Lifting appliance for unmanned aerial vehicle and unmanned aerial vehicle comprising lifting appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of lifting appliances. Specifically, the invention provides a lifting appliance for an unmanned aerial vehicle, and the lifting appliance comprises a bottom plate; the parachute storage bin is arranged on the bottom plate, and the parachute storage bin is constructed to be capable of storing a parachute in the parachute storage bin; and a control module. Wherein the control module is configured to be capable of controlling the parachute storage bin, so that the parachute storage bin can be opened so as to release the parachute. The invention further provides the unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle comprises the lifting appliance according to the principle of the application.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of aircraft, and particularly relates to a lifting device for an aircraft and an aircraft including the device. Background Technology

[0002] The background description provided herein is intended to provide an overall overview of the background information for this application.

[0003] Aircraft, especially unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, are increasingly being used in cargo transportation. There are several ways to transport goods by aircraft. One method involves manually loading goods onto the aircraft, which then transports the goods to the destination and lowers them to the ground using a hoisting cable. However, in this method, in emergencies such as cable entanglement, snags on foreign objects, aircraft malfunction, or hoisting cable failure, the hoisting cable must be cut to disconnect the goods from the aircraft to ensure the safety of either the goods or the aircraft. Cutting the cable results in a hard landing, which can easily damage the goods and cannot guarantee a safe landing at a suitable location.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide a new type of spreader to ensure that goods can be safely landed at a suitable location in emergency situations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This section presents the concepts of this application in a simplified form, which will be further illustrated in the detailed description below. This section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to assist in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] According to a first aspect of this application, a lifting device for an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided, the lifting device comprising:

[0007] Base plate;

[0008] A parachute storage compartment is mounted on the base plate, and the parachute storage compartment is configured to store the parachute therein; and

[0009] Control module;

[0010] The control module is configured to control the parachute compartment so that it can open and the parachute can be deployed.

[0011] Preferably, the lifting device has a wall, wherein the side of the wall facing the base plate extends along its edge and surrounds the base plate so that the base plate and the wall form a box-like structure.

[0012] Preferably, the lifting device further includes a thruster mounting bracket for mounting the thruster, wherein the thruster mounting bracket is located on the outside of the wall, and wherein the control module is also configured to control the operation of the thruster.

[0013] Preferably, the thruster mounting bracket includes a first body and a second body, wherein both the first body and the second body are generally rectangular plates, and wherein the second body is disposed at opposite ends of the first body and perpendicular to the first body, and the thruster is mounted in the first body and the second body.

[0014] Preferably, the lifting device also includes a vision module.

[0015] Preferably, the lifting device further includes at least one of a communication module, a detection module, and a positioning module.

[0016] Preferably, the base plate is provided with a winch unit, wherein the winch unit includes a winch disc body, a motor connected to the winch disc body, and a rope for winding the winch disc body.

[0017] Preferably, the wall can accommodate a battery pack.

[0018] Preferably, the lifting device further includes a rope guiding mechanism, which is disposed in the base plate or in the thruster mounting bracket.

[0019] Preferably, at least one of the wall and the thruster mounting bracket is provided with a perforation.

[0020] In another aspect of this application, an unmanned aerial vehicle is also provided, which includes a lifting device according to the principles of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other or additional features, advantages, and details are presented by way of example only in the following detailed description of the embodiments. In the accompanying drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 A lifting device based on the principles of this application is schematically shown.

[0023] Figure 2 The diagram schematically illustrates another perspective of a lifting device based on the principles of this application.

[0024] Figure 3 A lifting device with a top cover, based on the principles of this application, is illustrated schematically.

[0025] It should be understood that throughout the accompanying drawings, corresponding reference numerals identify similar or corresponding parts or features. It should also be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are merely schematic illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Exemplary embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application, its use, or its application.

[0027] This application will now be further elaborated. In the following paragraphs, different aspects of this application are defined in more detail. Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, each aspect so defined may be combined with any other aspect(s). In particular, any feature indicated as preferred or advantageous may be combined with any other feature(s) indicated as preferred or advantageous.

[0028] See attached document Figure 1 This illustration shows a lifting device 100 according to the principles of this application. The lifting device 100 includes a base plate 110, a parachute storage compartment 120 disposed on the base plate 110, and a control module 130. The parachute storage compartment 120 is configured to store a parachute 121 therein. The control module 130 is configured to control the parachute storage compartment 120 to open it to release the parachute 121. For example, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, the control module 130 can be electrically connected to the parachute storage compartment 120, thereby controlling the opening of the parachute storage compartment 120 to release the parachute 121. The lifting device 100 may be provided with a cargo box, grippers, or hooks for storing, gripping, or mounting goods.

[0029] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that, according to the principles of this application, the spreader 100 is connected to the aircraft via ropes. In an emergency, the cutting mechanism installed on the aircraft or the spreader cuts the ropes, and the control module 130 of the spreader 100 can control the parachute storage compartment 120 to open, thereby releasing the parachute 121. This allows the spreader 100 and the cargo to achieve a soft landing under the action of the parachute 121, thus ensuring the safety of the cargo. Emergency situations may occur during cargo handling, such as rope entanglement or snagging on surrounding objects, rope winch jamming, aircraft malfunction, low aircraft battery, or low spreader battery preventing the spreader from retracting into the aircraft.

[0030] Advantageously, the spreader 100 may be equipped with a communication module (not shown), which can be configured to communicate with the control module. In an emergency, the communication module can receive remote control commands and transmit them to the control module 130, so that the control module 130 controls the parachute storage compartment 120 to open and deploy the parachute 121. Advantageously, the spreader 100 may also include a detection module (not shown). The detection module can be used to detect whether the spreader 100 is in an emergency state. For example, the detection module can detect one or more of the following data through sensors: the current and speed of the winch motor, the angle of the spreader 100's level, the acceleration of the spreader 100, the angle of the aircraft's level, the battery level of the spreader 100, and the battery level of the aircraft. This data can be transmitted to the control module 130 or a remote operator via wired or wireless means, and the control module 130 or the remote operator can determine whether the spreader 100 is in an emergency state.

[0031] In one implementation, the control module 130 determines whether the spreader 100 is in an emergency state. The control module 130 stores preset thresholds for the aforementioned data. When one or more data exceed the threshold, the control module 130 determines that the spreader 100 is in an emergency state and performs an escape operation.

[0032] In one implementation, a remote operator determines whether the spreader 100 is in an emergency. The communication module transmits the data detected by the detection module to a remote control terminal, which displays this data in real time, allowing the operator to determine whether the spreader 100 is in an emergency and decide whether to perform an evacuation operation. Advantageously, the remote control terminal may also store preset thresholds for the aforementioned data. When one or more data received by the remote control terminal exceed the threshold, the remote control terminal issues an alarm to alert the operator, who then determines whether the spreader 100 is in an emergency and decides whether to perform an evacuation operation.

[0033] Advantageously, the detection module may also include a camera installed on the aircraft, which can transmit real-time images of the spreader 100 to a remote operator via a communication module, allowing the remote operator to determine whether the spreader 100 is in an emergency and decide whether to perform an evacuation operation.

[0034] Advantageously, the lifting device 100 is provided with a wall 140. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the wall 140 extends along the edge of the base plate 110 and surrounds the base plate 110, thus forming a box-like structure with the base plate 110. This box-like structure protects the parachute storage compartment 120 and the control module 130 mounted on the base plate 110. The base plate 110 can be rectangular, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or irregular in shape, preferably rectangular. When the base plate 110 is rectangular (e.g., ...), Figure 1 (Illustratively shown) Wall 140 may include a first wall 140a and a second wall 140b, wherein the first wall 140a preferably extends perpendicularly to the base plate along two opposite sides of the base plate 110, and the second wall 140b preferably extends perpendicularly to the base plate along another two opposite sides of the base plate 110. The first wall 140a and the second wall 140b are detachably connected, for example by bolts or rods, and the rods used for connection may be metal rods or carbon fiber rods.

[0035] See attached document Figure 1 Appendix Figure 2 and attached Figure 3 Advantageously, the spreader 100 has a thruster mounting bracket 150 on the outer side of the wall 140 for mounting the thruster 151. The control module 130 can be configured to control the operation of the thruster 151. For example, the thruster 151 can be electrically connected to the control module 130, so that the operation of the thruster 151 can be controlled by the control module 130. When the spreader 100 is in an emergency and the parachute 121 is deployed, the control module 130 can control the thruster 151 to start, thereby providing a horizontal force to the spreader 100 to propel it to a suitable landing location. The thruster mounting bracket may be provided with a cutout 152 to reduce the weight of the spreader 100.

[0036] See attached document Figure 1 The thruster 151 can be a propeller, or a gas or liquid nozzle. The thruster mounting bracket 150 can include a first body 150a and a second body 150b. As shown, both the first body 150a and the second body 150b are generally plate-shaped. The first body 150a and the first wall 140a are generally parallel or parallel to each other. The second body 150b and the second wall 140b are in the same direction, located at opposite ends of the first body 150a and perpendicular to it. The thruster 151 is mounted in the first body 150a and the second body 150b. When the base plate 110 is rectangular, thruster mounting brackets 150 are provided on the outer side of the first wall 140a, thereby enabling the lifting device 100 to be supplied with force in various directions by controlling the operation of each thruster 151.

[0037] Advantageously, the hoist 100 may include a vision module (not shown). When the aircraft enters an emergency and the rope of the hoist 100 is cut, the vision module can identify a suitable landing site in the surrounding environment and send the location information of the site to the control module 130. The control module 130 then sends a start command to the relevant thrusters 151, causing the hoist 100 to move towards and land at the suitable landing site under the combined action of the thrusters 151 and the parachute 121. In one embodiment, the vision module can capture two-dimensional or three-dimensional images of the surrounding environment using a camera and use algorithms such as machine learning to determine a relatively flat or obstacle-free location as the landing site. In another embodiment, the vision module can use SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) methods to scan the surrounding area with visual radar or lidar, build a digital three-dimensional model, and then identify a suitable landing site. Alternatively, the vision module can transmit real-time images of the surrounding environment to a remote operator, who can then identify a suitable landing location and send corresponding instructions to the control module 130. The control module 130 then controls the thrusters 151 and the parachute 121 to move the spreader 100 to the suitable location and land.

[0038] The lifting device 100 may also include a positioning module (not shown). This positioning module can work with the vision module to identify suitable landing sites and can also be used to locate preset landing sites. In one embodiment, the aircraft's control module 130 stores location information of multiple preset landing sites along the flight path. When the aircraft enters an emergency and cuts the rope of the lifting device 100, the positioning module can determine the location information of the lifting device 100 via, for example, a GPS system and send the location information to the control module. The control module then determines the nearest landing site based on the location information of the lifting device 100 and sends a command to the corresponding thruster 151, causing the lifting device 100 to move towards and land at the nearest landing site. Alternatively, the positioning module can also send the location information of the lifting device 100 to the aircraft's remote control unit via a communication module, allowing a human to determine the nearest landing site and remotely send a command to the control module to move the lifting device 100 towards the nearest landing site.

[0039] See attached document Figure 1Advantageously, the base plate 110 may be provided with a winch unit 160, wherein the winch unit 160 includes a winch disc body 161, a motor 162 connected to the winch disc body 161, and a rope (not shown) wound around the winch disc body 161. The number of winch units 160 can be two or more, for example, four. The lifting device 100 is connected to the aircraft via the ropes of the winch units mounted thereon, and the lifting and lowering of the lifting device 100 is achieved by the winding and unwinding of the ropes. Advantageously, the winch unit 160 also includes a rope guiding mechanism 163 to change the direction of the rope and prevent rope swaying. The rope guiding mechanism 163 can be provided on the base plate 110 or in the thruster mounting bracket 150, preferably at the connection between the first body 150a and the second body 150b of the thruster mounting bracket 150. Alternatively, the lifting device 100 may not have a winch unit, but may be connected to the aircraft only via a rope, with the lifting and lowering of the lifting device 100 controlled by a winch unit located on the aircraft.

[0040] For reference Figure 1 and attached Figure 2 Advantageously, a battery pack 141 can be housed inside the wall 140 to provide power to devices such as the control module 130 and the motor 162 located in the lifting device 100. The wall 140 may be provided with a perforation 142 to allow the battery pack to dissipate heat, for ropes to pass through the perforation, and to reduce the weight of the lifting device 100. The perforation 142 can be of any shape.

[0041] See attached document Figure 3 Advantageously, the lifting device 100 may be provided with a top cover 170, wherein the top cover 170 is detachably connected to the wall 140, thereby covering the box-like structure formed by the wall 140 and the base plate 110 to protect equipment such as the control module 130 and the motor 162 mounted on the base plate 110. Advantageously, the top cover 170 is provided with a through hole 171 so that the parachute 121 can be deployed through the hole 171.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the lifting device based on the principles of this application can be used not only for emergency situations involving aircraft but also for dropping cargo. In the method of airdropping cargo, after the aircraft flies to the destination, the aircraft cuts the rope connected to the lifting device 100. At this time, the control module 130 controls the parachute storage compartment 120 to open and release the parachute 121. Simultaneously, the vision module determines the most suitable landing location and transmits the location information to the control module 130. The control module 130 then activates the corresponding thrusters 151, thereby propelling the lifting device 100 and the cargo to land at the most suitable landing location.

[0043] This application also provides an aircraft including a lifting device 100 according to the principles of this application. The aircraft can be an unmanned aircraft or a manned aircraft.

[0044] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been described in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that numerous variations exist. It should also be understood that the one or more exemplary embodiments described herein are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or construction of this application in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide convenient guidance to those skilled in the art in implementing one or more exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes, modifications, or alterations can be made to the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of this application as set forth by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A lifting device for an unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized in that, The lifting device includes: Base plate; A parachute storage compartment is disposed on the base plate, the parachute storage compartment being configured to store a parachute therein; and Control module; The control module is configured to control the parachute storage compartment so that the parachute storage compartment can be opened to allow the parachute to be deployed.

2. The lifting device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting device has a wall, wherein the wall extends along its edge toward the base plate and surrounds the base plate to form a box-like structure with the base plate and the wall.

3. The lifting device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The lifting device also includes a thruster mounting bracket for mounting a thruster, wherein the thruster mounting bracket is located on the outside of the wall, and wherein the control module is further configured to control the operation of the thruster.

4. The lifting device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The thruster mounting bracket includes a first body and a second body, wherein both the first body and the second body are generally rectangular plates, and wherein the second body is disposed at opposite ends of the first body and perpendicular to the first body, and the thruster is mounted in the first body and the second body.

5. The lifting device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The lifting device also includes a vision module.

6. The lifting device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The lifting device also includes at least one of a communication module, a detection module, and a positioning module.

7. The lifting device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The base plate is provided with a winch unit, wherein the winch unit includes a winch disc body, a motor connected to the winch disc body, and a rope wound around the winch disc body.

8. The lifting device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The wall can accommodate a battery pack.

9. The lifting device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The lifting device also includes a rope guiding mechanism, wherein the rope guiding mechanism is disposed in the base plate or in the thruster mounting bracket.

10. The lifting device as described in claim 9, characterized in that, At least one of the wall and the thruster mounting bracket is provided with a perforation.

Images