Unmanned aerial vehicle nest

Abstract

The application relates to a UAV nest and relates to the technical field of UAV nests. The UAV nest comprises a parking platform, a centering assembly and a driving assembly. The parking platform is used for parking a UAV. The centering assembly is connected with the parking platform to center the UAV on the parking platform. The driving assembly comprises a first gear transmission assembly, a second gear transmission assembly and a first driving member. The first gear transmission assembly is connected with the centering assembly, the second gear transmission assembly is connected with the parking platform, and the first driving member is drivingly connected with the first gear transmission assembly to drive the centering assembly to center the UAV on the parking platform; and the first driving member is drivingly connected with the second gear transmission assembly to drive the parking platform to rotate with the UAV.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of drone nesting technology, and particularly to a drone nesting system. Background Technology

[0002] As an intelligent and automated flight device, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are widely used in various fields due to their unique advantages, such as light weight, small size, low cost, simple air support, and lack of human physiological limitations. After completing their mission, UAVs need to be parked on a positioning platform in a UAV nest. When the UAV is ready to work again, it takes off from the positioning platform. The UAV nest is an important component of UAV technology.

[0003] Currently, the internal components and mechanisms of drone nests are numerous and complex. When users inspect the inside of a drone, the centering component needs to first center the drone on the parking platform, and then the parking platform rotates to drive the centered drone to rotate inside the drone nest to inspect the internal components and mechanisms. In related technologies, the centering component and parking platform of the drone nest need to be driven by separate drive components, which increases costs and is also not conducive to the lightweight design of the drone nest. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a drone nest, in which the first driving component can both drive the centering component to center the drone and drive the parking platform to rotate the centered drone to inspect the components inside the drone nest. This reduces the number of driving components, lowers costs, and reduces the size of the drone nest, achieving a lightweight design for the drone nest.

[0005] This application provides a drone nest, including: a parking platform for parking drones; a centering component connected to the parking platform to center the drones on the parking platform; and a drive component including a first gear transmission component, a second gear transmission component, and a first drive member. The first gear transmission component is connected to the centering component, the second gear transmission component is connected to the parking platform, and the first drive member is driven to the first gear transmission component to drive the centering component to center the drones on the parking platform. The first drive member is driven to the second gear transmission component to drive the parking platform to rotate the drones.

[0006] According to the foregoing embodiments of this application, the first gear transmission assembly includes a first driving bevel gear and a first driven bevel gear that cooperate with each other, and the second gear transmission assembly includes a second driving bevel gear and a second driven bevel gear that cooperate with each other. The first driven bevel gear is connected to the centering assembly, and the second driven bevel gear is connected to the stopping platform. The first driving bevel gear and the second driving bevel gear are coaxially spaced and both are driven connected to the first driving member. The first driving bevel gear and the second driving bevel gear each include a toothed portion and a toothless portion, so that the first driving bevel gear meshes with the first driven bevel gear and the second driving bevel gear disengages from the second driven bevel gear, or the second driving bevel gear meshes with the second driven bevel gear and the second driving bevel gear disengages from the second driven bevel gear.

[0007] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of this application, one side of the centerline of the first driving bevel gear and the second driving bevel gear is toothed and the other side is toothless. Along the first direction, the end of the first driving bevel gear near the centering component engages with the first driven bevel gear, and the end of the second driving bevel gear away from the centering component engages with the second driven bevel gear. The first direction is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first driving bevel gear.

[0008] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of this application, the rotation ratio between the first driving bevel gear and the first driven bevel gear, and the rotation ratio between the second driving bevel gear and the second driven bevel gear are both 1:2.

[0009] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of this application, the drive assembly further includes a rotating sleeve and a rotating shaft. The rotating sleeve is sleeved on the rotating shaft and has a clearance fit. One end of the rotating sleeve is fixedly connected to the centering assembly, and the other end of the rotating sleeve is fixedly connected to the first driven bevel gear. One end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the stopping platform, and the other end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the second driven bevel gear.

[0010] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of this application, the landing platform includes a flight platform and a rotating frustum, the rotating frustum being fitted and rotatably connected to the flight platform, and the UAV nest also includes a lifting mechanism, which is connected to the flight platform to drive the flight platform to rise and fall in a first direction.

[0011] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of this application, the lifting mechanism includes a second driving member, a lifting screw, and a plurality of guide rods. The lifting screw and the plurality of guide rods all extend along a first direction. One end of the lifting screw is driven and connected to the second driving member, and the other end of the lifting screw passes through the flight platform along the thickness direction of the flight platform and is threadedly connected to the flight platform. The plurality of guide rods pass through the flight platform and are slidably connected to the flight platform. The first direction is parallel to the thickness direction.

[0012] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of this application, it further includes: a placement mechanism having at least two charging slots for accommodating drone batteries; and a transfer mechanism including a transfer drive component and a gripping component, the transfer drive component being connected to the gripping component, the gripping component being used to grip the drone battery, the transfer drive component driving the gripping component to move the drone battery between the parking platform and the placement mechanism, so as to move the drone battery to be charged on the drone parked on the parking platform to the charging slot, or to install the drone battery that has been charged on the charging slot onto the drone.

[0013] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of this application, the gripping component includes: a mounting plate connected to the transfer drive component; a telescopic member fixedly mounted on the mounting plate; connecting rods arranged in pairs, one end of the connecting rods being hinged to the telescopic member; and grippers arranged in pairs, each pair of grippers corresponding to a pair of connecting rods. Each gripper includes an arcuate portion and a connecting portion connected to each other, one end of the connecting portion being hinged to the other end of the connecting rod, and the other end of the connecting portion being hinged to the mounting plate.

[0014] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of this application, the placement mechanism includes a placement frame, a placement column, and a lifting drive component. At least two charging slots are disposed on the placement column, and the placement column is connected to the placement frame through the lifting drive component. The lifting drive component drives the placement frame to move up and down along a first direction.

[0015] According to the embodiments of this application, the first drive component is connected to the centering component via a first gear transmission assembly and to the parking platform via a second gear transmission assembly. When it is necessary to inspect the components inside the drone nest of a drone parked on the parking platform, the first drive component drives the first gear transmission assembly, which in turn drives the centering component to center the drone on the parking platform. Then, the first drive component drives the second gear transmission assembly to rotate the parking platform, thereby rotating the centered drone on the platform and inspecting the components inside the drone nest. The drone nest according to the embodiments of this application requires only one first drive component to drive the centering component and the parking platform, reducing the number of drive components, lowering costs, and reducing the size of the drone nest, thus achieving a lightweight design. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a drone nest in one embodiment of this application;

[0018] Figure 2 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the UAV nest without the nest shell in one embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the UAV nest without the nest shell in one embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the drone nest in another embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the UAV nest without the nest shell in one embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the placement mechanism and transfer mechanism in the drone nest according to one embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the grasping component in the UAV nest in one embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first transfer component and the rotating component in the UAV nest according to an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the placement mechanism in the drone nest in one embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure label:

[0028] 1000-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Nest;

[0029] 100-nest shell;

[0030] 200 - Parking platform; 210 - Flight platform; H - Sliding groove; 220 - Rotary frustum;

[0031] 300 - Centering assembly; 310 - Push rod assembly; 320 - Turntable; S - Arc groove;

[0032] 400 - Drive assembly; 410 - First gear transmission assembly; 411 - First driving bevel gear; 412 - First driven bevel gear; 420 - Second gear transmission assembly; 421 - Second driving bevel gear; 422 - Second driven bevel gear; 430 - First driving element; 440 - Rotating sleeve; 450 - Rotating shaft;

[0033] 500 - Lifting mechanism; 510 - Second drive component; 520 - Lifting screw; 530 - Guide rod;

[0034] 600 - Placement mechanism; C - Charging slot; 610 - Placement frame; 620 - Placement column; 630 - Lifting drive component;

[0035] 700 - Transfer mechanism; 710 - Transfer drive assembly; 711 - Rotary assembly; 711a - Connecting block; 711b - Mounting shaft; 711c - Rotary transmission component; 711d - Rotary drive component; 712 - First moving assembly; 712a - Third drive component; 712b - Lead screw; 712c - Slider; 713 - Second moving assembly; 720 - Gripping assembly; 721 - Mounting plate; 722 - Telescopic component; 723 - Connecting rod; 724 - Gripper. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] This invention provides a drone nest, in which the first driving component can both drive the centering component to center the drone and drive the parking platform to rotate the centered drone to inspect the components inside the drone nest. This reduces the number of driving components, lowers costs, and reduces the size of the drone nest, achieving a lightweight design for the drone nest.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a drone nest in one embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is an exploded schematic diagram of a drone nest with the nest shell omitted in one embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 1-2 As shown, this application embodiment provides a UAV nest 1000. The UAV nest 1000 includes a nest shell 100, a landing platform 200, a centering component 300, and a drive component 400. The nest shell 100 is provided with a receiving chamber. The landing platform 200, the centering component 300, and the drive component 400 are all disposed in the receiving chamber. The landing platform 200 includes a flight platform 210 and a rotating frustum 220. The rotating frustum 220 is fitted and rotatably connected to the flight platform 210. Multiple sliding grooves H are provided on the flight platform 210 along the circumference of the rotating frustum 220. The centering component 300 includes multiple push rod components 310. The multiple push rod components 310 correspond one-to-one with the multiple sliding grooves H and are slidably connected. The drive component 400 is respectively connected to the landing platform 200 and the centering component 300 to drive the rotating frustum 220 to rotate or drive the multiple push rod components 310 to slide along the sliding grooves H toward the rotating frustum 220.

[0039] Understandably, the rotating frustum 220 is positioned at the geometric center of the flight platform 210. The drive component 400 drives the centering component 300 to center the UAV parked on the flight platform 210, preventing wobbling or instability when the rotating frustum 220 rotates the UAV. This allows the UAV to perform omnidirectional inspection of the components or mechanisms within the housing 100. In this embodiment, the flight platform 210 is square. In other optional embodiments, the flight platform 210 can also be other polygons, which are not limited here.

[0040] It should be noted that multiple sliding grooves H are arranged circumferentially on the flight platform 210 along the rotating frustum 220, and each sliding groove H extends radially along the rotating frustum 220. Before the UAV lands on the flight platform 210, the initial position of the push rod assembly 310 is at the end of the sliding groove H away from the rotating frustum 220. After the UAV lands on the flight platform 210, the drive assembly 400 drives each push rod assembly 310 to move along the end of the corresponding sliding groove H away from the rotating frustum 220 towards the end of the sliding groove H closer to the rotating frustum 220, so as to push the UAV onto the rotating frustum 220 and achieve the centering of the UAV.

[0041] In this embodiment, after the UAV lands on the flight platform 210 within the housing chamber of the UAV nest 100, the drive assembly 400 drives multiple push rod assemblies 310 of the centering assembly 300 to slide along the slide groove towards the rotating platform 220, thereby centering the UAV onto the rotating platform 220. Then, the drive assembly 400 drives the rotating platform 220 to rotate, which in turn causes the UAV on the rotating platform 220 to rotate. This allows the UAV to inspect the components within the housing chamber of the nest 100 using its own camera device, eliminating the need for the user to personally inspect the components or mechanisms inside the UAV nest 1000 at its installation location. This reduces the need for manual labor and improves the level of automation and intelligent management of the UAV nest 1000.

[0042] like Figure 2-3 As shown, in some embodiments, the drive assembly 400 includes a first gear transmission assembly 410, a second gear transmission assembly 420, and a first drive member 430. The first gear transmission assembly 410 is connected to the centering assembly 300, the second gear transmission assembly 420 is connected to the rotating frustum 220, and the first drive member 430 is driven to the first gear transmission assembly 410 to drive the centering assembly 300 to center the UAV on the flight platform 210 to the rotating frustum 220. The first drive member 430 is driven to the second gear transmission assembly 420 to drive the rotating frustum 220 to rotate the UAV.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first driving component is connected to the centering component 300 via the first gear transmission assembly 410 and to the rotating frustum 220 via the second gear transmission assembly 420. When it is necessary to inspect the components inside the drone nest of a drone parked on the landing platform 200, the first driving component 430 drives the first gear transmission assembly 420, which in turn drives the centering component 300 to center the drone on the flight platform 421. Then, the first driving component 430 drives the second gear transmission assembly 420 to rotate the rotating frustum 220, thereby rotating the drone on the rotating frustum 220 and inspecting the components inside the drone nest. According to this embodiment, the drone nest 1000 only requires one first driving component 430 to drive the centering component 300 and the rotating frustum 220, reducing the number of driving components, lowering costs, and reducing the size of the drone nest 1000, thus achieving a lightweight design.

[0044] like Figure 4 As shown, and see also Figure 2-3 In some embodiments, the first gear transmission assembly 410 includes a first driving bevel gear 411 and a first driven bevel gear 412 that cooperate with each other. The second gear transmission assembly 420 includes a second driving bevel gear 421 and a second driven bevel gear 422 that cooperate with each other. The first driven bevel gear 412 is connected to the centering assembly 300. The second driven bevel gear 422 is connected to the rotary frustum 220. The first driving bevel gear 411 and the second driving bevel gear 412 are coaxially spaced and both are drivenly connected to the first driving member 430. Both the first driving bevel gear 411 and the second driving bevel gear 421 include toothed portions and toothless portions, so that the first driving bevel gear 411 meshes with the first driven bevel gear 421 and the second driving bevel gear 421 disengages from the second driven bevel gear 422; or the first driving bevel gear 411 meshes with the first driven bevel gear 412 and the second driving bevel gear 421 disengages from the second driven bevel gear 422.

[0045] In this embodiment, when the first driving member 430 drives the first active bevel gear 411 to rotate counterclockwise or clockwise by a first preset angle, the first active bevel gear 411 drives the first driven bevel gear 412 to rotate, and the first driven bevel gear 412 drives the rotating sleeve 440 to rotate, which in turn drives the turntable 320 to rotate, causing the push rod assembly 310 to push the drone onto the rotating disk. It can be understood that after the drone returns to center, when the first active bevel gear 411 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise by the first preset angle, the turntable 320 can drive the push rod assembly 310 to reset. The first preset angle is greater than 0° and less than 90°. Furthermore, by setting the transmission ratio between the first active bevel gear 411 and the first driven gear, a smaller rotation angle for the first active bevel gear 411 and a larger rotation angle for the first driven bevel gear 412 can be achieved to meet the rotation angle of the turntable 320.

[0046] like Figure 2-4 As shown, in some embodiments, one side of the centerline of the first driving bevel gear and the second driving bevel gear 421 is toothed, and the other side is toothless. Along a first direction, the end of the first driving bevel gear 411 near the centering assembly 300 engages with the first driven bevel gear 122, and the end of the second driving bevel gear 421 away from the centering assembly 300 engages with the second driven bevel gear 422. The first direction is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first driving bevel gear 411.

[0047] It should be noted that one side of the centerline of the first driving bevel gear 411 and the second driving bevel gear 421 is a toothed portion, and the other side is a toothless portion. This can be understood as the circumference of the gear occupied by the toothed portion and the circumference of the gear occupied by the toothless portion are each half of the gear circumference. Of course, in some other embodiments, the circumference of the gear occupied by the toothed portion and the toothless portion can be set by setting the rotation ratio between the driving bevel gear and the driven bevel gear. For example, when the toothed portion occupies one-quarter of the gear circumference, the driven bevel gear can be rotated one revolution by setting the rotation speed of the driving bevel gear and the driven bevel gear to 1:4, which is not necessarily limited to half a gear.

[0048] In this embodiment, the axes of the first driving bevel gear 411 and the second driving bevel gear 421 are perpendicular to the axes of the first driven bevel gear 412 and the second driven bevel gear 422. Along the first direction, the upper end of the first driving bevel gear 411 meshes with the first driven bevel gear 412, and along the first direction, the lower end of the second driving bevel gear 421 meshes with the lower end of the second driven bevel gear 422. This achieves two transmission paths in different directions within the same space, increasing the flexibility of the transmission system and effectively utilizing space, making the entire transmission assembly more compact. Since both the first driving bevel gear 411 and the second driving bevel gear 421 are half gears with their teeth on the same side, when the first driving member 430 drives the first driving bevel gear 411 to rotate forward or reverse, the second driving bevel gear 421 and the second driven bevel gear 422 are in a non-meshing state, and the second driving bevel gear 421 idles. After the drone is centered on the rotating platform 220, the first drive component 430 drives the second driving bevel gear 421 to reverse a second preset angle, which is less than or greater than 0° and less than 90°. This causes the second driven bevel gear 422 to drive the rotating shaft 450 to rotate 360°, enabling the rotating platform 220 to rotate the drone one revolution within the housing 100's receiving chamber, thus allowing for the detection of components within the housing 100. It can be understood that the rotation angle of the rotating platform 220 is controlled by controlling the transmission ratio of the second driving bevel gear 421 and the second driven bevel gear 422.

[0049] Furthermore, the rotation ratio between the first driving bevel gear 411 and the first driven bevel gear 412, and the rotation ratio between the second driving bevel gear 421 and the second driven bevel gear 422 are both 1:2.

[0050] In this embodiment, since the rotational angular velocity of the second driven bevel gear 422 is twice that of the rotational angular velocity of the second driving bevel gear 421, when the first driving bevel gear 411 rotates 90° counterclockwise or clockwise, the first driven bevel gear 412 rotates one revolution; similarly, when the second driving bevel gear 421 rotates 90° clockwise or counterclockwise, the second driven bevel gear 422 rotates one revolution.

[0051] like Figure 2-3 As shown, in some embodiments, the drive assembly 400 includes a rotating sleeve 440 and a rotating shaft 450. The rotating sleeve 440 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 450 with clearance fit. One end of the rotating sleeve 440 is fixedly connected to the centering assembly 300, and the other end of the rotating sleeve 440 is fixedly connected to the first driven bevel gear 412. One end of the rotating shaft 450 is fixedly connected to the rotating frustum 220, and the other end of the rotating shaft 450 is fixedly connected to the second driven bevel gear 422.

[0052] The drive assembly 400 also includes a rotating sleeve 440 and a rotating shaft 450. The rotating shaft 450 passes through the rotating sleeve 440 and is clearance-fitted with the rotating sleeve 440. One end of the rotating shaft 450 is fixedly connected to the rotating frustum 220. The second gear transmission assembly of the drive assembly 400 is drivenly connected to the rotating shaft 450 to drive the rotating shaft 450 to rotate.

[0053] In this embodiment, the structural design of the rotating shaft 450 passing through the rotating sleeve 440 and rotatably connected to the rotating sleeve 440 improves structural stability and compactness, simplifies the structure, and meets the lightweight design requirements of the UAV nest 1000. The drive component 400 drives the rotating shaft 450 to rotate, thereby driving the rotating frustum 220 to rotate, so that the UAV on the rotating frustum 220 can inspect the components in the nest shell 100's accommodating cavity.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the centering assembly 300 also includes a turntable 320. The turntable 320 is provided with a plurality of arc-shaped grooves S, which correspond one-to-one with and are slidably connected to a plurality of push rod assemblies 310. A rotating sleeve 440 passes through the turntable 320 and is fixedly connected to the turntable 320. A first driving member 430 is connected to the rotating sleeve 440 through a first gear transmission assembly 410 to drive the rotating sleeve 440 to rotate.

[0055] In this embodiment, when the first driving member 430 drives the rotating sleeve 440 to rotate via the first gear transmission assembly 410, the rotating sleeve 440 drives the turntable 320 to rotate. The rotation of the turntable 320 causes the arc-shaped groove S on it to rotate as well, thereby guiding the push rod assembly 310 slidably connected to it to move along the path of the arc-shaped groove S while also sliding along the slide groove. This ensures that the push rod assembly 310 can move smoothly and accurately to the designated position during the sliding process along the slide groove, while also ensuring the synchronization of each push rod assembly 310 during the sliding process. This improves the accuracy and stability of the UAV centering operation and simplifies the design and maintenance difficulty of the overall structure. In this embodiment, the first driving member 430 drives the first gear transmission assembly 410 to drive the rotating sleeve 440 to rotate, which in turn drives the turntable 320 to rotate, so that multiple push rod assemblies 310 center the UAV parked on the flight platform 210. The first drive unit 430 drives the second gear transmission assembly 420 to rotate the rotating shaft 450, causing the rotating frustum 220 to rotate, which in turn causes the drone on the rotating frustum 220 to rotate, so as to inspect the internal components of the housing 100. The first drive unit 430 drives the first gear transmission assembly 410 and the second gear transmission assembly 420 respectively to achieve the centering and rotation of the drone, reducing the number of additional drive units, thereby simplifying the structural design of the drone housing 1000, reducing manufacturing costs and weight, and improving the system integration and reliability.

[0056] like Figure 5-6 As shown, in some implementations, the UAV nest 1000 also includes a lifting mechanism 500, which is disposed in the receiving cavity and fixedly connected to the nest shell 100. The lifting mechanism 500 is connected to the flight platform 210 to drive the flight platform 210 to move up and down in a first direction.

[0057] In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 500 can drive the flight platform 210 to rise and fall in the first direction, thereby causing the flight platform 210 to drive the rotating platform 220 to rise and fall in the first direction, so that the drone on the rotating platform 220 can be better housed in the receiving cavity of the nest shell 100, so as to accurately detect the components inside the nest shell 100.

[0058] like Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the lifting mechanism 500 includes a second drive member 510, a lifting screw 520, and / or multiple guide rods 530. The lifting screw 520 and / or multiple guide rods 530 all extend along a first direction. One end of the lifting screw 520 is drivenly connected to the second drive member 510, and the other end of the lifting screw 520 passes through the flight platform 210 and is threadedly connected to the flight platform 210. One end of the guide rods 530 is fixedly connected to the housing 100, and the other end of the guide rods 530 passes through the flight platform 210 and is slidably connected to the flight platform 210.

[0059] In this example, the second drive unit 510 drives the screw to rotate, causing the flight platform 210 to rise and fall in the first direction, making the flight platform 210 more stable during the rising and falling process, reducing impact and vibration, and ensuring the stability of the flight platform 210 during the rising and falling process. At the same time, by precisely controlling the output of the second drive unit 510 and the rotation speed of the lifting screw 520, the precise control of the rising and falling of the flight platform 210 can be achieved.

[0060] Optionally, since multiple guide rods 530 extending along the first direction are slidably connected to the flight platform 210, as the flight platform 210 rises or falls along the axial direction (first direction) of the lifting screw 520 with the rotation of the lifting screw 520, the guide rods 530 provide additional stability and guidance for the flight platform 210, ensuring that it remains stable during the ascent and descent.

[0061] It should be noted that in this embodiment, there are three guide rods 530. The three guide rods 530 and the lifting screw 520 are distributed around the circumference of the flight platform 210. In some other optional embodiments, the number and layout of the lifting screw 520 and the guide rod 530 can be adjusted according to actual needs to accommodate drones of different sizes and weights.

[0062] like Figure 7 As shown, and see also Figure 5In some implementations, the drone nest 1000 also includes a placement mechanism 600 and a transfer mechanism 700. The placement mechanism 600 is disposed within the receiving cavity and fixedly connected to the nest shell 100. The placement mechanism 600 has at least two charging slots C for accommodating drone batteries. The transfer mechanism 700 is disposed within the receiving cavity and fixedly connected to the nest shell 100. The transfer mechanism 700 includes a transfer drive assembly 710, a drive assembly 400, and a gripping assembly 720. The transfer drive assembly 710 and the drive assembly 400 are connected to the gripping assembly 720, which grips the drone battery. The drive assembly 400 drives the gripping assembly 720 to move the drone battery between the rotating platform 220 and the placement mechanism 600, to move the drone battery awaiting charging from the drone resting on the rotating platform 220 to the charging slot C, or to install a fully charged drone battery from the charging slot C onto the drone.

[0063] In this embodiment, the main function of the charging slot C in the placement mechanism 600 is to provide storage and charging space for drone batteries. At least one of the two charging slots C contains a spare drone battery, while the other charging slot C is empty to provide a charging position for a disassembled drone battery. When the drone on the rotating platform is out of power, the transfer drive component 710 of the transfer mechanism 700 drives the gripping component 720 to grip and transfer the disassembled drone battery to the empty charging slot C in the placement mechanism 600 for charging. The fully charged spare drone battery on the placement mechanism 600 is then transferred and installed onto the drone on the rotating platform 220. This enables the drone nest 1000 to automatically replace and charge drone batteries, significantly improving the drone's endurance and operational efficiency.

[0064] like Figure 7-8 As shown, in some embodiments, the gripping assembly 720 includes a mounting plate 721, a telescopic member 722, a connecting rod 723, and grippers 724. The mounting plate 721 is connected to the drive assembly 400 of the transfer drive assembly 710. The telescopic member 722 is fixedly mounted on the mounting plate 721. The connecting rods 723 are arranged in pairs, with one end of each connecting rod 723 hinged to the telescopic member 722. The grippers 724 are arranged in pairs, each pair corresponding to a pair of connecting rods 723. Each gripper 724 includes an arcuate portion and a connecting portion connected to each other; one end of the connecting portion is hinged to the other end of the connecting rod 723, and the other end of the connecting portion is hinged to the mounting plate 721.

[0065] In this embodiment, when the gripping component 720 needs to grip the drone battery, the telescopic component 722 extends to transmit the telescopic motion to the grippers 724 via the connecting rod 723. This allows the paired grippers 724 to adjust their spacing and angle to grip the drone battery. Similarly, the telescopic component 722 retracts to open the paired grippers 724, releasing the gripped drone battery and enabling the installation and charging of the drone battery. This improves the automation level and operational efficiency of the drone housing 1000.

[0066] Alternatively, the telescopic component 722 may be one of an electric actuator, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a mechanical telescopic structure.

[0067] It should be noted that in some other optional embodiments, the gripping component 720 may also be a suction cup component connected to the telescopic component 722. The suction cup component controls the suction cup to adsorb and release the unmanned battery through the principle of negative pressure, thereby completing the disassembly and replacement of the drone battery.

[0068] like Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the transfer drive assembly 710 drive assembly 400 includes a rotating assembly 711, a first moving assembly 712, and a second moving assembly 713. The first moving assembly 712 is fixedly connected to the housing 100 and to the rotating assembly 711. The first moving assembly 712 drives the rotating assembly 711 to move to both sides of the center of the rotating frustum 220. The second moving assembly 713 is fixedly connected to both the rotating assembly 711 and the gripping assembly 720, and drives the gripping assembly 720 to move away from or towards the rotating assembly 711.

[0069] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the first moving component 712 and the second moving component 713 can be an electric guide rail and a screw and nut moving component that cooperate with each other.

[0070] In this embodiment, when the drone battery needs to be removed and replaced, the first moving component 712 drives the rotating component 711 to move both sides of the rotating platform 220 to move the rotating component 711 closer to the drone battery. Then, the rotating component 711 rotates so that the second moving component 713 can rotate towards and move the gripping component 720 closer to the drone battery placed on the rotating platform 220, thereby enabling the gripping component 720 to accurately grip the drone battery to be removed. After the gripping component 720 grips the drone battery to be removed, the second moving component 713 can move the drone battery away from the drone. The rotating component 711 rotates to drive the second moving component 713 to rotate, thereby moving the gripping component 720 towards the charging slot C of the placement mechanism 600. The first moving component 712 moves the gripping component 720 closer to the placement device, places the removed drone battery into the charging slot C for charging, and further grips the fully charged drone battery and installs it onto the drone on the rotating platform 220.

[0071] like Figure 9 As shown, and see also Figure 7 In some embodiments, the rotating assembly 711 includes a connecting block 711a, a mounting shaft 711b, a rotary transmission member 711c, and a rotary drive member 711d. The connecting block 711a is fixedly connected to the second moving assembly 713. The mounting shaft 711b extends along a first direction, with one end rotatably connected to the connecting block 711a and the other end fixedly connected to the second moving assembly 713. The rotary transmission member 711c is connected to the mounting shaft 711b. The rotary drive member 711d is driven by the rotary transmission member 711c, driving the rotary transmission member 711c to rotate the mounting shaft 711b axially.

[0072] The rotary drive component 711d can be an electric motor, hydraulic motor, pneumatic motor, etc., depending on the application requirements and environmental conditions. The rotary transmission component 711c can be one of belt drive, gear drive, or chain drive, preferably gear drive. For example, the rotary drive component 711d is driven and connected to the driving wheel, and the driven wheel is fixedly connected to the mounting shaft 711b. The drive component drives the driving wheel to rotate, which in turn drives the driven wheel that cooperates with it to rotate, thereby driving the mounting shaft 711b to rotate relative to the connecting block 711a.

[0073] In this embodiment, the rotary drive assembly 400 can drive the rotary transmission component 711c to rotate the mounting shaft 711b relative to the connecting block 711a, thereby driving the second moving component 713, which is fixedly connected to the connecting block 711a, to rotate, so that the second drive assembly 400 moves toward the drone battery on the rotating platform 220.

[0074] like Figure 9As shown, and see also Figure 7 In some implementations, the first moving component 712 includes a third drive member 712a, a lead screw 712b, and a slider 712c. The third drive member 712a is fixedly connected to the housing 100 and is connected to the lead screw 712b. The slider 712c is threadedly connected to the lead screw 712b and is fixedly connected to the rotating component 711; and / or the second moving component 713 is an electric guide rail, which is fixedly connected to the rotating component 711 and the gripping component 720, respectively.

[0075] In this embodiment, the third driving member 712a drives the lead screw to rotate, causing the slider 712c to move along the axial direction of the lead screw, which in turn causes the rotating assembly 711, which is fixedly connected to the slider 712c, to move along the axial direction of the lead screw. The combination of the lead screw and the slider 712c provides high transmission accuracy while ensuring the continuity and stability of the transmission, thus improving the positioning accuracy when locating the UAV battery.

[0076] like Figure 10 As shown, and see also Figure 7 In some implementations, the placement mechanism 600 includes a placement frame 610, a placement column 620, and a lifting drive 630. The placement frame 610 is fixedly connected to the housing 100. At least two charging slots C are disposed on the placement column 620. The placement column 620 is connected to the placement frame 610 via the lifting drive 630, which drives the placement frame 610 to move up and down relative to the placement frame 610 in a first direction.

[0077] In this embodiment, the lifting component can drive the placement column 620 to move up and down relative to the placement frame 610 in the first direction, so as to adjust the height of the charging slot C provided on the placement column 620 in the first direction, so that the gripping component 720 can easily put the disassembled drone battery into the charging slot C and grip the spare drone battery in the charging slot C, thereby improving the replacement efficiency and charging efficiency of the drone battery.

[0078] Furthermore, the lifting drive component 630 may be implemented using a motor, cylinder, or hydraulic device, depending on the application scenario and performance requirements.

[0079] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications can be made and components can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any manner as long as there is no structural conflict. The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A drone nest, characterized in that, include: A docking platform for drones; A centering component is connected to the parking platform to center the drones on the parking platform; The drive assembly includes a first gear transmission assembly, a second gear transmission assembly, and a first drive member. The first gear transmission assembly is connected to the centering assembly, the second gear transmission assembly is connected to the parking platform, and the first drive member is driven to drive the centering assembly to center the UAV on the parking platform. The first driving component is driven to the second gear transmission assembly to drive the parking platform to rotate the drone; The first gear transmission assembly includes a first driving bevel gear and a first driven bevel gear that cooperate with each other. The second gear transmission assembly includes a second driving bevel gear and a second driven bevel gear that cooperate with each other. The first driven bevel gear is connected to the centering assembly, and the second driven bevel gear is connected to the stopping platform. The first driving bevel gear and the second driving bevel gear are coaxially spaced and both are driven by the first driving member. The first driving bevel gear and the second driving bevel gear each include a toothed portion and a toothless portion, so that the first driving bevel gear meshes with the first driven bevel gear and the second driving bevel gear disengages from the second driven bevel gear, or the first driving bevel gear meshes with the first driven bevel gear and the second driving bevel gear disengages from the second driven bevel gear. One side of the centerline of the first driving bevel gear and the second driving bevel gear is the toothed portion, and the other side is the toothless portion. Along the first direction, the end of the first driving bevel gear near the centering component engages with the first driven bevel gear, and the end of the second driving bevel gear away from the centering component engages with the second driven bevel gear. The first direction is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first driving bevel gear.

2. The drone nest as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rotation ratio between the first driving bevel gear and the first driven bevel gear, and the rotation ratio between the second driving bevel gear and the second driven bevel gear are both 1:

2.

3. The drone nest as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The drive assembly further includes a rotating sleeve and a rotating shaft. The rotating sleeve is fitted onto the rotating shaft with a clearance fit. One end of the rotating sleeve is fixedly connected to the centering assembly, and the other end of the rotating sleeve is fixedly connected to the first driven bevel gear. One end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the stopping platform, and the other end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the second driven bevel gear.

4. The drone nest as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The parking platform includes a flight platform and a rotating frustum, the rotating frustum being fitted and rotatably connected to the flight platform. The drone nest also includes a lifting mechanism, which is connected to the flight platform to drive the flight platform to rise and fall in a first direction.

5. The drone nest as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism includes a second driving component, a lifting screw, and multiple guide rods. The lifting screw and multiple guide rods extend along a first direction. One end of the lifting screw is driven and connected to the second driving component, and the other end of the lifting screw passes through the flight platform along the thickness direction and is threadedly connected to the flight platform. The multiple guide rods pass through the flight platform and are slidably connected to the flight platform. The first direction is parallel to the thickness direction.

6. The drone nest as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A placement mechanism having at least two charging slots for accommodating drone batteries; as well as The transfer mechanism includes a transfer drive component and a gripping component. The transfer drive component is connected to the gripping component. The gripping component is used to grip the drone battery. The transfer drive component drives the gripping component to move the drone battery between the parking platform and the placement mechanism, so as to move the drone battery waiting to be charged on the drone parked on the parking platform to the charging slot, or to install the drone battery that has been charged on the charging slot onto the drone.

7. The drone nest as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The crawling component includes: The mounting plate is connected to the transfer drive assembly; The telescopic component is fixedly installed on the mounting plate; Connecting rods, the connecting rods being arranged in pairs, one end of each connecting rod being hinged to the telescopic member; and The grippers are arranged in pairs, and each pair of grippers corresponds to a pair of connecting rods. Each gripper includes an arc-shaped part and a connecting part that are connected to each other. One end of the connecting part is hinged to the other end of the connecting rod, and the other end of the connecting part is hinged to the mounting plate.

8. The drone nest as described in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The placement mechanism includes a placement frame, a placement column, and a lifting drive component. At least two of the charging slots are disposed on the placement column. The placement column is connected to the placement frame through the lifting drive component, and the lifting drive component drives the placement frame to move up and down in a first direction.

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