Unmanned aerial vehicle parking apron and method for replacing battery of unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The unmanned aerial vehicle parking apron comprises a landing platform provided with a first electromagnet for adsorbing an unmanned aerial vehicle; an upper sliding track connected with the landing platform for sliding of the unmanned aerial vehicle; a lower sliding track arranged above the upper sliding track, the top of the lower sliding track being provided with a second electromagnet for dismounting a battery of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and a third electromagnet arranged at the end of the lower sliding track for pushing a standby battery so that the standby battery is adsorbed to the unmanned aerial vehicle, thereby realizing automatic replacement of the battery of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of drone application technology, and in particular to a drone landing pad and a method for replacing drone batteries. Background Technology

[0002] Unmanned aircraft controlled by radio remote control equipment and onboard program control devices are called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or simply "drones." Small drones, combined with artificial intelligence (AI), utilize onboard wireless modules (Wi-Fi) and camera modules to achieve various functions such as patrolling, disaster relief, traffic control, and even military applications. However, battery replacement still requires manual plugging and unplugging of the connectors. This is not only time-consuming but also prone to damaging the connectors. Improper force applied during battery replacement, damaging the fuselage and propeller structure, is also a common cause of damage. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a drone landing pad to enable automatic replacement of drone batteries.

[0004] One embodiment of the present invention provides a drone landing pad, comprising:

[0005] The landing platform is equipped with a first electromagnet for attracting drones;

[0006] The upper-level taxiway is connected to the landing platform and is used for the UAV to taxi.

[0007] A lower sliding track is located above the upper sliding track. A second electromagnet is installed at the top of the lower sliding track for removing the drone's battery. A third electromagnet is installed at the end of the lower sliding track for pushing the spare battery upwards, so that the spare battery is attracted to the drone.

[0008] Preferably, the lower sliding track further includes:

[0009] Metal charging strips are located on both sides of the lower sliding track and are used to charge the battery.

[0010] Preferably, it further includes:

[0011] The control unit is electrically connected to the first electromagnet, the second electromagnet, and the third electromagnet, and is used to control the on / off state of the first electromagnet, the second electromagnet, and the third electromagnet.

[0012] Preferably, the control unit is further configured to:

[0013] When the drone flies to the preset stopping range of the landing platform, the first electromagnet is activated, and the drone is attracted by the first electromagnet so that the drone lands on the landing platform;

[0014] After the drone lands on the landing platform, the first electromagnet is disabled while the second electromagnet is activated. When the drone slides from the landing platform to the top of the upper sliding track, the second electromagnet is used to attract and remove the drone's battery.

[0015] Preferably, when the first electromagnet is disabled, the drone loses its electromagnetic attraction and slides down to the end of the upper sliding track under the influence of gravity;

[0016] When the drone glides to the end of the upper gliding track, the control unit is also used to enable the third electromagnet to push the backup battery upward until the permanent magnet on the drone attracts the backup battery;

[0017] When the permanent magnet attracts the backup battery, the control unit is also used to disable the third electromagnet.

[0018] Preferably, after the second magnet attracts the battery of the drone, the control unit is also used to disable the second magnet, and the battery of the drone falls to the lower sliding track due to gravity;

[0019] The battery's charging point contacts the metal charging strip of the lower sliding track, and charging begins.

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a method for replacing the battery of a drone, applied to a drone parking apron. The drone parking apron includes: a landing platform equipped with a first electromagnet; an upper sliding track connected to the landing platform; and a lower sliding track positioned above the upper sliding track, with a second electromagnet at the top and a third electromagnet at the end. The method includes:

[0021] The drone is attracted by the first electromagnet, causing it to land on the landing platform.

[0022] The drone's battery is removed by adsorption using a second electromagnet located at the top of the lower sliding track;

[0023] When the drone glides to the end of the lower gliding track, the backup battery is pushed up by the third electromagnet at the end of the lower gliding track, so that the backup battery is attracted to the drone.

[0024] Preferably, the drone parking area further includes a control unit, and the step of attracting the drone with the first electromagnet, causing the drone to land on the landing platform, specifically includes:

[0025] When the UAV flies to the preset parking area on the landing pad, the control unit activates the first electromagnet;

[0026] The first electromagnet attracts the drone, causing it to land on the landing platform.

[0027] The step of removing the drone's battery by using a second electromagnet located at the top of the lower sliding track specifically includes:

[0028] When the drone lands on the landing platform, the first electromagnet is disabled and the second electromagnet is activated simultaneously.

[0029] When the drone slides from the landing platform to the top of the upper sliding track, the drone's battery is removed by the second electromagnet.

[0030] Preferably, the step of pushing the backup battery upward by the third electromagnet at the end of the lower gliding track when the drone glides to the end of the lower gliding track, so that the backup battery is attracted to the drone, specifically includes:

[0031] When the first electromagnet is disabled, the drone loses its electromagnetic attraction and slides down to the horizontal position of the upper sliding track under the influence of gravity;

[0032] When the drone glides to the end of the upper gliding track, the control unit enables the third electromagnet to push the backup battery upward until the permanent magnet on the drone attracts the backup battery.

[0033] When the permanent magnet attracts the backup battery, the control unit disables the third electromagnet.

[0034] Preferably, the lower sliding track further includes a metal charging strip, and the method further includes:

[0035] Once the second magnet attracts the drone's battery, the control unit disables the second magnet, and the drone's battery falls to the lower sliding track due to gravity.

[0036] The battery's charging point comes into contact with the metal charging cable of the lower sliding track, and charging begins.

[0037] Compared to existing technologies, the drone landing pad provided by the embodiments of the present invention uses a first electromagnet on the landing platform to attract the drone; then, the drone is allowed to glide via an upper sliding track connected to the landing platform; the drone's battery is then removed via a second electromagnet at the top of the lower sliding track; and a spare battery is pushed up by a third electromagnet at the end of the lower sliding track, causing the spare battery to be attracted to the drone, thereby achieving automatic replacement of the drone battery. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a structural side view of one embodiment of the drone landing pad of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 This is a front view of one embodiment of the drone landing pad battery of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the battery and drone of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the back of one embodiment of the drone landing pad battery of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a top view of one embodiment of the UAV landing pad of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the battery replacement method for the drone according to the present invention.

[0044] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the method for replacing the battery in a drone according to the present invention.

[0045] Explanation of main component symbols

[0046] Drone landing pad 10

[0047] Drone 20

[0048] Battery 30

[0049] Landing Platform 100

[0050] Upper sliding track 101

[0051] Lower sliding track 102

[0052] First Electromagnet 103

[0053] Second electromagnet 104

[0054] Third electromagnet 105

[0055] 106 spare batteries

[0056] Charging metal strip 106

[0057] Charging point AF

[0058] Iron sheet 301

[0059] Permanent magnets 302, 201

[0060] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0061] See Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the drone landing pad 10 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the drone landing pad 10 includes a landing platform 100, an upper taxiway 101, and a lower taxiway 102.

[0062] In this embodiment, the landing platform 100 is equipped with a first electromagnet 103 for attracting the drone 20. Specifically, the drone 20's battery is equipped with a permanent magnet. When the drone 20 flies and lands within a preset stopping range of the landing platform 100, the first electromagnet 103 attracts the permanent magnet on the drone 20's battery, causing the drone 20 to land on the landing platform 100. An upper-level sliding track 101 is connected to the landing platform 100 for the drone 20 to slide. A lower-level sliding track 102 is located above the upper-level sliding track 101. A second electromagnet 104 is located at the top of the lower-level sliding track 102 for removing the drone 20's battery; a third electromagnet 105 is located at the end of the lower-level sliding track 102 for pushing up a spare battery 106, causing the spare battery 106 to be attracted to the drone 20. In this embodiment, the landing platform 100 is an inclined platform, smoothly connected to the upper-level sliding track 101. The inclination coefficients of the upper sliding track 101 and the lower sliding track 102 are different.

[0063] In this embodiment, the drone landing pad 10 also includes a control unit (not shown), which is electrically connected to the first electromagnet 103, the second electromagnet 104 and the third electromagnet 105, and is used to control the on and off of the first electromagnet 103, the second electromagnet 104 and the third electromagnet 105 to realize the automatic replacement of the drone 20's battery. Specifically, when the drone 20 flies to the preset stopping range of the landing platform 100, the control unit activates the first electromagnet 103, which attracts the permanent magnet on the drone 20's body, causing the drone 20 to land on the landing platform 100. After the drone 20 lands on the landing platform 100, the first electromagnet 103 is deactivated, and the second electromagnet 104 is activated. Since the first electromagnet 103 is deactivated, the landing platform 100 has no attraction force, and the drone 20 slides down the inclined landing platform 100 to the upper sliding track 101 by gravity. When the drone 20 slides from the landing platform 100 to the top of the upper sliding track 101, the second electromagnet 104 is activated, attracting and removing the drone 20's battery. That is, the battery is attracted off the drone 20 by the magnetic force of the second electromagnet 104. In this embodiment, the battery is a magnetic battery.

[0064] For a better understanding of battery attachment and removal, please refer to the appendix. Figure 2-4 , attached Figure 2 This is the front of the battery 30, which connects to the drone 20. The front includes an iron plate 301, a permanent magnet 201 for attaching to the drone 20's body, and charging points A and B corresponding to charging points C and D on the drone 20, respectively. See the appendix for details. Figure 3 As shown. (Attached) Figure 4 The back of the battery 30 is equipped with a permanent magnet 302, which allows the battery 30 to be attracted by the first electromagnet 103, thereby pulling the drone 20 to land on the landing platform 100. It can also be attracted by the second electromagnet 104 at the top of the lower sliding track 102, thus completing the removal of the battery 30 from the drone 20. Charging points E and F are used to charge the battery 30, and the charging process of the battery 30 will be described below.

[0065] Simultaneously, when the first electromagnet 103 is disabled, the drone 20 loses its electromagnetic attraction and, under the influence of gravity, slides to the end of the upper sliding track 101. When the drone 20 slides to the end of the upper sliding track 101, the control unit is also used to enable the third electromagnet 105 to push the backup battery 106 until the permanent magnet on the drone attracts the backup battery 106. When the permanent magnet attracts the backup battery 106, the control unit is also used to disable the third electromagnet 105 to complete the battery replacement.

[0066] See Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the lower sliding track 102 includes metal charging strips 107 disposed on both sides of the lower sliding track for charging the battery 30. Specifically, when the second magnet 104 attracts the battery 30 of the drone 20, the control unit disables the second magnet 104, and the battery 30 of the drone 20 falls onto the lower sliding track 102 due to gravity; the charging point of the battery 30 contacts the metal charging strips 107 of the lower sliding track 102, and charging begins. See also the appendix. Figure 6 ,like Figure 6 As shown, multiple backup batteries 106 are charged via metal charging strips 107 connected to the lower sliding track.

[0067] See Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the drone battery replacement method of the present invention. In this embodiment, the drone battery replacement method is applied to a drone landing pad 10, which includes a landing platform 100 equipped with a first electromagnet 103; an upper sliding track 101 connected to the landing platform 100; a lower sliding track 102 positioned above the upper sliding track 101, with a second electromagnet 104 at the top of the lower sliding track 102; and a third electromagnet 105 at the end of the lower sliding track 102.

[0068] In this embodiment, the method for replacing the battery of the drone includes the following steps:

[0069] Step S700: The drone is attracted by the first electromagnet, causing the drone to land on the landing platform.

[0070] In this embodiment, the drone landing pad 10 also includes a control unit. Step S700 specifically includes: when the drone flies to the preset parking range of the landing pad, the control unit enables the first electromagnet; the first electromagnet attracts the drone so that the drone lands on the landing platform.

[0071] Step S702: Remove the battery of the drone by using the second electromagnet located at the top of the lower sliding track.

[0072] In this embodiment, step S702 specifically includes: after the UAV lands on the landing platform, disabling the first electromagnet and simultaneously activating the second electromagnet;

[0073] When the drone slides from the landing platform to the top of the upper sliding track, the drone's battery is removed by the second electromagnet.

[0074] Step S704: When the drone glides to the end of the lower gliding track, the backup battery is pushed up by the third electromagnet at the end of the lower gliding track, so that the backup battery is attracted to the drone.

[0075] In this embodiment, step S704 specifically includes: when the first electromagnet is disabled, the drone loses its electromagnetic attraction and slides down to the horizontal position of the upper sliding track under the influence of gravity; when the drone slides to the horizontal position at the end of the upper sliding track, the control unit enables the third electromagnet to push the backup battery upward until the permanent magnet on the drone attracts the backup battery; when the permanent magnet attracts the backup battery, the control unit disables the third electromagnet.

[0076] In this embodiment, the lower sliding track 102 also includes a metal charging strip 107. The method further includes: when the second magnet 104 attracts the battery 30 of the drone 20, the control unit disables the second magnet 104, and the battery 30 of the drone 20 falls to the lower sliding track 102 due to gravity; the charging point of the battery 30 contacts the metal charging strip of the lower sliding track 102 and begins to charge.

[0077] Compared to existing technologies, the drone landing pad provided by the embodiments of the present invention uses a first electromagnet on the landing platform to attract the drone; then, the drone is allowed to glide via an upper sliding track connected to the landing platform; the drone's battery is then removed via a second electromagnet at the top of the lower sliding track; and a spare battery is pushed up by a third electromagnet at the end of the lower sliding track, causing the spare battery to be attracted to the drone, thereby achieving automatic replacement of the drone battery.

[0078] Those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any appropriate changes and modifications made to the above embodiments within the essential spirit and scope of the present invention fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A drone landing pad, characterized in that, include: The landing platform is equipped with a first electromagnet for attracting drones; The upper-level taxiway is connected to the landing platform and is used for the UAV to taxi. A lower sliding track is located below the upper sliding track. The upper and lower sliding tracks have different inclination coefficients. The top of the lower sliding track is connected to the upper sliding track. A second electromagnet is provided for removing the battery of the drone. The lower sliding track is connected to the upper sliding track and is equipped with a third electromagnet for pushing the backup battery upward so that the backup battery is attracted to the drone. The lower sliding track includes metal charging strips on both sides for charging the battery.

2. The drone landing pad as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The control unit is electrically connected to the first electromagnet, the second electromagnet, and the third electromagnet, and is used to control the on / off state of the first electromagnet, the second electromagnet, and the third electromagnet.

3. The drone landing pad as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The control unit is also used for: When the drone flies to the preset stopping range of the landing platform, the first electromagnet is activated, and the drone is attracted by the first electromagnet so that the drone lands on the landing platform. After the drone lands on the landing platform, the first electromagnet is disabled while the second electromagnet is enabled. When the drone slides from the landing platform to the top of the upper sliding track, the second electromagnet is used to attract and remove the drone's battery.

4. The drone landing pad as described in claim 3, characterized in that: When the first electromagnet is disabled, the drone loses its electromagnetic attraction and slides down to the end of the upper sliding track under the influence of gravity; When the drone glides to the end of the upper gliding track, the control unit is also used to enable the third electromagnet to push the backup battery upward until the permanent magnet on the drone attracts the backup battery; When the permanent magnet attracts the backup battery, the control unit is also used to disable the third electromagnet.

5. The drone landing pad as described in claim 3, characterized in that: After the second electromagnet attracts the drone's battery, the control unit is also used to disable the second electromagnet, and the drone's battery falls to the lower sliding track due to gravity. The battery's charging point contacts the metal charging strip of the lower sliding track, and charging begins.

6. A method for replacing the battery of a drone, applied to a drone parking apron, the drone parking apron comprising: The landing platform is equipped with a first electromagnet. The upper sliding track is connected to the landing platform; A lower sliding track is disposed below the upper sliding track. The upper and lower sliding tracks have different inclination coefficients. A metal charging strip is disposed above the upper sliding track. A second electromagnet is disposed at the top and a third electromagnet is disposed at the end. The top of the lower sliding track is connected to the upper sliding track, and the end of the lower sliding track is connected to the end of the upper sliding track. The method includes: The drone is attracted by the first electromagnet, causing it to land on the landing platform. The battery of the drone is removed by adsorption using a second electromagnet located at the top of the lower sliding track, and the removed battery is charged via the metal charging strip. When the drone glides to the end of the lower gliding track, the backup battery is pushed up by the third electromagnet at the end of the lower gliding track, so that the backup battery is attracted to the drone.

7. The method for replacing the battery of a drone as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The drone parking area also includes a control unit. The step of attracting the drone with the first electromagnet and causing the drone to land on the landing platform specifically includes: When the UAV flies to the preset parking area on the landing pad, the control unit activates the first electromagnet; The first electromagnet attracts the drone, causing it to land on the landing platform; The step of removing the drone's battery by using a second electromagnet located at the top of the lower sliding track specifically includes: When the drone lands on the landing platform, the first electromagnet is disabled and the second electromagnet is activated simultaneously. When the drone slides from the landing platform to the top of the upper sliding track, the drone's battery is removed by the second electromagnet.

8. The method for replacing the battery of a drone as described in claim 7, characterized in that, When the drone glides to the end of the lower gliding track, the backup battery is pushed upward by the third electromagnet at the end of the lower gliding track, causing the backup battery to be attracted to the drone. The specific steps include: When the first electromagnet is disabled, the drone loses its electromagnetic attraction and slides down to the horizontal position of the upper sliding track under the influence of gravity; When the drone glides to the end of the upper gliding track, the control unit enables the third electromagnet to push the backup battery upward until the permanent magnet on the drone attracts the backup battery. When the permanent magnet attracts the backup battery, the control unit disables the third electromagnet.

9. The method for replacing the battery of a drone as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The process of removing the drone's battery by attracting it with a second electromagnet located at the top of the lower sliding track, and then charging the removed battery via the metal charging strip, includes: When the second electromagnet attracts the battery of the drone, the control unit disables the second electromagnet, and the battery of the drone falls to the lower sliding track due to gravity. The battery's charging point contacts the metal charging strip of the lower sliding track, and charging begins.

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