Auxiliary energy supply unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses an auxiliary energy supply unmanned aerial vehicle, and belongs to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle collaborative transportation. The whole unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a power module, a rack, grabbing arms and other core components. The core of the invention lies in that a new mechanical whole is formed by introducing the grabbing arms to the unmanned aerial vehicle to connect external devices. The unmanned aerial vehicle can be understood as an unmanned aerial vehicle, an unmanned ship, a small unmanned rocket and the like according to different working environment media, and is suitable for tasks such as multi-unmanned-aerial-vehicle cooperative hoisting operation, multi-unmanned-ship cooperative traction transportation operation and space satellite (or space station) boosting of heavy-load goods of tonnage or above.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of multi-drone collaborative operation, specifically relating to an auxiliary power supply drone, which is particularly suitable for multi-drone collaborative air transport of goods of ton or above and multi-unmanned surface vessel collaborative water transport operations. Background Technology

[0002] With the continued development of the low-altitude economy in 2025, the application scenarios of various aircraft are constantly expanding. However, the existing single aircraft still have significant limitations in terms of load capacity, economy and operational flexibility: (1) Traditional multi-rotor UAVs are limited by the power of a single unit, making it difficult to achieve efficient lifting of cargo weighing more than ton; (2) The load capacity of single-rotor UAVs is limited by the size, material and tip speed of the blades; (3) The collaborative lifting operation of multiple agricultural UAVs is still in the initial exploratory stage. At present, the main approach is to use a long rope for direct vertical pulling, which lacks a unified mechanical structure and intelligent scheduling scheme. The taut rope is prone to accumulating vibration when swinging, which poses a risk to system stability; (4) The development of UAV combined robotic arm solutions is still in its early stages. The large number of target application scenarios leads to complex and heavy robotic arm designs, such as the reference case CN120461462A of the combined robotic arm of unmanned rotorcraft.

[0003] Specifically, existing drone-based robotic arm solutions face the following problems: ① The pursuit of precise and complex operations by robotic arms results in complex and heavy structures; ② There is a lack of technologies related to robotic arms, telescopic grippers, or folding arms in the field of multi-drone and unmanned surface vessel collaborative operations; ③ Although existing patent documents (CN120335471A and CN113359427A involve multi-drone collaborative lifting) propose the concept of multi-drone direct rope-connected cargo lifting, they do not solve the following core problems: the need for drones to allocate power for lateral movement to ensure safe distances between them; mutual interference between drone wakes and cargo; and the ability to quickly reconfigure under sudden working conditions and optimize power configuration under different load requirements when limited by the rope system.

[0004] In light of the current economic development of the low-altitude region and the major technical bottlenecks of heavy-load aircraft, and taking into account the future development and improvement of emerging disciplines and technologies, this application proposes an auxiliary power supply drone to solve the problem of multi-drone collaborative operation under future liquid, air and vacuum media conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the main problems of existing heavy-load unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) whose payload capacity is limited by the physical laws of a single engine and the immaturity of existing multi-UAV collaborative transportation solutions. A brief summary of the invention is provided below to offer a basic understanding of certain aspects of it. It should be understood that this summary is not an exhaustive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or essential parts of the invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is an auxiliary power supply drone, which mainly includes a frame, a power module and a gripper arm.

[0007] Furthermore, the drone as a whole obtains power by connecting its own power module through a frame, and then connects with external devices through connecting mechanisms such as grippers to form a new conceptual whole.

[0008] Furthermore, the term "drone as a whole" refers to an indivisible whole composed of various modules in the context of a work mission.

[0009] Furthermore, the frame connects the power module, the gripper arm, and other necessary components.

[0010] Furthermore, the power module primarily provides sufficient power for the entire UAV to meet its spatial movement and relative positional stability requirements.

[0011] Furthermore, the gripper arm serves as a connecting mechanism, connecting the frame and external receiving devices to enable energy exchange.

[0012] Furthermore, the drone as a whole is not limited to any particular scenario and can be used in environments such as the atmosphere, vacuum, liquid, and solid surfaces. That is, it is not limited to the concept of an aircraft drone, but its core function is limited to providing auxiliary power to external devices.

[0013] Furthermore, the frame is a core component in the overall concept of the UAV. Its main function is to maintain the stable connection and installation of the power module, gripper, and other necessary components through its own strength, so as to ensure the normal operation of the overall function.

[0014] Furthermore, the power module, as the main energy-consuming component, consumes energy and converts it into power that changes the overall motion state of the UAV in space. It can be a combination of rotor, propeller, ducted fan, ducted turbofan and electromagnetic field with engine, motor and ionization chamber modules, which convert electrical energy, chemical energy and potential energy into kinetic energy.

[0015] Furthermore, the gripper arm can be in the form of a telescopic rod, a folding arm, or a rotating arm, and its shape and structure are not limited to the examples mentioned above. However, its core function is limited to forming the UAV and external devices into a whole in terms of energy, at least forming a new whole with the same kinetic energy through force transmission. As needed, it can have functions such as electrical interconnection circuits, fuel interconnection pipelines, and signal communication transmission links.

[0016] Furthermore, the core function of the drone is limited to auxiliary power supply. Its energy source can be itself or external devices, and it provides kinetic energy, chemical energy, and electrical energy to external devices. In short, it converts the total energy into the energy form required by external devices.

[0017] Furthermore, the frame on an aircraft may include the skeleton and skin of concepts such as fuselage and wings; on a ship, the frame may include the keel, bulkhead and skin of concepts such as hull and cabin; and on an automobile, the frame may include the chassis and sheet metal components.

[0018] The application scenarios described above include, but are not limited to: a 4-axis ducted fan UAV as a whole, with its internal support structure and connecting wings or linkages forming the frame as described in this claim, its four ducted fans serving as power modules, and a folding grab hook connected to the frame serving as a grab arm. This combination can be applied to the field of multi-UAV collaborative lifting, where multiple UAVs can use their own grab arms to grasp external load-bearing structures, and the load-bearing structures pull cargo from below, enabling multi-UAV collaborative lifting of heavy cargo. The energy source can be the ducted fan UAV's own power supply or the load-bearing structure's own fuel. The ducted fan UAV converts the fuel energy into engine power, thereby giving the whole unit lift.

[0019] The present invention provides an auxiliary power supply drone. The application scenario examples are not intended to limit the scope of protection, but are provided to better explain the system and method. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this application or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of the working state of an auxiliary power supply drone. Figure label: 1-UAV as a whole, 2-Frame, 3-Power module, 4-Grip arm. All the aforementioned markings and graphics are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended for design finalization.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the operation of an auxiliary power supply drone.

[0023] Figure 1 The diagram on the left shows the state during vertical takeoff (lifting), in which the entire drone connects to external devices via the gripper arm (short gripper arm at the tail). The diagram on the right shows the state during cruising level flight or lateral grabbing, in which the drone connects to external devices via the gripper arm (laterally foldable and extendable robotic arm). Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention is described below with reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the invention.

[0025] The gripper arm mentioned in this invention can be designed in different styles and functions according to different task requirements and the actual needs of the support and power module. However, the core function of this structure is to meet the connection needs of the UAV as a whole and external components, so that the three can form a unified mechanical system. Its design strength is sufficient to meet the connection needs of the whole under the worst conditions, ensuring that the separation and docking processes of the frame and external components will not fail, and that it can be reused. This ensures that the power requirements of the external components match the number of UAVs working together, meeting the needs of the lifting task. Those skilled in the art can select and design this part according to their needs to meet the functional requirements.

[0026] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "gripper," "connection," "module," and "frame," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be understood as a physical contact that can be analyzed as a whole mechanically; it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; the connection can be a connection of necessary module systems such as electricity, fuel, and communication, or a mechanical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two or more modules, or an interaction between two or more modules. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms within this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] Example 1, combined with Figure 1This embodiment describes an auxiliary power supply drone. When the drone as a whole 1 is an aircraft, it includes a frame 2, a power module 3, and a grab arm 4. When the external device is stationary on the ground, the drone as a whole 1 hooks the relevant points of the external device below it with the tail grab hook (as shown in the left figure), forming a new whole, so that the external device can be lifted into the air by the pull provided by the drone as a whole 1.

[0028] Assuming the external device is a modified aircraft in flight, the UAV 1 can obtain lift through the wings of the frame 2 and level flight power through the ducted fan of the power module 3. When it is relatively stationary in the air, the UAV 1 can extend to the modified aircraft below through the telescopic grab on the side of its fuselage, grab the corresponding position, achieve aerial docking and form a new whole, and finally enable the UAV 1 to provide cruise power for the modified aircraft.

[0029] When the drone as a whole is not an aircraft, such as an unmanned boat or unmanned vessel, it is equivalent to switching the working environment of the aforementioned embodiment from an air environment to a water environment. The relevant lift is converted into buoyancy, and the power module 3 is replaced by a marine propeller and internal ballast tanks, which can propel the hull forward or rise and fall. It can also be supported by buoyancy after connecting to external devices (such as a larger ship) and achieve water navigation through forward propulsion. The space environment is replaced by concepts such as unmanned rockets, robotic arms, ion thrusters and satellites (or space stations).

[0030] This embodiment is merely an exemplary illustration of the invention and does not limit its scope of protection. Those skilled in the art can make changes and additions to it in parts, as long as they do not exceed the spirit and essence of the invention, they are all within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. An auxiliary energy-assisted drone, characterized by: Comprising The whole drone (1) is connected to its power module (3) by the frame (2) to obtain power, and then connected to external devices through the grabbing arm (4) and other connecting mechanisms to form a new concept whole; The whole drone (1) refers to the whole that cannot be disassembled and is composed of various modules in the working task state; The frame (2) connects the power module (3), the grabbing arm (4) and other necessary components; The power module (3) mainly provides sufficient power for the whole drone (1) to meet its movement in space and relative position stability; The grabbing arm (4) as a connecting mechanism connects the frame (2) and the external receiving device to realize the interaction of energy sources.

2. The energy-assisted drone for assistance according to claim 1, characterized in that: The whole drone (1) is not limited to the use scene, and can be used in atmospheric, vacuum, liquid and solid surface environments, that is, it is not limited to the concept of unmanned aerial vehicle, but its core function is limited to auxiliary power supply for external devices.

3. The energy-assisted drone for assistance according to claim 1, wherein: The frame (2) is the core component of the whole drone (1) concept, and its main function is to maintain the stable connection and installation of the power module (3), the grabbing arm (4) and other necessary components through its strength, to ensure the normal operation of the whole function.

4. The energy-assisted drone for assistance according to claim 1, wherein: The power module (3) as the main energy-consuming component consumes energy to change the motion state of the whole drone (1) in space, which can be in the form of rotor, propeller, duct fan, duct turbofan, etc., matched with engine, motor and ionization chamber, etc. Module, through the conversion of electric energy, chemical energy and potential energy into kinetic energy.

5. The energy-assisted drone for assistance according to claim 1, wherein: The grabbing arm (4) can be in the form of telescopic rod, folding arm or rotary expansion, and its external structure definition is not limited to the foregoing examples, but its core function is limited to forming a whole with the whole drone (1) and external devices in terms of energy sources, at least through force transmission to form a new whole with the same kinetic energy, and can have the functions of electric energy interconnection circuit, fuel interconnection pipeline and signal communication transmission link according to needs.

6. The energy-assisted drone for assistance according to claim 2, wherein: The core function of the whole drone (1) is limited to auxiliary power supply, and its energy form can come from itself or external devices, and can provide kinetic energy, chemical energy and electric energy for external devices, which can be summarized as converting total energy into the required energy form of external devices.

7. The energy-assisted drone for assistance according to claim 3, wherein: The frame (2) on the aircraft can include the skeleton and skin of the fuselage and wings, etc., the frame (2) on the ship can include the keel, bulkhead and skin of the hull and cabin, etc., and the frame (2) on the car can include the frame and sheet metal components, etc.

8. The energy-assisted drone for assistance according to claim 7, characterized in that: Its application scenarios include but are not limited to: 4-axis ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle as the overall unmanned aerial vehicle (1), the internal support structure and the connecting wing or connecting rod are the rack (2) described in the claim, the four ducted fans are the power module (3), and the folding grab hook connected and installed with the rack (2) is the grab arm (4). The combination can be applied in the field of multi-unmanned aerial vehicle cooperative hoisting. The overall unmanned aerial vehicle (1) calls the grab arm (4) to grab the external device load-bearing structure, and the load-bearing structure pulls the cargo below to realize the multi-unmanned aerial vehicle cooperative hoisting of large mass cargo. The energy source can be the power source of the ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle, or the fuel of the load-bearing structure. The ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle converts the fuel energy into engine power, and then the overall obtains the lifting force.

9. The energy-assisted drone for assistance according to claim 8, characterized in that: The application scenarios are not limited to the protection scope, but are used to better explain the system and method.

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