Drone automatic loading and unloading equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides an automatic loading and unloading device for unmanned aerial vehicles, including a landing platform, a cargo hold unloading mechanism, a cargo hold loading mechanism, a take-off platform and a power source, the power source supplies power to the landing platform, the cargo hold unloading mechanism, the cargo hold loading mechanism and the take-off platform; a conveyor belt is arranged on the landing platform, the end of which is connected to the cargo hold unloading mechanism; the cargo hold unloading mechanism is connected to the cargo hold loading mechanism, a unmanned aerial vehicle conveying roller is arranged thereon to dock with the conveyor belt, a cargo hold unloading port is arranged on the unmanned aerial vehicle conveying roller, and the size of the cargo hold unloading port can accommodate a cargo hold sinking through; the cargo hold loading mechanism includes an unmanned aerial vehicle conveying device and a loading device, the starting end of the unmanned aerial vehicle conveying device is docked with the unmanned aerial vehicle conveying roller, and the end is docked with the take-off platform, the loading device is arranged directly below the unmanned aerial vehicle conveying positioning device, and can drive the cargo hold to reciprocate in the vertical direction. The present invention realizes the complete unmanned and automated processing of the unloading and loading of the unmanned aerial vehicle cargo hold from landing to take-off.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cargo loading and unloading, and in particular to automatic cargo loading and unloading equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles. Background Art

[0002] Using drones to transport goods is an inevitable trend in the future logistics and express delivery industry. How to use drones for logistics transportation while ensuring safety and reliability is the prerequisite for using drones for delivery.

[0003] In actual use scenarios, logistics drones require a large number of auxiliary facilities of ground equipment, including communications, warehouses, system management, etc. Currently, logistics drones generally adopt a design method of separating drones from cargo warehouses. During the use of drones, the cargo warehouse system will form a set of ground systems related to drones.

[0004] The design of separating the aircraft and the cargo hold can effectively manage the standardized cargo hold in the warehouse, but each time the aircraft performs a mission, the drone needs to be loaded and unloaded from the cargo hold.

[0005] The cargo hold of drones is generally located at the bottom of the aircraft. For manual loading and unloading, loading and unloading the cargo hold from the bottom to the top is cumbersome. The in-and-out processing of standardized cargo holds requires a smarter way of loading and unloading drones for the management of cargo flow in warehouses. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention provides an automatic loading and unloading device for unmanned aerial vehicles, which realizes the unmanned operation of the entire process from landing of the unmanned aerial vehicle, unloading of the unmanned aerial vehicle in a cargo hold, loading of the cargo hold, to the unmanned operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle taking off again.

[0007] An automatic loading and unloading device for unmanned aerial vehicles of the present invention comprises a landing platform, a cargo hold unloading mechanism, a cargo hold loading mechanism, a take-off platform and a power source, wherein the power source supplies power to the landing platform, the cargo hold unloading mechanism, the cargo hold loading mechanism and the take-off platform; a first conveyor belt is arranged on the landing platform, and the end of the first conveyor belt is connected to the cargo hold unloading mechanism; the cargo hold unloading mechanism is connected to the cargo hold loading mechanism, and a unmanned aerial vehicle conveying roller is arranged thereon to connect with the first conveyor belt, and a cargo hold unloading port is arranged on the unmanned aerial vehicle conveying roller, and the size of the cargo hold unloading port can accommodate a cargo hold sinking and passing through; the cargo hold loading mechanism comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle conveying device and a loading device, the starting end of the unmanned aerial vehicle conveying device is connected with the unmanned aerial vehicle conveying roller, and the end is connected with the take-off platform, and the loading device is arranged directly below the unmanned aerial vehicle conveying positioning device, and can drive the cargo hold to reciprocate in the vertical direction.

[0008] Furthermore, the cargo warehouse unloading mechanism also includes sensors and drone positioning pushers. The sensors are used to sense whether the drone enters the drone conveying roller. The drone positioning pushers are installed on both sides of the drone conveying roller. They can move toward the center of the drone conveying roller and push the drone toward the center.

[0009] Furthermore, the cargo hold unloading mechanism also includes an unloading device, which is arranged directly below the cargo hold unloading port on the drone conveying roller, and can drive the cargo hold to move back and forth in the vertical direction.

[0010] Preferably, the unloading device includes an unloading lifting track and an unloading platform. The unloading lifting track is vertically arranged, and the unloading platform is arranged directly below the cargo hold unloading port on the drone conveyor roller and can move back and forth along the unloading lifting track.

[0011] Furthermore, the cargo warehouse unloading mechanism also includes a cargo warehouse entry track, a starting end of which docks with the unloading platform when it runs to the bottom position, and a terminal end is connected to the destination position of the cargo warehouse transportation.

[0012] Furthermore, the cargo hold loading mechanism also includes a drone positioning device, which is installed on both sides of the drone conveying device to position the drone directly above the loading device.

[0013] Preferably, the loading device comprises a loading lifting track and a device platform, the loading lifting track is vertically arranged, and the loading platform can move back and forth along the loading lifting track.

[0014] Furthermore, the cargo warehouse loading mechanism also includes a cargo warehouse conveying track, which is connected to the loading platform when it runs to the bottom end position of the loading lifting track.

[0015] Furthermore, the cargo warehouse loading mechanism also includes a cargo warehouse positioning device, which is installed on both sides of the cargo warehouse conveying track to position the cargo warehouse on the loading platform.

[0016] Preferably, a second conveyor belt is provided on the take-off platform, and the starting end of the second conveyor belt is butted against the end of the drone conveying device.

[0017] Furthermore, a cargo warehouse outbound interface is also provided on the take-off platform, a starting end of which is connected to the cargo warehouse outbound position, and a terminal end is docked with the cargo warehouse conveying track.

[0018] The automatic loading and unloading equipment for drones of the present invention realizes completely unmanned and automated processing of the drone from landing to take-off, and the unloading and loading of the drone cargo hold; the circulation of the cargo hold in the entire equipment can be seamlessly connected with the warehouse cargo hold entry and exit track interface; the drone landing point and take-off point are separated, and the landing and take-off can not interfere with each other, realizing the entry of drone queues, and improving the efficiency of drone loading and unloading. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention rather than for the purpose of limiting the present invention.

[0020] Figure 1This is a general schematic diagram of the automatic loading and unloading equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the docking of the UAV landing platform and the cargo hold unloading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a front view of the docking of the UAV landing platform and the cargo hold unloading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a cargo hold loading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 A front view of a cargo hold loading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 The figure is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a take-off platform according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The specific embodiments of the present invention are used to specifically illustrate the present invention, but are not limited to the specific embodiments.

[0027] Figure 1 The figure is a general schematic diagram of the automatic loading and unloading equipment of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the automatic loading and unloading equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles of this embodiment includes a landing platform 2, a cargo hold unloading mechanism 3, a cargo hold loading mechanism 4, a take-off platform 5 and a power source (not shown).

[0029] The power source provides power for the entire UAV automatic loading and unloading equipment, and supplies power to the landing platform 2, the cargo hold unloading mechanism 3, the cargo hold loading mechanism 4 and the take-off platform 5. The power source can be an external power source connected to the entire device, or it can be a drive motor provided for each mechanism.

[0030] After the drone 1 completes the transportation task, it returns to the automatic loading and unloading equipment with the cargo hold 11 through the guidance system and lands on the landing platform 2. The landing platform 2 is provided with a first conveyor belt 21, and the end of the first conveyor belt 21 is connected to the cargo hold unloading mechanism 3. After the drone 1 completes the landing, the first conveyor belt 21 starts to transport the drone 1 to the cargo hold unloading mechanism 3. The landing platform 2 may be provided with a sensor, which receives a signal to automatically start the first conveyor belt 21 and transport the drone 1 forward.

[0031] The cargo warehouse unloading mechanism 3 is connected to the cargo warehouse loading mechanism 4, and is provided with a drone conveying roller 31 that docks with the first conveyor belt 21. The drone conveying roller 31 is provided with a cargo warehouse unloading port 36, and the size of the cargo warehouse unloading port 36 can accommodate a cargo warehouse 11 to sink and pass through. Generally, the cross-sectional size of the cargo warehouse 11 is smaller than the cargo warehouse unloading port 36. After the first conveyor belt 21 conveys the drone 1 to the cargo warehouse unloading mechanism 3, the drone 1 continues to move under the rolling action of the drone conveying roller 31. When the drone 1 moves to the top of the cargo warehouse unloading port 36, the sensor set on the cargo warehouse unloading mechanism 3 senses the position of the drone 1 and stops the operation of the drone conveying roller 31. At this time, the cargo warehouse 11 is located just above the cargo warehouse unloading port 36 and can fall into the cargo warehouse unloading port 36. The drone 1 opens the locking structure of the cargo warehouse 11, and the cargo warehouse 11 can be unloaded. The unloaded cargo warehouse 11 falls into the cargo warehouse unloading port 36 and moves downward through the cargo warehouse unloading port 36.

[0032] The cargo hold loading mechanism 4 includes a drone conveying device 46 and a loading device 44. The starting end 461 of the drone conveying device 46 is docked with the drone conveying roller 31, and the end 462 is docked with the take-off platform 5. The loading device 44 is arranged directly below the drone conveying device 46, and can drive the cargo hold 11 to reciprocate in the vertical direction.

[0033] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the docking of the UAV landing platform and the cargo hold unloading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the drone 1 carries the cargo hold and enters the cargo hold unloading mechanism 3 from the landing platform 2 .

[0035] The cargo warehouse unloading mechanism 3 includes a drone conveying roller 31, which is connected to the first conveyor belt 21, and a cargo warehouse unloading port 36 is provided on the drone conveying roller 31. The cargo warehouse unloading mechanism 3 also includes a sensor (not shown) and a drone positioning push block 32. The sensor is used to sense whether the drone 1 enters the drone conveying roller 31. The drone positioning push block 32 is installed on both sides of the drone conveying roller 31, which can move toward the center of the drone conveying roller 31 and push the drone 1 toward the center.

[0036] When the drone 1 is transported to the cargo hold unloading mechanism 3 by the first conveyor belt 21, it enters the drone conveying roller 31. After the sensor senses the drone 1, the drone conveying roller 31 receives the sensor signal and stops running. The drone positioning push blocks 32 distributed on both sides of the drone conveying roller 31 move toward the center of the drone conveying roller 31 at the same time, positioning the drone 1 at the central position of the drone conveying roller 31.

[0037] After the positioning of the drone 1 is completed, the drone conveying roller 31 starts running again, conveys the drone 1 carrying the cargo hold 11 to the cargo hold unloading port 36 , and unloads the cargo hold 11 from the cargo hold unloading port 36 .

[0038] The cargo hold unloading mechanism 3 further includes an unloading device 34 , which is disposed directly below the cargo hold unloading port 36 on the drone conveying roller 31 and can drive the cargo hold 11 to move back and forth in the vertical direction.

[0039] Figure 3 This is a front view of the docking of the UAV landing platform and the cargo hold unloading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the unloading device 34 includes an unloading lifting track 341 and an unloading platform 342. The unloading lifting track 341 is vertically arranged, and the unloading platform 342 is arranged directly below the cargo hold unloading port 36 on the drone conveying roller 31, and can move back and forth along the unloading lifting track 341.

[0041] When the drone 1 carries the cargo hold 11 and transports it to the cargo hold unloading port 36, the drone conveyor roller 31 receives the sensor signal and stops running. The unloading platform 342 runs to the bottom of the cargo hold unloading port 36 and contacts the cargo hold 11 or leaves a small gap. The drone 1 receives the signal and opens the automatic lock of the cargo hold 11. The cargo hold 11 is unloaded from the drone 1 and falls onto the unloading platform 342. The unloading platform 342 carries the cargo hold 11 and descends along the lifting track 341.

[0042] The cargo warehouse unloading mechanism 3 also includes a cargo warehouse entry track 35, the starting end of which docks with the unloading platform 342 when it runs to the bottom position, and the end is connected to the destination position of the cargo warehouse 11. The unloading lifting track 341 is vertically arranged, and its top end is roughly flush with the drone conveying roller 31, and its bottom end is roughly flush with the cargo warehouse entry track 35. The unloading platform 342 moves up and down on the lifting track 341. The unloading platform 342 runs to the top position and is roughly flush with the cargo warehouse unloading port 36, and runs to the bottom position and is flush with the cargo warehouse entry track 35, so that the cargo warehouse on the unloading platform 342 can be transported to the cargo warehouse entry track 35.

[0043] After the unloading platform 342 carries the cargo bin 11 down to the bottom, it enters the cargo bin entry track 35 and is transported to the destination along the cargo bin entry track 35. The destination may be a warehouse transport mechanism connected to the cargo bin entry track 35, which transports the cargo bin 11 to the warehouse for processing, or a storage cabinet or other facilities connected to the cargo bin entry track 35.

[0044] After the drone 1 completes unloading of the cargo hold 11 , the drone conveying roller 31 receives a signal and starts to convey the drone 1 further forward until the drone 1 completely enters the cargo hold loading mechanism 4 .

[0045] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a cargo hold loading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 It is a front view of the cargo hold loading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, after the drone 1 completes unloading of the cargo hold 11 , the drone conveying roller 31 conveys the drone 1 to the cargo hold loading mechanism 4 .

[0047] The cargo hold loading mechanism 4 includes a drone conveying device 46 and a loading device 44 . The starting end 461 of the drone conveying device 46 is docked with the drone conveying roller 31 , and the end 462 is docked with the take-off platform 5 .

[0048] The cargo hold loading mechanism 4 also includes a sensor for sensing the position of the drone 1 .

[0049] The cargo hold loading mechanism 4 further includes a drone positioning device 41 , which is installed on both sides of the drone conveying device 46 to position the drone 1 directly above the loading device 44 .

[0050] After the drone 1 enters the drone conveying device 46, the landing gears on both sides of the drone 1 respectively cross the two sides of the drone conveying device 46. After the drone 1 is conveyed forward to the predetermined position by the drone conveying device 46, the sensor senses the drone 1, and the drone conveying device 46 receives the signal and stops running. The center of the predetermined position is on the same center line as the center of the drone positioning device 41. The drone positioning devices 41 are distributed on both sides of the drone 1. When the drone 1 runs to the predetermined position, the drone positioning devices 41 move toward the direction of the drone 1 and locate the drone 1.

[0051] The loading device 44 is arranged below the drone conveying device 46, and can drive the cargo hold 11 to reciprocate in the vertical direction. The loading device 44 includes a loading lifting track 441 and a loading platform 442, the loading lifting track 441 is arranged vertically, and the loading platform 442 can reciprocate along the loading lifting track 441.

[0052] The cargo warehouse loading mechanism 4 further includes a cargo warehouse conveying track 45 , which is connected to the loading platform 442 when it runs to the bottom end of the loading lifting track 441 .

[0053] The cargo bin loading mechanism 4 further includes a cargo bin positioning device 42 , which is installed on both sides of the cargo bin conveying track 45 to position the cargo bin 11 on the loading platform 442 .

[0054] The cargo warehouse positioning devices 42 are distributed on both sides of the cargo warehouse 11. When the cargo warehouse 11 is transported to the loading platform 442 by the cargo warehouse conveying track 45, the cargo warehouse 11 is positioned at the center of the device platform 442 by the cargo warehouse positioning devices 42, thereby completing the positioning of the cargo warehouse 11.

[0055] After the cargo hold 11 is positioned, the cargo hold 11 is kept in a stable state, the loading platform 442 is started, and the cargo hold 11 is transported upward through the loading lifting track 441 to the middle position of the landing gear of the drone 1. At this time, the drone 1 is docked with the cargo hold, and the automatic lock of the cargo hold 11 is connected with the drone 1. When the cargo hold 11 is lifted to the bottom side of the drone 1 fuselage, the lock is automatically locked, and the automatic loading of the cargo hold 11 of the drone 1 is completed.

[0056] Figure 6 The figure is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a take-off platform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] like Figure 6 As shown, a second conveyor belt 51 is provided on the take-off platform 5 , and the starting end of the second conveyor belt 51 is butted against the end of the drone conveying device 46 .

[0058] The take-off platform 5 is also provided with a cargo warehouse outbound interface 52 , the starting end of which is connected to the outbound position of the cargo warehouse 11 , and the end thereof is docked with the cargo warehouse conveying track 45 .

[0059] When the cargo hold 11 needs to be loaded into the drone 1, the cargo hold 11 enters the cargo hold outbound interface 52 on the take-off platform 5, and the cargo hold outbound interface 52 transports the cargo hold 11 to the cargo hold conveying track 45, and the cargo hold conveying track 45 then transports the cargo hold to the loading platform 442, thereby loading the cargo hold 11.

[0060] The outbound location of the cargo hold 11 may be a warehouse conveying mechanism connected to the warehouse, which transports the cargo hold 11 output from the warehouse to the cargo hold outbound interface 52 , or may be a storage cabinet or other facilities connected to the cargo hold inbound track 35 .

[0061] Through the automatic loading and unloading equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles of the present invention, the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 carrying the cargo hold 11 lands on the landing platform 2, and the landing platform 2 transports the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 to the cargo hold unloading mechanism 3 to automatically unload the cargo hold and put it into storage, and then the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 is transported to the cargo hold loading mechanism 4 to load the cargo hold 11 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1. After the cargo hold 11 is loaded, the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 is transported to the take-off platform 5, so that the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 carries the newly loaded cargo hold 11 to carry out the next transportation mission flight.

[0062] The automatic loading and unloading equipment for drones of the present invention realizes completely unmanned and automated processing of the drone from landing to take-off, and the unloading and loading of the drone cargo hold; the circulation of the cargo hold in the entire equipment can be seamlessly connected with the warehouse cargo hold entry and exit track interface; the drone landing point and take-off point are separated, and the landing and take-off can not interfere with each other, realizing the entry of drone queues, and improving the efficiency of drone loading and unloading.

[0063] The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the purpose of the present invention. Any modifications and substitutions made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are within the protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic loading and unloading device for drones, characterized in that: It includes a landing platform (2), a cargo hold unloading mechanism (3), a cargo hold loading mechanism (4), a take-off platform (5) and a power source. The power source supplies power to the landing platform (2), the cargo hold unloading mechanism (3), the cargo hold loading mechanism (4) and the take-off platform (5); The landing platform (2) is provided with a first conveyor belt (21), and the end of the first conveyor belt (21) is connected to the cargo warehouse unloading mechanism (3). The cargo hold unloading mechanism (3) is connected to the cargo hold loading mechanism (4), and is provided with a drone conveying roller (31) connected to the first conveyor belt (21). The drone conveying roller (31) is provided with a cargo hold unloading port (36), and the cargo hold unloading port (36) is large enough to accommodate a cargo hold (11) to sink and pass through; The cargo hold loading mechanism (4) comprises a drone conveying device (46) and a loading device (44); the starting end (461) of the drone conveying device (46) is docked with the drone conveying roller (31), and the end (462) is docked with the take-off platform (5); the loading device (44) is arranged below the drone conveying device (46) and can drive the cargo hold (11) to reciprocate in the vertical direction; The cargo warehouse unloading mechanism (3) also includes a sensor and a drone positioning push block (32). The sensor is used to sense whether the drone (1) enters the drone conveying roller (31). The drone positioning push block (32) is installed on both sides of the drone conveying roller (31), and can move toward the center of the drone conveying roller (31) and push the drone (1) toward the center; The cargo hold unloading mechanism (3) further comprises an unloading device (34), which is arranged below the cargo hold unloading port (36) on the drone conveying roller (31) and can drive the cargo hold (11) to move back and forth in a vertical direction; The unloading device (34) comprises an unloading lifting track (341) and an unloading platform (342), wherein the unloading lifting track (341) is arranged vertically, and the unloading platform (342) is arranged directly below the cargo hold unloading port (36) on the drone conveying roller (31), and can move back and forth along the unloading lifting track (341).

2. The automatic loading and unloading equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cargo warehouse unloading mechanism (3) further comprises a cargo warehouse storage track (35), the starting end of which docks with the unloading platform (342) when it runs to the bottom position, and the end of which is connected to the destination position of the cargo warehouse (11).

3. The automatic loading and unloading equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cargo hold loading mechanism (4) further comprises a drone positioning device (41), which is installed on both sides of the drone conveying device (46) to position the drone (1) directly above the loading device (44).

4. The automatic loading and unloading equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 3, characterized in that: The loading device (44) comprises a loading lifting track (441) and a loading platform (442); the loading lifting track (441) is arranged vertically, and the loading platform (442) can move back and forth along the loading lifting track (441).

5. The automatic loading and unloading equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cargo warehouse loading mechanism (4) further comprises a cargo warehouse conveying track (45), which is connected to the loading platform (442) when it runs to the bottommost position of the loading lifting track (441).

6. The automatic loading and unloading equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cargo bin loading mechanism (4) further comprises a cargo bin positioning device (42), which is installed on both sides of the cargo bin conveying track (45) to position the cargo bin (11) on the loading platform (442).

7. The automatic loading and unloading equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The take-off platform (5) is provided with a second conveyor belt (51), and the starting end of the second conveyor belt (51) is butted against the end of the drone conveying device (46).

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