Unmanned aerial vehicle charging platform and unmanned aerial vehicle cabin

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle charging, in particular to an unmanned aerial vehicle charging platform and an unmanned aerial vehicle cabin, which comprise a supporting plate and a centering mechanism arranged on the supporting plate and comprising a first centering unit, a second centering unit, a driving unit and a linkage unit; the driving unit is rotationally connected with the first centering unit and drives the first centering unit to center or release the unmanned aerial vehicle along the Y-axis direction; the first centering unit is rotationally connected with the second centering unit through the linkage unit and drives the second centering unit to synchronously center or release the unmanned aerial vehicle along the X-axis direction. In the scheme, the first centering unit drives the second centering unit through the linkage unit, the number of the driving units in the scheme is reduced, cost is saved, weight is reduced, space of the unmanned aerial vehicle charging platform is saved, the structure of the unmanned aerial vehicle charging platform is avoided from being bulky, energy consumption is reduced, and production cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of drone charging technology, and in particular to a drone charging platform and drone cabin. Background Technology

[0002] Drone charging typically involves docking the drone on a charging platform, where a centering structure centers the drone before charging. Existing centering structures generally use four centering rods for centering and releasing the drone. Each of these rods requires an independent drive mechanism, consuming more energy and resulting in a bulky, heavy, and costly charging platform. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of this invention is to provide a drone charging platform and drone cabin to solve the problems of the driving structure of the charging platform consuming more energy and having a relatively bulky structure in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the above and other related objectives, the present invention provides a drone charging platform, comprising:

[0005] Support plate;

[0006] The centering mechanism, mounted on the support plate, includes a first centering unit, a second centering unit, a drive unit, and a linkage unit. The drive unit is rotatably connected to the first centering unit and drives the first centering unit to center or release the UAV along the Y-axis. The first centering unit and the second centering unit are rotatably connected through the linkage unit, and the linkage unit drives the second centering unit to synchronously center or release the UAV along the X-axis.

[0007] Optionally, the drive unit includes a rotating shaft, a first shift fork, and a first intermediate connector. The rotating shaft is rotatably mounted on the support plate along its own axis. The first end of the first shift fork is mounted on the rotating shaft. The first shift fork is rotatably connected to the first centering unit through the first intermediate connector.

[0008] Optionally, the first centering unit includes two first centering rods arranged opposite each other along the Y-axis. The two first centering rods can move towards or away from each other along the Y-axis. The number of driving units is two sets. The two first shift forks are rotatably connected to the two first centering rods through the two first intermediate connecting members.

[0009] Optionally, the second centering unit includes two second centering rods arranged opposite each other along the X-axis. The two second centering rods can move towards or away from each other along the X-axis. The linkage unit includes four second intermediate connecting members. The first ends of two second intermediate connecting members are rotatably disposed on the first ends of the two second centering rods, and the second ends are rotatably disposed in the middle of one of the first centering rods. The first ends of the other two second intermediate connecting members are rotatably disposed on the second ends of the two second centering rods, and the second ends are rotatably disposed in the middle of the other first centering rod.

[0010] Optionally, the support plate is provided with a first slide rail on both sides along the Y-axis and a second slide rail on both sides along the X-axis. The two ends of the first push rod are slidably disposed on the two first slide rails, and the two ends of the second push rod are slidably disposed on the two second slide rails.

[0011] Optionally, the first push rod has a first slider at each end, and the first push rod is slidably mounted on the first slide rail via the first slider. The second push rod has a second slider at each end, and the second push rod is slidably mounted on the second slide rail via the second slider. The first end of the second intermediate connector is rotatably mounted on the first end of the second push rod via the second slider.

[0012] Optionally, the drone charging platform further includes at least two sets of four-bar linkages. The four-bar linkages are used to connect the rotating shaft to the cover of the drone charging platform. Each four-bar linkage includes a first crank, a second crank, a first crank connector, and a second crank connector. The first crank connector is disposed on the support plate, and the second crank connector is used to connect to the cover of the drone charging platform. The first end of the first crank is connected to the rotating shaft, and the second end is rotatably connected to the second crank connector. The first end of the second crank is rotatably connected to the first crank connector, and the second end is rotatably connected to the second crank connector.

[0013] Optionally, an elongated hole is provided at either end of the second push rod along its length direction, and the end of the second push rod with the elongated hole can move horizontally relative to the second intermediate connector through the elongated hole.

[0014] Optionally, the drive unit further includes a second shift fork and a drive push rod, wherein the first end of the second shift fork is connected to the rotating shaft, the first end of the drive push rod is rotatably mounted on the support plate, and the second end of the drive push rod is rotatably connected to the second end of the second shift fork.

[0015] A drone cabin, including the drone charging platform as described above.

[0016] As described above, the drone charging platform of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] The drive unit is rotatably connected to the first centering unit and drives the first centering unit to center or release the drone along the Y-axis. The first centering unit and the second centering unit are rotatably connected via a linkage unit, and the first centering unit can drive the second centering unit to synchronously center or release the drone along the X-axis via the linkage unit. In existing solutions, the centering structures in different directions require separate motors for driving. In this solution, the first centering unit drives the second centering unit to center or release the drone via the linkage unit, reducing the number of drive units, saving costs and weight, and saving space for the drone charging platform. It also avoids a bulky structure for the drone charging platform, reduces energy consumption, and lowers production costs. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure from another angle of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is another schematic diagram of the overall structure from an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first hatch and the second hatch in the closed state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a front view of the first hatch according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the first hatch of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the second hatch of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Part Number Explanation

[0026] 1-Support plate; 2-First centering unit; 21-First centering rod; 3-Second centering unit; 31-Second centering rod; 4-Drive unit; 41-Rotating shaft; 42-First shift fork; 43-First intermediate connector; 5-Linkage unit; 51-Second intermediate connector; 61-Second shift fork; 62-Drive push rod; 71-First hatch cover; 711-Protrusion; 712-Rainproof passage; 72-Second hatch cover; 721-Recess; 81-First crank; 82-Second crank; 83-Second crank connector; 84-First crank connector; 85-Elongated hole; 91-First slide rail; 92-Second slide rail; 93-First slider; 94-Second slider. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0028] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in this embodiment are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, the drawings only show units relevant to the present invention and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape, and size of units in implementation. In actual implementation, the form, quantity, and proportion of each unit can be arbitrarily changed, and the unit layout may be more complex. The structures, proportions, and sizes shown in the accompanying drawings are only for illustrative purposes to aid those skilled in the art and are not intended to limit the implementation conditions of the present invention. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to the size, without affecting the effects and objectives of the present invention, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in the present invention. Furthermore, the terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "middle," and "one" used in this specification are only for clarity of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of the present invention.

[0029] Please see Figure 1This embodiment provides a drone charging platform, including a support plate 1 and a centering mechanism. When the drone needs charging, it lands on the support plate 1. The centering mechanism is located on the top of the support plate 1 and includes a first centering unit 2, a second centering unit 3, a drive unit 4, and a linkage unit 5. The drive unit 4 is rotatably connected to the first centering unit 2, and the drive unit 4 can drive the first centering unit 2 to center or release the drone along the Y-axis. The first centering unit 2 and the second centering unit 3 are rotatably connected through the linkage unit 5. Through the linkage unit 5, when the first centering unit 2 centers or releases the drone along the Y-axis, it can simultaneously drive the second centering unit 3 to synchronously center or release the drone along the X-axis.

[0030] The drive unit 4 is rotatably connected to the first centering unit 2 and drives the first centering unit 2 to center or release the drone along the Y-axis. The first centering unit 2 is rotatably connected to the second centering unit 3 through a linkage unit, and the first centering unit 2 can drive the second centering unit 3 to synchronously center or release the drone along the X-axis through the linkage unit. In existing solutions, the centering structures in different directions all require separate motors for driving. In this solution, the first centering unit 2 drives the second centering unit 3 to center or release the drone through the linkage unit, reducing the number of drive units 4 in this solution, saving costs and weight, and saving space for the drone charging platform. It also avoids a bulky structure for the drone charging platform, reduces energy consumption, and lowers production costs.

[0031] In one implementation, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the drive unit 4 is disposed on the end of the support plate 1 along the Y-axis. The drive unit 4 includes a rotating shaft 41, a first shift fork 42, and a first intermediate connecting member 43. The rotating shaft 41 can rotate along its own axis. The end of the first shift fork 42 away from the middle of the support plate 1 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 41 and connected by a key. The first shift fork 42 and the rotating shaft 41 cannot rotate relative to each other. The end of the first shift fork 42 near the middle of the support plate 1 and the end of the first intermediate connecting member 43 away from the middle of the support plate 1 are rotatably connected by a pin. The end of the first intermediate connecting member 43 near the middle of the support plate 1 is rotatably connected by a pin to the first centering unit 2. When the rotating shaft 41 rotates, it can drive the first shift fork 42 to rotate, and at the same time, it can pull or push the first intermediate connecting member 43 in the pitch direction, so that the first intermediate connecting member 43 moves closer to or away from the middle of the support plate 1. This drives the first centering unit 2 to move closer to or away from the middle of the support plate 1, completing the centering or release action. The structure is simple and the transmission efficiency is high.

[0032] In one implementation, such as Figures 1 to 3As shown, the first centering unit 2 includes two first centering rods 21 arranged opposite each other along the Y-axis. The two first centering rods 21 can move closer or further apart along the Y-axis. There are two sets of drive units 4. The two first forks 42 are rotatably connected to the two first centering rods 21 through two first intermediate connectors 43, that is, the two drive units 4 drive the two first centering units 2 to center or release the UAV along the Y-axis.

[0033] In one implementation, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the second centering unit 3 includes two second centering rods 31 arranged opposite each other along the X-axis. The second centering rods 31 are perpendicular to the first centering rod 21 in the horizontal direction, and the two second centering rods 31 can move closer or further apart along the X-axis. The linkage unit 5 includes four second intermediate connecting members 51, and each pair of second intermediate connecting members 51 is rotatably connected to one of the first centering rods 21. The ends of two second intermediate connecting members 51 near the middle of the support plate 1 are horizontally rotatably connected to the same first centering rod 21 by a pin, and are respectively connected to both sides of the connection point between this first centering rod 21 and the first intermediate connecting member 43 along the X-axis. The ends of two second intermediate connecting members 51 away from the middle of the support plate 1 are horizontally rotatably connected to the bottom of the first end of the two second centering rods 31 by a pin. The ends of the other two second intermediate connecting members 51 near the middle of the support plate 1 are horizontally rotatably connected to another first centering rod 21 by a pin, and are respectively connected to both sides of the connection point between this first centering rod 21 and the first intermediate connecting member 43 along the X-axis. The ends of the other two intermediate connecting pieces 51, furthest from the center of the support plate 1, are horizontally rotatably connected to the bottom of the second ends of the two second centering rods 31 via pins. With this configuration, the first centering rod 21 can efficiently drive the second centering rod 31 to move along the X-axis, completing the centering or release operation of the UAV.

[0034] In one implementation, such as Figure 3 As shown, a first slide rail 91 is provided on both sides of the top of the support plate 1 along the Y-axis, and a second slide rail 92 is provided on both sides of the top of the support plate 1 along the X-axis. The bottom ends of the first push rod 21 are slidably mounted on the top of the first slide rail 91, and the first push rod 21 is movably mounted on the support plate 1 along the Y-axis via the first slide rail 91. The bottom ends of the second push rod 31 are slidably mounted on the top of the second slide rail 92, and the second push rod 31 is movably mounted on the support plate 1 along the X-axis via the second slide rail 92. The first slide rail 91 and the second slide rail 92 replace the existing long grooves opened on the support plate 1, preventing water from flowing into the bottom of the support plate 1 through the long grooves, thereby avoiding damage to the electronic equipment at the bottom of the support plate 1.

[0035] In one implementation, such as Figure 3As shown, the bottom ends of the first push rod 21 are respectively provided with first sliders 93, which are slidably mounted on the first slide rail 93. The first push rod 21 is slidably mounted on the first slide rail 91 via the first sliders 93. The bottom ends of the second push rod 31 are respectively provided with second sliders 93, which are slidably mounted on the second slide rail 94. The second push rod 31 is slidably mounted on the second slide rail 94 via the second sliders 93.

[0036] In one implementation, such as Figure 4 As shown, the canopy includes a first canopy 71 and a second canopy 72, which are movable along the Y-axis towards or away from each other on the top of the support plate 1. When the first canopy 71 and the second canopy 72 approach each other until their opposite sides abut, the top of the support plate 1 is closed. When the first canopy 71 and the second canopy 72 move away from each other, the top of the support plate 1 is opened. When the first canopy 71 and the second canopy 72 are open, the UAV can land directly on the support plate 1; when closed, dust and rainwater can be prevented from falling onto the support plate 1.

[0037] In one implementation, such as Figures 5 to 7 As shown, a protrusion 711 is provided on the side of the first hatch 71 opposite to the second hatch 72. The protrusion 711 has outward-facing folds along the edges of the opposite sides of the first hatch 71 and the second hatch 72, forming a rain-proof channel 712. A recess 721 is provided on the side of the second hatch 72 opposite to the first hatch 71, and the recess 721 cooperates with the rain-proof channel 712. When the opposite sides of the second hatch 72 and the first hatch 71 abut against each other, the recess 721 can block the rain-proof channel 712, closing it. When the second hatch 72 and the first hatch 71 move in opposite directions, the recess 721 opens the rain-proof channel 712. There are many circuits or electronic components below the support plate 1; the above arrangement can prevent rainwater from seeping between the first hatch 71 and the second hatch 72 onto the support plate 1, avoiding damage to the circuits or electronic components.

[0038] In one implementation, such as Figure 3As shown, the drone charging platform also includes at least two sets of four-bar linkages, and the number of four-bar linkages can be four. When there are four sets of four-bar linkages, two sets are connected to both ends of the same rotating shaft 41, and the other two sets are connected to both ends of another rotating shaft 41. When there are two sets of four-bar linkages, one set is located at either end of one rotating shaft, and the other set is located at either end of the other rotating shaft. The four-bar linkage includes a first crank 81, a second crank 82, a first crank connector 84, and a second crank connector 83. The first crank connector 84 is located on the top of the support plate 1. When there are two sets of four-bar linkages, the two second crank connectors 83 are located on the first hatch 71 and the second hatch 72, respectively. When the four-bar linkage has four sets, two second crank connecting parts 83 are respectively disposed on the inner walls of both sides of the first hatch 71, and two other second crank connecting parts 83 are respectively disposed on the inner walls of both sides of the second hatch 72. The bottom end of the first crank 81 is connected to the rotating shaft 41 by a key, and the top end is rotatably connected to the second crank connecting part 83. The bottom end of the second crank 82 is rotatably connected to the first crank connecting part 84, and the top end is rotatably connected to the second crank connecting part 83. This arrangement allows the first hatch 71 and the second hatch 72 to close simultaneously during push-in and open simultaneously during release, saving time and improving efficiency.

[0039] In one implementation, such as Figure 3 As shown, an elongated hole 85 is provided at either end of the second push rod 31 along its length. A pin corresponding to the end of the second push rod 31 with the elongated hole 85 is slidably disposed within the elongated hole 85. Through the cooperation between the pin and the elongated hole 85, the end of the second push rod 31 with the elongated hole 85 can move horizontally relative to the corresponding second intermediate connector 51. There may be slight errors when the first hatch 71 and the second hatch 72 open, preventing them from being completely synchronized. After the drive unit 4 at either end of the support plate 1 drives the corresponding first centering unit 2, the first centering unit 2 drives the corresponding second centering unit 3. Then, the drive unit 4 at the other end drives the corresponding first centering unit 2. At this time, the connection between the second push rod 31 and the second intermediate connector 51 may jam, causing the latter of the first hatch 71 and the second hatch 72 to fail to open properly. The setting of the elongated hole 85 can avoid the above-mentioned jamming problem. The drive unit 4 corresponding to the end without the elongated hole 85 will act first, and the drive unit 4 corresponding to the end with the elongated hole 85 will act later, so that both hatches can be opened and closed normally.

[0040] In one implementation, such as Figure 2As shown, the drive unit 4 also includes a second shift fork 61 and a drive push rod 62. The end of the drive push rod 62 near the center of the support plate 1 is rotatably mounted on the support plate 1. The end of the second shift fork 61 away from the center of the support plate 1 is keyed to the rotating shaft 41. The end of the second shift fork 61 near the center of the support plate 1 is rotatably connected to the end of the drive push rod 62 away from the center of the support plate 1. The drive push rod 62 includes an electric push rod. When energized, the drive push rod 62 can push and pull the second shift fork 61, causing the second shift fork 61 to rotate, thereby causing the rotating shaft 41 to rotate.

[0041] An embodiment of this solution also provides a drone cabin, including the drone charging platform as described in the above embodiments.

[0042] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A drone charging platform, characterized in that, The unmanned aerial vehicle charging platform comprises a support plate, a centering mechanism arranged on the support plate, a driving unit, and a linkage unit, wherein the centering mechanism comprises a first centering unit, a second centering unit, and the driving unit is rotationally connected with the first centering unit and drives the first centering unit to center or release the unmanned aerial vehicle along the Y-axis direction, the first centering unit is rotationally connected with the second centering unit through the linkage unit, and the second centering unit is driven by the linkage unit to synchronously center or release the unmanned aerial vehicle along the X-axis direction. The driving unit comprises a rotating shaft, a first shift fork, and a first intermediate connecting piece, the rotating shaft is rotationally arranged on the support plate along the axis of the rotating shaft, the first end of the first shift fork is arranged on the rotating shaft, and the first shift fork is rotationally connected with the first centering unit through the first intermediate connecting piece. The unmanned aerial vehicle charging platform further comprises at least two groups of four-bar mechanisms, the four-bar mechanisms are used for connecting the rotating shaft and the hatch cover of the unmanned aerial vehicle charging platform, the four-bar mechanisms comprise a first crank, a second crank, a first crank connecting piece, and a second crank connecting piece, the first crank connecting piece is arranged on the support plate, the second crank connecting piece is used for being connected with the hatch cover of the unmanned aerial vehicle charging platform, the first end of the first crank is connected with the rotating shaft, and the second end is rotationally connected with the second crank connecting piece; the first end of the second crank is rotationally connected with the first crank connecting piece, and the second end is rotationally connected with the second crank connecting piece. The first centering unit comprises two first centering rods arranged opposite to each other along the Y-axis, the two first centering rods can move towards or away from each other along the Y-axis direction, the number of the driving units is two, and the two first shift forks are rotationally connected with the two first centering rods through the two first intermediate connecting pieces respectively. The second centering unit comprises two second centering rods arranged opposite to each other along the X-axis direction, the two second centering rods can move towards or away from each other along the X-axis direction, the linkage unit comprises four second intermediate connecting pieces, the first ends of two second intermediate connecting pieces are rotationally arranged on the first ends of the two second centering rods respectively, and the second ends are rotationally arranged on the middle portions of one of the first centering rods; the first ends of the other two second intermediate connecting pieces are rotationally arranged on the second ends of the two second centering rods respectively, and the second ends are rotationally arranged on the middle portions of the other first centering rod.

2. The drone charging platform of claim 1, wherein: The support plate is provided with first sliding rails on the two sides along the Y-axis direction respectively, and is provided with second sliding rails on the two sides along the X-axis direction respectively, the two ends of the first centering rod are slidingly arranged on the two first sliding rails respectively, and the two ends of the second centering rod are slidingly arranged on the two second sliding rails respectively.

3. The drone charging platform of claim 2, wherein: The two ends of the first centering rod are provided with first sliding blocks respectively, the first centering rod is slidingly arranged on the first sliding rail through the first sliding blocks, the two ends of the second centering rod are provided with second sliding blocks respectively, the second centering rod is slidingly arranged on the second sliding rail through the second sliding blocks, and the first ends of the second intermediate connecting pieces are rotationally arranged on the first ends of the second centering rod through the second sliding blocks.

4. The drone charging platform of claim 3, wherein: ​ 5. The drone charging platform of claim 4, wherein: ​ 6. The drone charging platform of any one of claims 3-5, wherein: Any one end of the second push rod is provided with a long hole along the length direction thereof, and the end of the second push rod provided with the long hole is horizontally movable relative to the second intermediate connecting piece through the long hole.

7. The drone charging platform of any one of claims 1-5, wherein: The driving unit further comprises a second fork and a driving push rod, the first end of the second fork is connected with the rotating shaft, the first end of the driving push rod is rotationally arranged on the support plate, and the second end of the driving push rod is rotationally connected with the second end of the second fork.

8. An unmanned aerial vehicle nacelle, characterized by: The unmanned aerial vehicle charging platform comprises a charging platform body, a plurality of charging units arranged on the charging platform body, and a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicle charging platforms arranged on the charging units. The unmanned aerial vehicle charging platform comprises a charging platform body, a plurality of charging units arranged on the charging platform body, and a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicle charging platforms arranged on the charging units.

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