Intelligent logistics solar unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicles, and discloses an intelligent logistics solar unmanned aerial vehicle which comprises a vehicle body, a logistics bin assembly and a supporting leg assembly, the vehicle body comprises a vehicle shell and at least four propeller assemblies fixedly connected with the vehicle shell, and the logistics bin assembly is fixed to the lower portion of the vehicle shell; the logistics bin assembly comprises a plurality of movable photovoltaic panels arranged on the side surface, the top ends of the movable photovoltaic panels are fixed to the machine shell, the movable photovoltaic panels can be unfolded through a supporting rod mechanism, and by fixing the photovoltaic panels, the unmanned aerial vehicle can reduce the electric energy loss of a battery through solar energy in the flight process; therefore, the energy loss in the flight process is effectively reduced, the energy cost is reduced, the energy efficiency of the whole system is improved, the solar cell panel can provide continuous power supplement for the unmanned aerial vehicle in the flight process, and the cruising ability of the unmanned aerial vehicle is enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and in particular to a solar-powered UAV for smart logistics. Background Art

[0002] Smart logistics was proposed by IBM in 2009 to establish a future-oriented supply chain with three major features: advanced, interconnected and intelligent, aiming to reduce logistics costs and increase profits for enterprises. The development of the smart logistics industry has benefited from the innovation and application of technologies such as intelligent software and hardware, the Internet of Things, and big data. These technologies have made logistics management more refined, dynamic, and visual, thereby improving logistics efficiency. In addition, the surge in labor costs is also an important factor in promoting the development of logistics drones. Express delivery companies face the problems of high labor costs and difficult distribution, so they seek automated and unmanned solutions.

[0003] Multi-rotor drones are the main type of drones currently used for logistics distribution. Compared with fixed-wing drones, multi-rotor drones have low take-off conditions and can hover in the air for a long time, which makes it easier for multi-rotor drones to complete the automatic delivery of items during logistics transportation. However, multi-rotor drones consume more energy than fixed-wing drones when flying, which leads to a significant increase in the energy consumption cost of drones during flight. At present, some technologies provide methods for installing solar panels on drones to generate electricity and thus reduce flight energy consumption, but there is no large surface on multi-rotor drones to provide solar panels for installation. If the installed solar panels are too small, they often do not play a big role, but if the installed solar panels are too large, it is often counterproductive. Compared with the small amount of power generation, the excessive flight weight and flight resistance cause more flight energy consumption. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a smart logistics solar-powered drone to solve the problem that existing logistics drones lack good means of utilizing solar energy.

[0005] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] The intelligent logistics solar drone includes a fuselage, a logistics bin assembly, and a leg assembly. The fuselage includes a housing and at least four propeller assemblies fixedly connected to the housing. The logistics bin assembly is fixedly mounted below the housing. The logistics bin assembly includes a plurality of movable photovoltaic panels disposed on the side surface. The top end of the movable photovoltaic panel is fixed to the housing. The movable photovoltaic panel can be unfolded by a strut mechanism. The movable photovoltaic panel also serves as a sealed housing of the logistics bin assembly, which can effectively control the overall weight of the drone and reduce the flight energy loss caused by the weight of the added photovoltaic panels. It not only enables the logistics bin assembly to store items but also utilizes the relatively large surface area of the outer wall of the logistics bin assembly to achieve the effect of photovoltaic power generation, reducing the energy consumption cost of the logistics drone.

[0007] In a possible design, the leg assembly includes a sleeve and a telescopic tube. One end of the telescopic tube is located inside the sleeve and is slidably connected to the sleeve.

[0008] In a possible design, the strut mechanism includes a sliding block and a strut. The sliding block slides inside the sleeve. One end of the strut is rotatably connected to the sliding block. The other end of the strut is hinged to the movable photovoltaic panel through a hinge seat. A through groove is formed on the sleeve. One end of the strut slides in the through groove. The sliding block is pushed by the telescopic tube.

[0009] In a possible design, the sleeve is fixedly connected to the housing. The sleeve is slidably connected to the telescopic tube. A sealing piece is fixedly mounted inside the sleeve. The sealing piece, the sleeve, and the telescopic tube cooperate with each other to form an air chamber. A communication hole is formed on the telescopic tube. The communication hole communicates the air chamber with the outside. Through the damping effect between the sleeve and the telescopic tube, it can play a good shock-absorbing effect on the entire drone fuselage when the drone lands, and can greatly reduce the damage caused by the impact during landing to the drone and the items inside the logistics bin assembly.

[0010] In a possible design, it further includes a movable photovoltaic panel locking assembly. The movable photovoltaic panel locking assembly includes a support bar fixedly disposed on the movable photovoltaic panel and close to one side of each leg assembly, a fixed bar fixed on the sleeve, and a pressing bar slidably engaged with the fixed bar. A locking hook groove is formed on the support bar. When the movable photovoltaic panel is closed, the support bar is in close contact with the sleeve. After controlling the pressing bar to slide into the locking hook groove, the rotation state of the movable photovoltaic panel is locked.

[0011] In a possible design, one end of the telescopic tube is fixed to one end of a connecting shaft. The other end of the connecting shaft is fixed with an end disc. A tension spring is also connected between the end disc and the sliding block.

[0012] In a possible design, the logistics warehouse component further includes a bottom plate, and a fixed photovoltaic panel is fixed on the top of the housing.

[0013] In a possible design, an energy management system is further included. The energy management system is used to manage the electric energy generated by the solar panel visual camera and the electric energy stored in the battery. This energy management system can intelligently schedule energy usage according to the battery power and solar power generation efficiency. The energy management system includes a microprocessor for receiving voltage and current signals from the solar panel visual camera and the battery.

[0014] In a possible design, the propeller assembly includes a lift propeller and a connecting arm. The lift propeller includes a drive motor and a propeller fixed on the drive motor shaft. The drive motor is fixedly connected to the airframe through the connecting arm. The connecting arm is a hollow tube, and a power cord for supplying power to the drive motor is arranged inside the connecting arm.

[0015] In a possible design, a control board and a battery are arranged inside the housing, and a visual camera is also fixedly arranged on the side surface of the housing.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. Through the fixed photovoltaic panel, the drone can reduce the power loss of the battery through solar energy during flight, thereby effectively reducing the energy loss during flight, reducing the energy cost, and improving the energy efficiency of the entire system. The solar panel can provide continuous power supplement for the drone during flight, enhancing the endurance of the drone.

[0018] 2. The present invention also cooperates the strut mechanism with the movable photovoltaic panel to turn on a large-area photovoltaic power generation state after the drone lands, which can not only effectively increase the utilization of light energy, but also not affect the flight state of the drone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, form a part of this application, and do not limit the embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram when the logistics warehouse component in the embodiment of the present invention is completely closed;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a bottom view of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 Cross-sectional view taken along line A-A;

[0023] Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 2 The enlarged cross-sectional view at position B in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 The structural schematic diagram when the pressure bar in the present invention is opened;

[0025] Figure 6 The partial cross-sectional view of the fixing bar;

[0026] Figure 7 For the present invention Figure 3 The enlarged view at position C in the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 The structural schematic diagram when the logistics bin assembly in the embodiment of the present invention is fully opened;

[0028] Figure 9 For the present invention in Figure 8 The structural schematic diagram in the opposite observation direction;

[0029] Figure 10 For the present invention Figure 9 The enlarged view at position D in the present invention.

[0030] The reference numerals represent: 1 - housing, 101 - lift propeller, 102 - connecting arm, 2 - vision camera, 3 - logistics bin assembly, 4 - leg assembly, 401 - sleeve, 402 - telescopic tube, 5 - fixed photovoltaic panel, 6 - bottom plate, 7 - movable photovoltaic panel, 8 - fixing bar, 9 - pressing bar, 10 - support bar, 1001 - locking hook groove, 11 - connecting column, 12 - guide groove, 13 - air chamber, 14 - communication hole, 15 - connecting shaft, 16 - end disc, 17 - tension spring, 18 - sliding block, 19 - strut, 20 - sealing piece, 21 - through groove, 22 - hinge seat. Detailed implementation manners

[0031] To make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer and more understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below in combination with embodiments and drawings. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the present invention are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0032] Embodiment, as Figures 1 to 10As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides a smart logistics solar drone, which includes a fuselage, a logistics bin assembly 3, and a leg assembly 4. The fuselage includes a housing 1 and at least four propeller assemblies fixedly connected to the housing 1. The logistics bin assembly 3 is fixedly installed below the housing 1. The logistics bin assembly 3 includes a plurality of movable photovoltaic panels 7 arranged on the side surface. The top of the movable photovoltaic panel 7 is fixedly connected to the housing 1. The movable photovoltaic panel can be unfolded through a strut mechanism. Thus, after the logistics drone lands, the movable photovoltaic panel 7 is unfolded, enabling the drone to receive sunlight over a larger area to increase power generation, thereby effectively utilizing light energy and reducing the energy cost of the drone.

[0033] At the same time, the movable photovoltaic panel 7 also serves as the sealed housing of the logistics bin assembly 3, which can effectively control the overall weight of the drone and reduce the flight energy loss caused by the weight of the photovoltaic panel when the photovoltaic panel is added to the drone. It not only enables the logistics bin assembly 3 to store items, but also utilizes the relatively large surface area of the outer wall of the logistics bin assembly 3 to achieve the effect of photovoltaic power generation, reducing the energy consumption cost of the logistics drone.

[0034] In this embodiment, the propeller assembly includes a lift propeller 101 and a connecting arm 102. The lift propeller 101 includes a drive motor and a propeller fixed on the drive motor shaft. The drive motor is fixedly connected to the fuselage through the connecting arm 102. The connecting arm 102 is a hollow tube. A power line for supplying power to the drive motor is arranged inside the connecting arm 102. The hollow structure of the connecting arm 102 can also reduce the mass of the connecting arm 102 to reduce flight energy consumption.

[0035] In this embodiment, the leg assembly 4 includes a sleeve 401 and a telescopic tube 402. The sleeve 401 is fixedly connected to the housing 1. The sleeve 401 is slidably connected to the telescopic tube 402. A sealing piece 20 is fixed inside the sleeve 401. The sealing piece 20, the sleeve 401, and the telescopic tube 402 cooperate with each other to form an air chamber 13. A communication hole 14 is formed in the telescopic tube 402. The communication hole 14 communicates the air chamber 13 with the outside. After the drone lands, the overall weight of the drone presses down on the leg assembly 4, causing the telescopic tube 402 to retract into the sleeve 401. When the telescopic tube 402 retracts into the sleeve 401, the volume of the air chamber 13 decreases, and the air inside the air chamber 13 is squeezed out to the outside through the communication hole 14. The communication hole 14 is a relatively small hole, thus forming a good damping effect. Through the damping action between the sleeve 401 and the telescopic tube 402, a good shock absorption effect can be achieved on the entire drone body when the drone lands, which can greatly reduce the damage caused by the impact during landing to the drone and the items inside the logistics bin assembly 3. When each leg assembly 4 has a damping effect, the landing is stable, and the situation where a certain leg retracts quickly and causes the drone to tip over during landing will not occur.

[0036] In this embodiment, the strut mechanism includes a sliding block 18 and a strut 19. The sliding block 18 slides inside the sleeve 401. One end of the strut 19 is rotatably connected to the sliding block 18. The other end of the strut 19 is hinged to the movable photovoltaic panel 7 through a hinge seat 22. A through slot 21 is formed in the sleeve 401. One end of the strut 19 slides inside the through slot 21. The sliding block 18 is pushed by the telescopic tube 402. When the telescopic tube 402 retracts into the sleeve 401, the telescopic tube 402 pushes the sliding block 18 to move upward. The sliding block 18 pushes the strut 19, and the strut 19 pushes the movable photovoltaic panel 7 to unfold.

[0037] Further, this embodiment further includes a locking assembly for the movable photovoltaic panel 7. The locking assembly for the movable photovoltaic panel 7 includes a support bar 10 fixedly arranged on the movable photovoltaic panel 7 and close to one side of each leg assembly 4, a fixed bar 8 fixed on the sleeve 401, and a pressing bar 9 slidably engaged with the fixed bar 8. A locking hook groove 1001 is formed on the support bar 10. When the movable photovoltaic panel 7 is closed, the support bar 10 is in close contact with the sleeve 401. After controlling the pressing bar 9 to slide into the locking hook groove 1001, the rotation state of the movable photovoltaic panel 7 is locked. During flight, locking the movable photovoltaic panel 7 through the locking assembly for the movable photovoltaic panel 7 can prevent items in the logistics bin assembly 3 from pushing the movable photovoltaic panel 7 open and accidentally dropping it. The movement control of the pressing bar 9 on the fixed bar 8 can be controlled by an electromagnet. The pressing bar itself is made of neodymium iron boron magnet, and a copper coil is fixed on the sleeve 401. The movement of the pressing bar 9 is controlled by changing the magnetic pole of the energized copper coil, and the copper coil itself is light in weight and hardly increases the weight of the fuselage.

[0038] Furthermore, one end of the telescopic tube 402 is fixed to one end of the connecting shaft 15, and an end disc 16 is fixed to the other end of the connecting shaft 15. A tension spring 17 is also connected between the end disc 16 and the sliding block 18. When the telescopic tube 402 retracts into the sleeve 401, the telescopic tube 402 pushes the connecting shaft 15, and the connecting shaft 15 pushes the end disc 16. When the locking assembly for the movable photovoltaic panel 7 is closed, the sliding block 18 cannot move. At this time, when the telescopic tube 402 retracts into the sleeve 401, it will convert the gravitational potential energy of the drone into the elastic potential energy of the tension spring 17, so as to realize the controllability when the movable photovoltaic panel 7 is unfolded, rather than the movable photovoltaic panel 7 must be unfolded after landing.

[0039] Beneficially, the logistics bin assembly 3 further includes a bottom plate 6, and the bottom plate 6 is used to bear the total weight of the items in the logistics bin assembly 3.

[0040] In this embodiment, a control board and a battery are arranged in the housing 1. A visual camera 2 is also fixedly arranged on the side surface of the housing 1. The visual camera 2 can be used for face recognition of the person picking up the package. At the same time, the situation around the drone can also be observed through the visual camera 2, so as to achieve the effect of placing, and it is also used for automatic obstacle avoidance during flight.

[0041] In this embodiment, the solar panel is made of high-efficiency single-crystalline or polycrystalline silicon material to improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency, and the surface of the solar panel is covered with an anti-reflection coating to reduce light energy loss. The solar panel uses lightweight materials to reduce the overall weight of the drone.

[0042] In this embodiment, an energy management system is further included. The energy management system is used to manage the electric energy generated by the solar panel vision camera 2 and the electric energy stored in the battery. This energy management system can intelligently schedule energy usage according to the battery power and solar power generation efficiency. The energy management system includes a microprocessor, which is used to receive the voltage and current signals from the solar panel vision camera 2 and the battery, and calculate the energy state based on these signals. The microprocessor is also used to control the charge and discharge process of the battery to extend the battery life.

[0043] Further, a fixed photovoltaic panel 5 is fixed on the top of the housing 1. The fixed photovoltaic panel 5 can also generate electricity during the flight of the drone. During the flight, the electricity generated by the fixed photovoltaic panel 5 is directly input to the propeller assembly through the energy management system, thereby reducing the power consumption of the battery during the flight.

[0044] It should be noted that when the drone is flying, the movable photovoltaic panel 7 drops to seal the entire logistics bin assembly 3, effectively preventing the goods in the logistics bin assembly 3 from falling out. At the same time, it also reduces the wind resistance during flight and reduces the flight energy consumption. After the drone lands, the self-weight of the drone can open each movable photovoltaic panel 7, thereby performing large-area photovoltaic power generation, which can effectively utilize light energy to reduce the energy loss of the logistics drone. Especially in areas rich in solar energy, it can greatly reduce the flight energy consumption of the drone and reduce the logistics transportation cost.

[0045] Working principle:

[0046] A logistics bin assembly 3 is provided below the drone. The surface of the logistics bin assembly 3 is provided with a movable photovoltaic panel 7, and the movable photovoltaic panel 7 also serves as the side plate of the logistics bin assembly 3. After the drone lands, the self-weight of the drone causes the telescopic tube 402 to retract into the sleeve 401. The sleeve 401 drives through the connecting shaft 15 and the end disc 16, and the tension spring 17 between the end disc 16 and the sliding block 18 pulls the sliding block 18. In the state where the pressing strip 9 is unlocked, the sliding block 18 can expand the movable photovoltaic panel 7 by pushing the support rod 19, so that the inventory before the drone transportation and the picking up of goods after arriving at the destination can be completed. Moreover, the cooperation between the expanded movable photovoltaic panel 7 and the fixed photovoltaic panel 5 can bring a large amount of power supplement to the drone in the presence of sunlight, thereby effectively reducing the energy consumption. After the drone takes off, the self-gravity of the movable photovoltaic panel 7 will cause the movable photovoltaic panel 7 to drop, so that the support strip 10 on the movable photovoltaic panel 7 fits with the sleeve 401. The support strip 10 also uses a magnetic part, and can make the support strip 10 fit tightly with the sleeve 401 through the copper coil on the sleeve 401, so that the locking effect is better. After the movable photovoltaic panel 7 fits, it will not have too much impact on the flight of the drone and can ensure the stability during flight.

[0047] The specific embodiments described above further elaborate on the object, technical solution and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above description is only the specific embodiments of the present invention and is not used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A smart logistics solar-powered drone, comprising a body, a logistics warehouse component (3) and a leg component (4), characterized in that: The machine body comprises a casing (1) and at least four propeller assemblies fixedly connected to the casing (1), and the logistics warehouse assembly (3) is fixed below the casing (1); The logistics warehouse component (3) includes a plurality of movable photovoltaic panels (7) arranged on the side surface, the top ends of the movable photovoltaic panels (7) are fixed to the casing (1), and the movable photovoltaic panels (7) can be unfolded by a support rod mechanism.

2. The smart logistics solar drone according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The leg assembly (4) comprises a sleeve (401) and a telescopic tube (402), one end of the telescopic tube (402) being located inside the sleeve (401) and slidably connected to the sleeve (401).

3. The smart logistics solar drone according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The support rod mechanism comprises a sliding block (18) and a support rod (19); the sliding block (18) slides in the sleeve (401); one end of the support rod (19) is rotatably connected to the sliding block (18); the other end of the support rod (19) is hinged to the movable photovoltaic panel (7) via a hinge seat (22); a through groove (21) is provided on the sleeve (401); one end of the support rod (19) slides in the through groove (21); and the sliding block (18) is pushed by the telescopic tube (402).

4. The smart logistics solar drone according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The sleeve (401) is fixedly connected to the housing (1), and the sleeve (401) is slidably connected to the telescopic tube (402). A sealing sheet (20) is fixed inside the sleeve (401), and the sealing sheet (20), the sleeve (401) and the telescopic tube (402) cooperate with each other to form an air chamber (13). A connecting hole (14) is provided on the telescopic tube (402), and the connecting hole (14) connects the air chamber (13) with the outside.

5. The smart logistics solar drone according to claim 1 is characterized in that: It also includes a movable photovoltaic panel (7) locking assembly, which includes a support bar (10) fixedly arranged on the movable photovoltaic panel (7) and close to one side of each of the leg assemblies (4), a fixing bar (8) fixed on the sleeve (401), and a clamping bar (9) slidably matched with the fixing bar (8), and a locking hook groove (1001) is provided on the support bar (10). When the movable photovoltaic panel (7) is closed, the support bar (10) is tightly attached to the sleeve (401), and after the clamping bar (9) is controlled to slide into the locking hook groove (1001), the rotation state of the movable photovoltaic panel (7) is locked.

6. The smart logistics solar drone according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The telescopic tube (402) is fixed to one end of the connecting shaft (15), and an end disc (16) is fixed to the other end of the connecting shaft (15). The end disc (16) and the sliding block (18) are also connected via a tension spring (17).

7. The smart logistics solar drone according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The logistics warehouse assembly (3) also includes a bottom plate (6), and a fixed photovoltaic panel (5) is fixed on the top of the casing (1).

8. The smart logistics solar drone according to claim 1 is characterized in that: It also includes an energy management system, which is used to manage the electric energy generated by the solar panel visual camera (2) and the electric energy stored in the battery. The energy management system can intelligently schedule energy use based on the battery power and solar power generation efficiency. The energy management system includes a microprocessor for receiving voltage and current signals from the solar panel visual camera (2) and the battery.

9. The smart logistics solar drone according to claim 1, characterized in that: The propeller assembly comprises a lift propeller (101) and a connecting arm (102); the lift propeller (101) comprises a drive motor and a propeller fixed on the drive motor shaft; the drive motor is fixedly connected to the machine body via the connecting arm (102); the connecting arm (102) is in the shape of a hollow tube; a power line for supplying power to the drive motor is arranged inside the connecting arm (102).

10. The smart logistics solar drone according to claim 1, characterized in that: A control panel and a battery are arranged inside the casing (1), and a visual camera (2) is also fixedly arranged on the side surface of the casing (1).

Images