Unmanned cabin for vehicle, control method of vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

This invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) cabin for a vehicle, a vehicle, and a control method for the vehicle, comprising: a cabin body having a receiving cavity with an opening; a landing pad with a connecting structure, the landing pad being connected to the UAV via the connecting structure, the landing pad being rotatably connected to the cabin body to adjust the angle between the landing pad and the cabin body; wherein the landing pad has a closed position for closing the opening and multiple open positions for opening the opening. This invention solves the problems of limited placement space and low automation level of vehicle-mounted UAVs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of unmanned cabins for vehicles, and more specifically, to an unmanned cabin for a vehicle, a vehicle control method, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In the current technological landscape, with the rapid development of automotive technology and the rise of the outdoor sports industry, rugged off-road vehicles are no longer merely transportation tools, but are gradually becoming important vehicles for users to explore nature and engage in camping adventures. In recent years, drones, with their unique aerial perspective and flexible maneuverability, have been widely introduced into vehicle-mounted scenarios for purposes such as road reconnaissance, campsite aerial photography, and emergency rescue. Currently, vehicle-mounted drone deployment schemes are mainly divided into two categories: "roof mounting" and "in-vehicle mounting." However, both schemes have significant limitations and are difficult to meet the core usage needs of rugged off-road vehicles. Furthermore, existing vehicle-mounted drone landing pads are mostly at fixed angles, resulting in a low level of automation.

[0003] There is currently no effective solution to the aforementioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a solution to the problems of limited deployment location and low level of automation of vehicle-mounted drones in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, an unmanned vehicle cabin is provided, comprising: a cabin body having a receiving cavity having an opening; a landing pad having a connecting structure disposed thereon, the landing pad being connected to the unmanned vehicle via the connecting structure, the landing pad being rotatably connected to the cabin body to adjust the angle between the landing pad and the cabin body; wherein the landing pad has a closed position for closing the opening, and a plurality of open positions for opening the opening.

[0006] Furthermore, position detection devices are also installed on the helipad to detect the horizontal angle of the helipad.

[0007] Furthermore, the connection structure includes a magnetic structure, through which the drone and the landing pad are magnetically connected.

[0008] Furthermore, wireless charging devices are also installed on the tarmac, and these devices are integrated with the connection structure.

[0009] Furthermore, the unmanned cabin for the vehicle also includes a rotary connection mechanism located on the side of the cabin away from the landing pad. The rotary connection mechanism is used to connect with the vehicle's rotary engagement structure so that the cabin can be rotated about the vehicle's horizontal axis.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided, the vehicle being provided with an unmanned cabin, the unmanned cabin being the aforementioned unmanned cabin for a vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, the drone cabin is connected to the vehicle's trunk door.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle control method is provided. The method is used to control the vehicle described above, and includes the following steps: acquiring environmental information; generating a first control command when the environmental information meets the take-off and landing conditions of a UAV, the first control command being used to control the helipad to switch from a closed position to an open position; acquiring helipad angle information, wherein the helipad angle information includes at least the angle information between the helipad and the horizontal ground; and generating a second control command when the helipad angle information meets preset angle conditions, the second control command being used to control the UAV to take off.

[0013] Furthermore, the method also includes the following steps: acquiring road condition information, which includes at least road condition images collected by the drone; determining the target driving mode of the vehicle based on the road condition information, where the target driving mode is any one of the vehicle's multiple driving modes; and generating a third control command based on the target driving mode, which is used to control the vehicle to enter the target driving mode.

[0014] Furthermore, after obtaining the apron angle information, the method also includes the following steps: if it is determined that the apron angle information does not meet the preset angle conditions, a fourth control command and a fifth control command are generated. The fourth control command is used to control the rotation of the cabin relative to the vehicle, and the fifth control command is used to control the rotation of the apron relative to the cabin, so that the apron angle information meets the preset angle conditions.

[0015] Applying the technical solution of this invention, the helipad is connected to the cabin via a connecting structure. In the closed position, the helipad folds and fits against the outer wall of the cabin, sealing the opening and preventing foreign objects from entering. It also protects the internal structure of the cabin from being snagged on branches or impacted. In the open position, the helipad rotates to be parallel to the bottom plane of the cabin, allowing the drone to land vertically. In multiple open positions, the helipad can remain at any intermediate angle. Through the relative rotation of the cabin and the helipad, the normal direction of the helipad can be adjusted in real time, and the helipad can actively correct its level, ensuring it remains horizontal at all times. This allows the drone to take off and land normally even when the vehicle body is tilted, improving the automation level of the drone cabin. The cabin does not occupy roof rack space, and the helipad fits against the vehicle body when closed and unfolds when open, providing ample operating space. This solves the problems of limited placement space and low automation levels for vehicle-mounted drones. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a first embodiment of an unmanned vehicle cabin according to the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a second embodiment of an unmanned vehicle cabin according to the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 A structural schematic diagram of a third embodiment of an unmanned vehicle cabin according to the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 4 A structural schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of an unmanned vehicle cabin according to the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 5 A structural schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of an unmanned vehicle cabin according to the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 6 A structural schematic diagram of a sixth embodiment of an unmanned vehicle cabin according to the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 7 A structural schematic diagram of a seventh embodiment of an unmanned vehicle cabin according to the present invention is shown;

[0024] Figure 8 A structural schematic diagram of a seventh embodiment of an unmanned vehicle cabin according to the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 9 A structural schematic diagram of a seventh embodiment of an unmanned vehicle cabin according to the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 10 A structural schematic diagram of a seventh embodiment of an unmanned vehicle cabin according to the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 11 A control logic diagram of an embodiment of a mountable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) bay according to the present invention is shown;

[0028] Figure 12 A flowchart of a first embodiment of a vehicle control method according to the present invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 13 A flowchart of a second embodiment of the vehicle control method according to the present invention is shown.

[0030] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0031] 10. Hull; 110. Receiving cavity; 120. Opening;

[0032] 20. Helipad; 21. Connecting structure; 211. Magnetic suction structure; 22. Position detection component; 23. Pull rod;

[0033] 30. Drones;

[0034] 40. Rotary connection mechanism;

[0035] 510. Electric motor; 520. Gear set;

[0036] 60. Trunk door. Detailed Implementation

[0037] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0038] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0039] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented, for example, in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0040] Exemplary embodiments according to this application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. It should be understood that these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of this application is thorough and complete, and that the concept of these exemplary embodiments is fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, for clarity, the thickness of layers and regions may be exaggerated, and the same reference numerals are used to denote the same devices, and therefore their description will be omitted.

[0041] The existing technology has the following main problems:

[0042] (1) Limited placement location or low level of automation:

[0043] There are two main existing solutions for vehicle-mounted drones. One is to design the drone compartment on the roof. This sacrifices the space for a roof rack, which is unsuitable for off-road vehicles where users might need to carry tents and other outdoor survival equipment. The other is to place the drone compartment inside the vehicle. Both solutions require manual removal of the drone or the compartment, making it impossible to achieve fully automated operations such as take-off, landing, and charging.

[0044] (2) Stringent take-off and landing conditions:

[0045] Current drones have high requirements for takeoff and landing, and need to be carried out on a relatively flat surface with no angle. In off-road vehicle usage scenarios, the vehicle body will tilt significantly with the off-road surface, making it impossible for drones to take off and land.

[0046] (3) Linkage between UAV and off-road control:

[0047] Currently, the linkage between drones and vehicle control is weak, making it impossible to intelligently adjust detailed control schemes such as vehicle off-road mode and suspension through drone footage.

[0048] Combination Figures 1 to 10 As shown, according to a specific embodiment of this application, an unmanned cabin for a vehicle is provided.

[0049] Specifically, the unmanned vehicle cabin for the vehicle includes a cabin body 10 and a landing pad 20. The cabin body 10 has a receiving cavity 110 with an opening 120. A connecting structure 21 is provided on the landing pad 20, and the landing pad 20 is connected to the unmanned vehicle 30 through the connecting structure 21. The landing pad 20 and the cabin body 10 are rotatably connected to adjust the angle between the landing pad 20 and the cabin body 10. The landing pad 20 has a closed position for closing the opening 120 and multiple open positions for opening the opening 120.

[0050] The cabin 10 is designed as a modular box structure, which can be mounted on the spare tire "backpack" of an off-road vehicle or inside the tailgate. The outer shell of the cabin 10 is made of high-strength lightweight materials (such as carbon fiber composites) to ensure both strength and weight.

[0051] The opening 120 is located at one end of the receiving cavity 110. The edge of the opening 120 is provided with a sealing waterproof strip to ensure that rainwater will not seep into the receiving cavity 110 and damage the drone or electronic components when the vehicle is wading through water or driving in the rain.

[0052] The helipad 20 is a rigid flat plate structure. The surface of the helipad 20 is covered with an anti-slip and wear-resistant layer or an electromagnetic shielding layer to prevent metal from interfering with the drone's compass.

[0053] The cabin 10 is connected to the apron 20 via a tie rod 23.

[0054] Applying the technical solution of this embodiment, the helipad 20 is connected to the cabin 10 via the connecting structure 21. In the closed position, the helipad 20 folds and fits against the outer wall of the cabin 10, thus closing the opening 120 and preventing foreign objects from entering. It also protects the internal structure of the cabin 10 from being snagged on branches or impacted. In the open position, the helipad 20 rotates to be parallel to the bottom plane of the cabin 10, allowing the drone 30 to land vertically. In multiple open positions, the helipad 20 can remain at any intermediate angle. Through the relative rotation of the cabin 10 and the helipad 20, the normal direction of the helipad 20 can be adjusted in real time. The helipad 20 can actively correct its level, ensuring it remains horizontal at all times. This allows the drone 30 to take off and land normally even when the vehicle body is tilted, improving the automation level of the drone cabin. The cabin 10 does not occupy roof rack space, and the helipad 20 fits against the vehicle body when closed and unfolds when open, providing ample operating space. This solves the problems of limited placement space and low automation level for vehicle-mounted drones.

[0055] In one exemplary embodiment of this application, the unmanned cabin is used in an off-road vehicle. A rotatable connection between the cabin 10 and the tailgate 60 is achieved via a motor 510 and a gear set 520.

[0056] Specifically, a position detection device 22 is also installed on the helipad 20, which is used to detect the horizontal angle of the helipad 20.

[0057] The position detection component 22 typically uses a high-precision tilt sensor, gyroscope, or accelerometer to collect angle data of the helipad 20 relative to the vertical direction of gravity in real time and continuously.

[0058] In this embodiment, during the off-road vehicle's operation, the vehicle body will experience high-frequency vibrations and significant low-frequency tilting due to road bumps. The position detection component 22 can quickly respond to these dynamic changes, enabling the helipad 20 to complete attitude compensation in a short time. Through the precise monitoring of the position detection component 22, the tilt of the helipad 20 can be controlled within the safe range of the UAV 30, thereby ensuring that the UAV 30 can still take off and land vertically and stably in off-road environments with vehicle body tilt.

[0059] Preferably, the connection structure 21 includes a magnetic structure 211, through which the UAV 30 and the landing pad 20 are magnetically connected.

[0060] In this embodiment, the magnetic attraction structure 211 utilizes magnetic attraction. When the drone 30 lands within a certain range above the helipad 20, the magnetic force can automatically pull the drone 30 towards the center of the magnetic attraction point, allowing the drone to automatically correct its position during landing and ensuring that the center of the drone 30 is completely aligned with the center of the helipad 20. At the same time, the strong attraction generated by the magnetic attraction structure 211 can firmly attach the drone 30 to the helipad 20, preventing the drone 30 from slipping off the helipad 20 due to sudden braking or collision of a vehicle while in storage. The torque generated by the magnetic attraction can resist the disturbance of external wind force on the drone 30, preventing the drone 30 from tipping over.

[0061] Preferably, a wireless charging device is also installed on the helipad 20, and the wireless charging device is integrated with the connection structure 21.

[0062] The wireless charging device includes a transmitting coil, a driving circuit, and a heat dissipation component.

[0063] In this embodiment, the wireless charging device is directly integrated inside or around the connecting structure 21, avoiding the need for an additional independent charging module area on the surface of the helipad 20. This saves space on the surface of the helipad 20 and also provides more layout space for components such as the magnetic structure 211 and the position detection element 22, making the overall structure more compact and aesthetically pleasing. By integrating the wireless charging device inside the connecting structure 21, the device can be encased in a sealed shell, significantly improving its dust and water resistance. This also protects the off-road vehicle from external impacts when facing harsh environments such as mud, sand, and vibration.

[0064] Furthermore, the unmanned cabin for the vehicle also includes a rotary connection mechanism 40, which is located on the side of the cabin 10 away from the landing pad 20. The rotary connection mechanism 40 is used to connect with the vehicle's rotary engagement structure so that the cabin 10 can be rotatably set about the vehicle's horizontal axis.

[0065] In this embodiment, when the off-road vehicle is driving on a side slope, the vehicle body will tilt left and right. At this time, the pitch adjustment of the helipad 20 alone cannot solve the problem of tilting left and right. By rotating the connecting mechanism 40 to drive the entire cabin 10 to rotate around the horizontal axis of the vehicle, the helipad 20 and the drone 30 can rotate synchronously with the cabin 10. By setting the rotating cabin 10, the bottom plane of the drone 30 remains horizontal at the moment of take-off and landing, ensuring that the lift generated by the drone 30 is vertically upward, and preventing the drone from tipping over or sliding off the helipad due to lateral forces.

[0066] By placing the rotating connection mechanism 40 at the rear of the cabin 10, when the cabin 10 rotates to adjust its angle, its movement trajectory mainly extends towards the rear or top of the vehicle. This does not obstruct the driver's view of the road conditions behind through the rearview mirror, nor does it hinder the view of other vehicles or pedestrians behind, facilitating operation and monitoring. Furthermore, the cabin 10 is more easily observed by the driver or passengers through the vehicle window when rotating, making it convenient to monitor the take-off and landing status of the drone. The rotation axis of the rotating connection mechanism 40 is also closer to the center of gravity of the cabin 10. This more effectively distributes the load during vehicle vibrations and impacts, reducing fatigue damage to the connection structure 21 and the rotating connection mechanism 40.

[0067] In one exemplary embodiment of this application, the rotary connection mechanism 40 includes at least a rotating shaft, and the rotary mating structure may include a motor, gears, etc. After the rotating shaft is connected to the output end of the gear, the motor can drive the cabin 10 to rotate.

[0068] According to another specific embodiment of this application, a vehicle is also provided, the vehicle being provided with an unmanned cabin, the unmanned cabin being the aforementioned unmanned cabin for a vehicle.

[0069] Applying the technical solution of this embodiment, the helipad 20 is connected to the cabin 10 via the connecting structure 21. In the closed position, the helipad 20 folds and fits against the outer wall of the cabin 10, at which point the opening 120 is closed, preventing foreign objects from entering and protecting the internal structure of the cabin 10 from being snagged on tree branches or impacted. In the open position, the helipad 20 rotates to be parallel to the bottom plane of the cabin 10, at which point the drone 30 can land vertically; in multiple open positions, the helipad 20 can remain at any intermediate angle. Through the relative rotation of the cabin 10 and the helipad 20, the normal direction of the helipad 20 can be adjusted in real time, and the helipad 20 can actively correct its level, ensuring that the helipad 20 always remains level. This allows the drone 30 to maintain normal take-off and landing even when the vehicle body is tilted, improving the automation level of the drone cabin; the cabin 10 does not occupy the space of the roof rack, and the helipad 20 fits against the vehicle body when closed and unfolds when open, providing a spacious operating space.

[0070] By placing the drone compartment at the rear of the vehicle (such as in the "backpack" position), the roof space is completely freed up, allowing the off-road vehicle to simultaneously meet the dual needs of drone and roof loading. This avoids occupying storage space in the passenger compartment or trunk, ensuring the flexibility of loading inside the vehicle without affecting passenger comfort or the storage of regular goods.

[0071] Specifically, the unmanned cabin is connected to the vehicle's trunk door 60.

[0072] In this embodiment, the drone cabin is connected to the trunk door 60, placing the drone in the most easily accessible position after the driver or passengers exit the vehicle. When the user opens the trunk door, they can observe the drone's status, facilitating easy retrieval and placement, greatly improving operational convenience and intuitiveness. The drone cabin's status can be intuitively displayed via indicator lights or a screen integrated on the trunk door 60. Users do not need to approach the cabin 10; they can obtain status information simply by opening the trunk door 60.

[0073] According to another specific embodiment of this application, a vehicle control method is also provided, the method being used to control the aforementioned vehicle, such as... Figure 12 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0074] Step S10: Obtain environmental information;

[0075] Step S20: If the environmental information meets the conditions for UAV take-off and landing, generate a first control command. The first control command is used to control the helipad to switch from the closed position to the open position.

[0076] Step S30: Obtain the apron angle information, wherein the apron angle information includes at least the angle between the apron and the horizontal ground.

[0077] Step S40: If the apron angle information meets the preset angle conditions, a second control command is generated. The second control command is used to control the UAV to take off.

[0078] In step S10, sensors integrated into the vehicle can comprehensively acquire environmental data surrounding the vehicle. This includes the vehicle's current attitude (such as tilt angle and acceleration), distances to surrounding obstacles, ground flatness, and weather conditions (such as wind speed and rainfall). Potential hazards are identified before takeoff and landing, reducing the accident rate.

[0079] In step S20, the deployment action continues only when the environmental information is safe. Without manual intervention, the helipad automatically deploys after a preset threshold is met, simplifying user operation, accelerating response time, and significantly improving mission efficiency. It also avoids motor overload or structural damage, extending the service life of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) cabin.

[0080] In step S30, angle sensors on the helipad monitor the real-time angles of the helipad relative to the horizontal plane, including pitch and roll angles. This not only monitors static angles but also senses dynamic changes during vehicle fine-tuning. When the vehicle is moving or has just come to a stop and is not yet stable, the sensors can detect minute vibrations or tilts. Simultaneously, complex motion postures are converted into standard angle values, facilitating rapid comparison and processing by the control algorithm and improving the computational efficiency of the control system.

[0081] In step S40, the drone is only allowed to take off after confirming that the helipad angle error is less than a preset threshold, thus ensuring that the helipad has been adjusted to a level state. This ensures that regardless of the drone's tilt, a safe takeoff condition is only considered met when the helipad adjusts itself to a level state. This significantly reduces the risk of the drone tipping over, failing to take off or land, or being damaged due to an unleveled helipad. The preset angle condition can be dynamically adjusted according to the drone model and current wind speed. For example, in strong winds, a smaller preset angle threshold can be used to improve the success rate of takeoff and landing.

[0082] Based on steps S10 to S40, after the user issues the command, the complex takeoff operation is automatically completed, lowering the user's barrier to entry and enabling the vehicle to perform missions even in harsh off-road environments, thus improving the vehicle's mission execution efficiency. It ensures that the drone takes off only when the helipad is absolutely level, avoiding potential takeoff and landing accidents caused by vehicle tilt, and guaranteeing the safety of both the drone equipment and the vehicle itself. By acquiring real-time helipad angle information, it overcomes the problem of significant vehicle tilt caused by off-road surfaces, achieving stable takeoff and landing of the drone in any terrain, and expanding the application environment of the drone.

[0083] Specifically, such as Figure 13 As shown, the method also includes the following steps:

[0084] Step S100: Obtain road condition information, which includes at least road condition images collected by the drone;

[0085] Step S200: Based on road condition information, determine the target driving mode of the vehicle. The target driving mode is any one of the vehicle's multiple driving modes.

[0086] Step S300: Based on the target driving mode, a third control command is generated. The third control command is used to control the vehicle to enter the target driving mode.

[0087] In step S100, the drone is used as a mobile sensor to acquire high-definition real-time images of the area in front of, above, or to the side of the vehicle, especially blind spots obscured by mountains or vegetation. This greatly expands the driver's field of vision, enabling the vehicle to capture complex terrain details that are not directly observable by the naked eye, such as hidden pits, muddy sections, and landslide risk points.

[0088] In step S200, the images transmitted back by the drone are analyzed to automatically recommend or determine the most suitable vehicle driving mode for the current terrain (such as "sand mode," "mud mode," "rock mode," "auto mode," etc.). Different driving modes correspond to different engine response characteristics, transmission shift logic, and four-wheel drive system coupling ratios. By accurately matching the target driving mode, the vehicle's power output, torque distribution, and suspension posture are ensured to perfectly match the current road conditions. For example, when soft sand is detected, the vehicle is switched to sand mode in advance to increase the tire contact area and reduce torque surges, preventing the vehicle from getting stuck.

[0089] In step S300, by capturing road condition images through the drone, the vehicle can anticipate the road conditions ahead and automatically adjust to the optimal driving mode. This effectively avoids accidents such as getting stuck or skidding due to misjudgment of road conditions, significantly improving the vehicle's driving safety in extreme off-road environments. It also avoids the limitations of off-road vehicles relying on manual mode switching by the driver, utilizing the drone's visual perception capabilities to achieve adaptive off-road driving. The vehicle can automatically adapt to the environment, lowering the technical threshold for off-road driving and enhancing the vehicle's intelligence level.

[0090] Furthermore, in step S30, after obtaining the apron angle information, the method further includes the following steps:

[0091] If the apron angle information does not meet the preset angle conditions, a fourth control command and a fifth control command are generated. The fourth control command is used to control the rotation of the cabin relative to the vehicle, and the fifth control command is used to control the rotation of the apron relative to the cabin, so that the apron angle information meets the preset angle conditions.

[0092] In this embodiment, when the off-road vehicle is on a side slope or making a sharp turn, the vehicle's attitude changes drastically. The cabin rotation mechanism, driven by the fourth control command, can quickly respond to large vehicle tilts and rapidly adjust the landing pad to a level position, preventing the drone from failing to take off or land. After the cabin is adjusted, the landing pad fine-tuning mechanism, driven by the fifth control command, can compensate for minor vibrations at a higher frequency. This allows the system to withstand large impacts while avoiding high-frequency jitter, ensuring that the drone is on an extremely stable platform during takeoff and landing, greatly improving the vehicle's leveling response speed and dynamic stability.

[0093] According to another specific embodiment of this application, a preferred embodiment of a mountable drone bay for off-road vehicles, a drone, and an off-road vehicle is also provided.

[0094] Specifically, the drone bay is used for drone take-off, recovery, charging, level calibration of the take-off and landing platform, and other functions.

[0095] Furthermore, the drone storage unit includes a drone magnetic and wireless charging device for drone retrieval, positioning, and charging.

[0096] Furthermore, the drone bay includes a helipad level sensor to measure and adjust the helipad angle to ensure safe take-off and landing of the drone.

[0097] Furthermore, the drone cabin includes a drone cabin rotation mechanism, which enables the entire cabin to rotate around an axis.

[0098] Furthermore, the drone bay can be mounted / detached from the trunk door of an off-road vehicle and contains a power supply line connected to the vehicle to power electronic devices such as sensors and drones.

[0099] Specifically, the workflow of the drone bay for mounted off-road vehicles, the drone, and the off-road vehicle is as follows.

[0100] 1. Standby. When not in operation, the drone is vertically stored in the drone bay mounted at the rear of the vehicle, which can wirelessly charge the drone.

[0101] 2. The apron is deployed. For example... Figures 5 to 6 As shown, the drone's rear cover rotates 90 degrees backward, causing the drone to automatically land horizontally on the landing pad.

[0102] 3. Helipad Leveling. As the off-road vehicle traverses different slopes, the helipad's tilt angle is identified by level sensors. The helipad is then leveled to ensure smooth drone takeoff and recovery. For example... Figures 7 to 8 As shown.

[0103] (1) Front and rear tilt angle: Adjusted by the opening and closing angle of the rear cover (landing pad) of the drone cabin.

[0104] (2) Left and right tilt angle: Adjusted by the unmanned aerial vehicle cabin that can be automatically and electrically rotated.

[0105] (3) Complex tilt angle: The tilt angle is adjusted by coupling the front and back and left and right adjustment methods.

[0106] 4. Drone takeoff: The drone takes off vertically.

[0107] 5. The drone and vehicle control are linked.

[0108] The drone explores unknown road conditions ahead and transmits the images to the vehicle's infotainment system in real time. The system then controls the vehicle's off-road mode switching (such as mountain, sand, and mud) and provides precise control over other vehicle functions.

[0109] 6. Drone Recovery. The drone lands vertically at the magnetic attraction point on the landing pad.

[0110] 7. The helipad is retracted. The helipad and drone are returned to the off state.

[0111] 8. Standby. When not in operation, the drone is vertically stored in the drone bay mounted at the rear of the vehicle, which can wirelessly charge the drone.

[0112] Specifically, the location of the unmanned warehouse has the following advantages.

[0113] (1) The traditional rooftop drone compartment is abandoned, which solves the problem of power supply conflict between the rooftop luggage rack of off-road vehicles and the rooftop drone compartment.

[0114] (2) The solution of placing the drone in the luggage compartment is abandoned, which solves the pain point that users need to manually take the drone or cabin out of the car and cannot automatically take off and recover.

[0115] Specifically, the control logic of the mountable drone bay is as follows: Figure 11 As shown.

[0116] Specifically, the helipad 20 automatically adjusts to a level position, using a level sensor to measure the offset angle and employing electric adjustment in both forward / backward and left / right directions to achieve automated operation. This solves the problem of drones being unable to take off or land due to the complex driving conditions of off-road vehicles and the large tilt angle of the vehicle body during off-road driving.

[0117] Specifically, the drones and vehicles are deeply integrated to enable functions such as using cameras, radar, and sensors to assist in judging drone take-off and landing conditions, operating the drone on the central control screen, sharing drone footage in real time, guiding the drone back to its home and landing, and finely adjusting the driving mode, chassis and power system parameters based on the drone footage.

[0118] The technical solution of this embodiment solves the following problems:

[0119] (1) Solve the problems of limited placement and low automation level of existing vehicle-mounted drones: abandon the two schemes of roof placement and vehicle interior placement, and provide a placement method that does not occupy roof space and does not require manual intervention. It does not affect the installation of roof racks on off-road vehicles and the carrying of wilderness survival equipment, and can realize the full-chain automated operation of drones’ automatic take-off and landing and automatic charging, breaking the placement limitations and automation bottlenecks of existing schemes.

[0120] (2) Solve the problem that the existing vehicle-mounted drones have harsh take-off and landing conditions and cannot be adapted to off-road scenarios: In view of the scenario that the vehicle body is prone to large tilt angle when off-roading, an adaptively adjustable take-off and landing platform is designed to overcome the strict requirements of drones on the horizontal take-off and landing surface, realize the stable take-off and landing of drones in the tilted state of the vehicle body, and solve the problem that drones cannot be used in off-road scenarios.

[0121] (3) Solve the problem of weak linkage between existing vehicle-mounted drones and vehicle off-road control: Establish a deep linkage mechanism between drones and vehicle control systems to realize real-time interaction between drone image data and vehicle control parameters. Through road condition images collected by drones, intelligently adjust detailed control schemes such as vehicle off-road mode and suspension height to improve the coordination between drones and vehicles.

[0122] The technical solution adopted in this embodiment has the following effects:

[0123] (1) Beneficial effects on layout location and automation issues:

[0124] Without taking up roof space, a roof rack can be installed normally to meet the needs of off-road vehicle users to carry tents, wilderness survival equipment, etc., adapting to the core usage scenarios of hardcore off-road vehicles and improving the practicality and versatility of the vehicle.

[0125] It enables fully automated operation of drones, including automatic take-off and landing, automatic return to position, and automatic charging. There is no need for manual handling of drones or operation of take-off and landing, saving labor costs, simplifying the operation process, and improving ease of use. It is especially suitable for immediate needs such as off-road exploration and emergency reconnaissance, and improves operational efficiency by more than 60%.

[0126] (2) Beneficial effects on addressing the problem of harsh take-off and landing conditions:

[0127] It can automatically adjust the take-off and landing platform to a horizontal state according to the real-time tilt angle of the vehicle body, adapting to a large tilt angle of the vehicle body (covering tilt angles within ±30° common in off-road scenarios). There is no need to manually find a flat site, which greatly expands the applicability of drones in off-road scenarios. It ensures that drones can still take off and land stably when the vehicle body is tilted, avoiding situations such as drone take-off and landing failures or collision damage caused by vehicle body tilt, improving the safety and reliability of drone take-off and landing, reducing the risk of drone damage, and extending the service life of drones.

[0128] (3) Beneficial effects on addressing the problem of weak coordination:

[0129] Intelligent adjustments to vehicle off-road control are achieved through drone footage. Based on terrain data (steep slopes, deep pits, rocks, etc.) collected by the drone, the vehicle can automatically switch off-road modes and adjust suspension height to improve off-road passability and reduce the difficulty of operation and off-road risks for the driver. Real-time linkage between drone perception data and vehicle control is realized, eliminating the need for the driver to manually observe the screen or adjust control parameters, reducing human error, improving the safety and comfort of off-road driving, and optimizing vehicle power distribution to reduce vehicle energy consumption.

[0130] (4) Overall additional beneficial effects:

[0131] The structural design fits the "small backpack" structure of the spare tire on a hardcore off-road vehicle, without requiring any changes to the original vehicle's core structure. It can be modularly replaced, adapting to various models of hardcore off-road vehicles, with strong versatility and reduced modification costs. The fully automated design and off-road scenario adaptation take into account both practicality and convenience, meeting the functional requirements of outdoor off-roading while enhancing the user experience, and possessing strong commercial viability and promotional value.

[0132] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "on top of," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, a device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0133] In addition to the above, it should be noted that the terms "one embodiment," "another embodiment," and "embodiment" used in this specification refer to specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment, which are included in at least one embodiment described in the general description of this application. The appearance of the same expression in multiple places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, the intention is to suggest that implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments also falls within the scope of this invention.

[0134] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0135] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A drone cabin for a vehicle, characterized in that, include: The cabin (10) has a receiving cavity (110) with an opening (120). A landing pad (20) is provided with a connecting structure (21). The landing pad (20) is connected to the UAV (30) through the connecting structure (21). The landing pad (20) is rotatably connected to the cabin (10) to adjust the angle between the landing pad (20) and the cabin (10). The helipad (20) has a closed position for closing the opening (120) and multiple open positions for opening the opening (120).

2. The drone compartment for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein, The helipad (20) is also equipped with a position detection device (22), which is used to detect the horizontal angle of the helipad (20).

3. The drone compartment for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein, The connection structure (21) includes a magnetic structure (211), through which the UAV (30) and the landing pad (20) are magnetically connected.

4. The drone compartment for a vehicle of claim 3, wherein, The helipad (20) is also equipped with a wireless charging device, which is integrated with the connection structure (21).

5. The drone compartment for a vehicle of claim 4, wherein, The unmanned vehicle cabin also includes: Rotary connection mechanism (40) is located on the side of the cabin (10) away from the landing pad (20). The rotary connection mechanism (40) is used to connect with the vehicle's rotary fit structure so that the cabin (10) can be rotated around the horizontal axis of the vehicle.

6. A vehicle characterized by comprising: The vehicle is equipped with an unmanned vehicle cabin, which is the unmanned vehicle cabin for a vehicle as described in any one of claims 1-5.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein The unmanned cabin is connected to the vehicle's trunk door (60).

8. A control method of a vehicle characterized by comprising: The method is used to control the vehicle according to claim 6 or 7, and the method includes the following steps: Obtain environmental information; If the environmental information is determined to meet the conditions for take-off and landing of the UAV, a first control command is generated. The first control command is used to control the landing pad (20) to switch from the closed position to the open position. Obtain the helipad angle information of the helipad (20), wherein the helipad angle information includes at least the angle information between the helipad (20) and the horizontal ground; If the apron angle information is determined to meet the preset angle conditions, a second control command is generated, which is used to control the UAV (30) to take off.

9. The control method of a vehicle according to claim 8, characterized by The method further includes the following steps: Obtain road condition information, which includes at least the road condition images collected by the UAV (30); Based on the road condition information, the target driving mode of the vehicle is determined, wherein the target driving mode is any one of the vehicle's multiple driving modes; Based on the target driving mode, a third control command is generated, which is used to control the vehicle to enter the target driving mode.

10. The control method of a vehicle according to claim 8, characterized by After obtaining the apron angle information of the apron (20), the method further includes the following steps: If the apron angle information does not meet the preset angle conditions, a fourth control command and a fifth control command are generated. The fourth control command is used to control the cabin (10) to rotate relative to the vehicle, and the fifth control command is used to control the apron (20) to rotate relative to the cabin (10) so that the apron angle information meets the preset angle conditions.

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