Bridge detection unmanned aerial vehicle with self-floating protection and anti-drifting anchoring

Abstract

The application relates to the field of unmanned planes, in particular to a bridge detection unmanned plane with self-floating protection and anti-drifting anchoring, which comprises an unmanned plane body, a mounting rod, a mounting cylinder and an air bag and the like; the unmanned plane body is connected with the mounting rod; the mounting rod is slidably connected with the mounting cylinder; and the mounting cylinder is provided with the air bag used for making the unmanned plane body float on the water surface. The unmanned plane body is made to float on the water surface by means of the air bag, and the center of gravity is adjusted by the mounting cover and the water absorption block after water absorption in the process, so that the unmanned plane body is always located at the water surface position, and the air bag is far away from the unmanned plane body in the instant of rapid expansion, moves to the unmanned plane body after expansion, the unmanned plane body is avoided from being impacted in the instant of expansion, the unmanned plane body structure is avoided from being damaged, meanwhile, the air bag is rapidly expanded, the unmanned plane body can float on the water surface in the shortest time after falling into the water, the soaking time is shortened, and the damage risk of internal elements is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and more particularly to a bridge inspection UAV with self-buoyancy protection and anti-drift anchoring. Background Technology

[0002] Bridges, as critical transportation nodes, are subjected to multiple impacts over long periods, including vehicle dynamic loads, wind vibration, temperature stress, and material aging. Regular inspections are necessary. Traditional manual inspections are inefficient, risky, and have many blind spots. With rapid technological advancements, drone-based bridge inspection technology is an excellent method. However, due to human operation and environmental factors, drones may accidentally fall into the water beneath the bridge during inspections. While existing technologies include floating rescue airbags, these devices are slow to respond and cannot quickly levitate the drone. Furthermore, to prevent instability, the airbags are directly mounted on the drone's structure, making it easy for them to compress the drone during expansion, causing structural damage. Additionally, the water beneath bridges is often flowing; if a drone floats to the surface after falling in, it will be carried away by the current, making subsequent retrieval difficult. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To overcome the shortcomings of existing drones' floating airbags, such as slow response, inability to quickly levitate the drone, and the tendency for the airbags to compress the drone and cause structural damage when inflated, this invention provides a bridge inspection drone with self-floating protection and anti-drift anchoring.

[0004] The technical solution of this invention is: a bridge inspection drone with self-buoyancy protection and anti-drift anchoring, comprising a drone body; further comprising a mounting rod, a mounting cylinder, an airbag, an inflation device, a mounting cover, a water-absorbing block, and an anchoring assembly; the drone body is connected to the mounting rod; the mounting cylinder is slidably connected to the mounting rod; a tension spring connects the mounting rod and the mounting cylinder; an airbag for making the drone body float on the water surface is mounted on the mounting cylinder; the mounting cylinder is hollow and communicates with the interior of the airbag; the airbag is connected to two storage covers; the two storage covers... The components interlock and house the airbags; the mounting rod has at least two insertion holes on its lower side; each airbag has at least one limiting block fixed to its lower side; the insertion blocks are compatible with the insertion holes; an inflation device is installed on the lower side of the mounting rod; the inflation device is equipped with a trigger and a compressed air cylinder; an air pipe connects the inflation device and the mounting cylinder; a mounting cover is fixed to the bottom of the mounting rod; a water-absorbing block for adjusting the center of gravity is installed inside the mounting cover; several water inlets are opened on the surface of the mounting cover; an anchoring component for fixing the floating drone body is installed inside the mounting cover.

[0005] Furthermore, the anchoring assembly includes: a cylindrical tube, a fixed anchor, and a winding drum; the cylindrical tube is installed inside the mounting cover; the cylindrical tube is located in the middle of the water-absorbing block; a fixed anchor for fixing the floating UAV body is slidably connected inside the cylindrical tube; the fixed anchor consists of an anchor rod and several anchor claws; the anchor rod is located inside the cylindrical tube; a water-soluble plate for fixing the anchor rod is installed at the bottom of the cylindrical tube; the bottom of the mounting rod passes through the mounting cover; a winding drum is fixedly connected to the bottom of the mounting rod; a connecting rope is wound on the winding drum; the end of the connecting rope is connected to the anchor rod.

[0006] Furthermore, it also includes a sliding plate, a push rod, and a connecting pipe; a slide is provided inside the winding drum; a sliding plate is slidably connected inside the slide of the winding drum; several push rods for pushing the anchor rod are fixed to the bottom of the sliding plate; the bottom of the push rod contacts the top of the anchor rod; a connecting pipe is connected between the air-inflating device and the winding drum; the connecting pipe communicates with the slide.

[0007] Furthermore, the water-absorbing block has several water inlet grooves; each water inlet groove is aligned with a water inlet.

[0008] Furthermore, the outer surface of the winding drum is roughened by sandblasting, and the winding drum as a whole is shaped like an inverted frustum.

[0009] Furthermore, the insertion end of the plug is in a constricted state.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes floats; several floats are installed on the drone itself.

[0011] Furthermore, there is a rotatable connection between the anchor rod and the anchor claw of the fixed anchor.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes connecting straps; each storage cover and airbag is connected by a connecting strap; the air tube and the mounting tube are detachably connected.

[0013] Furthermore, the absorbent block has a cavity in the middle for storing the connecting rope; the winding drum is located inside the cavity.

[0014] The beneficial effects are: This invention enables the drone body to float on the water surface with the help of airbags, and the center of gravity is adjusted by the mounting cover and the water-absorbing block after water absorption during the process, so that the drone body is always at the water surface position. The airbags move away from the drone body when they expand rapidly, and then move back to the drone body after expansion, avoiding the impact of the airbags on the drone body when they expand, which would cause damage to the drone body structure. At the same time, the rapid expansion of the airbags allows the drone body to float to the surface in the shortest possible time after falling into the water, shortening the soaking time and reducing the risk of damage to internal components. The drone is secured by anchors to the sand or weeds on the bottom of the water, and the drone body, which floats on the water surface with the help of airbags, is pulled by a connecting rope. This prevents the floating drone body from being swept away by the water flow, making it easy for users to retrieve the drone body that has fallen into the water. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a front view of the airbag in the inflated state of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the mounting rod, mounting cylinder, inflation device, and mounting cover of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the mounting rod, mounting cylinder, airbag, mounting cover, and water-absorbing block of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a front view of the mounting rod, mounting cylinder, airbag, mounting cover, and water-absorbing block of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a front view of the internal structure of the mounting cover and absorbent block of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a front view of the internal structure of the winding drum of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the inflation device, cylindrical tube, anchor rod, and winding drum of the present invention.

[0016] Component names and serial numbers in the diagram: 1-UAV body, 2-Mounting rod, 201-Tension spring, 202-Insertion hole, 3-Mounting cylinder, 301-Air tube, 4-Airbag, 401-Storage cover, 402-Insertion block, 403-Connecting strap, 5-Inflation device, 51-Trigger, 52-Compressed air cylinder, 6-Mounting cover, 601-Water inlet, 602-Cylindrical cylinder, 7-Water absorption block, 701-Water inlet groove, 8-Fixing anchor, 801-Connecting rope, 81-Anchor rod, 82-Anchor claw, 83-Water-soluble sheet, 9-Winding drum, 901-Slide rail, 902-Sliding plate, 903-Push rod, 904-Connecting pipe, 10-Float block. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0018] Example 1: As Figures 1-8 As shown, a bridge inspection drone with self-floating protection and anti-drift anchoring includes a drone body 1. It also includes a mounting rod 2, a mounting cylinder 3, an airbag 4, an inflation device 5, a mounting cover 6, a water-absorbing block 7, and an anchoring assembly; the mounting rod 2 is connected to the lower side of the drone body 1; the mounting cylinder 3 is slidably connected to the mounting rod 2; a tension spring 201 connects the mounting rod 2 and the mounting cylinder 3; the airbag 4 is mounted on the mounting cylinder 3; the mounting cylinder 3 is hollow and communicates with the interior of the airbag 4; the airbag 4 is connected to two storage covers 401; the two storage covers 401 are interlocked and store the airbag 4; two insertion holes 202 are opened on the lower side of the mounting rod 2; a plug 402 is fixedly attached to the lower side of each airbag 4; the plug 402 is compatible with the socket 202; an inflation device 5 is installed on the lower side of the mounting rod 2; the inflation device 5 is equipped with a trigger 51 and a compressed gas cylinder 52; the trigger 51 is equipped with a striking pin, which is locked by water-soluble paper. When the water-soluble paper dissolves in water, the striking pin is triggered, puncturing the compressed gas cylinder 52, so that the compressed gas inside can be discharged for inflation of the airbag 4; an air pipe 301 is connected between the inflation device 5 and the mounting cylinder 3; a mounting cover 6 is fixed to the bottom of the mounting rod 2; a water-absorbing block 7 is installed inside the mounting cover 6; several water inlets 601 are opened on the surface of the mounting cover 6; an anchoring component is installed inside the mounting cover 6.

[0019] The anchoring assembly includes: a cylindrical tube 602, a fixed anchor 8, and a winding drum 9; the cylindrical tube 602 is installed inside the mounting cover 6; the cylindrical tube 602 is located in the middle of the water-absorbing block 7; the fixed anchor 8 is slidably connected inside the cylindrical tube 602; the fixed anchor 8 consists of an anchor rod 81 and four anchor claws 82; the anchor rod 81 is located inside the cylindrical tube 602; a water-soluble sheet 83 is installed at the bottom of the cylindrical tube 602; the bottom of the mounting rod 2 is inserted into the mounting cover 6; the bottom of the mounting rod 2 is fixedly connected to the winding drum 9; a connecting rope 801 is wound on the winding drum 9; the end of the connecting rope 801 is connected to the anchor rod 81.

[0020] It also includes a sliding plate 902, a push rod 903, and a connecting pipe 904; a bottom-opening slide 901 is provided inside the winding drum 9; the sliding plate 902 is slidably connected inside the slide 901 of the winding drum 9; two push rods 903 are fixedly connected to the bottom of the sliding plate 902; the bottom of the push rod 903 contacts the top of the anchor rod 81; the air inflator 5 is connected to the winding drum 9 by a connecting pipe 904; the connecting pipe 904 communicates with the slide 901.

[0021] The water-absorbing block 7 has several water inlet grooves 701; each water inlet groove 701 is aligned with a water inlet 601, which increases the contact area between the water-absorbing block 7 and the water and speeds up the water absorption.

[0022] The outer surface of the winding drum 9 is roughened by sandblasting, and the winding drum 9 is in the shape of an inverted frustum, which can both tighten the connecting rope 801 and facilitate the downward release of the connecting rope 801.

[0023] The insertion end of the plug 402 is in a constricted state, which facilitates insertion and removal.

[0024] It also includes floats 10; two floats 10 are installed on the drone body 1; to prevent the drone body 1 from sinking too much when it falls into the water, so as to shorten its resurfacing time.

[0025] The anchor rod 81 and the anchor claw 82 of the fixed anchor 8 are rotatably connected; it is highly flexible and facilitates the anchor claw 82 to hook onto sand or aquatic plants for fixation.

[0026] The self-floating process of this invention after falling into water is as follows: When the drone body 1 falls into the water, the inflation device 5 is immersed in the water. The water-soluble paper inside the trigger 51 dissolves in the water, causing the trigger 51 to activate. The firing pin of the trigger 51 punctures the compressed gas cylinder 52, and the gas from the compressed gas cylinder 52 enters the mounting cylinder 3 through the air tube 301, then fills the airbag 4. The airbag 4 inflates rapidly, and the inflated airbag 4 pushes open the two interlocking storage covers 401. After the storage covers 401 open, the insert 402 exits from the insertion hole 202, and the storage cover 401 detaches from the airbag 4, releasing the lock between the mounting cylinder 3, the airbag 4, and the mounting rod 2. The tension spring 201 contracts, pulling the mounting cylinder 3 to slide on the mounting rod 2. The mounting cylinder 3 and the inflated airbag 4 move towards the drone body 1 until the airbag 4 contacts the drone. On the lower side of the main body 1; similarly, as the drone main body 1 falls into the water, the mounting cover 6 is immersed in the water. Water flows into the mounting cover 6 from the water inlet 601 and is absorbed by the water-absorbing block 7 inside the mounting cover 6. After absorbing water, the weight of the water-absorbing block 7 increases, exceeding the weight of the drone main body 1. As a result, the mounting cover 6 and the water-absorbing block 7 sink into the water. During this process, the inflated airbag 4 has buoyancy. At the same time, the drone main body 1 is prevented from completely sinking into the water by the buoyancy of the float 10. Thus, the center of gravity of the present invention is concentrated at the mounting cover 6 and the water-absorbing block 7. The overall posture will change to airbag 4 on top and mounting cover 6 and water-absorbing block 7 on the bottom. After the airbag 4 floats on the water surface, the drone main body 1 above the airbag 4 detaches from the water, avoiding sinking to the bottom and being soaked in water for a long time.

[0027] Furthermore, while the mounting cover 6 is immersed in water, the water-soluble sheet 83 is soaked in water and gradually dissolves, thereby releasing the lock on the fixed anchor 8. The anchor rod 81 can slide relative to the cylindrical tube 602. When the posture of the present invention changes to the mounting cover 6 being downward, the fixed anchor 8 faces downward, the anchor rod 81 slides out from the cylindrical tube 602, and the fixed anchor 8 sinks to the bottom of the water. As the fixed anchor 8 sinks, the connecting rope 801 is gradually pulled out until the fixed anchor 8 sinks to the bottom of the water. The anchor claw 82 hooks onto the sand or aquatic plants at the bottom of the water for fixation, and pulls the winding drum 9 above through the connecting rope 801. The winding drum 9 is fixed to the mounting rod 2, so that the drone body 1, which floats on the water surface with the help of the airbag 4, is not swept away by the water flow, making it convenient for the user to retrieve the drone body 1 that has fallen into the water.

[0028] Furthermore, after the inflation device 5 is triggered, part of the gas from the compressed gas cylinder 52 enters the slide 901 of the winding drum 9 through the connecting pipe 904. The gas quickly pushes the sliding plate 902 in the slide 901 towards the cylindrical cylinder 602. The sliding plate 902 pushes the push rod 903. After the sliding plate 902 moves to the bottom of the slide 901, it is limited by the winding drum 9. Meanwhile, the push rod 903 quickly pushes the anchor rod 81, causing the anchor rod 81 to slide out from the cylindrical cylinder 602. This causes the anchor 8 to pop out quickly, thereby accelerating the sinking speed of the anchor 8 into the water and shortening the time required for the anchor 8 to complete its fixation. This also shortens the distance that the floating drone body 1 is moved by the water flow, making it easier for users to quickly retrieve the drone body 1 that has fallen into the water. It should be noted that the popping force of the anchor 8 is greater than the bearing limit of the water-soluble sheet 83. Therefore, even if the water-soluble sheet 83 is not completely dissolved, it does not hinder the popping of the anchor 8.

[0029] Based on the above steps, we can see that the present invention has the following effects: The drone body 1 floats to the surface of the water with the help of the airbag 4. During the process, the center of gravity is adjusted by the mounting cover 6 and the water-absorbing block 7 after water absorption, so that the drone body 1 always stays on the water surface. The airbag 4 moves away from the drone body 1 when it expands rapidly, and then moves back to the drone body 1 after expansion. This avoids the impact of the airbag 4 on the drone body 1 when it expands, which would cause structural damage to the drone body 1. At the same time, the rapid expansion of the airbag 4 allows the drone body 1 to float to the surface in the shortest possible time after falling into the water, shortening the soaking time and reducing the risk of damage to internal components.

[0030] The drone body 1 is secured by hooking the anchor 8 onto the sand or aquatic plants at the bottom of the water, and the connecting rope 801 pulls the drone body 1 which floats on the water surface with the help of the airbag 4, so that the floating drone body 1 is not swept away by the water flow, making it easy for the user to retrieve the drone body 1 that has fallen into the water.

[0031] Example 2: Based on Example 1, as follows Figures 2-5 As shown, it also includes a connecting strap 403; a connecting strap 403 is connected between each storage cover 401 and the airbag 4; the air tube 301 is detachably connected to the mounting cylinder 3.

[0032] The absorbent block 7 has a cavity in the middle to facilitate the storage of the connecting rope 801 after it is retrieved; the winding drum 9 is located inside the cavity.

[0033] When the drone body 1 falls into the water, triggering the inflation of the airbag 4, the inflation of the airbag 4 pushes the two storage covers 401 apart. However, the storage covers 401 remain connected to the inflated airbag 4 via the connecting strap 403 to prevent loss. After the user retrieves the drone body 1 from the shore, the air hose 301 is removed from the mounting cylinder 3, the air inside the airbag 4 is emptied, and then the air hose 301 is reconnected to the mounting cylinder 3. The airbag 4 is folded, and the two storage covers 401 are then re-fastened to wrap the folded airbag 4. The mounting cylinder 3 is then slid downwards again, stretching the tension spring 201. The mounting cylinder 3 moves the airbag 4 and the storage covers 401 downwards, causing the insert 402 at the bottom of the storage covers 401 to re-engage with the airbag 4. Align the insertion holes 202 on the lower side of the mounting rod 2 and fully fasten the two storage covers 401 together, so that the insertion block 402 is inserted into the insertion hole 202. This fixes the mounting cylinder 3, airbag 4 and storage cover 401 to the lower side of the mounting cylinder 3. Then, reset the trigger 51 of the inflation device 5, remove the used compressed air cylinder 52 and replace it with a new compressed air cylinder 52. Then, reinsert the fixing anchor 8 into the cylindrical cylinder 602. Push the connecting rope 801 into the cylindrical cylinder 602 from the bottom of the cylindrical cylinder 602 for storage. When the anchor rod 81 of the fixing anchor 8 is pushed into the cylindrical cylinder 602, push the push rod 903 and the sliding plate 902 upward to reset them. Thus, the present invention can be reused and saves costs.

[0034] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be given the broadest interpretation so as to cover all variations and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A bridge inspection drone with self-buoyancy protection and anti-drift anchoring, comprising a drone body (1); characterized in that: It also includes a mounting rod (2), a mounting cylinder (3), an airbag (4), an inflation device (5), a mounting cover (6), a water-absorbing block (7), and an anchoring assembly; the UAV body (1) is connected to the mounting rod (2); the mounting cylinder (3) is slidably connected to the mounting rod (2); a tension spring (201) is connected between the mounting rod (2) and the mounting cylinder (3); an airbag (4) for making the UAV body (1) float on the water is installed on the mounting cylinder (3); the mounting cylinder (3) is hollow and communicates with the inside of the airbag (4); the airbag (4) is connected to two storage covers (401); the two storage covers (401) are interlocked and store the airbag (4); the mounting rod (2) has at least one opening on its lower side. Two insertion holes (202); at least one limiting block (402) is fixedly attached to the lower side of each airbag (4); the insertion block (402) is adapted to the insertion hole (202); an inflation device (5) is installed on the lower side of the mounting rod (2); a trigger (51) and a compressed air cylinder (52) are provided on the inflation device (5); an air pipe (301) is connected between the inflation device (5) and the mounting cylinder (3); a mounting cover (6) is fixedly attached to the bottom of the mounting rod (2); a water-absorbing block (7) for adjusting the center of gravity is provided inside the mounting cover (6); several water inlets (601) are opened on the surface of the mounting cover (6); an anchoring component for fixing the floating UAV body (1) is installed inside the mounting cover (6).

2. The bridge inspection drone with self-buoyancy protection and anti-drift anchoring as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The anchoring assembly includes: a cylindrical tube (602), a fixed anchor (8), and a winding drum (9); the cylindrical tube (602) is installed inside the mounting cover (6); the cylindrical tube (602) is located in the middle of the water-absorbing block (7); the fixed anchor (8) for fixing the floating UAV body (1) is slidably connected inside the cylindrical tube (602); the fixed anchor (8) consists of an anchor rod (81) and several anchor claws (82); the anchor rod (81) is located inside the cylindrical tube (602); a water-soluble sheet (83) for fixing the anchor rod (8) is installed at the bottom of the cylindrical tube (602); the bottom of the mounting rod (2) is inserted into the mounting cover (6); the bottom of the mounting rod (2) is fixedly connected to the winding drum (9); a connecting rope (801) is wound on the winding drum (9); the end of the connecting rope (801) is connected to the anchor rod (81).

3. The bridge inspection drone with self-buoyancy protection and anti-drift anchoring as described in claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a sliding plate (902), a push rod (903) and a connecting pipe (904); a slide (901) is provided inside the winding drum (9); a sliding plate (902) is slidably connected in the slide (901) of the winding drum (9); several push rods (903) for pushing the anchor rod (81) are fixedly connected to the bottom of the sliding plate (902); the bottom of the push rod (903) contacts the top of the anchor rod (81); a connecting pipe (904) is connected between the air inflator (5) and the winding drum (9); the connecting pipe (904) is connected to the slide (901).

4. The bridge inspection drone with self-buoyancy protection and anti-drift anchoring as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The water-absorbing block (7) has several water inlet grooves (701); each water inlet groove (701) is aligned with a water inlet (601).

5. A bridge inspection drone with self-buoyancy protection and anti-drift anchoring as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The outer surface of the winding drum (9) is roughened by sandblasting, and the winding drum (9) as a whole is shaped like an inverted frustum.

6. A bridge inspection drone with self-buoyancy protection and anti-drift anchoring as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The insertion end of the insert (402) is in a constricted state.

7. A bridge inspection drone with self-buoyancy protection and anti-drift anchoring according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: It also includes floats (10); several floats (10) are installed on the UAV body (1).

8. A bridge inspection drone with self-buoyancy protection and anti-drift anchoring as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The anchor rod (81) and the anchor claw (82) of the fixed anchor (8) are rotatably connected.

9. A bridge inspection drone with self-buoyancy protection and anti-drift anchoring as described in claim 8, characterized in that: It also includes a connecting strap (403); a connecting strap (403) is connected between each storage cover (401) and the airbag (4); the air tube (301) is detachably connected to the mounting tube (3).

10. A bridge inspection drone with self-buoyancy protection and anti-drift anchoring as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The absorbent block (7) has a cavity in the middle for storing the connecting rope (801); the winding drum (9) is located inside the cavity.

Images