Large size payload mounting and release device for flexible wing uav

Abstract

The application discloses a large-size load mounting and releasing device for a flexible-wing unmanned aerial vehicle, which comprises a load frame, an unlocking mechanism and a self-throwing mechanism; the load frame is provided with pin holes on both sides of one end and hooks on both sides of the other end; the unlocking mechanism comprises pin shafts, rudders, a transmission assembly and locking pieces; at the beginning, the upper parts of the pin holes on both sides are matched with the pin shafts, and the lower parts are supported on the locking pieces; the rudders drive the locking pieces to synchronously withdraw from the pin holes, so that the unlocking is realized; the self-throwing mechanism comprises a hanging rod and a sleeve which are fixed together; the upper part of the hanging rod is provided with a gap, and the front side and the lower side of the sleeve are provided with continuous openings; at the beginning, the hooks are supported on the hanging rod and are limited by the openings on the left and right sides and by the inner wall of the sleeve on the upper side; after the unlocking, the hooks rotate around the hanging rod by a certain angle, and then the hooks are separated from the hanging rod through the gap and from the sleeve through the openings. The application can load large-size loads and is reliable in connection and release.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to flexible-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and more specifically to a large-size payload installation and delivery device for flexible-wing UAVs. Background Technology

[0002] Flexible-wing drones, due to their large wing area, possess strong payload capacity and are capable of serving as payload delivery tools. However, current flexible-wing drones are mainly used for carrying electronic equipment for aerial photography, communication relay, and broadcasting. If used as payload delivery platforms, they primarily rely on landing on the ground, and can only deliver small, lightweight payloads such as leaflets and brochures. They lack the ability to deliver large, heavy payloads, thus limiting the application scenarios of flexible-wing drones. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the current lack of technology for deploying large payloads on flexible-wing UAVs, the purpose of this invention is to provide a large payload installation and deployment device for flexible-wing UAVs, capable of loading large payloads and ensuring reliable connection and disconnection.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in this invention is:

[0005] A large-size payload installation and delivery device for a flexible-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is installed at the bottom of the UAV's pod. It includes a payload frame for carrying the payload and unlocking and self-detonation mechanisms located at opposite ends of the pod. One end of the payload frame has pin holes on both sides, and the other end has hooks on both sides. The unlocking mechanism includes pins, a servo motor, a transmission assembly, and locking components. Initially, the upper parts of the pin holes on both sides fit onto the pins on both sides, and the lower parts are supported by the locking components on both sides. When the servo motor drives the locking components to simultaneously disengage, the pin holes disengage downwards from the pins, thus unlocking the device. The self-detonation mechanism includes a hanging rod and a sleeve fixed together. The upper part of the hanging rod has a notch, and the front and lower sides of the sleeve have continuous openings. Initially, the hooks are supported downwards and hung on the hanging rod, with the left and right sides limited by the openings and the upper side limited by the inner wall of the sleeve. After unlocking, when the payload frame drives the hooks to rotate around the hanging rod by a certain angle, the hooks first disengage from the hanging rod through the notch and then disengage from the sleeve through the opening.

[0006] The unlocking mechanism and the self-launching mechanism are located at the front and rear ends of the pod, respectively; or, the unlocking mechanism and the self-launching mechanism are located at the rear and front ends of the pod, respectively.

[0007] Preferably, the load frame includes a pair of longitudinal bars and several crossbars connected between the longitudinal bars, with pin holes and hooks respectively installed at the ends of the longitudinal bars in the form of joints.

[0008] Preferably, the pins on both sides are respectively mounted on the pin seats on both sides, and the servo, transmission assembly and locking component are as a whole mounted on the unlocking frame. The pin seats are provided with mounting structures for mounting on the pod components and mounting positions for mounting the unlocking frame. The two sides of the unlocking frame are respectively mounted on the mounting positions of the pin seats on both sides.

[0009] Preferably, the transmission assembly includes a rudder disk, connecting rods, and trigger elements. The rudder disk is driven to rotate by a servo motor. One end of a connecting rod is hinged to each side of the rudder disk, and the other end of the connecting rods is hinged to a trigger element. The trigger element is oscillatingly mounted and has a pressure roller. The locking element is rotatably mounted, with a support portion on one side of the hinge point and a pressure portion on the other side. Initially, the lower part of the pin hole is supported on the support portion, and the pressure roller presses on the pressure portion. When the servo motor drives the rudder disk to rotate, the connecting rods on both sides drive the trigger elements on both sides to oscillate, causing the pressure roller to leave the pressure portion and the locking element to rotate freely, thereby triggering the locking elements on both sides to simultaneously disengage from the pin hole.

[0010] When installing the pin hole, first fit the upper part of the pin hole onto the pin shaft, then rotate the locking part so that the lower part of the pin hole is supported on the support part and apply external force to hold it in place. Then swing the trigger part to press the pressure roller onto the pressure part, and finally remove the external force.

[0011] Preferably, the boom itself serves as a pod component, and both ends of the boom are mounted on other pod components via adapters.

[0012] When installing the hook, first rotate the sleeve so that the opening on its front side faces upward, ensuring that the sleeve will not obstruct the installation of the hook. Then, support the hook downward and hang it on the hanging rod. Next, rotate the sleeve to reset its opening position, ensuring that the sleeve can limit the upper side of the hook. Finally, fix the sleeve on the hanging rod.

[0013] Preferably, the sleeve has a positioning hole at the fixed position on the hanging rod.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0015] In this device, the payload frame and pod are connected at four points. The payload frame spans the entire length of the pod and has no obstruction to the payload in the width direction, thus enabling the loading of large-sized payloads. This device adopts a "multi-point connection + single-point release" scheme. During deployment, the servo motor drives the locking parts on both sides to retract synchronously through the transmission component. The pin hole disengages from the pin shaft downwards, and then the payload frame drives the hook to rotate around the hanging rod. When it reaches a certain angle, the hook first disengages from the hanging rod through the notch and then disengages from the sleeve through the opening. In this way, the mission payload and the payload frame fall together to achieve payload deployment. The "multi-point connection" ensures reliable connection of large-sized payloads on the flexible-wing UAV, while the "single-point release" can use a single actuator to achieve multi-point linkage disengagement, simplifying the control system while improving the reliability of disengagement. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the large-size payload installation and delivery device for a flexible-wing UAV in an embodiment of the present invention, before it is unlocked after installation.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the large-size payload installation and delivery device for a flexible-wing UAV in an embodiment of the present invention, triggered immediately after installation.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the large-size payload installation and delivery device for flexible-wing UAVs after installation and unlocking in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the load frame in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the pin seat in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the servo motor, transmission assembly, and locking component being installed as a whole on the unlocking frame in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the outer casing on one side of the unlocking bracket removed.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the locking component in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the unlocking mechanism and the pin hole in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A schematic diagram showing the outer casing on one side of the unlocking bracket removed.

[0026] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the self-throwing mechanism and the hook in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the hanging rod and sleeve in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 13 This is step one of the hook installation steps in this embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Figure 14 This is step two of the hook installation process in this embodiment of the invention.

[0030] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the self-throwing mechanism and hook when not unlocked in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 16This is a schematic diagram of the hook rotating to an angle that allows it to detach after unlocking in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] In the diagram: 1-Pod; 2-Pin seat; 3-Unlocking frame; 4-Load frame; 5-Hanging rod; 6-Adapter; 7-Pin hole; 8-Sleeve; 9-Vertical rod; 10-Horizontal rod; 11-Hook; 12-Pin; 13-Mounting position; 14-Mounting structure; 15-Servo; 16-Servo disc; 17-Pressure wheel; 18-Locking component; 19-Connecting rod; 20-Trigger component; 21-Supporting part; 22-Pressure-bearing part; 23-Notch; 24-Opening; 25-Positioning hole. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0034] This embodiment discloses a large-size payload installation and delivery device for flexible-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, such as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the bottom of the pod 1 of the flexible-wing UAV includes a load rack 4 for carrying the load, as well as an unlocking mechanism and a self-detonation mechanism located at both ends of the pod 1; Figure 4 As shown, the load frame 4 has pin holes 7 on both sides at one end and hooks 11 on both sides at the other end; Figures 5 to 11 As shown, the unlocking mechanism includes a pin 12, a servo motor 15, a transmission assembly, and a locking element 18. Initially, the upper parts of the pin holes 7 on both sides are respectively fitted onto the pins 12 on both sides, and the lower parts are respectively supported on the locking elements 18 on both sides. When the servo motor 15 drives the locking elements 18 on both sides to retract synchronously through the transmission assembly, the pin holes 7 disengage downward from the pins 12, thus unlocking the mechanism. Figures 12 to 16 As shown, the self-launching mechanism includes a hanging rod 5 and a sleeve 8 fixed together. The upper part of the hanging rod 5 is provided with a notch 23, and the front and lower sides of the sleeve 8 are provided with continuous openings 24. Initially, the hook 11 is supported downward and hung on the hanging rod 5, and the left and right sides are limited by the openings 24, and the upper side is limited by the inner wall of the sleeve 8. After unlocking, when the load frame 4 drives the hook 11 to rotate around the hanging rod 5 at a certain angle, the hook 11 first disengages from the hanging rod 5 through the notch 23 and then disengages from the sleeve 8 through the opening 24.

[0035] In the above scheme: the load frame 4 and the pod 1 are connected at 4 points. The length of the load frame 4 spans the entire length of the pod 1, and the width direction does not obstruct the load, so it can load large-sized loads. This device adopts a "multi-point connection + single-point release" scheme. During release, the servo motor 15 drives the locking parts 18 on both sides to retract synchronously through the transmission component. The pin hole 7 disengages downward from the pin shaft 12. Then the load frame 4 drives the hook 11 to rotate around the hanging rod 5. When it reaches a certain angle, the hook 11 first disengages from the hanging rod 5 through the notch 23 and then disengages from the sleeve 8 through the opening 24. In this way, the mission load and the load frame 4 fall together to realize the release of the load. Among them, the "multi-point connection" ensures the reliable connection of large-sized loads on the flexible wing UAV, and the "single-point release" can use one actuator to realize multi-point linkage release, which simplifies the control system and improves the reliability of release.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the unlocking mechanism and the self-launching mechanism are located at the front and rear ends of the pod 1, respectively; of course, the unlocking mechanism and the self-launching mechanism can also be located at the rear end and the front end of the pod 1, respectively; in short, the arrangement of the two is not limited.

[0037] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the load frame 4 includes a pair of longitudinal bars 9 and several crossbars 10 connected between the longitudinal bars 9. The pin holes 7 and hooks 11 are respectively installed at the ends of the longitudinal bars 9 in the form of joints. The load frame 4 adopts this relatively simple structure, which is convenient to manufacture, install, maintain and replace.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 5 to 7 , Figures 9 to 11 As shown, in this embodiment, the pins 12 on both sides are respectively mounted on the pin seats 2 on both sides. The servo motor 15, transmission assembly and locking component 18 are as a whole mounted on the unlocking frame 3. The pin seat 2 is provided with an installation structure 14 for mounting on the pod 1 component and an installation position 13 for mounting the unlocking frame 3. The two sides of the unlocking frame 3 are respectively mounted on the installation positions 13 of the pin seats 2 on both sides. This arrangement is convenient to install and can ensure the installation accuracy of the pins 12, servo motor 15, transmission assembly and locking component 18, so that the unlocking mechanism can be used immediately after installation, avoiding multiple adjustments.

[0039] like Figures 6 to 11As shown, in this embodiment, the transmission assembly includes a rudder disk 16, a connecting rod 19, and a trigger 20. The rudder disk 16 is driven to rotate by a servo motor 15. One end of the connecting rod 19 is hinged to each side of the rudder disk 16, and the other end of the connecting rod 19 is hinged to the trigger 20. The trigger 20 is oscillatingly mounted and has a pressure roller 17. The locking member 18 is rotatably mounted. One side of the hinge point of the locking member 18 has a support part 21, and the other side has a pressure part 22. Initially, the lower part of the pin hole 7 is supported on the support part 21, and the pressure roller 17 presses on the pressure part 22. When the servo motor 15 drives the rudder disk 16 to rotate, the connecting rods 19 on both sides drive the trigger 20 on both sides to oscillate, so that the pressure roller 17 leaves the pressure part 22 and the locking member 18 can rotate freely, thereby triggering the locking members 18 on both sides to simultaneously withdraw from the pin hole 7. This transmission assembly has a simple structure, stable and reliable transmission, and is convenient to manufacture and install. Of course, other transmission components can also be used, such as a servo motor driving the servo disc to rotate, the servo disc winding around the pull ropes on both sides, and the pull ropes on both sides pulling the pin-type locking part out of the mounting hole, which can also achieve unlocking. However, compared with the preferred example, the reliability is poor.

[0040] According to the above scheme, when installing the pin hole 7: first, fit the upper part of the pin hole 7 onto the pin shaft 12, then rotate the locking member 18 so that the lower part of the pin hole 7 is supported on the support part 21 and external force is applied to hold it, then swing the trigger member 20 so that the pressure roller 17 presses on the pressure part 22, and finally remove the external force.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 12 to 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the hanging rod 5 itself serves as a component of the pod 1, and both ends of the hanging rod 5 are installed on other pod 1 components via adapters 6.

[0042] According to the above scheme, when installing the hook 11: first rotate the sleeve 8 so that the opening 24 in the front area faces upward, ensuring that the sleeve 8 will not obstruct the installation of the hook 11. Then, support the hook 11 downward and hang it on the hanging rod 5. Then rotate the sleeve 8 to reset the position of the opening 24, ensuring that the sleeve 8 can limit the upper side of the hook 11. Finally, fix the sleeve 8 on the hanging rod 5.

[0043] like Figures 12 to 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the sleeve 8 is provided with a positioning hole 25 at the fixed position on the hanging rod 5.

[0044] The embodiments described above are some, but not all, of the embodiments of this application. The detailed description of the embodiments of this application is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A large-size payload installation and delivery device for flexible-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, characterized in that: Installed at the bottom of the pod of the flexible-wing UAV, it includes a payload frame for carrying the payload and an unlocking mechanism and a self-throwing mechanism located at both ends of the pod. One end of the payload frame has pin holes on both sides, and the other end has hooks on both sides. The unlocking mechanism includes a pin shaft, a servo motor, a transmission assembly, and a locking component. Initially, the upper parts of the pin holes on both sides fit onto the pin shafts on both sides, and the lower parts are supported on the locking components on both sides. When the servo motor drives the locking components on both sides to retract synchronously through the transmission assembly, the pin holes disengage downward from the pin shafts to achieve unlocking. The self-throwing mechanism includes a hanging rod and a sleeve fixed together. The upper part of the hanging rod has a notch, and the front and lower sides of the sleeve have continuous openings. Initially, the hooks are supported downward and hung on the hanging rod, with the left and right sides limited by the openings on both sides and the upper side limited by the inner wall of the sleeve. After unlocking, when the payload frame drives the hooks to rotate around the hanging rod by a certain angle, the hooks first disengage from the hanging rod through the notch and then disengage from the sleeve through the opening. The pins on both sides are respectively installed on the pin seats on both sides. The servo, transmission components and locking components are installed as a whole on the unlocking frame. The pin seats are provided with mounting structures for mounting on the pod components and mounting positions for mounting the unlocking frame. The two sides of the unlocking frame are respectively installed on the mounting positions of the pin seats on both sides. The boom itself serves as a pod component, and both ends of the boom are installed on other pod components via adapters.

2. The large-size payload installation and delivery device for flexible-wing unmanned aerial vehicles as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The unlocking mechanism and the self-launching mechanism are located at the front and rear ends of the pod, respectively; or, the unlocking mechanism and the self-launching mechanism are located at the rear and front ends of the pod, respectively.

3. The large-size payload installation and delivery device for flexible-wing unmanned aerial vehicles as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The load frame includes a pair of longitudinal bars and several crossbars connected between the longitudinal bars. Pin holes and hooks are installed at the ends of the longitudinal bars in the form of joints.

4. The large-size payload installation and delivery device for flexible-wing unmanned aerial vehicles as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission assembly includes a rudder disc, connecting rods, and triggers. The rudder disc is driven to rotate by a servo motor. One end of a connecting rod is hinged to each side of the rudder disc, and the other end of the connecting rods is hinged to a trigger. The trigger is oscillatingly mounted and has a pressure roller. The locking element is rotatably mounted, with a support portion on one side of the hinge point and a pressure portion on the other side. Initially, the lower part of the pin hole is supported on the support portion, and the pressure roller presses on the pressure portion. When the servo motor drives the rudder disc to rotate, the connecting rods on both sides drive the triggers on both sides to oscillate, causing the pressure roller to leave the pressure portion and the locking element to rotate freely, thereby triggering the locking elements on both sides to simultaneously disengage from the pin hole.

5. The large-size payload installation and delivery device for flexible-wing unmanned aerial vehicles as described in claim 4, characterized in that: When installing the pin hole, first fit the upper part of the pin hole onto the pin shaft, then rotate the locking part so that the lower part of the pin hole is supported on the support part and apply external force to hold it in place. Then swing the trigger part to press the pressure roller onto the pressure part, and finally remove the external force.

6. The large-size payload installation and delivery device for flexible-wing unmanned aerial vehicles as described in claim 1, characterized in that: When installing the hook, first rotate the sleeve so that the opening on its front side faces upward, ensuring that the sleeve will not obstruct the installation of the hook. Then, support the hook downward and hang it on the hanging rod. Next, rotate the sleeve to reset its opening position, ensuring that the sleeve can limit the upper side of the hook. Finally, fix the sleeve on the hanging rod.

7. The large-size payload installation and delivery device for flexible-wing unmanned aerial vehicles as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The sleeve has a positioning hole at the fixed position on the hanging rod.

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