Unmanned aerial system

Abstract

This application provides a drone system, including a storage device and at least two drones that can be folded and stored or released sequentially along the height direction of the storage device. A power module and a signal control module are disposed at the bottom of the device. A support mechanism, electrically connected to the signal control module and slidably disposed along the height direction within the device to support the lifting and lowering of each drone, is also disposed within the device. A conductive area extends along the depth direction of the device. Before each drone is released, the signal control module controls the conductive area to connect with the power module and puts the conductive area into a first energized state, allowing each drone to power on and establish a communication network. After the drones have established a communication network, the signal control module calculates the movement distance of the support mechanism to determine whether the drone has moved to the opening of the storage space and sends a takeoff signal to the drone located at the opening of the storage space. The drone system provided by this application can significantly simplify the preparation work before drone swarm operations and improve deployment efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system technology, and more specifically, relates to an UAV system. Background Technology

[0002] In applications requiring high-density storage and transportation of drones for swarm operations, such as drone performances and reconnaissance, drones are typically stored one drone per box. Preparing for drone swarm takeoff involves placing the drones sequentially in a suitable takeoff location and sequentially powering them on and establishing a network for each drone. This results in stringent site requirements and significant manpower and time needed to power on and network the drones, making the preparation process cumbersome and hindering rapid deployment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system to solve the technical problem of cumbersome preparation work before UAV swarm operations in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in this application embodiment is to provide a drone system, which includes at least one storage device forming a storage space and at least two drones capable of being stacked and stored or sequentially released in the storage space along the height direction. The rotors of the drones in the storage space are in a folded state. Specifically: a power module and a signal control module are provided at the bottom of the storage device; a support mechanism electrically connected to the signal control module and supporting the lifting and lowering of each drone is slidably disposed in the storage space along the height direction; and a conductive area extends along the depth direction of the storage space, allowing the drones to interact with the conductive area. The electrical area is electrically connected to the signal control module for control signal transmission and charging of each UAV by the power module. Before each UAV is released sequentially in the same storage space, the signal control module controls the conductive area to connect with the power module and puts the conductive area into a first energized state, so that each UAV completes power-on and communication networking. After each UAV completes communication networking, the signal control module calculates the movement distance of the carrying mechanism to determine whether the UAV has moved to the opening of the storage space, and sequentially sends take-off signals to the UAVs located at the opening of the storage space and whose rotors have been deployed.

[0005] Optionally, the conductive area includes a first conductive area and a second conductive area; a first contact and a second contact are respectively provided on the UAV to contact the first conductive area and the second conductive area.

[0006] Optionally, in the first energized state, the first conductive region and the second conductive region are at the same potential.

[0007] Optionally, the signal control module controls the conductive area to connect with the power module and puts the conductive area into a second energized state. In the second energized state, there is a potential difference between the first conductive area and the second conductive area, so that the conductive area can charge and replenish the power of each UAV.

[0008] Optionally, the conductive region is formed on at least one side wall of the storage space.

[0009] Optionally, a conductive column is provided in the storage space along its depth direction, and the conductive area is located on at least one side wall of the conductive column.

[0010] Optionally, the drone has a through hole along its height direction that allows the conductive post to pass through, and a contact point is provided on the periphery of the through hole in the drone body, the contact point being electrically connected to the conductive area of ​​the conductive post.

[0011] Optionally, the supporting mechanism includes a driving device and a supporting platform; the supporting platform is slidably disposed in the guide mechanism of the storage device; the driving device includes a stepper motor and a linear module driven by the stepper motor; the signal control module counts the steps of the stepper motor to obtain the lifting distance of the supporting platform.

[0012] The unmanned aerial vehicle system provided in this application embodiment has at least the following beneficial effects: By configuring the drones with foldable rotors and allowing them to be stacked vertically, the drones can be stacked sequentially along the depth of the storage space by a supporting mechanism. This facilitates the transport of the storage device and reduces the takeoff area to the wingspan of a single drone. Furthermore, the storage device includes conductive areas that can be electrically connected to the contacts on the drones. When the drones are stored, these conductive areas can charge them and enable them to network and communicate before takeoff, effectively reducing maintenance and debugging time during storage and facilitating rapid deployment. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figures 1 to 3 This application includes perspective views of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system from different angles in some embodiments.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the storage device in some embodiments of this application.

[0016] Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is an exploded view of a drone in some embodiments of this application.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the drone after it has been folded in some embodiments of this application.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of multiple storage devices connected in parallel in some embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by this application clearer, the following describes this application in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0020] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0021] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or indirectly on that other component.

[0022] When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0023] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0024] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0025] In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise expressly and specifically defined.

[0026] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 8 The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system provided in the embodiments of this application will now be described.

[0027] It is understood that the drone system provided in this application embodiment is used to solve practical problems such as large storage volume, cumbersome storage and release, and long takeoff preparation time in drone swarm operation scenarios.

[0028] It is understandable that the aforementioned swarm operation scenarios include, but are not limited to, drone 10 performances in the civilian field and drone 10 reconnaissance and exploration in special operation scenarios. In the aforementioned swarm operation scenarios, the drones 10 are generally stored one drone per box. When preparing for the takeoff of the drone 10 swarm, the drones 10 need to be placed in a suitable takeoff location in sequence, and each drone 10 needs to be powered on and networked before takeoff. As a result, the requirements for the location of the swarm takeoff are quite stringent, and a lot of manpower and time are needed to power on and network the drones 10. The preparation work is quite cumbersome and not conducive to rapid deployment.

[0029] Based on the limitations of the above-mentioned drone 10 swarm operation scenarios, the drone system provided in this application embodiment includes a storage device 20 and drones 10, aiming to store as many drones 10 as possible while occupying the smallest possible storage space, and the storage module can be flexibly disassembled and installed to facilitate the transfer of the drone system. At the same time, it effectively shortens the preparation time for drone 10 swarm operations.

[0030] In this application, the storage device 20 is used to store and release the drones 10, and to charge each drone 10 in the stored state and to form a signal network formation for each drone 10 during the release and takeoff preparation phase.

[0031] refer to Figures 1 to 8 The following details the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 10 and the storage device 20 in the UAV system of this application.

[0032] The storage device 20 is used to stack each UAV 10 along its height direction in a columnar storage space 20b, so that the area occupied by a single UAV 10 can be used to store multiple UAVs. It should be understood that the rotors 12 of the UAV 10 are foldable, and when the UAV 10 is in the storage space 20b, each rotor 12 is in a folded state.

[0033] It is understood that one specific configuration of the drone 10 in the various embodiments of this application may refer to the following prior application of the inventor: a utility model patent with application date of December 9, 2024, authorization announcement date of September 23, 2025, patent number 202423021463.4, and patent name of folding drone 10.

[0034] refer to Figures 1 to 4 The storage device 20 includes a frame 21 forming a storage space 20b, and a support mechanism 22 movably disposed in the storage space 20b. The support mechanism 22 is used to stack and store each UAV 10 sequentially along the height direction of the frame 21 in the storage space 20b, or to release the UAVs 10 sequentially from the storage space 20b. A conductive area 20a is provided extending along the height direction in the storage space 20b. A signal control module 24 and / or a power module 23 electrically connected to the conductive area 20a are also provided at the bottom of the frame 21. The signal control module 24 is capable of wireless signal communication with each UAV 10, and the power module 23 can be connected to an external power supply device.

[0035] refer to Figure 8 In some embodiments, the frames 21 of the storage device 20 can be spliced ​​together, and the splicing methods include, but are not limited to, splicing along the height direction, horizontally, or vertically of the frames 21. For example, the frame 21 includes at least four uprights 211 arranged circumferentially around a rectangle and several crossbeams 212 connecting adjacent uprights 211, with each upright 211 and crossbeam 212 enclosing a storage space 20b; furthermore, side plates 2102 are provided on at least two opposite sides of the storage space 20b. In some embodiments, the conductive area 20a is a conductive layer provided on the side plate 2102. By arranging the frames 21 in this way, the storage device 20 can be flexibly grouped into storage units based on individual frames 21. That is, the storage devices 20 can be interconnected horizontally and / or vertically to form a storage array.

[0036] In practical applications, the three-dimensional dimensions of the frame 21 can be set to 200mm×160mm×993mm, wherein the storage space 20b can accommodate the drone 10 with folded dimensions of 140mm×120mm×88mm.

[0037] refer to Figures 1 to 4The support mechanism 22 includes a support platform 221 slidably mounted on the frame 21 and a drive device 222. The drive device 222 includes a stepper motor 2221 electrically connected to both the power module 23 and the signal control module 24, and a linear module mounted on the frame 21 and driven by the stepper motor 2221. The support platform 221 is connected to the linear module. The support platform 221 is used to support the drones 10, and each drone 10 is stacked and stored within the support platform 221.

[0038] When stacking and storing the drones 10, each time a drone 10 is placed, the carrying platform 221 is driven by the linear module to descend to the same height as the drone 10. This operation is repeated until the carrying platform 221 descends to the bottom of the storage space 20b and the top of the top drone 10 is below the opening height of the storage space 20b. When releasing and taking off the drones 10, the linear module drives the carrying platform 221 to rise until the bottom of the top drone 10 protrudes from the opening of the storage space 20b. This operation is repeated until the target number of drones 10 leave the storage space 20b and take off.

[0039] refer to Figures 1 to 4 In some embodiments, at least two guide columns 2101 are provided in the frame 21, and each guide column 2101 is centrally symmetrically arranged in the frame 21 along the axis of the frame 21; the bearing platform 221 is slidably arranged in each guide column 2101.

[0040] In the first embodiment of the linear module, the linear module may be a lead screw module, which is arranged along the height direction of the frame 21.

[0041] In a second embodiment of the linear module, the linear module can be a pulley module 2222 driven by a stepper motor 2221 to achieve winding. The pulleys in the pulley module 2222 are set on the support platform 221, and the traction rope in the pulley module 2222 is connected to the top of the frame 21. The stepper motor 2221 raises the support platform 221 by winding the traction rope, and the descent of the support platform 221 is achieved by its own gravity.

[0042] In a third embodiment of the linear module, the linear module can be a gear and rack module driven by a stepper motor 2221, wherein the rack is arranged along the height direction of the frame 21, and the gear is driven by the stepper motor 2221 to mesh and transmit power along the length direction of the rack.

[0043] In this application, the signal control module 24 can count the steps of the stepper motor 2221 to achieve accurate measurement of the sliding height of the support platform 221. Thus, a precision distance measuring device is not required between the frame 21 and the support platform 221, reducing the cost of the storage device 20. Furthermore, the frame 21 can be flexibly increased or decreased in height according to actual needs; real-time measurement of height changes can be obtained simply by counting the steps of the stepper motor 2221. In other words, the storage device 20 has strong adaptability and low cost.

[0044] In practical applications, the aforementioned signal control module 24 can count the steps of the stepper motor 2221, which can serve as a prerequisite for the takeoff of each UAV 10 in the storage device 20. Specifically, after each UAV 10 completes communication networking, the signal control module 24 counts the steps of the stepper motor 2221 to obtain the rising height of the support mechanism 22, thereby determining whether the UAV 10 has moved to the opening of the storage space 20b. If the UAV 10 has moved to the opening of the storage space 20b, the signal control module 24 sends a takeoff signal to the UAV 10 located at the opening of the storage space 20b and with the rotor 12 fully deployed, and each UAV 10 takes off in sequence.

[0045] For the configuration of storage device 20, refer to Figures 5 to 7 The drone 10 includes a body 11 and several foldable rotors 12 mounted on the body 11. A flight control module 13 and a power supply 14, electrically connected to each other, are housed within the body 11. Lifting components are located at the free ends of the rotors 12. Contacts electrically connected to the flight control module 13 are provided on the body 11, and these contacts are capable of maintaining stable contact with the conductive area 20a in the storage device 20. In some embodiments, an elastic element is provided on the body 11 of the drone 10 to maintain stable contact between the contacts and the conductive area 20a.

[0046] Understandably, the rotor 12 of the drone 10 can have multiple folding and storage methods so that the drone 10 can match the storage space 20b and thus descend into the storage space 20b along with the carrying platform 221.

[0047] For example, refer to Figures 2 to 3 and Figure 7 In the first folding and storage method, each rotor 12 is rotatably mounted on the fuselage 11, and in the stored state, each rotor 12 can rotate relative to the fuselage 11 into the hollow storage layer 11a of the fuselage 11. The rotation plane of the rotor 12 relative to the fuselage 11 can be parallel to the wingspan plane. It can be understood that the first folding and storage method is the same as the folding method in the inventor's prior application.

[0048] In the second folding and storage method, each rotor 12 can be folded, for example, each rotor 12 includes two folding arms that can be folded together.

[0049] It should be understood that in the aforementioned embodiments of the folding rotors 12, each rotor 12 is configured to be able to unfold freely when freed from external force constraints. For example, an elastic element (not shown in the figure) is provided between each rotor 12 and the fuselage. The elastic element is used to keep each rotor 12 in the unfolded state, and in the folded state, one side of the rotor 12 can abut against the side wall of the storage space 20b, so that the side wall of the storage space 20b restricts the rotor 12 to the folded state.

[0050] refer to Figure 7 In some embodiments, the top or bottom of the drone body 11 protrudes from the top or bottom of the lift assembly of the rotor 12 in the folded state; when two drones 10 are stacked in the same height direction, the rotors 12 of each drone 10 can be freely deployed. By arranging the drones 10 in this way, no additional carrier is required in the support platform 221, and each drone 10 can be stored simply by being freely stacked along its height direction. Furthermore, when the support platform 221 moves to the point where the top drone 10 protrudes from the opening plane of the storage space 20b, the rotors 12 of the top drone 10 can be freely extended without the operator having to manually deploy them.

[0051] In some embodiments, in the storage device 20, the conductive region 20a on the frame 21 includes a first conductive region and a second conductive region. Corresponding to the arrangement of the aforementioned conductive region 20a, refer to... Figures 5 to 7 The contacts in the aforementioned drone 10 are a first contact 151 and a second contact 152. The first contact 151 and the second contact 152 are arranged in the same direction or opposite to each other, or arranged around the same circumference, so as to maintain a stable contact with the first conductive area and the second conductive area respectively.

[0052] The conductive area 20a can be electrically connected to the first contact 151 and the second contact 152 to enable the signal control module 24 in the storage device 20 to maintain a signal connection with each drone 10, and / or enable the power module 23 in the storage device 20 to charge each drone 10.

[0053] Furthermore, the signal control module 24 can selectively connect the first conductive region and the second conductive region to the positive and negative terminals of the power module 23, so that the first conductive region and the second conductive region are in a first energized state, a second energized state, or an open circuit state. It is understood that the aforementioned circuit states between the first conductive region and the second conductive region only exist in the storage state before the UAV 10 takes off.

[0054] When the first conductive area and the second conductive area are in an open circuit state, even if the first contact 151 and the second contact 152 on the UAV 10 are in contact with the first conductive area and the second conductive area respectively, the flight control module 13 and the battery on the UAV 10 are not electrically connected to the signal control module 24 and the power module 23. That is, the UAV 10 is in a normal storage state in the storage device 20.

[0055] When the first conductive area and the second conductive area are in the first energized state, they are at the same potential. When the flight control module 13 on the UAV 10 receives this signal through the first contact 151 and the second contact 152, the flight control module 13 completes the power-on operation and sends the registration information of each UAV to the signal control module 24. The signal control module 24 receives the registration information of each UAV 10 and completes the communication networking and collaborative initialization of each UAV 10 in the same storage space 20b, so as to facilitate the formation and collaborative operation of each UAV 10 after takeoff.

[0056] When the first conductive region and the second conductive region are in a second energized state, a potential difference exists between them. At this time, the flight control module 13 on each UAV 10 controls the UAV 10 to be in a charging state. In embodiments where a power module 23 is provided at the bottom of the frame 21, the power module 23 at the bottom of the frame 21 charges each power supply 14 on the UAV 10. Alternatively, an external power supply device can be connected to a signal control module 24 so that the signal control module 24 controls the external power supply 14 to charge each UAV 10.

[0057] By providing a conductive area 20a on the frame 21 and contacts on the drone 10, at least the following advantages are achieved: On the one hand, it enables the drone 10 to complete the recharging operation in the stacked storage state, without the need for operators to charge each drone 10, making the operation simple and quick; On the other hand, each UAV 10 can pre-complete the formation communication network before taking off and leaving the storage device 20, which can avoid the network delay caused by the UAVs 10 taking off in sequence and then forming a network, and can further improve the flight time of each UAV 10. On the other hand, the communication formation networking can be achieved without relying on wireless control signals, and each UAV has strong anti-interference capabilities.

[0058] It is understood that in the first specific embodiment of the conductive region 20a, the conductive region 20a is disposed on the side wall of the storage space 20b, that is, the aforementioned conductive layer disposed on the side plate 2102; see reference Figures 1 to 4In a second specific embodiment of the conductive region 20a, a conductive column 25 made of insulating material is provided on the frame 21 along its height direction and through the bearing platform 221. The first conductive region and the second conductive region are conductive layers provided on different sides of the column. It should be understood that the height of the conductive column 25 can be varied and can be adjusted according to the change in the height of the frame.

[0059] refer to Figures 1 to 4 In the second embodiment corresponding to the conductive region 20a, a first through hole 153 is provided through the thickness direction of the body 11 of the drone 10, and a first contact 151 and a second contact 152 are provided on both sides of the first through hole 153; the first through hole 153 can be arranged around the conductive post 25 so that the conductive post 25 can pass through the first through hole 153. In this embodiment, in addition to providing contact power to the first contact 151 and the second contact 152 on the drone 10, the conductive post 25 can also guide and limit the stacking of each drone 10 in the storage space 20b.

[0060] Furthermore, when the conductive post 25 penetrates the first through hole 153 on the drone 10, it can restrict and keep each rotor 12 on the drone 10 in a folded state. Specifically, there are two sets of rotors 12, each set of rotors 12 including two rotors 12 linked to the same drive component. When the drive component moves on the fuselage, it can pull each rotor 12 to fold or unfold synchronously. Each drive component is provided with a second through hole 154, which can be moved to coaxially communicate with the first through hole 153 to allow the conductive area 20a to pass through and restrict each rotor 12 to a folded state.

[0061] For example, refer to Figures 5 to 7 The fuselage 11 has at least two storage layers 11a arranged side by side along its height direction. Each storage layer 11a is used to slide the drive assembly and to store the same set of rotors 12 after folding. In this embodiment, the first through hole 153 is provided on different height layers of the fuselage 11, and each first through hole 153 is located at the same axial position.

[0062] Specifically, each drive assembly includes a slider 161 and two connecting rods 162 that simultaneously connect the slider 161 and the rotor 12. An elastic element (not shown in the figure) is connected between the slider 161 and the body 11. The elastic element is used to keep each rotor 12 in the deployed state. When the slider 161 slides in the storage layer 11a, the slider 161 can pull the connecting rods 162 to deploy the rotor 12 or push the connecting rods 162 to fold and store the rotor 12.

[0063] The aforementioned second through holes 154 are respectively provided on each sliding member 161, but the positions of the second through holes 154 on each sliding member 161 are different. With this arrangement, after each cantilever 12 of the UAV 10 is folded, each second through hole 154 on each sliding member 161 can move to communicate with the first through hole 153, so that the conductive post 25 can pass through the first through hole 153 and the second through hole 154.

[0064] That is, when the drone 10 is folded and placed on the support platform 221, the conductive post 25 passes through the second through hole 154 and the first through hole 153 in sequence, which can keep each cantilever 12 stably in the folded state and ensure that each contact point can stably maintain contact with the conductive area 20a; when the conductive post 25 leaves the first through hole 153 and the second through hole 154 in sequence, the groups of cantilever 12 folded and stored in different storage layers 11a unfold in sequence. It can be understood that in this embodiment, the conductive post 25 is also the aforementioned limiting structure.

[0065] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, characterized in that, It includes at least one storage device with a storage space and at least two drones capable of being stacked and stored or sequentially released along the height direction in the storage space, wherein the rotors of the drones in the storage space are in a folded state; wherein: A power module and a signal control module are provided at the bottom of the storage device. A support mechanism that is electrically connected to the signal control module and supports the lifting and lowering of each UAV is slidably provided in the storage space along the height direction. A conductive area is provided in the storage space along its depth direction. The UAV can be electrically connected to the conductive area to transmit control signals to the signal control module and to be charged by the power module. Before each of the drones is released sequentially in the same storage space, the signal control module controls the conductive area to connect with the power module and puts the conductive area into the first energized state, so that each drone completes power-on and communication networking. After all the UAVs have completed their communication network, the signal control module calculates the moving distance of the carrying mechanism to determine whether the UAV has moved to the opening of the storage space, and then sends take-off signals to the UAVs located at the opening of the storage space and whose rotors have been deployed.

2. The unmanned aerial vehicle system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive area includes a first conductive area and a second conductive area; the drone is provided with a first contact point and a second contact point that respectively contact the first conductive area and the second conductive area.

3. The unmanned aerial vehicle system as described in claim 2, characterized in that: In the first energized state, the first conductive region and the second conductive region are at the same potential.

4. The unmanned aerial vehicle system as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The signal control module controls the conductive area to connect with the power module and puts the conductive area into a second energized state. In the second energized state, there is a potential difference between the first conductive area and the second conductive area, so that the conductive area can charge and replenish the power of each UAV.

5. The unmanned aerial vehicle system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive area is formed on at least one side wall of the storage space.

6. The unmanned aerial vehicle system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A conductive column is provided in the storage space along its depth direction, and the conductive area is located on at least one side wall of the conductive column.

7. The unmanned aerial vehicle system as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The drone has a through hole along its height that allows the conductive post to pass through. A contact point is located around the through hole in the drone body, and the contact point can be electrically connected to the conductive area of ​​the conductive post.

8. The unmanned aerial vehicle system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The supporting mechanism includes a driving device and a supporting platform; the supporting platform is slidably disposed in the guiding mechanism of the storage device; the driving device includes a stepper motor and a linear module driven by the stepper motor; The signal control module counts the steps of the stepper motor to obtain the lifting distance of the support platform.

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