An unmanned aerial vehicle and a battery replacement device thereof

Abstract

The application relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicles and matching hardware, in particular to an unmanned aerial vehicle and a battery replacing device, which comprises a body, an extension arm fixedly arranged on the body, and rotating blades arranged at the free end of the extension arm; a battery compartment group is arranged on the lower end surface of the body; the battery compartment group comprises a first battery compartment slot and a second battery compartment slot; a first storage battery group is arranged in the first battery compartment slot; a second storage battery group is arranged in the second battery compartment slot; a function cavity is arranged in the body; a first battery replacing assembly is arranged in the function cavity; the first battery replacing assembly can replace the first storage battery group and the second storage battery group, thereby solving the technical problem that, in the existing battery replacing process of the unmanned aerial vehicle, the unmanned aerial vehicle has only a single battery slot, so that the original battery needs to be removed and a new battery needs to be placed in the battery slot, thereby prolonging the overall battery replacing time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of drones and related hardware, and more particularly to a drone and its battery swapping device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, drones are widely used in agriculture, logistics, aerial photography, rescue, and other fields. They mainly consist of a flight control system, power system, frame structure, communication system, mission payload, and ground station.

[0003] Drones can be broadly categorized into military and civilian types based on their intended use. However, their working principles are similar across both categories. Both military and civilian applications place significant demands on endurance. Given fixed product size and limited battery capacity, achieving higher operational efficiency has become a key research focus in the drone field. The widespread use of drones stems from their ability to operate without a pilot, their small size, and their agility. Therefore, battery packs must be adapted to their specific needs. However, for high-intensity, high-frequency flight operations, a single depletion of battery requires a very long recharge time, even with fast charging, at least half an hour. This is insufficient for high-frequency operations. Therefore, similar to new energy vehicles, battery swapping has become a solution to replace lengthy charging times. This allows drones to swap batteries within one minute at a base station and immediately resume operation, replacing the previous method of stopping at a base station for charging. This significantly reduces drone standby time and improves overall efficiency.

[0004] Chinese patent application number 202111250640.4 discloses a drone battery swapping base station, comprising a drone, an external positioning device, a battery swapping device, and a battery box device. Four support rods are fixed above the external positioning device, arranged in a square shape with their four apexes perpendicular to the external positioning device. The upper ends of the four support rods are connected to the battery swapping device. The external positioning device includes an external positioning platform, a primary motor, a bevel gear commutator, a lead screw nut seat, and a lead screw nut. Four lead screws are connected around the bevel gear commutator, each lead screw connected to the bevel gear commutator via a coupling. A lead screw nut seat is slidably connected to each lead screw, and a lead screw nut is fixed to each lead screw nut seat. The other end of one lead screw is connected to the output end of the primary motor as a left-hand lead screw, while the other three lead screws are right-hand lead screws. A positioning rod seat is provided above each lead screw nut seat, and an external positioning rod is provided on each positioning rod seat. This invention facilitates quick battery replacement. The technical solution proposed in the above invention aims to quickly replace batteries. However, since the drone in the solution only has one battery pack, the old battery needs to be removed during the battery replacement process, and then a new battery that has been fully charged in the battery replacement station needs to be replaced into the battery slot. This back-and-forth process increases the battery replacement time. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, in response to the above problems, this invention proposes a drone and its battery swapping device, which solves the technical problem that in the existing drone battery swapping process, since the drone only has a single battery slot, the original battery needs to be removed and the new battery placed in the battery slot, which increases the overall battery swapping time.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a drone, comprising a body, an extension arm fixedly mounted on the body, and a rotating blade disposed at the free end of the extension arm. A battery compartment is provided on the lower end face of the body, the battery compartment comprising a first battery compartment slot and a second battery compartment slot. A first battery pack is placed in the first battery compartment slot, and a second battery pack is placed in the second battery compartment slot. The horizontal cross-section of the first battery compartment slot is rectangular, and the horizontal cross-section of the second battery compartment slot is annular. The second battery compartment slot surrounds the first battery compartment slot. A functional cavity is provided within the body, and a first battery swapping component is provided within the functional cavity. The first battery swapping component enables the swapping of batteries between the first battery pack and the second battery pack.

[0007] The first battery compartment has a first through hole on its inner top surface, and the second battery compartment has a second through hole on its inner top surface. Both the first and second through holes extend into the functional cavity. The first battery swapping assembly connects the first and second through holes. The first battery swapping assembly includes a central support rod, a swing shaft rotatably connected to the central support rod, and a first and second top blocks disposed at both ends of the swing shaft. The swing shaft is rotatably disposed at the free end of the central support rod. The first top block enters the first battery compartment through the first through hole. The first top block moves back and forth within the first through hole and the second top block enters the second battery compartment slot through the second through hole and moves back and forth within the second through hole. The swing shaft is centered on the central support rod. When the first top block enters the first battery compartment slot through the first through hole, the second top block is lifted and retracted into the second through hole. When the second top block enters the second battery compartment slot through the second through hole, the first top block is lifted and retracted into the first through hole. Both the first top block and the second top block are covered with an insulating rubber layer.

[0008] Furthermore, a positioning swing rod is provided on the lower end face of the machine body. The positioning swing rod is rotatably located at the four corners of the lower end face of the machine body. The positioning swing rod is a telescopic rod structure.

[0009] Furthermore, when the drone is parked on the ground, the positioning swing arm acts as a landing gear, pointing towards the ground and approaching the central axis of the drone body. When the drone takes off to perform operations, the positioning swing arm rotates upward to be flush with the horizontal plane. The free end of the positioning swing arm is equipped with a universal positioning roller.

[0010] Furthermore, a first magnetic energizing track is laid in the first battery compartment, and a second magnetic energizing track is laid in the second battery compartment. The first battery pack and the second battery pack supply power to the drone by being attracted to the first magnetic energizing track and the second magnetic energizing track, respectively. Magnetic blocks that cooperate with the first magnetic energizing track and the second magnetic energizing track are correspondingly provided on the first battery pack and the second battery pack.

[0011] A battery swapping device, used in conjunction with a drone, includes a base and an integrated battery swapping station fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the base. The integrated battery swapping station has a cubic structure, and a positioning groove is provided on the upper surface of the integrated battery swapping station. The horizontal projection of the positioning groove is rectangular. Positioning tracks are provided on the four vertical edges of the positioning groove, and the positioning tracks extend from top to bottom along the edges to the bottom surface of the positioning groove.

[0012] Furthermore, the horizontal projection of the positioning track is an arc shape, and an auxiliary entry and exit channel is provided at the top of the positioning track. The structure of the auxiliary entry and exit channel is an eighth of a sphere.

[0013] Furthermore, a first support groove and a second support groove are provided at the center of the bottom surface of the positioning groove. The second support groove is arranged around the first support groove. A first lifting charging column and a second lifting charging column are respectively provided in the first support groove and the second support groove. A battery charging device is integrated on the first lifting charging column and the second lifting charging column. Both the first lifting charging column and the second lifting charging column can be electrically lifted up and down in the vertical direction.

[0014] Furthermore, the first lifting charging column and the second lifting charging column are respectively used to receive the first battery pack and the second battery pack. Both the first lifting charging column and the second lifting charging column can be lowered to a horizontal height lower than the bottom surface of the positioning groove, so that the first battery pack or the second battery pack is flush with the bottom surface of the positioning groove.

[0015] By adopting the aforementioned technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0016] 1. Compared to existing drone and charging station solutions, the advantages of this invention lie in its ability to quickly swap and recharge drone batteries. This replaces the previous method where drones needed to enter charging stations for extended periods. The new battery swapping solution ensures that when drones run out of power, they can quickly swap and recharge at a base station and immediately resume their missions. The battery swapping primarily involves replacing the drone's batteries. The drone has a first battery compartment and a second battery compartment, which operate independently. When the first battery pack is installed in the first battery compartment, the second battery pack is removed and enters the base station for charging. When the first battery pack is nearly depleted, the drone enters the base station, and the second battery pack takes over, powering the drone. Simultaneously, when the second battery pack enters the drone, the first battery pack detaches and enters the base station to continue charging. This cyclical replacement ensures the drone can operate for extended periods.

[0017] 2. This invention improves upon the original UAV landing gear by installing a positioning swing arm on the UAV's fuselage. The improved positioning swing arm can be positioned and engaged with the base of the battery swapping device, while also functioning as the original landing gear. When the UAV takes off, the positioning swing arm is aligned with the horizontal plane, reducing the UAV's lateral flight resistance. When the UAV ascends or descends, the positioning swing arm can switch to a vertical downward position to overcome the UAV's vertical flight resistance. When the UAV approaches the base for landing, the positioning swing arm continues to rotate until it is slightly tilted towards the UAV's central axis, ensuring that the positioning swing arm can smoothly enter the positioning track along the auxiliary entry / exit channel on the base, and then smoothly guide the UAV to descend into the base.

[0018] 3. In this invention, a universal positioning roller is provided at the free end of the positioning swing rod to ensure that the universal positioning roller fits into the positioning track after the positioning swing rod enters the auxiliary entry and exit channel, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the two.

[0019] 4. The rapid battery swapping in this invention relies on the cooperation between the first battery swapping component and the battery swapping device on the UAV. The principle of the first battery swapping component is similar to a "seesaw." When the first top block sinks, the second top block rises, and vice versa. The first and second battery packs are magnetically attached to the UAV body. The magnetic force is very strong when the two magnetic surfaces are in contact. Furthermore, the first and second battery compartments provide perimeter protection for the first and second battery packs, respectively. In other words, when the first battery pack enters the first battery compartment or the second battery pack enters the second battery compartment and magnetically attaches to the UAV body, it can be securely connected. During battery swapping, once the first battery swapping component is activated, regardless of whether the first battery pack or the second battery pack is in contact with the UAV body, the battery swapping device will automatically engage with the first battery pack. When the top block or the second top block sinks, it will push the first and second battery packs downwards accordingly. Once the magnetic attraction between their surfaces is broken, the first or second battery pack will detach from the main body under its own gravity and fall into the integrated battery swapping station for charging. The first or second battery pack, which is then magnetically reattached to the main body, will continue to provide power, and the drone can take off immediately. The principle of rapid battery swapping mainly relies on the principle of magnetic attraction. When the two magnetic surfaces are connected, the strong magnetic force generated can ensure a stable connection between the battery pack and the drone. When the first or second top block applies a pushing force from the magnetic surface to separate the magnetic surface, it can quickly break the magnetic attraction between the two, and the battery pack will fall quickly, efficiently completing the battery swapping operation.

[0020] 5. In this invention, the first and second lifting charging columns located in the battery swapping device can both be lowered vertically to ensure that the first or second battery pack is flush with the bottom surface of the positioning groove, thus ensuring that it will not interfere with the descent of the drone. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the UAV of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the UAV structure viewed from below according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a top view of the first and second battery packs of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the UAV of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing different states of the drone positioning lever in this invention;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the battery swapping device in this invention;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a top view of the battery swapping device in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0031] Please see Figures 1-8 This invention provides a drone, including a body 1, an extension arm 2 fixedly mounted on the body 1, and a rotating blade 21 disposed at the free end of the extension arm 2. A battery compartment is formed on the lower end face of the body 1. The battery compartment includes a first battery compartment slot 4 and a second battery compartment slot 5. A first battery pack 43 is placed in the first battery compartment slot 4, and a second battery pack 53 is placed in the second battery compartment slot 5. The horizontal cross-section of the first battery compartment slot 4 is rectangular, and the horizontal cross-section of the second battery compartment slot 5 is annular. The second battery compartment slot 5 surrounds the first battery compartment slot 4. A functional cavity 11 is provided inside the body 1. A first battery swapping component 6 is provided inside the functional cavity 11. The first battery swapping component 6 can perform battery swapping operations on the first battery pack 43 and the second battery pack 53. In this invention, the body 1 contains basic flight components that are already present in drones. These are all known components and operating principles in the field of drones. Each component is not described in detail here. This invention makes innovative improvements to the connection structure between the drone and the battery swapping device.

[0032] A positioning swing rod 3 is provided on the lower end face of the body 1. The positioning swing rod 3 is rotatably located at the four corners of the lower end face of the body 1. The positioning swing rod 3 is a telescopic rod structure. The extension, retraction and rotation of the positioning swing rod 3 are achieved by a drive motor. When the UAV is parked on the ground, the positioning swing rod 3 acts as a landing gear, pointing towards the ground and approaching the central axis of the body 1. When the UAV takes off to perform operations, the positioning swing rod 3 rotates upward to be flush with the horizontal plane. A universal positioning roller 31 is provided at the free end of the positioning swing rod 3.

[0033] The first battery compartment 4 has a first through hole 42 on its inner top surface, and the second battery compartment 5 has a second through hole 52 on its inner top surface. Both the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52 extend into the functional cavity 11. The first battery swapping component 6 connects the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52. The first battery compartment 4 is provided with a first magnetic energizing track 41, and the second battery compartment 5 is provided with a second magnetic energizing track 51. The first battery pack 43 and the second battery pack 53 supply power to the drone by adsorbing onto the first magnetic energizing track 41 and the second magnetic energizing track 51, respectively. The first battery pack 43 and the second battery pack 53 are respectively provided with magnetic blocks 44 that cooperate with the first magnetic energizing track 41 and the second magnetic energizing track 51.

[0034] The first battery swapping assembly 6 includes a central support rod 65, a swing shaft 64 rotatably connected to the central support rod 65, and a first top block 61 and a second top block 62 disposed at both ends of the swing shaft 64. The swing shaft 64 is rotatably disposed at the free end of the central support rod 65. The first top block 61 enters the first battery compartment 4 through the first through hole 42 and moves back and forth within the first through hole 42. The second top block 62 enters the second battery compartment 5 through the second through hole 52 and moves back and forth within the second through hole 52. The swing shaft 64 is centered on the central support rod 65. When the first top block 61 enters the first battery compartment 4 through the first through hole 42, the second top block 62 is lifted and retracted into the second through hole 52. When the second top block 62 enters the second battery compartment 5 through the second through hole 52, the first top block 61 is lifted and retracted into the first through hole 42. Both the first top block 61 and the second top block 62 are covered with an insulating rubber layer 63.

[0035] This embodiment also proposes a battery swapping device for use with the aforementioned UAV, including a base 7 and an integrated battery swapping station 8 fixedly disposed on the upper surface of the base 7. The integrated battery swapping station 8 has a cubic structure, and a positioning groove 81 is provided on the upper surface of the integrated battery swapping station 8. The horizontal projection of the positioning groove 81 is rectangular. A positioning track 82 is provided on each of the four vertical edges of the positioning groove 81. The positioning track 82 extends from top to bottom along the edges to the bottom surface of the positioning groove 81. The horizontal projection of the positioning track 82 is arc-shaped. An auxiliary entry and exit channel 83 is provided at the top of the positioning track 82. The auxiliary entry and exit channel 83 is shaped like an eighth of a sphere. A first support groove 84 and a second support groove 85 are provided at the center of the bottom surface of the positioning groove 81. The second support groove 85 is arranged around the first support groove 84. Around the perimeter, a first lifting charging column 86 and a second lifting charging column 87 are respectively provided in the first support groove 84 and the second support groove 85. The first lifting charging column 86 and the second lifting charging column 87 are integrated with battery charging devices. The first lifting charging column 86 and the second lifting charging column 87 can be electrically raised and lowered vertically. The battery charging device is a known structure, which can be either contact charging or wireless charging, and will not be described in detail here. The first lifting charging column 86 and the second lifting charging column 87 are respectively used to support the first battery pack 43 and the second battery pack 53. The first lifting charging column 86 and the second lifting charging column 87 can be lowered to a horizontal height lower than the bottom surface of the positioning groove 81, so that the first battery pack 43 or the second battery pack 53 is flush with the bottom surface of the positioning groove 81.

[0036] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0037] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A drone, comprising a body, an extension arm fixedly mounted on the body, and a rotating blade disposed at the free end of the extension arm, characterized in that: A battery compartment is provided on the lower end face of the main body of the machine. The battery compartment includes a first battery compartment slot and a second battery compartment slot. A first battery pack is placed in the first battery compartment slot, and a second battery pack is placed in the second battery compartment slot. The horizontal cross-section of the first battery compartment slot is rectangular, and the horizontal cross-section of the second battery compartment slot is annular. The second battery compartment slot surrounds the first battery compartment slot. A functional cavity is provided inside the main body of the machine. A first battery swapping component is provided in the functional cavity. The first battery swapping component can perform battery swapping operations on the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The first battery compartment has a first through hole on its inner top surface, and the second battery compartment has a second through hole on its inner top surface. Both the first and second through holes extend into the functional cavity. The first battery swapping assembly connects the first and second through holes. The first battery swapping assembly includes a central support rod, a swing shaft rotatably connected to the central support rod, and a first and second top blocks disposed at both ends of the swing shaft. The swing shaft is rotatably disposed at the free end of the central support rod. The first top block enters the first battery compartment through the first through hole. The first top block moves back and forth in the first through hole and the second top block enters the second battery compartment slot through the second through hole and moves back and forth in the second through hole. The swing shaft takes the central support rod as the central fulcrum. When the first top block enters the first battery compartment slot through the first through hole, the second top block is lifted and retracted into the second through hole. When the second top block enters the second battery compartment slot through the second through hole, the first top block is lifted and retracted into the first through hole. Both the first top block and the second top block are covered with an insulating rubber layer. A positioning swing rod is provided on the lower end face of the body. The positioning swing rod is rotatably located at the four corners of the lower end face of the body. The positioning swing rod is a telescopic rod structure. When the drone is parked on the ground, the positioning swing arm acts as a landing gear, pointing towards the ground and approaching the central axis of the drone body. When the drone takes off to perform operations, the positioning swing arm rotates upward to be flush with the horizontal plane. The free end of the positioning swing arm is equipped with a universal positioning roller. The first battery compartment is provided with a first magnetic energizing track, and the second battery compartment is provided with a second magnetic energizing track. The first battery pack and the second battery pack provide power to the drone by being attracted to the first magnetic energizing track and the second magnetic energizing track, respectively. The first battery pack and the second battery pack are respectively provided with magnetic blocks that cooperate with the first magnetic energizing track and the second magnetic energizing track.

2. A battery swapping device, used in conjunction with the UAV as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The device includes a base and an integrated battery swapping station fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the base. The integrated battery swapping station has a cubic structure. The upper surface of the integrated battery swapping station is provided with a positioning groove. The horizontal projection of the positioning groove is rectangular. Positioning rails are provided on the four vertical edges of the positioning groove. The positioning rails extend from top to bottom along the edges to the bottom surface of the positioning groove.

3. A battery swapping device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The horizontal projection of the positioning track is an arc shape, and an auxiliary entry and exit channel is provided at the top of the positioning track. The structure of the auxiliary entry and exit channel is an eighth of a sphere.

4. A battery swapping device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The positioning groove has a first support groove and a second support groove at the center of its lower bottom surface. The second support groove is arranged around the first support groove. The first support groove and the second support groove are respectively provided with a first lifting charging column and a second lifting charging column. The first lifting charging column and the second lifting charging column are integrated with battery charging devices. Both the first lifting charging column and the second lifting charging column can be electrically lifted up and down in the vertical direction.

5. A battery swapping device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first and second lifting charging columns are respectively used to receive the first and second battery packs. Both the first and second lifting charging columns can be lowered to a horizontal height lower than the bottom surface of the positioning groove, so that the first or second battery pack is flush with the bottom surface of the positioning groove.

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