An unmanned aerial vehicle launch system

Abstract

This invention relates to a drone launch system, belonging to the field of drone technology. It includes a launch platform and a launch rack, with several launch platforms fixedly connected at intervals to the launch rack. A square, shell-shaped mounting slot is fixedly connected to each launch platform. Clamping arms are hinged to both sides of the mounting slot. One end of each clamping arm extends out of the mounting slot and is fixedly connected to a clamping end. The clamping end has a built-in de-energized DC electromagnet. The drone is inserted into the mounting slot from above and magnetically connected to the clamping end. When the clamping end is de-energized, the clamping arm flips to disengage the clamping end from the drone. This invention has the advantage of achieving system miniaturization through highly integrated design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, and more particularly to a UAV launch system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the swarm takeoff of multiple rotor drones relies entirely on manual deployment and ground station wireless control. The first problem to solve in the whole process is site adaptability. Among them, the hard requirement is that the center distance between adjacent drones must be ≥2.5 times the rotor diameter, and for large drones it must be ≥3 times. This is because if the distance between drones is less than this standard, the surrounding drones will be violently shaken by the airflow when the rotors start, or even directly overturn and collide. In addition, the ground slope must be ≤3°, otherwise it will affect the lift. Therefore, the requirements for the site environment are extremely high, resulting in poor site adaptability for launching multiple drones.

[0003] Therefore, to address the above shortcomings, a drone launch system is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to address the issue that current methods of launching multiple drones require overly stringent site conditions.

[0005] (II) Technical Solution To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a drone launch system, comprising a launch platform and a launch rack. Several launch platforms are fixedly connected at intervals to the launch rack. A square, shell-shaped mounting slot is fixedly connected to each launch platform. Clamping arms are hinged to both sides of the mounting slot. One end of each clamping arm extends out of the mounting slot and is fixedly connected to a clamping end. The clamping end has a built-in de-energized DC electromagnet. The drone is inserted into the mounting slot from above and magnetically connected to the clamping end. When the clamping end is de-energized, the clamping arm flips to the side, causing the clamping end to detach from the drone.

[0006] As a further explanation of the present invention, preferably, the mounting slot is provided with power supply contacts and communication contacts, both of which are electrically connected to the UAV.

[0007] As a further explanation of the present invention, preferably, a UAV communication bus, a clamping mechanism communication bus, and a power supply interface are provided at intervals on one side of the take-off platform. The communication contacts are electrically connected to the UAV communication bus, the clamping mechanism communication bus is electrically connected to the clamping end, and the power supply interface is electrically connected to the power supply contacts.

[0008] As a further explanation of the present invention, preferably, a signal processing unit is provided at the bottom of the take-off platform, and the signal processing unit is electrically connected to the UAV communication bus, the clamping mechanism communication bus and the power supply interface.

[0009] (III) Beneficial Effects The above-described technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages: This invention, by designing a takeoff platform with a mounting slot, not only reduces the space occupied by the drone during transportation but also significantly reduces the impact on surrounding drones during takeoff control, ensuring that multiple drones can take off smoothly within a small area. Simultaneously, the connecting mechanism hinges the takeoff platform to the upper-level system, enabling the drone to maintain a vertical position even on uneven ground, ensuring stable lift. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the launch pad of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an assembly rendering of the drone and takeoff platform of the present invention; Figure 3 This is an assembly rendering of the launch pad and launcher of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the process of the present invention.

[0011] In the diagram: 1. Launch pad; 11. Mounting slot; 12. Clamping arm; 13. Clamping end; 14. Power supply contact; 15. Communication contact; 16. UAV communication bus; 17. Clamping mechanism communication bus; 18. Power supply interface; 19. Signal processing unit; 2. Launch pad; 21. Connecting mechanism; 3. UAV. Detailed Implementation

[0012] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0013] A drone launch system, combined with Figure 1 , Figure 3 It includes a launch pad 1 and a launcher 2. Both the launch pad 1 and the launcher 2 are flat plate structures. The area of ​​the launcher 2 is larger than that of the launch pad 1. Multiple launch pads 1 can be fixed to a single launcher 2 at intervals by bolts, preferably two.

[0014] like Figure 1 As shown, a square, shell-shaped mounting slot 11 is fixed to the center of the launch pad 1. The outer wall of the mounting slot 11 is perforated to reduce weight. Figure 2As shown, the bottom of the drone 3 can be embedded in the mounting slot 11 to house the drone 3. The mounting slot 11 is equipped with a power supply contact 14 and a communication contact 15. When the tail of the drone 3 is placed in the mounting slot 11, the power supply contact 14 contacts the power supply contact at the tail of the drone 3 to supply power. The communication contact 15 contacts the communication contact at the tail of the drone 3 to provide a communication link to the drone 3 via the launcher 2, enabling communication between the drone 3 and the launcher 2.

[0015] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 The mounting slot 11 has strip-shaped clamping arms 12 hinged to both sides. One end of the clamping arm 12 extends out of the mounting slot 11 and is fixed to a columnar clamping end 13. The clamping end 13 has a built-in de-energized DC electromagnet. The drone 3 is inserted into the mounting slot 11 from above and magnetically connected to the clamping end 13. The clamping end 13 is de-energized and the clamping arm 12 flips to the side so that the clamping end 13 is detached from the drone 3.

[0016] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 A signal processing unit 19 is located at the bottom of the launch platform 1. This signal processing unit 19 is mounted on one of several UAV launch platforms 1 via an installation interface. This launch platform 1 is designated as the master UAV launch platform, and the others are referred to as slave UAV launch platforms. A UAV communication bus 16, a clamping mechanism communication bus 17, and a power supply interface 18 are spaced apart on one side of each launch platform 1. The communication contacts 15 of each UAV launch platform are electrically connected to the UAV communication bus 16, the clamping mechanism communication bus 17 is electrically connected to the clamping end 13, and the power supply interface 18 is electrically connected to the power supply contact 14. The signal processing unit 19 is electrically connected to the UAV communication bus 16 and the clamping mechanism communication bus 17 via its communication interface on the master UAV launch platform. The power supply interfaces 18 of each of the launch platforms 1 are connected sequentially. The signal processing unit 19 uses the UAV bus to control the takeoff sequence of the UAVs 3 via the communication contacts 15 and loads the flight-related strategies of the UAVs 3.

[0017] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 4 The clamping end 13 receives control signals from the signal processing unit 19 and controls the opening and closing of the drone clamping arm 12. When the clamping arm 12 is closed, it clamps the drone 3, preventing the drone 3 from taking off. When the clamping arm 12 is open, it allows the drone 3 to take off.

[0018] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 3 The launcher 2 has a connecting mechanism 21 on one side. The connecting mechanism 21 has reserved mechanical connection interfaces with other equipment, including bearings and clamping structures, for connecting to the upper-level system in different application scenarios and supporting the fixation or movement of the UAV launcher 2.

[0019] The workflow of the drone launch system is as follows: a) When the UAV 3 is loaded onto the launch pad 1, the communication contact 15 and the power supply contact 14 are connected, and a communication and power supply network is established on the launch pad. When communication is established, a load-ready signal is sent to the signal processing unit 19. The signal processing unit 19 forwards this signal as a control signal, and the clamping arm 12 and the clamping end 13 close. The UAV launch pad 2 moves or remains stationary with the upper-level system.

[0020] b) The signal processing unit 19 sends control signals to the clamping arm 12 and the clamping end 13 based on the information from the upper-level system. The clamping end 13 and the clamping arm 12 then perform corresponding actions.

[0021] c) The signal processing unit 19 sends control information to the UAV 3 based on the information from the superior system, and sets the corresponding parameters and strategies. The UAV 3 performs flight maneuvers based on the control information and the set content.

[0022] In summary, this invention innovatively divides the communication system into an independent UAV communication bus 16 and a clamping mechanism communication bus 17, which are physically isolated and do not interfere with each other. The high-speed download of the UAV flight strategy will not be interrupted by the control signals of the clamping mechanism, and the emergency locking command of the clamping mechanism will not be delayed due to UAV communication congestion, fundamentally solving the signal conflict problem of the single-bus architecture. All takeoff stations are powered and communicated through a cascaded bus, reducing the number of cables by more than 80% compared to the traditional point-to-point wiring method. This not only simplifies the installation and debugging process but also significantly reduces the number of failure points caused by cable aging and loose connectors, improving the system's mean time between failures (MTBF). More importantly, the signal processing unit 19 directly sends takeoff commands to each UAV through the UAV communication bus 16, precisely controlling the takeoff time interval between adjacent UAVs, down to a minimum of 100ms, effectively avoiding the risk of mid-air collisions during cluster takeoffs and achieving high-density, high-frequency continuous transmission.

[0023] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle launch system, characterized by: Includes a take-off platform (1) and a launcher (2). Several take-off platforms (1) are fixedly connected to the launcher (2) at intervals. A square shell-shaped mounting slot (11) is fixedly connected to the take-off platform (1). Clamping arms (12) are hinged to both sides of the mounting slot (11). One end of the clamping arm (12) extends out of the mounting slot (11) and is fixedly connected to a clamping end (13). The clamping end (13) has a built-in de-energized DC electromagnet. The UAV (3) is inserted into the mounting slot (11) from above and magnetically connected to the clamping end (13). The clamping end (13) is de-energized and the clamping arm (12) is flipped to disengage the clamping end (13) from the UAV (3).

2. The unmanned aerial vehicle launching system of claim 1, wherein: The mounting slot (11) is equipped with a power supply contact (14) and a communication contact (15), both of which are electrically connected to the UAV (3).

3. The unmanned aerial vehicle launching system of claim 2, wherein: The take-off platform (1) is provided with a UAV communication bus (16), a clamping mechanism communication bus (17) and a power supply interface (18) on one side. The communication contact (15) is electrically connected to the UAV communication bus (16), the clamping mechanism communication bus (17) is electrically connected to the clamping end (13), and the power supply interface (18) is electrically connected to the power supply contact (14).

4. The unmanned aerial vehicle launching system of claim 3, wherein: The bottom of the take-off platform (1) is equipped with a signal processing unit (19), which is electrically connected to the UAV communication bus (16), the clamping mechanism communication bus (17), and the power supply interface (18).

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