An unmanned aerial vehicle hangar

Abstract

The application provides a UAV hangar, and relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The UAV hangar comprises a base, a battery replacement mechanism and a centering mechanism. The lower part of the UAV is provided with four supporting legs. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular and both are located in a horizontal plane. The centering mechanism comprises first stop levers and second stop levers. The two higher first stop levers are parallel to the first direction and can approach each other to contact and clamp the supporting legs in the second direction. The four lower second stop levers can form a rectangular structure. The two opposite second stop levers are parallel to the first direction or the second direction and can approach each other to contact and clamp the supporting legs in the second direction or the first direction. While positioning the UAV in the center, the supporting legs are limited and clamped at different heights to resist and reduce the tipping moment exerted on the UAV by the battery insertion and extraction, reduce the risk of stress damage of the core components of the centering mechanism, and ensure the alignment accuracy of the battery insertion and extraction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, and in particular to a UAV hangar. Background Technology

[0002] Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are unmanned aircraft controlled by radio remote control equipment and their own program control devices. They are commonly used in aerial photography, power line inspection, agriculture, plant protection, and express delivery. UAVs are typically used in conjunction with hangars to provide a platform for takeoff and landing. In highway patrol scenarios, dedicated UAV hangars can be set up on the highway's gantry, providing a local takeoff and landing platform and storage space for UAVs. This allows UAVs to take off directly from the hangar on the highway gantry after receiving a mission, eliminating the need to take off from a distant base. After the patrol mission, the UAV can return and land in the hangar on the gantry, where it can recharge or have its battery swapped. Simultaneously, the data acquired during the flight is transmitted to a terminal for collection and processing.

[0003] When existing drone hangars perform battery swaps on returning drones, the hangar's centering mechanism centers and secures the drone. The centering mechanism contacts the lower side of the drone's legs, while the battery is located on its upper abdomen. Therefore, inserting or removing the battery applies a tilting torque to the drone, which can cause the drone to tip over. This torque may also cause stress damage to the core components of the centering mechanism (such as the lead screw) and affect the alignment accuracy of battery insertion and removal.

[0004] The information disclosed in the background section of this invention is intended only to enhance the understanding of the general background of this invention, and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that such information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a drone parking facility that addresses the problems existing in current drone parking facilities.

[0006] The above objectives are achieved through the following technical solutions: A drone hangar includes a base for parking drones. The drone has a battery compartment on its upper part and four legs located at the four corners of a rectangle on its lower part. The line connecting two adjacent legs is along a first direction or a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular and both are located on a horizontal plane. The base is provided with a battery swapping mechanism and a centering mechanism. The battery swapping mechanism is opposite to the battery compartment to swap batteries for the drone. The centering mechanism includes two first stops and four second stops. The first stops are higher than the second stops. The two first stops are parallel to the first direction and can approach each other to contact and clamp the legs in the second direction. The four second stops can form a rectangular structure. Two opposing second stops are parallel to the first direction or the second direction and can approach each other to contact and clamp the legs in the second direction or the first direction.

[0007] Furthermore, the two first stop levers tend to move away from each other, and the second stop lever parallel to the first direction is a first component. The two first components move closer to each other, causing the two first stop levers to move closer to each other, and the first stop lever contacts the support leg before the first component.

[0008] Furthermore, the base is provided with two intersecting side rods, both perpendicular to the first direction. The two ends of the side rods are located on the first side and the second side, respectively. The first side and the second side are the two sides of the UAV in the second direction. A groove is formed on the side rod along its length. The end of the first stop rod is slidably connected to the groove. A reversing wheel is rotatably provided on the side rod. Pull ropes are provided between the first component on the first side and the first stop rod on the second side, and between the first component on the second side and the first stop rod on the first side. The pull ropes are reversed by the reversing wheel, so that when the two first components approach each other, the pull ropes can drive the two first stop rods to approach each other.

[0009] Furthermore, the base is provided with two frames, each frame including two parallel side rods and a first end rod for connecting the ends of the two side rods and parallel to the first direction. The first end rods of the two frames are respectively located on the first side and the second side and are rotatably connected to the base, so that the two frames intersect each other and can swing around the corresponding first end rod. When swinging, one frame is located inside the other frame. A first baffle is provided between the two side rods of one frame and the base. The first baffle can expand or shrink to adapt to the swing of the frame, so as to cover the drone on both sides in the first direction. The base is provided with take-up rollers on the first side and the second side. A second baffle is wound on the take-up roller. The free end of the second baffle on the first side is connected to the first baffle on the first side, and the free end of the second baffle on the second side is connected to the first baffle on the second side. The take-up roller can release or rewind the second baffle to adapt to the sliding of the first baffle along the groove, so as to cover the first side and the second side.

[0010] Furthermore, the sum of the lengths of the two side bars is greater than the distance between the first end bars of the two frames in the second direction, and there is a gap between the drone and the first and second barriers.

[0011] Furthermore, a cavity is formed inside the first stop bar along its length direction, and an air pump is provided on the base. The air outlet of the air pump is connected to the cavity through a pipeline. An air blowing hole is opened on the side of the first stop bar near the drone, which is connected to the cavity. Multiple air outlet holes are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the first stop bar.

[0012] Furthermore, the air outlet can blow air obliquely upwards onto the drone, so that the air outlet on the first baffle on the first side can blow dust from the drone onto the second baffle on the second side, and the air outlet on the first baffle on the second side can blow dust from the drone onto the second baffle on the first side.

[0013] Furthermore, a slider is fixed to the end of the first stop bar, and the slider slides along the groove.

[0014] Furthermore, the base is provided with a landing plate for parking the drone. An adjustment mechanism is provided between the base and the landing plate. The adjustment mechanism includes three telescopic members located at the corners of an equilateral triangle. The two ends of the telescopic members can move closer to or further away from each other. The two ends of two of the telescopic members are respectively connected to the ball joints of the base and the landing plate. One end of the other telescopic member is fixed to the base, and the other end is connected to the ball joint of the landing plate.

[0015] Furthermore, the upper end of the support leg is fixed to the drone, and the lower end is provided with a foot. The second stop bar parallel to the second direction is a second component. The first component is higher than the second component. When the two second components approach each other to contact and clamp the support leg in the first direction, the second component can prevent the foot from moving upward.

[0016] The present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: (1) The two higher first stops contact and clamp the outriggers in the second direction, and the four lower second stops contact and clamp the outriggers in the first and second directions. While centering the UAV, the outriggers are limited and clamped at different heights to resist and reduce the tipping torque exerted on the UAV by inserting and removing the battery, reduce the risk of the UAV tipping over and the stress damage to the core components of the centering mechanism, and ensure the alignment accuracy of battery insertion and removal.

[0017] (2) By swinging the side rod around the first end rod, the first baffle cloth is adaptively expanded or reduced to cover the UAV on both sides in the first direction. While the side rod swings around the first end rod, the first baffle cloth slides along the slide groove. The take-up roller can adapt to the sliding of the first baffle cloth along the slide groove to release or retract the second baffle cloth to cover the UAV on both sides in the first direction. This provides wind protection for the UAV on four sides in the first and second directions, preventing wind from blowing directly on the UAV and causing damage. At the same time, it can buffer the airflow impact on the hangar base, reducing the risk of damage to the hangar caused by wind vibration to a certain extent.

[0018] (3) By controlling the first component to move along the second direction, the first stop rod is driven to slide along the groove on the side rod. At the same time, the side rod can swing around its first end rod. Therefore, the first stop rod can be in any position in the vertical plane perpendicular to the first direction, so that the first stop rod can move in accordance with the contour of the drone and blow air to remove dust from the surface of the drone through the air hole, so as to automatically clean and maintain the drone and ensure that the drone can work at high frequency and high efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a drone hangar provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a drone hangar for storing drones; Figure 3 for Figure 2 Top view; Figure 4 for Figure 3 A sectional view along the AA direction; Figure 5 for Figure 4 A diagram from another perspective; Figure 6 Exploded views of the components for the centralization mechanism and frame; Figure 7 for Figure 6 A diagram from another perspective; Figure 8 for Figure 7 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle; Figure 9 This is a partial cross-sectional diagram of the frame; Figure 10 for Figure 9 A magnified view of a section at point C; Figure 11 for Figure 2 Another state diagram; Figure 12 for Figure 4 Another state diagram; Figure 13 for Figure 12 A diagram from another perspective.

[0020] in: 100. Base; 101. Support leg; 102. Battery swapping mechanism; 103. Support foot; 201. First stop lever; 202. Second stop lever; 203. First motor; 204. Two-way lead screw; 205. Guide block; 206. Side rod; 207. Slide groove; 208. Reversing wheel; 209. Pull rope; 210. First end rod; 211. First baffle; 212. Second baffle; 213. Take-up roller; 214. Second end rod; 215. Second motor; 216. Air pump; 217. Air blowing hole; 218. Slider; 219. Stop plate; 220. Telescopic component. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0022] The component designations used in this document, such as "first" and "second," are merely for distinguishing the described objects and do not have any sequential or technical meaning. The terms "connection" and "linkage" used in this invention, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (linkages). It should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0023] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 13 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a drone hangar (hereinafter referred to as the hangar), including a base 100 for parking drones. The upper part of the drone is provided with a battery compartment, and the lower part is provided with four legs 101 located at the four corners of a rectangle. The line connecting two adjacent legs 101 is along a first direction or a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular and both are located on a horizontal plane. The base 100 is provided with a battery swapping mechanism 102 and a centering mechanism. The battery swapping mechanism 102 is opposite to the battery compartment to swap batteries for the drone. The centering mechanism includes two first stops 201 and four second stops 202. The first stops 201 are higher than the second stops 202. The two first stops 201 are parallel to the first direction and can approach each other to contact and clamp the legs 101 in the second direction. The four second stops 202 can form a rectangular structure. The two opposing second stops 202 are parallel to the first direction or the second direction and can approach each other to contact and clamp the legs 101 in the second direction or the first direction.

[0025] The two higher first stop levers 201 contact and clamp the outrigger 101 in the second direction, and the four lower second stop levers 202 contact and clamp the outrigger 101 in both the first and second directions. While centering the drone, the outrigger 101 is limited and clamped at different heights to resist and reduce the tipping torque exerted on the drone by inserting and removing the battery, thereby reducing the risk of the drone tipping over and stress damage to the core components of the centering mechanism, and ensuring the alignment accuracy of battery insertion and removal.

[0026] It is worth noting that the hangar of this application is applicable to multi-rotor drones. Each rotor tip integrates a small motor and propeller, and a battery compartment is located on the fuselage, containing a removable battery module. The hangar includes: a base 100; a battery swapping mechanism 102 disposed within the base 100, capable of vertical lifting and horizontal extension for swapping batteries for the drone and simultaneously charging old batteries; a control unit disposed on the base 100 for controlling the coordinated operation of the battery swapping mechanism 102 and other components; and a wind vane on the top of the base 100. The aforementioned drones and hangars are prior art, and this application will not elaborate on them. Furthermore, the battery compartment, the first stop lever 201, and the second stop lever 202 are positioned sequentially downwards. The battery compartment is located at the rear of the drone, and the drone must be parked with the battery compartment facing the battery swapping mechanism 102.

[0027] It is understandable that, relative to the drone, the first direction can be the drone's forward and backward direction, and the second direction can be the drone's left and right direction. In this case, the two first stop levers 201 are located on the left and right sides of the drone, respectively, to contact and clamp the drone's left and right sides. Of course, in some other embodiments, the first direction can also be the drone's left and right direction, and the second direction can be the drone's forward and backward direction. In this case, the two first stop levers 201 are located on the front and rear sides of the drone, respectively, to contact and clamp the drone's front and rear sides. Therefore, regardless of whether the first stop levers 201 are located on the left and right sides or the front and rear sides of the drone, they can contact and clamp the drone's legs 101. Moreover, the thickness of the first stop levers 201 and the second stop levers 202 in the vertical direction can be appropriately increased, thereby further resisting and reducing the tipping torque exerted on the drone by inserting and removing the battery, reducing the risk of the drone tipping over and stress damage to the core components of the centering mechanism, and ensuring the alignment accuracy of battery insertion and removal.

[0028] The base 100 is equipped with four first motors 203, each with a corresponding power supply and controller to control start / stop and rotation direction. A bidirectional lead screw 204 is fixed to the output end of each first motor 203. (See [reference]). Figure 6Four bidirectional lead screws 204 can form a rectangular structure. Adjacent bidirectional lead screws 204 move along a first direction and a second direction, respectively. Guide blocks 205 are fixed to both ends of the second stop 202, and the guide blocks 205 are threadedly connected to the bidirectional lead screws 204. The bidirectional lead screws 204 drive the guide blocks 205 corresponding to the two opposing second stop 202 to move closer or further apart, thereby causing the two opposing second stop 202 to move closer or further apart in the first or second direction. The control unit on the base 100 can coordinate the start / stop and operating parameters such as direction and speed of the outputs of the four first motors 203, so that the two opposing second stop 202 can move closer and further apart at the same speed. In other embodiments, the first stop 201 and the second stop 202 can also be an integral structure; in other words, they can move synchronously along the first or second direction and simultaneously contact and clamp the support leg 101.

[0029] In one embodiment, the two first stop levers 201 tend to move away from each other, and the second stop lever 202 parallel to the first direction is a first component. The two first components move closer to each other, causing the two first stop levers 201 to move closer to each other, and the first stop lever 201 contacts the support leg 101 before the first component.

[0030] The higher first stop 201 contacts the outrigger 101 first. When the two first components approach each other until they contact and clamp the outrigger 101, the pressure exerted by the two first stop 201 on the outrigger 101 continues to increase, thereby ensuring that the first stop 201 can fully resist and reduce the tipping torque exerted by plugging and unplugging the battery on the drone.

[0031] In one embodiment, the base 100 is provided with two intersecting side rods 206, both perpendicular to the first direction. The two ends of the side rods 206 are located on the first side and the second side, respectively. The first side and the second side are the two sides of the UAV in the second direction. A groove 207 is provided on the side rods 206 along its length. The end of the first stop rod 201 is slidably connected to the groove 207. A reversing wheel 208 is rotatably provided on the side rods 206. A pull rope 209 is provided between the first component on the first side and the first stop rod 201 on the second side, and between the first component on the second side and the first stop rod 201 on the first side. The pull rope 209 is reversed by the reversing wheel 208, so that when the two first components are close to each other, the pull rope 209 can drive the two first stop rods 201 to be close to each other.

[0032] By setting up the reversing wheel 208 and the pull rope 209, when the two first components approach each other, the pull rope 209 drives the two first stop levers 201 to approach each other. Specifically, the first component on the first side and the first stop lever 201 on the second side can approach each other through the pull rope 209 between them, and the first component on the second side and the first stop lever 201 on the first side can approach each other through the pull rope 209 between them. In other words, the first components can approach each other because they move in the opposite direction to the first stop levers 201 on the opposite side. As the first component gradually approaches the outrigger 101, the first stop levers 201 on the opposite side also gradually approach and first contact the outrigger 101. At this time, they only contact the outrigger 101 without generating pressure. Afterwards, as the first component continues to move towards the outrigger 101, the tension of the pull rope 209 increases, and the pressure generated by the first stop levers 201 on the outrigger 101 increases until the second stop lever 202 completes the limiting and clamping of the outrigger 101.

[0033] See Figures 4 to 10 Initially, on either the first or second side, the first stop lever 201 is closer to the drone than the second stop lever 202. Therefore, when the second stop lever 202 moves the first stop lever 201 via the pull rope 209, the first stop lever 201 can contact the outrigger 101 before the second stop lever 202. Additionally, initially, the second stop lever 202 on the first side is located between the reversing wheel 208 on the first side and the first stop lever 201 on the second side. The pull rope 209 connects to the end of the second stop lever 202 on the first side, extends to the left, passes around the reversing wheel 208 on the first side, extends to the right, and connects to the end of the first stop lever 201 on the second side. Correspondingly, initially, the second stop lever 202 on the second side is located between the reversing wheel 208 on the second side and the first stop lever 201 on the first side. The pull rope 209 connects to the end of the second stop lever 202 on the second side, extends to the right, passes around the reversing wheel 208 on the second side, extends to the left, and connects to the end of the first stop lever 201 on the first side.

[0034] In one embodiment, the base 100 is provided with two frames, each frame including two parallel side rods 206 and a first end rod 210 for connecting the ends of the two side rods 206 and parallel to a first direction. The first end rods 210 of the two frames are located on a first side and a second side, respectively, and are rotatably connected to the base 100, so that the two frames intersect each other and can swing around the corresponding first end rod 210. During the swing, one frame is located inside the other frame. A first baffle 211 is provided between the two side rods 206 of one frame and the base 100, and the first baffle 211 can adapt to... The frame should be expanded or reduced to cover both sides of the drone in the first direction; the base 100 is provided with a take-up roller 213 on both the first and second sides, and a second baffle 212 is wound on the take-up roller 213. The free end of the second baffle 212 on the first side is connected to the first baffle 201 on the first side, and the free end of the second baffle 212 on the second side is connected to the first baffle 201 on the second side. The take-up roller 213 can release or retract the second baffle 212 to accommodate the sliding of the first baffle 201 along the slide groove 207, so as to cover the first and second sides.

[0035] Hangers deployed on highway cross-border gantry structures face complex environmental loads; for example, the risk of wind-induced damage to the hangars is significantly higher than in conventional scenarios. By swinging the side rod 206 around the first end rod 210, the first protective cloth 211 expands or contracts adaptively to cover both sides of the drone in the first direction. Simultaneously, as the side rod 206 swings around the first end rod 210, the first baffle 201 slides along the groove 207. The take-up roller 213 can adapt to the sliding of the first baffle 201 along the groove 207 to release or retract the second protective cloth 212, thus covering both sides of the drone in the first direction. This provides wind protection for the drone on four sides, including the first and second directions. (See [reference]). Figures 11 to 13 This design prevents wind from blowing directly onto the drone and causing damage, while also cushioning the impact of airflow on the hangar base 100, thus reducing the risk of damage to the hangar caused by wind vibration to some extent.

[0036] The frame includes two side members 206, a first end member 210 disposed at the first end of each side member 206, and a second end member 214 disposed at the second end of each side member 206, to form a stable rectangular structure. (See also...) Figure 6The base 100 is equipped with a second motor 215, along with a corresponding power supply and controller to control its start / stop and rotation direction. The output end of the second motor 215 is connected to the first end of the side rod 206. It can be understood that the output end of the second motor 215 can be directly fixed to the first end rod 210, in which case the first end rod 210 is located at the first end of the side rod 206 and rotatably connected to the base 100. In other embodiments, the output end of the second motor 215 is fixed to the first end of the side rod 206, and the first end rod 210 and the output end of the second motor 215 are not coaxially arranged. In this case, the first end rod 210 can be positioned at the end of the slide groove 207 to limit the extreme position of the first stop rod 201 sliding along the slide groove 207. Therefore, regardless of the position of the first end rod 210, the output end of the second motor 215 can drive the side rod 206 to swing around its first end. Furthermore, the output of the second motor 215 can lock the rotation angle when it stops rotating, so that the frame locks the swing angle, thus the swing angle of the frame is determined only by the output of the second motor 215. The control unit on the base 100 can coordinate the start and stop of the outputs of the two second motors 215 as well as the operating parameters such as direction and speed, so that the side rods 206 of the two frames can swing around the first end rod 210 at the same speed.

[0037] Understandably, the lengths of the side rods 206, the first end rod 210, and the second end rod 214 of one frame are all smaller than those of the corresponding side rods 206, first end rod 210, and second end rod 214 of the other frame. In other words, the two frames are different in size, causing them to intersect and swing relative to each other, with one frame located inside the other during the swing. The first baffle 211 is positioned between the two side rods 206 of the larger frame and the base 100, allowing the smaller frame to be located inside it when the first baffle 211 is unfolded. Specifically, the first baffle 211 can be a structure similar to the blade of a folding fan, and its overall shape is triangular. The first side of the triangle is fixed to the side rod 206, the bottom side is fixed to the base 100, and the second side is in a free state. The first baffle 211 has multiple creases, each crease extending from the intersection of the first side and the bottom side to the second side, so as to divide the first baffle 211 into multiple small triangles. Adjacent small triangles can be folded and aligned with each other or unfolded along the creases, so that the first baffle 211 can adapt to the swing of the frame to expand or shrink. The above-mentioned structure of the first baffle 211 is the prior art, and this application will not elaborate on it.

[0038] The take-up roller 213 is rotatably connected to the base 100 and is equipped with a torsion spring, which causes the take-up roller 213 to tend to wind up the second baffle 212. The second baffle 212 is taut to apply tension to the first baffle 201, thereby causing the two first baffles 201 to tend to move away from each other. The width direction of the second baffle 212 is parallel to the first direction. In addition, both the first baffle 211 and the second baffle 212 can be made of windproof and waterproof material.

[0039] In one embodiment, the sum of the lengths of the two side bars 206 is greater than the distance between the first end bars 210 of the two frames in the second direction, and there is a gap between the drone and the first barrier 211 and the second barrier 212.

[0040] The two side rods 206 have different lengths but are both close to the distance between the first end rods 210 of the two frames in the second direction. When the two side rods 206 swing to the point where the first baffle 211 is fully extended, the ends of the two side rods 206 without the first end rods 210 approach each other until they contact each other. This makes the distance between the two side rods 206 and the first end rods 210 of the two frames in the second direction form an approximately equilateral triangle shape. Together with the second baffle 212, the space above the drone is completely enclosed, while preventing the first baffle 211 and the second baffle 212 from contacting the drone.

[0041] In one embodiment, a cavity is formed inside the first stop bar 201 along its length direction, and an air pump 216 is provided on the base 100. The air outlet of the air pump 216 is connected to the cavity through a pipeline. An air blowing hole 217 communicating with the cavity is opened on the side of the first stop bar 201 near the UAV. Multiple air outlets are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the first stop bar 201.

[0042] Existing drones tend to accumulate dust during operation, and this dust accumulation is even more severe when drones are parked in hangars on highway cross-border gantries. By controlling the first component to move along the second direction, the first stop 201 slides along the groove 207 on the side rod 206. Simultaneously, the side rod 206 can swing around its first end rod 210. Therefore, the first stop 201 can be positioned at any position in a vertical plane perpendicular to the first direction, allowing it to conform to the contours of the drone. Air is then blown onto the drone's surface through the air outlet 217 to remove dust, thus automatically cleaning and maintaining the drone and ensuring its high-frequency and high-efficiency operation.

[0043] The air pump 216 is equipped with a corresponding power supply and controller to control its start-up, shutdown, and operating conditions. The piping is a flexible, extendable, and bendable structure, for example, it has a corrugated pipe-like structure. The control unit on the base 100 can coordinate parameters such as the air pressure and air velocity at the outlets of the two air pumps 216, so that the air blowing holes 217 on the two first baffles 201 can efficiently blow air to remove dust from both sides of the drone.

[0044] It is understandable that when the first shield 211 and the second shield 212 cover the drone and block the wind, and when the air hole 217 on the first baffle 201 cleans the drone, the first component moves in the second direction and drives the first baffle 201 to slide along the groove 207 on the side rod 206. At the same time, the side rod 206 swings around its first end rod 210, so that the first baffle 201 and the second baffle 202 in the first direction do not have the function of clamping and limiting the drone legs 101. At this time, the two second baffles 202 in the second direction can be controlled to clamp and limit the drone legs 101 in the first direction.

[0045] In one embodiment, the air vent can blow air obliquely upward toward the drone, so that the air vent on the first side first baffle 201 can blow dust on the drone onto the second side second baffle 212, and the air vent on the second side first baffle 201 can blow dust on the drone onto the first side second baffle 212.

[0046] See Figure 10 The air vents are angled from bottom to top and from outside to inside, so that the air vents can blow air upwards at an angle to blow the dust on the drone onto the second baffle 212 on the opposite side, so as to prevent the dust from falling on the base 100, thereby keeping the base 100 clean and avoiding affecting the take-off and landing of the drone.

[0047] In one embodiment, a slider 218 is fixed to the end of the first stop 201. The slider 218 slides along the slide groove 207 to prevent the first stop 201 from rotating when sliding along the slide groove 207, so that the air hole 217 can always blow air obliquely upwards to the drone.

[0048] In one embodiment, see Figure 4 and Figure 5 The base 100 is provided with a landing plate 219 for parking the drone. An adjustment mechanism is provided between the base 100 and the landing plate 219. The adjustment mechanism includes three telescopic members 220 located at the corners of an equilateral triangle. The two ends of the telescopic members 220 can move closer or further apart from each other. The two ends of two telescopic members 220 are respectively connected to the ball joints of the base 100 and the landing plate 219. One end of the other telescopic member 220 is fixed to the base 100, and the other end is connected to the ball joint of the landing plate 219.

[0049] The hangars deployed on highway cross-border gantry structures are also subject to vibrations caused by vehicle movement and environmental changes, increasing the risk of damage to the hangars. By incorporating the three telescopic components 220 mentioned above to allow for multi-directional angle adjustment of the hangar plate 219 to accommodate the take-off and landing angles of the drones, the positional changes of the hangars caused by vibrations can be compensated for, ensuring smooth take-off and landing of the drones.

[0050] Specifically, the telescopic component 220 can be a hydraulic cylinder or similar structure, equipped with a corresponding hydraulic pump, motor, oil tank, and controller to control the two ends of the hydraulic cylinder to move closer or further apart. Furthermore, the aforementioned ball joint connection structure is as follows: one end of the telescopic component 220 is fixed with a ball joint, and a ball seat is fixed to the base 100 or the stop plate 219, with the ball joint and ball seat correspondingly and movably connected. The control unit on the base 100 can coordinate the telescopic movements of the three telescopic components 220, thereby allowing for multi-directional angle adjustment of the stop plate 219.

[0051] In one embodiment, the upper end of the support leg 101 is fixed to the drone, and the lower end is provided with a foot 103. The second stop bar 202 parallel to the second direction is a second component. The first component is higher than the second component. When the two second components approach each other to contact and clamp the support leg 101 in the first direction, the second component can prevent the foot 103 from moving upward, so as to further resist and reduce the tipping torque exerted by the battery insertion and removal on the drone, reduce the risk of the drone tipping over and the stress damage to the core components of the centering mechanism, and ensure the alignment accuracy of battery insertion and removal.

[0052] The support leg 103 can be a tooth-like structure extending outwards from the support leg 101, or the support leg 103 can be a plate directly fixed to the lower end of the support leg 101. The support leg 103 can take many forms, and this application does not limit it.

[0053] In use, the drone is parked at an appropriate position on the landing plate 219 with the battery compartment facing the battery swapping mechanism 102. The first motor 203 is started, and its output drives the corresponding bidirectional lead screw 204 to rotate, causing the two opposing second stops 202 to move closer to each other in a first or second direction. The two second components move closer to each other in the first direction and gradually contact and clamp the support leg 101, preventing the lower foot 103 of the support leg 101 from moving upward. At the same time, the two first components move closer to each other in the second direction, and the corresponding pull rope 209 pulls the first stops 201 on different sides to gradually move closer and first contact the support leg 101. As the first components continue to move towards the support leg 101, the tension of the pull rope 209 increases, and the pressure exerted by the two first stops 201 on the support leg 101 continues to increase until the second stops 202 complete the limiting and clamping of the support leg 101, thereby ensuring that the first stops 201 can fully resist and reduce the tipping torque exerted on the drone by inserting and removing the battery. When the battery swapping mechanism 102 is used to swap batteries for the drone, the two higher first stops 201 clamp the outriggers 101 in the second direction, and the four lower second stops 202 clamp the outriggers 101 in both the first and second directions. While centering the drone, the outriggers 101 are simultaneously limited and clamped in the vertical direction to resist and reduce the tipping torque exerted on the drone by inserting and removing the battery, thereby reducing the risk of the drone tipping over and stress damage to the core components of the centering mechanism, and ensuring the alignment accuracy of battery insertion and removal.

[0054] When it is necessary to cover and shield the parked drone from the wind, the second motor 215 is activated. The output end of the second motor 215 drives the side rod 206 to swing around the first end rod 210, causing the first shield 211 to expand or shrink adaptively to cover the drone on both sides in the first direction. While the side rod 206 swings around the first end rod 210, the first shield 201 slides along the slide groove 207. The take-up roller 213 can adapt to the sliding of the first shield 201 along the slide groove 207 to release or retract the second shield 212 to cover the drone on both sides in the first direction. This provides wind protection for the drone on four sides in the first and second directions, preventing the wind from blowing directly on the drone and causing damage. At the same time, it can buffer the airflow impact on the hangar base 100, reducing the risk of damage to the hangar caused by wind vibration to a certain extent.

[0055] By setting three telescopic components 220 to adjust the landing plate 219 in multiple directions to adapt to the take-off and landing angle of the drone, the position change of the hangar caused by vibration can be compensated, ensuring the smooth take-off and landing of the drone.

[0056] When dust removal and cleaning of the parked drone is required, the first component is controlled to move along the second direction, causing the first stop bar 201 to slide along the groove 207 on the side bar 206. At the same time, the side bar 206 can swing around its first end bar 210. Therefore, the first stop bar 201 can be in any position in the vertical plane perpendicular to the first direction, so that the first stop bar 201 can move in accordance with the contour of the drone. At the same time, the air pump 216 is activated. The air outlet of the air pump 216 supplies air to the cavity in the first stop bar 201 through the pipeline, and blows air upwards at an angle to the surface of the drone to remove dust, so as to blow the dust on the drone onto the second baffle 212 on the opposite side, thereby automatically cleaning and maintaining the drone and ensuring that the drone can work at high frequency and high efficiency.

[0057] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0058] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A drone hangar, characterized in that, The device includes a base for parking a drone. The drone has a battery compartment on its upper part and four legs located at the four corners of a rectangle on its lower part. The line connecting two adjacent legs is along a first direction or a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular and both are located on a horizontal plane. The base has a battery swapping mechanism and a centering mechanism. The battery swapping mechanism is opposite to the battery compartment to swap batteries for the drone. The centering mechanism includes two first stops and four second stops. The first stops are higher than the second stops. The two first stops are parallel to the first direction and can approach each other to contact and clamp the legs in the second direction. The four second stops can form a rectangular structure. Two opposing second stops are parallel to the first direction or the second direction and can approach each other to contact and clamp the legs in the second direction or the first direction.

2. The drone hangar according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two first stop levers tend to move away from each other. The second stop lever, which is parallel to the first direction, is a first component. The two first components move closer to each other, causing the two first stop levers to move closer to each other. The first stop lever contacts the support leg before the first component.

3. The drone hangar according to claim 2, characterized in that, The base is provided with two intersecting side rods, both perpendicular to the first direction. The two ends of the side rods are located on the first side and the second side, respectively. The first side and the second side are the two sides of the UAV in the second direction. A sliding groove is formed on the side rod along its length. The end of the first stop rod is slidably connected to the sliding groove. A reversing wheel is rotatably provided on the side rod. Pull ropes are provided between the first component on the first side and the first stop rod on the second side, and between the first component on the second side and the first stop rod on the first side. The pull ropes are reversed by the reversing wheel, so that when the two first components approach each other, the pull ropes can drive the two first stop rods to approach each other.

4. The drone hangar according to claim 3, characterized in that, The base is provided with two frames, each frame including two parallel side rods and a first end rod for connecting the ends of the two side rods and parallel to the first direction. The first end rods of the two frames are respectively located on the first side and the second side and are rotatably connected to the base, so that the two frames intersect each other and can swing around the corresponding first end rod. When swinging, one of the frames is located inside the other frame. A first baffle is provided between the two side rods of one of the frames and the base. The first baffle can expand or shrink to adapt to the swing of the frame, so as to cover the drone on both sides in the first direction. The base is provided with take-up rollers on both the first and second sides. A second baffle is wound on the take-up roller. The free end of the second baffle on the first side is connected to the first baffle on the first side, and the free end of the second baffle on the second side is connected to the first baffle on the second side. The take-up roller can release or rewind the second baffle by sliding the first baffle along the groove to block the first and second sides.

5. The drone hangar according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sum of the lengths of the two side bars is greater than the distance between the first end bars of the two frames in the second direction, and there is a gap between the drone and the first and second barriers.

6. The drone hangar according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first stop bar has a cavity formed along its length. The base is equipped with an air pump, and the air outlet of the air pump is connected to the cavity through a pipe. An air blowing hole is opened on the side of the first stop bar near the drone, which is connected to the cavity. Multiple air outlets are arranged at intervals along the length of the first stop bar.

7. The drone hangar according to claim 6, characterized in that, The air vent can blow air obliquely upwards onto the drone, so that the air vent on the first baffle on the first side can blow dust from the drone onto the second baffle on the second side, and the air vent on the first baffle on the second side can blow dust from the drone onto the second baffle on the first side.

8. The drone hangar according to claim 7, characterized in that, A slider is fixed to the end of the first stop bar, and the slider slides along the groove.

9. The drone hangar according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base is provided with a landing plate for parking the drone. An adjustment mechanism is provided between the base and the landing plate. The adjustment mechanism includes three telescopic members located at the corners of an equilateral triangle. The two ends of the telescopic members can move closer or further apart from each other. The two ends of two of the telescopic members are respectively connected to the ball joints of the base and the landing plate. One end of the other telescopic member is fixed to the base, and the other end is connected to the ball joint of the landing plate.

10. The drone hangar according to claim 2, characterized in that, The upper end of the outrigger is fixed to the drone, and the lower end is provided with a foot. The second stop bar parallel to the second direction is a second component. The first component is higher than the second component. When the two second components approach each other to contact and clamp the outrigger in the first direction, the second component can prevent the foot from moving upward.

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