Lighting system for airborne vehicles

Abstract

A lighting system for an aerial mobile body can include a light emitting unit disposed on an armrest or a propeller of the aerial mobile body and configured to emit light toward the ground such that the light is projected from the propeller or the armrest onto a point directed to the ground, and a control unit electrically connected to the light emitting unit and configured to control a light emission pattern of the light emitted by the light emitting unit based on an operation mode of the aerial mobile body or an operation mode of the propeller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a lighting system for air mobility. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, various types of transportation have been used in urban areas, including personal transportation such as hoverboards and electric kickboards, as well as public transportation powered by electricity, and various types of power sources. This type of mobile vehicle is environmentally friendly because it eliminates traffic congestion during urban peak hours, and because it does not use an internal combustion engine, it does not emit substances such as NOx. x SO x Pollutants such as CO.

[0003] In recent years, with the development of battery technology, there has been active research and development on airborne mobile vehicles that can operate both in the air and on the ground. These airborne mobile vehicles can take off and land vertically using high-output batteries, and therefore do not require a separate runway, making them suitable for use in congested urban areas. Therefore, airborne mobile vehicles are expected to be commercially available in the near future.

[0004] Operating aerial mobile vehicles unmanned can lead to safety issues. Specifically, the rotation of the propeller blades can cause personal injury and generate strong winds that can blow away surrounding objects. Therefore, it is necessary to inform people in the vicinity of the aerial mobile vehicle's status to prevent safety problems.

[0005] This invention relates to a lighting system that can be applied to aerial moving objects to warn people around the aerial moving objects.

[0006] The information included in the background section of this invention is intended only to enhance the understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be construed as an admission or any implication that such information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Various aspects of the present invention relate to providing a lighting system for an airborne mobile body that provides an alarm or warning to occupants and people around the airborne mobile body.

[0008] According to one aspect, a lighting system for an airborne mobile body is provided, the lighting system comprising: a light-emitting unit disposed on a boom or propeller of the airborne mobile body and configured to emit light toward the ground such that light is projected from the propeller or boom onto a point pointing toward the ground; and a control unit electrically connected to the light-emitting unit and configured to control a light-emitting mode for emitting light from the light-emitting unit based on an operating mode of the airborne mobile body or an operating mode of the propeller.

[0009] When the aerial mobile object is activated, the light-emitting unit can emit light towards the ground.

[0010] The shape of the light projected onto the ground by the light-emitting unit can be the same as the circle formed when the propeller rotates.

[0011] The shape of the light projected onto the ground by the light-emitting unit can be a circular edge shape.

[0012] When power is applied to the propeller and the airborne mobile body is in flight standby mode, the light emitted to the ground by the light-emitting unit can form the shape of the propeller's rotation radius or a warning message.

[0013] The operation of the light-emitting unit can be stopped when the airborne mobile object takes off.

[0014] The light emitted from the light-emitting unit onto the ground can form the brand logo of a moving object in the air.

[0015] When an aerial vehicle lands, the light emitted onto the ground can form the shape of the propeller's rotation radius or a warning message.

[0016] When the airborne mobile object has completed its landing and the propeller has slowly stopped rotating at its destination, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit can form the shape of the propeller's rotation radius or a warning message.

[0017] When the airborne mobile vehicle is activated before takeoff or before it is deactivated after landing, the light-emitting unit can emit light to form a guide shape on the ground that guides passengers to the boarding gate of the airborne mobile vehicle.

[0018] The operating modes of an airborne mobile body may include standby mode, takeoff mode and landing mode, and the light-emitting unit may change the color, brightness, shape or emission period of the emitted light based on the operating mode of the airborne mobile body, so that the operating mode of the airborne mobile body can be distinguished from the outside of the airborne mobile body.

[0019] The propeller's operating modes can include standby mode and drive mode, and the light-emitting unit can change the color, brightness, shape or emission period of the emitted light based on the propeller's operating mode, so that the propeller's operating mode can be distinguished from the outside of the moving body in the air.

[0020] The propeller can be set on the upper part of the boom, and the light-emitting unit can be set on the lower part of the boom and arranged at a point opposite to the propeller to emit light toward the ground.

[0021] The propeller can be located at the lower part of the boom, and the light-emitting unit can be located at the lower end of the propeller to emit light toward the ground.

[0022] The lighting system for air mobility according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can effectively warn passengers boarding or disembarking from the air mobility vehicle or people around the air mobility vehicle, and thus prevent safety problems. When the lighting system emits light to form the brand logo of the air mobility vehicle manufacturer, it can provide the effect of enhancing brand value, such as enhancing brand image and promoting the brand.

[0023] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages, which will be apparent or set forth in more detail from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is an illustration of an aerial mobile body that exemplarily applies a lighting system for an aerial mobile body according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is an illustrative diagram showing the position of the light-emitting unit of an illumination system for an aerial mobile body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] It is understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and present slightly simplified representations of various features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. Specific design features of the invention (including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes) included herein will be determined in part by the specific intended application and environment of use.

[0027] In the accompanying drawings, reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent parts of the invention throughout the various figures. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments thereof, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0029] The lighting system for aerial mobile bodies according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0030] Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3This is an illustration of an aerial mobile body that exemplarily illustrates a lighting system for an aerial mobile body applied according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is an illustrative diagram showing the position of the light-emitting unit of an illumination system for an aerial mobile body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] To achieve the above objectives, an illumination system for an airborne mobile body according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes: a light-emitting unit 30 disposed on a boom 20 or propeller 10 of the airborne mobile body and configured to emit light toward the ground such that light is projected from the propeller or boom onto a point pointing toward the ground; and a control unit electrically connected to the light-emitting unit and configured to control the light-emitting mode for emitting light from the light-emitting unit 30 based on the operating mode of the airborne mobile body or the operating mode of the propeller.

[0032] Figure 1 This is an illustration of an aerial mobile body that exemplarily applies a lighting system for an aerial mobile body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 1 Specific implementation methods are described.

[0033] As propeller 10 rotates, the airborne vehicle takes off into the sky. In this situation, there is a risk that the high-speed rotating propeller 10 may directly contact and injure a person, or that objects such as gravel at the point of takeoff or landing of the airborne vehicle may injure a person due to the wind generated by the high-speed rotating propeller. Therefore, it is urgent to prevent accidents by issuing alarms or warnings to people around the airborne vehicle immediately before takeoff or after landing.

[0034] Therefore, the light-emitting unit 30 mounted on the boom 20 or propeller 10 of the aerial mobile vehicle can visually warn of danger by emitting light towards the ground. To enable people around the aerial mobile vehicle to visually identify whether it is in a boarding standby state, configured for takeoff, or about to land, the light-emitting unit emits light appropriate to each state towards the ground. Furthermore, the light-emitting unit may include a light-emitting element configured to emit light that is well-visible even during the day.

[0035] The control unit is configured to control the light-emitting unit so that the light-emitting unit emits light suitable for the operation of an airborne moving body or propeller.

[0036] The use of lighting systems according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can prevent fatal accidents that may occur when an airborne mobile body takes off or lands.

[0037] When the airborne mobile object is activated, the light-emitting unit 30 can emit light toward the ground.

[0038] That is, even when a passenger enters the airborne mobile vehicle while it is in operation but no power is applied to the propeller, the light-emitting unit 30 emits light toward the ground to warn the occupants or people around the airborne mobile vehicle.

[0039] The shape of the light projected onto the ground by the light-emitting unit 30 can be the same as the circle formed when the propeller 10 rotates, and the shape of the light projected onto the ground by the light-emitting unit can be a circular edge shape 11. (Reference) Figure 1 The light emitted by the light-emitting unit can form various shapes on the ground. To provide a visual warning to occupants or people around the airborne vehicle, the emitted light can form a circular shape, the same as the circular shape formed by the end of the propeller during rotation. For a more effective warning, the warning can be issued when the light forms a circular edge shape 11 or a dynamic shape in which its edge moves along a straight line or flashes.

[0040] When power is applied to the propeller and the airborne mobile body is in flight standby mode, the light emitted to the ground by the light-emitting unit can form the shape of the propeller's rotation radius or a warning message. Figure 2 This is an illustration of an aerial mobile body that exemplarily applies a lighting system for an aerial mobile body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of the shape of light emitted when power is applied to a propeller and the airborne mobile body is in a flight standby state is shown. (Refer to...) Figure 2 Specific implementation methods are described.

[0041] When the airborne mobile vehicle is in a flight standby state, such as when all occupants are fully inside, the light-emitting unit 30 can emit light to form the shape of the rotation radius of the propeller 10 on the ground or a warning message 12 such as "Warning," indicating that people around the airborne mobile vehicle may be in danger due to the propeller. The light emitted towards the ground before power is applied to the propeller can be different from the light emitted towards the ground after power is applied to the propeller, facilitating easy and intuitive identification by people around the airborne mobile vehicle that it is about to take off.

[0042] When the airborne mobile object takes off, the operation of the light-emitting unit 30 can be stopped.

[0043] The likelihood of the propeller causing physical harm to people around the airborne mobile body decreases as the propeller 10 of the airborne mobile body rotates, and therefore the operation of the light-emitting unit can be stopped when the airborne mobile body takes off and rises to a predetermined altitude to prevent confusion caused by the light emitted by the light-emitting unit.

[0044] At the same time, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit onto the ground can form the brand logo of the moving object in the air.

[0045] The light emitted by the luminous unit can form shapes or text to alert or warn people around the aerial vehicle. However, when the propellers have completely stopped rotating or the aerial vehicle has landed and remains idle for an extended period, the luminous unit can illuminate to form the aerial vehicle manufacturer's trademark or brand logo on the ground. Therefore, it can express luxury quality on the aerial vehicle and achieve a brand promotion effect.

[0046] When the airborne mobile body arrives and lands at its destination, the light emitted to the ground can form the shape of the rotation radius of the propeller 10 or a warning message 12. When the airborne mobile body slowly stops rotating the propeller 10 after fully landing at its destination, the light emitted to the ground can form the shape of the rotation radius of the propeller or a warning message.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that when the rotation of the propeller 10 decreases to below a predetermined rotation speed, the airborne mobile body slowly stops the rotation of the propeller 10.

[0048] When the airborne vehicle arrives and lands at its destination, the rotation of the propeller 10 or the wind generated by the rotation of the propeller 10 may injure people waiting to board or people around the airborne vehicle. Therefore, when the airborne vehicle is landing, and when the power supply to the propeller 10 is cut off after the airborne vehicle has fully landed, the light-emitting unit 30 can form the shape of the rotation radius of the propeller 10 or the warning message 12 to issue a warning.

[0049] Meanwhile, when the airborne mobile vehicle is activated before takeoff or deactivated after landing, the light-emitting unit can emit light to form a guide shape 13 on the ground, which guides the passengers to the boarding gate of the airborne mobile vehicle. Figure 3 This is an illustration of an aerial mobile body that exemplarily applies a lighting system for an aerial mobile body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment showing the shape of the emitted light is illustrated. (Refer to...) Figure 3 Specific implementation methods are described.

[0050] The guide shape 13 can guide passengers to the disembarkation point outside the boarding gate when they disembark from the air vehicle, and the guide shape 13 can also guide passengers to board the air vehicle. The guide shape 13 can be implemented in various ways, such as a rectangular shape or a carpet shape. Therefore, the guide shape 13 can guide passengers to properly board or disembark from the air vehicle, minimizing potential safety issues that may occur when passengers board or disembark from the air vehicle.

[0051] The operating modes of an airborne mobile vehicle include standby mode, takeoff mode, and landing mode. The light-emitting unit can change the color, brightness, shape, or emission period of the emitted light based on the operating mode of the airborne mobile vehicle, so that the operating mode of the airborne mobile vehicle can be distinguished from the outside.

[0052] The propeller's operating modes include standby mode and drive mode. The light-emitting unit can change the color, brightness, shape, or emission period of the emitted light based on the propeller's operating mode, making the propeller's operating mode distinguishable from the outside of the moving object in the air.

[0053] The operating modes of airborne mobile vehicles can be broadly categorized into standby mode, takeoff mode, and landing mode. Furthermore, the status of the airborne mobile vehicle can be intuitively communicated to passengers or people around it by changing the color, brightness, shape, or emission period of the emitted light based on its operating mode.

[0054] The propeller's operating modes can be broadly divided into standby mode and drive mode. Furthermore, the color, brightness, shape, or emission period of the emitted light can be changed based on the operating mode of the airborne mobile body to intuitively inform the occupants or people around the airborne mobile body about its status.

[0055] The difference in light emitted by the light-emitting unit depends on the operating mode of the airborne vehicle or propeller, and can effectively warn the occupants or people around the airborne vehicle.

[0056] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is an illustrative diagram showing the position of the light-emitting unit in an illumination system for an aerial mobile body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 4 and Figure 5 Describe the position of the light-emitting unit. The propeller can be located on the upper part of the boom 20, and the light-emitting unit 30 can be located on the lower part of the boom and arranged at a point opposite to the propeller 10 to emit light toward the ground.

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, the propeller 10 can be mounted on the boom 20 and rotate. In this case, the light-emitting unit needs to be located at the lower part of the boom 20 to emit light towards the ground.

[0058] Optionally, such as Figure 5 As shown, the propeller 10 can be disposed at the lower part of the boom 20, and the light-emitting unit 30 can be disposed at the lower end of the propeller 10 to emit light toward the ground.

[0059] According to the design, the propeller 10 can be located at the lower part of the boom 20, and in this case, the light-emitting unit 30 can be located on the central axis of the propeller 10. In some cases, the light-emitting unit 30 can be tilted and positioned at the lower end of the boom 20 spaced apart from the propeller 10 to emit light toward the ground.

[0060] Furthermore, terms related to control devices, such as "controller," "control unit," "control device," or "control module," refer to hardware devices including a memory and a processor configured to execute one or more steps interpreted as an algorithmic structure. The memory stores the algorithmic steps, and the processor executes the algorithmic steps to perform one or more processes of the method according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention. A control device according to exemplary embodiments of the invention can be implemented using a non-volatile memory configured to store algorithms for controlling the operation of various components of a vehicle or data regarding software commands for executing the algorithms, and a processor configured to perform the aforementioned operations using the data stored in the memory. The memory and processor can be separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and processor can be integrated into a single chip. The processor can be implemented as one or more processors. The processor can include various logic circuits and arithmetic circuits, can process data according to a program provided from the memory, and can generate control signals based on the processing results.

[0061] The control device may be at least one microprocessor operated by a predetermined program, which may include a series of commands for executing the methods included in the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention described above.

[0062] The invention described above can also be embodied as computer-readable code on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data that can subsequently be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), silicon disk drives (SDDs), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and implementations as carrier waves (e.g., transmission over the Internet).

[0063] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of the above operations may be performed by a control device, and the control device may be configured by multiple control devices or an integrated single control device.

[0064] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the control device may be implemented in hardware or software, or in a combination of hardware and software.

[0065] For ease of interpretation and precise definition in the appended claims, the terms “upper part,” “lower part,” “inner,” “outer,” “on,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “front,” “back,” “rear,” “inside,” “outside,” “inward,” “outer,” “inner,” “outer,” “forward,” and “backward” are used to describe features of exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features shown in the accompanying drawings. It will be further understood that the term “connection” or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connections.

[0066] For purposes of illustration and description, the foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented. These descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations will be apparent from the foregoing teachings. Exemplary embodiments were chosen and described to explain certain principles of the invention and its practical application, so that others skilled in the art can make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the invention and their various alternatives and modifications. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A lighting system for an aerial mobile body, the lighting system comprising: A light-emitting unit is mounted on the boom or propeller of an aerial mobile body and is configured to emit light toward the ground, such that the light is projected from the propeller or the boom onto a point pointing toward the ground; as well as A control unit, electrically connected to the light-emitting unit and configured to control the light-emitting mode for emitting light from the light-emitting unit according to the operating mode of the airborne mobile body or the operating mode of the propeller. When power is applied to the propeller and the airborne mobile body is in a flight standby state, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit onto the ground forms the shape of the propeller's rotation radius. Specifically, when the airborne mobile vehicle is activated before takeoff or before it is closed after landing, the light-emitting unit emits light to form a guide shape on the ground, which guides members to the boarding gate of the airborne mobile vehicle. The guide shape has a rectangular shape and is emitted so as not to overlap with the rotation radius.

2. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein, When the aerial mobile body is activated, the light-emitting unit emits light toward the ground.

3. The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein, The shape of the light projected onto the ground by the light-emitting unit is a circle formed when the propeller rotates.

4. The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein, The light projected onto the ground by the light-emitting unit has a circular edge shape.

5. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein, When power is applied to the propeller and the airborne mobile body is in flight standby mode, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit to the ground also forms a warning message.

6. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein, When the airborne mobile body takes off, the operation of the light-emitting unit stops.

7. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein, The light emitted by the light-emitting unit onto the ground forms the brand logo of the aerial mobile body.

8. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein, When the airborne mobile body lands, the light emitted to the ground forms the shape of the propeller's rotation radius or a warning message.

9. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein, When the airborne mobile body slowly stops rotating its propeller after fully landing at its destination, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit forms the shape of the propeller's rotation radius or a warning message.

10. The lighting system according to claim 9, wherein, When the airborne mobile body reduces the rotation of the propeller below a predetermined rotational speed after fully landing at the destination, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit forms the shape of the rotation radius of the propeller or the warning message.

11. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein, The propeller is located on the upper part of the boom, and the light-emitting unit is located on the lower part of the boom and positioned at a point opposite to the propeller to emit light toward the ground.

12. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein, The propeller is located at the lower part of the boom, and the light-emitting unit is located at the lower end of the propeller to emit light toward the ground.

13. The lighting system according to claim 12, wherein, The light-emitting unit is located on the central axis of the propeller.

14. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein, The operating modes of the airborne mobile body include standby mode, takeoff mode and landing mode, and the light-emitting unit changes the color, brightness, shape or emission period of the emitted light according to the operating mode of the airborne mobile body, so that the operating mode of the airborne mobile body can be distinguished from the outside of the airborne mobile body.

15. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein, The propeller's operating modes include a standby mode and a drive mode, and the light-emitting unit changes the color, brightness, shape, or emission period of the emitted light according to the propeller's operating mode, so that the propeller's operating mode can be distinguished from the outside of the airborne moving body.

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