping part to detach from the driving shaft. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the lock part further includes an elastic member configured to abut between the pressing part and the blade set, and the snapping part is configured to engage with the driving shaft when the elastic member is in a natural state. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the mounting base includes a mounting hole configured to connect with the driving shaft. The mounting hole is in communication with the receiving hole. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the through hole is a first through hole and the blade set includes a second through hole. The mounting base is fixed in the second through hole, and the pressing part is slidably disposed in the second through hole. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the lock part further includes a pin and the pressing part includes a sliding slot. One end of the pin is connected with the blade set and another end of the pin is slidably received in the sliding slot. The pin is configured to slide in the sliding slot and limit movement of the pressing part relative to the blade set. 
         [0021]    Also in accordance with the disclosure, there is provided an aerial vehicle including an aerial vehicle body, a motor disposed on the aerial vehicle body and including a driving shaft, and a propeller connected with the driving shaft. The propeller includes a blade set and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a snapping part and a pressing part configured to be slidably connected with the blade set. The pressing part includes a pressing end and an abutting end opposite to the pressing end. The abutting end is configured to abut against the snapping part to make the snapping part engage with the driving shaft and to lock the driving shaft onto the blade set. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the snapping part is configured to fit in a slot disposed on a free end of a snapping arm on the driving shaft and engage with the slot, to make the driving shaft locked onto the propeller. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the abutting end of the pressing part is configured to separate from the snapping part when the pressing part slides to a pre-set position relative to the blade set, causing the snapping part to detach from the driving to allow the driving shaft to separate from the blade set. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the slot includes a recess formed through depression from an outer side surface of the free end of the snapping arm. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the lock mechanism further includes a mounting base configured to be connected with the blade set. The mounting base includes a bush part having a receiving hole configured to partially receive the snapping arm. A side wall of the bush part includes a through hole accommodating the snapping part. The pressing part includes an accommodating hole disposed on the abutting end. An inner side wall of the accommodating hole includes a recess. When the snapping part engages with the driving shaft, one end of the snapping part is snapped to the driving shaft and another end of the snapping part abuts against the inner side wall of the accommodating hole. When the pressing part slides to a pre-set position relative to the blade set, the recess is communicated with the through hole, and the snapping part is separated from the inner side wall of the accommodating hole, causing the snapping part to detach from the driving shaft. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the mounting base includes a mounting hole configured to connect with the driving shaft. The mounting hole is in communication with the receiving hole provided inside the bush part and configured to receive the snapping arm. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the through hole is a first through hole and the blade set includes a second through hole. The mounting base is fixed in the second through hole, and the pressing part is slidably disposed in the second through hole. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the lock part further includes a pin. The pressing part includes a sliding slot. One end of the pin is connected with the blade set and another end of the pin is slidably received in the sliding slot. The pin is configured to slide in the sliding slot and limit movement of the pressing part relative to the blade set. 
         [0029]    According to the propeller that uses the lock device of the present disclosure, even if the propeller vibrates in a large amplitude or the acceleration varies significantly, the propeller and the driving shaft will not loosen up, and the propeller that uses the lock device has a structure allowing simple disassembly and having parts that are easy to replace. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a schematic structural diagram of a propeller according to an implementation mode of the present disclosure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is an exploded schematic structural diagram of the propeller in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a schematic sectional diagram of the propeller in  FIG. 2  along III-III. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a schematic structural diagram of the driving shaft and the mounting base in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a schematic sectional diagram of the propeller in  FIG. 1  in a locked state. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a schematic sectional diagram of the propeller in  FIG. 1  in an unlocked state. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS OF MAIN ELEMENTS 
       [0036]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Propeller 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 Driving shaft 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 First end portion 
                 11 
               
               
                   
                 External thread 
                 111 
               
               
                   
                 Second end portion 
                 12 
               
               
                   
                 Snapping arm 
                 13 
               
               
                   
                 Slot 
                 14 
               
               
                   
                 Blade set 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Hub 
                 21 
               
               
                   
                 Blade 
                 22 
               
               
                   
                 First through hole 
                 23 
               
               
                   
                 First opening 
                 231 
               
               
                   
                 Second opening 
                 232 
               
               
                   
                 Mounting base 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 Third end portion 
                 31 
               
               
                   
                 First recess 
                 310 
               
               
                   
                 Fourth end portion 
                 32 
               
               
                   
                 Mounting hole 
                 33 
               
               
                   
                 Internal thread 
                 331 
               
               
                   
                 First accommodating hole 
                 34 
               
               
                   
                 Hole 
                 35 
               
               
                   
                 Bush part 
                 36 
               
               
                   
                 Bottom surface 
                 37 
               
               
                   
                 Second through hole 
                 38 
               
               
                   
                 Third through hole 
                 39 
               
               
                   
                 Lock part 
                 40 
               
               
                   
                 Pressing part 
                 41 
               
               
                   
                 Pressing end 
                 411 
               
               
                   
                 Abutting end 
                 412 
               
               
                   
                 First blocking portion 
                 413 
               
               
                   
                 Second accommodating hole 
                 414 
               
               
                   
                 Second recess 
                 415 
               
               
                   
                 Sliding slot 
                 416 
               
               
                   
                 Inner side wall 
                 417 
               
               
                   
                 Snapping part  
                 42 
               
               
                   
                 Elastic member 
                 43 
               
               
                   
                 Pin 
                 44 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0037]    Exemplary embodiments will be described below in connection with the above-mentioned drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , it is a schematic structural diagram of a propeller  100  according to an implementation mode of the present disclosure. The propeller  100  includes a blade set  20 . The blade set  20  is connected with a driving shaft  10 . The driving shaft  10  is further connected with an electric motor (not shown), and the electric motor drives the driving shaft  10  to rotate, thus driving the blade set  20  to rotate. The propeller  100  can be used in unmanned aerial vehicles, remote control aircrafts, and other aerial vehicles. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  together, the propeller  100  further includes a mounting base  30 , and a lock part  40 . The lock part  40  includes a pressing part  41  and a snapping part  42 . In the implementation mode, the lock part  40  further includes an elastic member  43 . 
         [0040]    The blade set  20  includes a hub  21  and a blade  22 , and the hub  21  is provided thereon with a first through hole  23 . The first through hole  23  includes a first opening  231  and a second opening  232  disposed opposite to each other. 
         [0041]    In the implementation mode, the hub  21  and the blade  22  of the blade set  20  are integrally injection-molded. An outer side wall of the mounting base  30  is recessed inwardly to form a first recess  310 . During injection molding of the blade set  20 , at first, the mounting base  30  is placed at a corresponding position in a cavity of a mold. Then, molten plastic is injected. The molten plastic can be filled into the first recess  310  in the process of injection molding. After demolding, the mounting base  30  is directly fixed into the hub  21  of the blade set  20 . The first recess  310  is used for increasing the binding force between the mounting base  30  and the hub  21 , and the first recess  310  may be an annular slot or a plurality of concave holes formed through inward depression from the outer side wall of the mounting base  30 . In another implementation mode, it is also feasible to dispose a protruding part on the outer side wall of the mounting base  30  to increase the binding force between the mounting base  30  and the hub  21  by wrapping the protruding part with plastic in the injection molding. 
         [0042]    In other implementation modes, the mounting base  30  is inserted into the first through hole  23  from the first opening  231 , and is fixedly connected with the hub  21 . The mounting base  30  may be connected with the hub  21  through adhesion, interference fit, snapping, or the like. As the mounting base  30  is fixedly connected with the hub  21 , when the electric motor drives the driving shaft  10  to rotate, the mounting base  30  drives the blade  22  of the blade set  20  to rotate. 
         [0043]    In one implementation mode, the diameter of the first opening  231  of the first through hole  23  is less than the maximum diameter of the mounting base  30 , and the mounting base  30  will not fall out from the first opening  231  of the first through hole  23 . The diameter of the second opening  232  of the first through hole  23  is greater than the maximum diameter of the mounting base  30 , and the mounting base  30  can be loaded into the first through hole  23  from the second opening  232 . The huh  21  may also be manufactured with an elastic material. The second opening  232  of the first through hole  23  may be equal to or slightly less than the maximum diameter of the mounting base  30 , and by elastic deformation of the elastic material, the mounting base  30  can be loaded into the first through hole  23  from the second opening  232 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  together, the driving shaft  10  includes a first end portion  11  and a second end portion  12  disposed opposite to each other. The first end portion  11  is used for connecting with the mounting base  30 , and the second end portion  12  is used for connecting with the electric motor. The driving shaft  10  further includes a snapping arm  13  that protrudes from the first end portion  11  and extends along an axial direction of the driving shaft  10 , and a free end of the snapping arm  13  is provided thereon with a slot  14  that fits in with the snapping part  42 . In the implementation mode, the slot  14  is an annular recess formed, at a position on the snapping arm  13  close to the free end, through inward depression from the outer side wall of the snapping arm  13 . In other implementation modes, the slot  14  is one or more recesses formed, at a position on the snapping arm  13  close to the free end, through inward depression from the outer side wall of the snapping arm  13 . 
         [0045]    The mounting base  30  includes a third end portion  31  and a fourth end portion  32  disposed opposite to each other. The fourth end portion  32  of the mounting base  30  is provided thereon with a mounting hole  33 . In the implementation mode, the driving shaft  10  and the mounting base  30  are connected through thread fit. Specifically, the first end portion  11  of the driving shaft  10  is provided thereon with an external thread  111 , and the mounting hole  33  on the fourth end portion  32  of the mounting base  30  is internally provided with an internal thread  331 . 
         [0046]    The mounting base  30  further includes a bush part  30 . The bush part  36  is internally formed with a hole  35  in communication with the mounting hole  33 , and a side wall of the bush part  36  is further provided thereon with a second through hole  38  used for accommodating the snapping part  42 . The wall thickness of the bush part  36  is less than the diameter of the snapping part  42 . When the first end portion  11  of the driving shaft  10  and the mounting base  30  are connected, the snapping arm  13  passes through the mounting hole  33  and is received in the hole  35 . 
         [0047]    In the implementation mode, the third end portion  31  of the mounting base  30  is further provided thereon with a first accommodating hole  34 . The bush part  36  is formed, in a protruding way, on a bottom surface  37  of the first accommodating hole  34 , and the hole  35  is disposed inside the bush part  36  and is in communication with the mounting hole  33 . When the first end portion  11  of the driving shaft  10  and the mounting base  30  are connected, the snapping arm  13  passes through the mounting hole  33  and is received in the hole  35 . A side wall of the first accommodating hole  34  of the third end portion  31  of the mounting base  30  is further provided thereon with a third through hole  39 . 
         [0048]    In other implementation modes, the first accommodating hole  34  may also be unnecessary, and the bush part  36  may be formed, in a protruding way, from atop surface of the third end portion  31  of the mounting base  30 . 
         [0049]    The pressing part  41  of the lock part  40  includes a second accommodating hole  414  and a second recess  415  disposed on an inner side wall  417  of the second accommodating hole  414 . In one implementation mode, the second recess  415  is an annular recess formed through inward depression on the inner side wall  417  of the second accommodating hole  414 . In other implementation modes, the second recess  415  is one or more concave holes formed through inward depression on the inner side wall  417  of the second accommodating hole  414 . In some embodiments, inward depression on the inner side wall of the second accommodating hole  414  may refer to a depression from the inner side wall  417  into the vertical portion of the pressing part  41 , as shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 3 . 
         [0050]    In the implementation mode, the pressing part  41  includes a pressing end  411  and an abutting end  412  disposed opposite to each other, and an outer side wall of the pressing part  41  is further provided with a first blocking portion  413  and a sliding slot  416  extending along the axial direction of the driving shaft  10 . In the implementation mode, the diameter of the pressing end  411  of the pressing part  41  is greater than the diameter of the abutting end  412 , and the first blocking portion  413  is an annular step surface. In other implementation modes, the first blocking portion  413  may be an annular blocking wall protruding on the outer side wall of the pressing part  41 . 
         [0051]    The abutting end  412  of the pressing part  41  is inserted into the first through hole  23  from the second opening  232  of the first through hole  23  of the blade set  20 . The elastic member  43  abuts between the first blocking portion  413  of the pressing part  41  and the mounting base  30 . In the implementation mode, the elastic member  43  abuts between the first blocking portion  413  of the pressing part  41  and the bottom surface  37  of the first accommodating hole  34  on the mounting base  30 . 
         [0052]    In the implementation mode, the snapping part  42  is a ball, the ball may be a steel ball or a ball made of another material. In the implementation mode, the number of the snapping parts  42  is three. In other implementation modes, the number of the snapping parts  42  is one, two, four, or more. The slot  14  on the snapping arm  13  of the driving shaft  10  is a curved recess of which the radius is the same as that of the snapping part  42 . The number of the second through holes  38  used for accommodating the snapping part  42  and provided on the side wall of the bush part  36  corresponds to the number of the snapping parts  42 . 
         [0053]    In combination with  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , the mounting base  30  is fixed into the first through hole  23 , and is fixedly connected with the blade set  20 . The pressing part  41  is inserted into the first through hole  23  from the second opening  232  on the blade set  20 . The elastic member  43  abuts between the first blocking portion  413  of the pressing part  41  and the mounting base  30 , and under the action of the elastic member  43 , the pressing end  411  of the pressing part  41  partially extends out of the second opening  232  on the blade set  20 . The first end portion  11  of the driving shaft  10  is connected with the mounting hole  33  of the mounting base  30 . The snapping arm  13  passes through the mounting hole  33  and is received in the bole  35 . The bush part  36  is inserted into the second accommodating hole  414  of the pressing part  41 . 
         [0054]    In the implementation mode, the lock part  40  further includes a pin  44 . One end of the pin  44  passes through the third through hole  39  disposed on a side wall of the first accommodating hole  34  of the third end portion  31  of the mounting base  30  and is slidably accommodated in the sliding slot  416 , and the pin  44  is used for limiting a sliding path of the pressing part  41  relative to the mounting base  30 . At the same time, the pin  44  is further used for blocking the pressing part  41  from falling out from the first through hole  23 . 
         [0055]    In one implementation mode, a protruding block is formed, in a protruding way, on the side wall of the first accommodating hole  34  of the third end portion  31  of the mounting base  30 , and the protruding block fits in with the sliding slot  416  to limit a sliding trajectory of the pressing part  41 . In other implementation modes, it is also feasible to limit the sliding path and the maximum sliding position of the pressing part  41  in the first through hole  23  by disposing a blocking portion on the inner side wall of the first through hole  23  or in another manner. 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the lock part  40  is in a locked state. The second recess  415  of the pressing part  41  is staggered from the second through hole  38  of the bush part  36 . The snapping part  42  is accommodated in the second through hole  38  of the bush part  36 . One end of the snapping part  42  is snapped into the slot  14  of the snapping arm  13  of the driving shaft  10 , and the other end abuts against the inner side wall  417  of the second accommodating hole  414  of the pressing part  41  to make it impossible for the snapping part  42  to detach from the slot  14 , thereby achieving locking of the driving shaft  10 . 
         [0057]    In combination with  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6 , the lock part  40  is in an unlocked state. When the pressing part  41  of the lock part  40  is driven by an external force to slide to a pre-set position along the first through hole  23  of the blade set  20  towards a direction close to the driving shaft  10 , the second recess  415  of the pressing part  41  is communicated with a second through hole  38  on the side wall of the bush part  36 . On an inner side of the second accommodating hole  414  of the pressing part  41 , the snapping part  42  can be detached from the slot  14 , and the elastic member  43  is in a compression state. In the unlocked state, the external force applied to the pressing part  41  is maintained, which can separate the mounting base  30  from the driving shaft  10 . For example, in the implementation mode, the driving shaft  10  and the mounting base  30  are connected through thread fit, and the mounting base  30  and the driving shaft  10  can be separated from each other only by rotating the blade set  20  along an unscrewing direction. 
         [0058]    In the unlocked state, the external force applied to the pressing part  41  is withdrawn, and the pressing part  41 , under the action of the elastic member  43 , slides along the first through hole  23  of the blade set  20  towards a direction away from the driving shaft  10  to return to the locked state shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0059]    In one implementation mode, the mounting base  30  and the hub  21  may also be integrally formed. 
         [0060]    In other implementation modes, the pressing part  41  of the lock part  40  only needs to be slidably disposed on the blade set  20  to make the bush part  36  to be inserted into the second accommodating hole  414  of the pressing part  41 . When the pressing part  41  slides to a pre-set position, the second recess  415  on the inner side wall  417  of the second accommodating hole  414  of the pressing part  41  is communicated with the second through hole  38  on the side wall of the bush part  36 , and the snapping part  42  accommodated in the second through hole  38  can be detached from the slot  14 . 
         [0061]    In other implementation manners, the pressing part  41  of the lock part  40  is slidably disposed on the blade set  20 . The snapping part  42  may be a telescopic catch pin or protruding block disposed on the pressing part  41 , and when the pressing part  41  slides to a pre-set position on the blade set  20 , the position of the snapping part  42  corresponds to the position of the slot  14  of the snapping arm  13  of the driving shaft  10  to be snapped into the slot, thereby achieving locking of the driving shaft  10 . 
         [0062]    In the implementation mode, by disposing the snapping arm  13  having the slot  14  on the driving shaft  10  and disposing the lock part  40 , the driving shaft  10  can be locked on the mounting base  30 . Even if the propeller  100  vibrates in a large amplitude or the acceleration varies significantly, the driving shaft  10  and the mounting base  30  may not loosen up. Moreover, the propeller  100  in the implementation mode has a structure allowing simple disassembly and having parts that are easy to replace. Persons of ordinary skill in the art should realize that the above implementation modes are merely used to describe the present disclosure, but are not intended to limit the present disclosure, and any proper changes and variations made to the above embodiments within the essential spirit and scope of the present disclosure shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure.