A centering structure and drone nest

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle centering, and specifically provides a centering structure and a drone nest, the model comprising: two groups of positioning plates symmetrically arranged on the flight platform with the center of the flight platform, the positioning plates are L-shaped; a steering gear fixedly connected to the flight platform, a main driving rod fixedly connected to the output shaft of the steering gear; a driven rod hinged on the flight platform, the main driving rod and the driven rod are hinged to the two ends of one side of the positioning plate, the main driving rod, the driven rod, the positioning plate and the steering gear form a hinged four-bar mechanism with a parallelogram shape; the present invention has the characteristics of simple structure and light weight, and can effectively simplify the structure of the drone nest and reduce the weight of the drone nest.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle centering, and in particular to a centering structure and a drone nest. Background Art

[0002] Unmanned aircraft, also known as "drones", are unmanned aircraft that are controlled by radio remote control equipment and self-contained program control devices. Drones are actually a general term for unmanned aircraft. Since drones require battery power during operation, they need to be charged after flying for a period of time.

[0003] Drones in the wild need to be charged through a drone nest. During charging, the drone needs to be placed in the middle of the nest. The drone nest is generally equipped with a centering mechanism for placing the drone in the center of the nest. The current centering structure mainly adopts a lead screw structure. This lead screw structure has a high degree of structural complexity and is heavy, which increases the weight of the nest. Therefore, the present application proposes a centering structure of a drone nest and a drone nest. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a centering structure and a drone nest to solve the problem of complex structure of the current drone nest centering mechanism.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] A centering structure is installed on a flying platform, characterized in that the centering structure includes:

[0007] Two sets of positioning plates are symmetrically arranged on the flying platform with respect to the center of the flying platform, and the positioning plates are L-shaped;

[0008] A steering gear fixedly connected to the flight platform, wherein a main driving rod is fixedly connected to an output shaft of the steering gear;

[0009] A driven rod hinged to the flying platform, the main driving rod and the driven rod hinged to the two ends of one side of the positioning plate, the main driving rod, the driven rod, the positioning plate and the steering gear form a hinged four-bar mechanism with a parallelogram shape;

[0010] Each of the positioning plates is connected to at least one of the steering gears, the main driving rod and the driven rod.

[0011] Furthermore, at least two of the driven rods are connected to each of the positioning plates to form a virtual constraint on the positioning plates.

[0012] Furthermore, a first reinforcing rib perpendicular to the positioning plate is provided on the positioning plate.

[0013] Furthermore, a pressure plate is provided at a corner of the positioning plate, the pressure plate is perpendicular to the positioning plate, and the pressure plate is provided on a side of the positioning plate away from the flying platform.

[0014] Furthermore, the centralization structure also includes:

[0015] The support wheels arranged between the positioning plate and the flying platform are used to reduce the friction between the positioning plate and the flying platform and to improve the stability of the positioning plate.

[0016] Furthermore, the supporting wheel is a bull-horn wheel.

[0017] Furthermore, the centralization structure also includes:

[0018] A pressure strip is fixedly connected to the flying platform, and the pressure strip presses on the main driving rod and the driven rod.

[0019] Furthermore, a second reinforcing rib is provided on the pressure strip, and the second reinforcing rib is perpendicular to the pressure strip.

[0020] Furthermore, the centralization structure also includes:

[0021] The charging unit arranged on the positioning plate is used to charge the drone.

[0022] A drone nest, the drone nest comprising any one of the above-mentioned centralizing structures, and further comprising:

[0023] The machine nest body is used to store the UAV. The machine nest body is provided with electronic components that support the operation of the UAV. The servo is electrically connected to the electronic components so that the electronic components can control the servo.

[0024] In summary, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0025] The present invention is based on the movement principle of a four-bar mechanism with a parallelogram structure. By setting two groups of servos, main drive rods, driven rods and positioning plates that are symmetrical along the center of the flight platform, the servos control the two positioning plates to approach each other through the main drive rod and the driven rods when rotating. At the same time, when the positioning plates approach each other, they only change in position, so that the positioning plates can push the drone to the center of the flight platform. Compared with the screw mechanism, the four-bar mechanism has the characteristics of simple structure and light weight, and can effectively simplify the structure of the drone nest and reduce the weight of the drone nest.

[0026] The present invention provides a charging unit so that the drone can be charged during its return. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the centering structure provided by the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of point I in the middle.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the centering structure provided by the present invention when controlling the UAV to center.

[0030] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial enlarged view of point II in the middle.

[0031] Figure numerals: 1-flying platform, 2-servo, 3-main driving rod, 4-driven rod, 5-positioning plate, 51-support wheel, 52-first reinforcing rib, 53-pressure plate, 6-pressure strip, 61-second reinforcing rib, 7-charging unit, 8-UAV tripod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a centering structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention is installed on a flying platform 1, and the centering structure includes:

[0035] Two sets of positioning plates 5 are symmetrically arranged on the flying platform 1 with respect to the center of the flying platform 1, and the positioning plates 5 are L-shaped;

[0036] A steering gear 2 fixedly connected to the flying platform 1, wherein a main driving rod 3 is fixedly connected to an output shaft of the steering gear 2;

[0037] A driven rod 4 is hinged to the flying platform 1, the main driving rod 3 and the driven rod 4 are hinged to the two ends of one side of the positioning plate 5, and the main driving rod 3, the driven rod 4, the positioning plate 5 and the steering gear 2 form a hinged four-bar mechanism with a parallelogram shape;

[0038] Each of the positioning plates 5 is connected to at least one of the steering gears 2, the main driving rod 3 and the driven rod 4;

[0039] In this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, when the UAV has not landed on the flying platform 1, the steering gear 2 controls the positioning plate 5 to rotate to the side of the flying platform 1. When the UAV lands on the flying platform 1, the steering gear 2 is started, and the steering gear 2 drives the positioning plate 5 to rotate around the rotation point of the steering gear 2 through the main driving rod 3. Since the two sides of the parallelogram always remain parallel when the shape changes, according to this principle, the side of the positioning plate 5 connected to the main driving rod 3 and the driven rod 4 always remains parallel to the line connecting the connection points of the steering gear 2, the driven rod 4 and the flying platform 1. Therefore, when the positioning plate 5 rotates, the positioning plate 5 only changes its position and does not rotate. Since the two positioning plates 5 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center of the flying platform 1, the positioning plate 5 can push the UAV to move to the position of the flying platform 1 when rotating, so that the UAV returns to the center.

[0040] In some examples, when the positioning plate 5 controls the drone to return to the center, the positioning plate 5 pushes the drone to move on the flight platform 1 by pushing the drone tripod 8 located on the drone;

[0041] In some examples, the flight platform 1 is installed in a nest, and the servo 2 is connected to a control system of the nest through a wire, so that when the drone falls into the nest, the control system can return the drone to the center in time;

[0042] In some examples, the servo 2 is fixedly connected to the flying platform 1 by screws;

[0043] The driven rod 4 is hinged to the flying platform 1 through a bearing. When connected, the outer ring of the bearing is fixedly connected to the flying platform 1, and the inner ring of the bearing is fixedly connected to the driven rod 4.

[0044] The main driving rod 3 and the driven rod 4 are hinged to the positioning plate 5 through a pin shaft, and a gasket is provided between the main driving rod 3 and the driven rod 4 and the positioning plate 5 to reduce the wear of the 3, the driven rod 4 and the positioning plate 5;

[0045] It should be noted that each positioning plate 5 may be equipped with a plurality of driven rods 4, so that the driven rods 4 form a virtual constraint on the positioning plate 5, so as to enhance the connection stability between the driven rods 4 and the positioning plate 5;

[0046] like Figure 2As shown, the positioning plate 5 is an L-shaped strip, and a first reinforcing rib 52 perpendicular to the positioning plate 5 is provided on the positioning plate 5 to strengthen the strength of the positioning plate 5. When the first reinforcing rib 52 is not provided on the positioning plate 5, the positioning plate 5 is easy to bend, and when the drone is centered, it is easy to cause permanent deformation of the positioning plate 5. The provision of the first reinforcing rib 52 can strengthen the strength of the positioning plate 5 and prevent the positioning plate 5 from deformation.

[0047] As another preferred implementation in this embodiment, a pressing plate 53 is further provided at the corner of the positioning plate 5, the pressing plate 53 is perpendicular to the positioning plate 5, and the pressing plate 53 is provided on a side of the positioning plate 5 away from the flying platform 1, so as to prevent the UAV from shaking;

[0048] After the drone is centered, the drone can swing in the nest due to the gap between the drone and the inner wall of the nest. The pressure plate 53 can block the drone tripod 8 on the drone after the drone is centered to prevent the drone from shaking.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the technical features described in Example 1, the centralization structure further includes:

[0051] The support wheel 51 provided between the positioning plate 5 and the flying platform 1 is used to reduce the friction between the positioning plate 5 and the flying platform 1 and improve the stability of the positioning plate 5;

[0052] As a preferred mode in this embodiment, the support wheel 51 is a bullhorn wheel.

[0053] Example 3

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, the centering structure, in addition to the technical features described in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, further includes:

[0055] A pressure strip 6 fixedly connected to the flying platform 1, the pressure strip 6 presses on the main driving rod 3 and the driven rod 4 to prevent the main driving rod 3 and the driven rod 4 from turning up;

[0056] In this embodiment, the pressure strip 6 is U-shaped, and both ends of the pressure strip 6 are fixedly connected to the flying platform 1 by screws or rivets. When the main driving rod 3 and the driven rod 4 rotate, the pressure strip 6 can prevent the main driving rod 3 and the driven rod 4 from turning up;

[0057] As a preferred implementation in this embodiment, the pressure strip 6 is further provided with a second reinforcing rib 61, and the second reinforcing rib 61 is perpendicular to the pressure strip 6;

[0058] The second reinforcing rib 61 is bent from the pressure strip 6 and is used to increase the bending strength of the pressure strip 6 .

[0059] Example 4

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, the centralization structure further includes:

[0061] A charging unit 7 provided on the positioning plate 5 is used to charge the drone;

[0062] In this embodiment, the charging unit 7 is provided with a charging socket on the positioning plate 5. After the drone is centered, the plug on the drone tripod 8 of the drone is inserted into the charging socket on the positioning plate 5, so that the charging unit 7 can charge the drone.

[0063] In some examples, the charging unit 7 may also be provided with a wireless charging plate with a wireless charging function on the positioning plate 5, and the drone tripod 8 may be provided with an induction plate, and when the induction plate contacts the wireless charging plate, the charging unit 7 charges the drone;

[0064] As a preferred implementation in this embodiment, the charging units 7 are provided in four groups, and the charging units 7 are located on both sides of the upper bend of the positioning plate 5;

[0065] Since the drone cannot accurately control its direction after falling into the nest, if only one charging socket is provided, the charging plug on the drone and the charging socket on the positioning plate 5 are easily misaligned after the drone falls. Therefore, considering the orientation problem of the drone returning to the center, two sockets are provided at the corners of the positioning plate 5 so that the drone can be charged regardless of its orientation.

[0066] Example 5

[0067] The present invention further discloses a drone nest, wherein the drone nest comprises the centralizing structure described in any one of the above embodiments, and further comprises:

[0068] The machine nest body is used to store the UAV. The machine nest body is provided with electronic components that support the operation of the UAV. The servo 2 is electrically connected to the electronic components so that the electronic components can control the servo 2.

[0069] In summary, the present invention discloses a centering structure installed on a flying platform 1, and the centering structure comprises:

[0070] Two sets of positioning plates 5 are symmetrically arranged on the flying platform 1 with respect to the center of the flying platform 1, and the positioning plates 5 are L-shaped;

[0071] A steering gear 2 fixedly connected to the flying platform 1, wherein a main driving rod 3 is fixedly connected to an output shaft of the steering gear 2;

[0072] A driven rod 4 is hinged to the flying platform 1, the main driving rod 3 and the driven rod 4 are hinged to the two ends of one side of the positioning plate 5, and the main driving rod 3, the driven rod 4, the positioning plate 5 and the steering gear 2 form a hinged four-bar mechanism with a parallelogram shape;

[0073] Each of the positioning plates 5 is connected to at least one of the steering gears 2, the main driving rod 3 and the driven rod 4;

[0074] The present invention is based on the movement principle of a four-bar mechanism with a parallelogram structure. By setting two groups of servos 2, main drive rods 3, driven rods 4 and positioning plates 5 that are symmetrical along the center of a flight platform 1, the servos 2 control the two positioning plates 5 to approach each other through the main drive rods 3 and the driven rods 4 when rotating. At the same time, when the positioning plates 5 approach each other, they only change in position, so that the positioning plates 5 can push the UAV to the center of the flight platform 1. Compared with the screw mechanism, the four-bar mechanism has the characteristics of simple structure and light weight, and can effectively simplify the structure of the UAV nest and reduce the weight of the UAV nest.

[0075] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A centering structure installed on a flying platform, characterized in that: The centralization structure includes: Two sets of positioning plates are symmetrically arranged on the flying platform with respect to the center of the flying platform, and the positioning plates are L-shaped; A steering gear fixedly connected to the flight platform, wherein a main driving rod is fixedly connected to an output shaft of the steering gear; A driven rod hinged to the flying platform, the main driving rod and the driven rod hinged to the two ends of one side of the positioning plate, the main driving rod, the driven rod, the positioning plate and the steering gear form a hinged four-bar mechanism with a parallelogram shape; A pressure strip fixedly connected to the flying platform, the pressure strip pressing on the main driving rod and the driven rod; A charging unit provided on the positioning plate, used for charging the drone; Each of the positioning plates is connected to at least one of the steering gears, the main driving rod and the driven rod; The steering gear drives the positioning plate to rotate around the rotation point of the steering gear through the main driving rod, and when the positioning plate rotates, the positioning plate only changes its position but does not rotate.

2. The centering structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least two follower rods are connected to each positioning plate to form a virtual constraint on the positioning plate.

3. The centering structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first reinforcing rib perpendicular to the positioning plate is arranged on the positioning plate.

4. The centering structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressing plate is also provided at the corner of the positioning plate. The pressing plate is perpendicular to the positioning plate and is provided on a side of the positioning plate away from the flying platform.

5. The centering structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The centralization structure also includes: The support wheels arranged between the positioning plate and the flying platform are used to reduce the friction between the positioning plate and the flying platform and to improve the stability of the positioning plate.

6. The centering structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The supporting wheel is a bull horn wheel.

7. The centering structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure strip is also provided with a second reinforcing rib, and the second reinforcing rib is perpendicular to the pressure strip.

8. A drone nest, characterized in that: The drone nest comprises the centralizing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and further comprises: The machine nest body is used to store the UAV. The machine nest body is provided with electronic components that support the operation of the UAV. The servo is electrically connected to the electronic components so that the electronic components can control the servo.

Images