Throwing type undercarriage, unmanned aerial vehicle and undercarriage recovery method

Abstract

The invention provides a throwing type undercarriage, an unmanned aerial vehicle and an undercarriage recovery method, and relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicles, the throwing type undercarriage comprises an undercarriage body, and the upper end of the undercarriage body is used for being connected with the unmanned aerial vehicle through a throwing connecting structure; the flight driving structure is connected with the undercarriage body and can drive the undercarriage body to fly; the communication unit is connected with the undercarriage body, and the communication unit is used for being in communication connection with a ground control end; the control unit is connected with the undercarriage body, and the control unit is used for receiving the control signal through the communication unit and controlling the flight driving structure to fly back to a set place; the problems that in the prior art, an undercarriage of an unmanned aerial vehicle becomes a redundant load after the unmanned aerial vehicle takes off, and the thrown undercarriage is difficult to recycle are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, and more specifically, relates to a drop-type landing gear, a UAV, and a landing gear recovery method. Background Technology

[0002] For drones with stringent weight requirements, such as solar-powered drones, the weight of the landing gear becomes an excess load after takeoff. Inventors discovered that separating the landing gear after takeoff could reduce weight during flight and improve performance. However, the discarded landing gear is difficult to recover, resulting in waste. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a drop-off landing gear, a drone, and a landing gear recovery method, thereby solving the problem that in existing technologies, the landing gear of a drone becomes an unnecessary load after the drone takes off, and the dropped landing gear is difficult to recover.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a drop-out landing gear, comprising: The landing gear body, the upper end of which is used to connect the UAV via a drop-out connection structure; A flight drive structure is connected to the landing gear body and is capable of driving the landing gear body to fly; A communication unit is connected to the landing gear body and is used to communicate with a ground control terminal. The control unit is connected to the landing gear body. The control unit is used to receive control signals through the communication unit and control the flight drive structure to fly back to the set location.

[0005] Optionally, the drop-away connection structure is disposed at the upper end of the landing gear body, and the drop-away connection structure includes an electromagnet.

[0006] Optionally, the electromagnet is an electromagnet that is demagnetized by energization.

[0007] Optionally, the landing gear body is provided with a power supply unit, which is connected to the flight drive structure and the control unit.

[0008] Optionally, the landing gear body includes a support rod, wheel forks, and tires arranged sequentially from top to bottom.

[0009] Optionally, the flight drive structure includes: Motor support, the battery support is located in the middle of the landing gear body; A drive motor, wherein the drive motor is disposed within the motor support; A propeller connected to the drive motor.

[0010] Optionally, the control unit is disposed inside the support rod, and the communication unit includes an antenna disposed outside the support rod and passing through the rod wall to connect with the control unit.

[0011] The present invention also provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including the aforementioned drop-type landing gear.

[0012] Optionally, when the drop-off connection structure is disposed on the upper end of the landing gear body, the fuselage of the UAV is provided with an installation structure that cooperates with the drop-off connection structure.

[0013] The present invention also provides a landing gear recovery method, based on the above-mentioned UAV, comprising: Before takeoff, the drop-off landing gear is connected to the belly of the drone via a drop-off connection structure. A communication connection is established between the control unit and the ground control terminal through the communication unit; After the drone takes off, it sends a drop control signal to the control unit via the ground control terminal to separate the drop-off landing gear from the drone. A recovery control signal is sent from the ground control terminal to make the jettison landing gear fly back to the designated location.

[0014] This invention provides a drop-off landing gear, a drone, and a landing gear recovery method. Its advantages are as follows: the drop-off landing gear can be connected to the fuselage of the drone via a drop-off connection structure. This structure allows the landing gear body to separate from the drone after takeoff, reducing the weight load during flight. It includes a flight drive structure and a control unit with a communication unit. The ground control unit can send control signals to the control unit via the communication unit to control the flight drive mechanism, returning the drop-off landing gear to a designated location and completing the landing gear recovery, thus enabling the reuse of the drop-off landing gear.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals generally represent the same components in the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a drop-type landing gear according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0018] Figure 2 A flowchart of a landing gear recovery method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Communication unit; 2. Control unit; 3. Electromagnet; 4. Power supply unit; 5. Support rod; 6. Wheel fork; 7. Tire; 8. Motor bracket; 9. Drive motor; 10. Propeller. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail. While preferred embodiments of the invention are described below, it should be understood that the invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a drop-out landing gear, comprising: The landing gear body, with its upper end used to connect to the drone via a drop-out connection structure; The flight drive structure is connected to the landing gear body and can drive the landing gear body to fly; Communication unit 1 is connected to the landing gear body and is used to communicate with the ground control terminal. Control unit 2 is connected to the landing gear body. Control unit 2 is used to receive control signals through communication unit 1 and control the flight drive structure to fly back to the set location.

[0022] Specifically, to address the problem in existing technologies where the landing gear of a drone becomes an unnecessary load after takeoff and is difficult to recover after being jettisoned, the jettisonable landing gear provided by this invention can be connected to the belly of the drone via a jettisonable connection structure. This jettisonable connection structure enables the landing gear body to separate from the drone after takeoff, reducing the weight load during drone flight. It has a flight drive structure and a control unit 2 connected to a communication unit 1. The ground control terminal can send control signals to the control unit 2 via the communication unit 1 to control the flight drive mechanism to fly the jettisonable landing gear back to the set location, completing the landing gear recovery and enabling the reuse of the jettisonable landing gear.

[0023] Optionally, a drop-off connection structure is disposed at the upper end of the landing gear body, and the drop-off connection structure includes an electromagnet 3.

[0024] Specifically, the drop-off connection structure is connected to the upper end of the landing gear body, or it can be separated from the UAV by the control unit 2 controller; the drop-off connection structure can use an electromagnet 3 to achieve a magnetic fixation connection with the UAV, which is convenient for electronic control.

[0025] Optionally, electromagnet 3 is an electromagnet that is demagnetized by energization.

[0026] Specifically, the electromagnet 3 is an energized demagnetizing electromagnet. It does not require power supply when it is magnetically attached to the belly of the drone, and only needs to be energized once when it needs to be separated, which can save energy.

[0027] Optionally, the landing gear body is provided with a power supply unit 4, which is connected to the flight drive structure and control unit 2.

[0028] Specifically, the power supply unit 4 is integrated on the landing gear body, which facilitates the power supply to the flight drive structure and control unit 2, enabling the landing gear body to return to flight after being jettisoned.

[0029] In this embodiment, the power supply unit 4 is a storage battery and is also connected to the electromagnet 3, which can provide power for the separation of the drop-type landing gear.

[0030] Optionally, the landing gear body includes a support rod 5, a wheel fork 6, and a tire 7 arranged sequentially from top to bottom.

[0031] Specifically, the support rod 5 has a hollow structure, and a power supply unit 4, a control unit 2, etc. can be installed inside. The tire 7 is installed at the lower end of the support rod 5 through a wheel fork 6.

[0032] Optionally, the flight propulsion structure includes: Motor support 8 and battery support are located in the middle of the landing gear body; Drive motor 9 is installed inside motor support 8; Propeller 10 is connected to drive motor 9.

[0033] Specifically, the motor support 8 is mounted on the outer periphery of the support rod 5, and the drive motor 9 and propeller 10 can be evenly distributed on the outer periphery of the support rod 5. The drive motor 9 can drive the propeller 10 to rotate, thereby generating lift and realizing the flight of the drop-type landing gear.

[0034] Optionally, the control unit 2 is located inside the support rod 5, and the communication unit 1 includes an antenna, which is located on the outside of the support rod 5 and passes through the rod wall of the support rod 5 to connect with the control unit 2.

[0035] Specifically, the communication unit 1 can be an antenna used to receive control signals for the control unit 2. The antenna is set outside the support rod 5, and its connecting end passes through the support rod 5 to enter the interior and connect to the control unit 2.

[0036] The present invention also provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including the aforementioned drop-type landing gear.

[0037] Specifically, multiple drop-off landing gears can be installed on a single drone, and these multiple drop-off landing gears can be dropped simultaneously or at different times.

[0038] Optionally, when the drop-off connection structure is located at the upper end of the landing gear body, the fuselage of the UAV is provided with an installation structure that cooperates with the drop-off connection structure.

[0039] Specifically, when the drop-off connection structure is integrated into the upper part of the landing gear body, it is convenient for ground personnel to observe the UAV flying to a set altitude and control the drop of the landing gear from the ground; a magnetic chuck can be installed on the belly of the UAV, and an electromagnet 3 is magnetically fixed on the magnetic chuck to form a stable connection.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the present invention also provides a landing gear recovery method based on the above-mentioned UAV, comprising: Before takeoff, the jettisonable landing gear is connected to the fuselage of the drone via a jettisonable connection structure. A communication connection between the control unit 2 and the ground control terminal is established through communication unit 1; After the drone takes off, it sends a drop control signal to control unit 2 via the ground control terminal to separate the drop-off landing gear from the drone. A recovery control signal is sent from the ground control terminal to make the jettison landing gear fly back to the designated location.

[0041] Optionally, it also includes: Install landing gear landing fixtures; The jettison landing gear, which had flown back to the designated location, landed on the landing gear. When the drone lands, the landing gear is limited by a landing fixture for use during landing.

[0042] Specifically, this landing gear recovery method is based on the aforementioned UAV with a jettison landing gear, and its operation process is as follows: 1. Before the drone takes off, install the drop-off landing gear on the drone and use the electromagnet 3 installed on the drop-off landing gear to attach it to the belly of the drone. 2. Power supply unit 4 is connected to supply power, so that control unit 2 can start working and establish communication with ground control terminal through communication unit 1; 3. After the drone takes off, once ground personnel observe that the drone has reached the set altitude, they send a drop control signal to control unit 2 via the ground control terminal. 4. When the control unit receives the drop control signal, it controls the electromagnet 3 to be energized and demagnetized, thereby separating the drop-type landing gear from the UAV; 5. After the jettison landing gear separates from the UAV, the control unit controls the drive motor 9 mounted on the motor support 8 to rotate. The drive motor 9 drives the propeller 10 to rotate, providing lift for the jettison landing gear. 6. Ground personnel send a recovery control signal to control unit 2 via the ground control terminal to remotely control the drop-off landing gear to fly back to the set location; 7. After the jettison landing gear returns to the designated location, it slowly lands on the corresponding landing gear. 8. Ground personnel disconnect the power supply to power supply unit 4.

[0043] In summary, UAVs equipped with the aforementioned drop-off landing gear can drop and recover the landing gear using the aforementioned landing gear recovery method, offering the following advantages: 1. After the drop-off landing gear is separated from the drone, the drone's flight weight can be reduced, and flight performance can be improved; 2. The jettison landing gear has a flight function, and can be controlled by the ground control terminal to fly back to the set location after separation, avoiding direct separation and falling to the ground from a height, which would cause impact damage to the jettison landing gear; 3. After the jettison landing gear returns to the designated location, it can be used for drone landing or for the next takeoff. 4. The present invention has a simple structure, is easy to install and maintain, and has the advantages of self-powered, highly integrated, and reusable.

[0044] The various embodiments of the present invention have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

Claims

1. A drop-type landing gear, characterized in that, include: The landing gear body, the upper end of which is used to connect the UAV via a drop-out connection structure; A flight drive structure is connected to the landing gear body and is capable of driving the landing gear body to fly; A communication unit is connected to the landing gear body and is used to communicate with a ground control terminal. The control unit is connected to the landing gear body. The control unit is used to receive control signals through the communication unit and control the flight drive structure to fly back to the set location.

2. The drop-type landing gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drop-off connection structure is disposed at the upper end of the landing gear body, and the drop-off connection structure includes an electromagnet.

3. The drop-type landing gear according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electromagnet is an electromagnet that is demagnetized by energizing.

4. The jet landing gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The landing gear body is equipped with a power supply unit, which is connected to the flight drive structure and the control unit.

5. The jet landing gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The landing gear body includes a support rod, wheel forks, and tires arranged sequentially from top to bottom.

6. The jet landing gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flight drive structure includes: Motor support, the battery support is located in the middle of the landing gear body; A drive motor, wherein the drive motor is disposed within the motor support; A propeller connected to the drive motor.

7. The jet landing gear according to claim 5, characterized in that, The control unit is located inside the support rod, and the communication unit includes an antenna, which is located outside the support rod and passes through the rod wall to connect with the control unit.

8. A drone, characterized in that, Includes the drop-type landing gear as described in any one of claims 1-7.

9. The UAV according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the drop-away connection structure is disposed on the upper end of the landing gear body, the fuselage of the UAV is provided with an installation structure that cooperates with the drop-away connection structure.

10. A landing gear recovery method, based on the UAV of claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, include: Before takeoff, the drop-off landing gear is connected to the belly of the drone via a drop-off connection structure. A communication connection is established between the control unit and the ground control terminal through the communication unit; After the drone takes off, it sends a drop control signal to the control unit via the ground control terminal to separate the drop-off landing gear from the drone. A recovery control signal is sent from the ground control terminal to make the jettison landing gear fly back to the designated location.

Images