Adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for logistics transport unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle, in particular to an adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism of unmanned aerial vehicle for logistics transportation, which comprises a fixed base, a driving unit, multiple groups of linear execution units and multiple support leg units. When the unmanned aerial vehicle needs to land in a narrow area or uneven ground, the driving unit in the fixed base is started to drive the driving bevel gear to rotate. The driving bevel gear is in meshing transmission with multiple transmission bevel gears at the same time, so as to transmit power to the linear execution units. The output end of each group of linear execution units drives the corresponding sliding block to move synchronously in the corresponding sliding groove. The support leg unit at the bottom of the sliding block is synchronously stretched out radially or shrunk inwards, so as to dynamically change the ground span of the take-off and landing support mechanism. The above structure makes the unmanned aerial vehicle be able to flexibly adapt the platform size or expand the support area according to the actual landing environment, and significantly improves the landing stability and safety in complex terrain.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, and more particularly to an adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for UAVs used in logistics transportation. Background Technology

[0002] As a key technology for solving the last-mile delivery problem, drones used in logistics transportation have been widely applied in recent years in fields such as express delivery, medical emergency services, and fresh food delivery. These drones typically employ a rotor structure, possessing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and hovering capabilities, enabling them to perform autonomous or semi-autonomous delivery tasks between urban buildings, in remote mountainous areas, or in traffic-congested areas. To improve single-trip delivery efficiency and flight range, logistics drones often need to carry heavy cargo payloads, which places special demands on their structural support stability and ground adaptability during takeoff and landing, especially during landing, compared to ordinary aerial photography drones.

[0003] Currently, the landing gear systems on most logistics drones are traditional fixed landing gear. A typical structure includes a base rigidly connected to the fuselage, and multiple (usually three to four) support legs extending downwards and outwards from the base. These support legs are made of carbon fiber tubing or aluminum alloy, with simple rubber or foam padding at the ends. To balance lightweight design during flight with basic ground support functionality, the span and ground clearance of this type of landing gear are set as fixed values ​​after design and manufacturing, and cannot be changed throughout the drone's entire service life.

[0004] However, the aforementioned fixed landing support mechanism presents a significant technical problem in practical applications: its fixed support area makes it unsuitable for complex and diverse landing environments. Specifically, when logistics drones need to land on narrow balconies, deliver medicine to steep slopes, or land between warehouse shelves piled high with goods, the fixed and outward-spreading support legs either become partially suspended in the air due to an insufficiently small landing platform, causing the drone to overturn; or, due to uneven ground, the fixed-span support legs cannot simultaneously make reliable contact with support points, resulting in severe shaking or even a fall. This directly restricts the reliability and safety of logistics drones operating in unstructured real-world scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used for logistics transportation, thereby solving the problem that the existing take-off and landing support mechanisms mounted on UAVs for logistics transportation have a fixed support area and cannot adapt to narrow or uneven landing areas.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for a logistics transportation drone. The adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for the logistics transportation drone includes a fixed base, a drive unit, multiple sets of linear actuators, and multiple support leg units. The fixed base is fixedly connected to the bottom of the drone fuselage. The drive unit is disposed inside the fixed base. The output end of the drive unit is provided with a drive bevel gear, which is disposed at the vertical central axis of the fixed base. The bottom of the fixed base is provided with multiple sliding grooves, which are radially and evenly distributed around the center of the fixed base. A sliding block is slidably disposed at each sliding groove. Multiple sets of linear execution units are also evenly disposed inside the drive unit. Each set of linear execution units corresponds to one of the sliding grooves. A transmission bevel gear is provided at the end of each set of linear execution units near the drive bevel gear. The output end of each set of linear execution units is connected to the corresponding sliding block. A support leg unit is provided at the bottom of each sliding block.

[0007] The drive unit further includes a servo motor and a gear reducer. The servo motor is installed inside the fixed base, and the gear reducer is provided at the output end of the servo motor. The drive bevel gear is provided at the output end of the gear reducer.

[0008] Each linear actuator further includes two support members, a lead screw, and a lead screw pair. The two support members are respectively disposed at both ends of the corresponding slide groove. The lead screw is rotatably disposed between the two support members. The transmission bevel gear is disposed at the end of the lead screw near the driving bevel gear. The lead screw pair is disposed on the lead screw and is connected to the corresponding sliding block.

[0009] Each of the supporting members is provided with a rotating bearing at its top end, and each of the lead screws is provided with a rotating head at both ends, with the rotating head embedded inside the rotating bearing.

[0010] Each of the support leg units includes a connecting arm, an elastic support leg, and a reinforcing arm. One end of the connecting arm is fixedly connected to the corresponding sliding block, and the other end of the connecting arm is equipped with the elastic support leg. The reinforcing arm is disposed between the elastic support leg and the connecting arm.

[0011] Each of the elastic support legs includes an upper support leg, a lower support leg, and a shock-absorbing spring. The upper end of the upper support leg is fixedly connected to the bottom of the connecting arm, and the lower end of the upper support leg is slidably sleeved inside the lower support leg. The shock-absorbing spring is disposed inside the lower support leg, with its upper end abutting against the lower end face of the upper support leg and its lower end abutting against the bottom inner wall of the lower support leg.

[0012] Each of the lower support legs is provided with a limit ring at its top end and a limit block is provided at its bottom end, the limit block being adapted to the limit ring.

[0013] The fixed base has multiple first heat dissipation grooves evenly arranged on its top and multiple second heat dissipation grooves evenly arranged on its sides. The first heat dissipation grooves and the second heat dissipation grooves are staggered. Multiple first slots are vertically arranged at the top edge of the fixed base and multiple second slots are horizontally arranged at the top edge of the fixed base. The first slots correspond to the first heat dissipation grooves and the second slots correspond to the second heat dissipation grooves. Dustproof nets are provided inside the first slots and the second slots.

[0014] This invention discloses an adjustable landing support mechanism for a logistics transport drone, comprising a fixed base, a drive unit, multiple sets of linear actuators, and multiple support leg units. When the drone needs to land in a confined area (such as a balcony or narrow bridge) or on uneven ground (such as a hillside or gravel ground), the drive unit, installed in the fixed base at the bottom of the drone, is activated, driving the drive bevel gear to rotate. The drive bevel gear simultaneously meshes with the transmission bevel gears at the ends of the multiple sets of radially distributed linear actuators, transmitting power to the linear actuators. The output end of each set of linear actuators drives the corresponding sliding block to move synchronously within its corresponding groove. The support leg units at the bottom of the sliding block then extend outward or retract inward synchronously along the radial direction, thereby dynamically changing the grounding span of the landing support mechanism. This structure allows the drone to flexibly adapt to the platform size or expand the support area according to the actual landing environment, significantly improving landing stability and safety in complex terrain. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, 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 the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for a logistics transportation drone provided by the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This invention provides Figure 1 A magnified view of the local structure at point A.

[0018] Figure 3 This invention provides Figure 1 A structural diagram from another perspective.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the fixed base provided by the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This invention provides Figure 4 A magnified view of the local structure at point B.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of the elastic support leg provided by the present invention.

[0022] 101-Fixed base, 102-Drive bevel gear, 103-Slide groove, 104-Sliding block, 105-Transmission bevel gear, 106-Servo motor, 107-Gear reducer, 108-Support component, 109-Lead screw, 110-Lead screw pair, 111-Rotating bearing, 112-Rotating head, 113-Connecting arm, 114-Reinforcing arm, 115-Upper support leg, 116-Lower support leg, 117-Shock-absorbing spring, 118-Limiting ring, 119-Limiting block, 120-First heat dissipation groove, 121-Second heat dissipation groove, 122-First slot, 123-Second slot, 124-Dustproof net. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0024] Please see Figures 1 to 6 The present invention provides an adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for a logistics transportation drone. The adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for the logistics transportation drone includes a fixed base 101, a drive unit, multiple sets of linear actuators and multiple support leg units. The fixed base 101 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the drone fuselage. The drive unit is arranged inside the fixed base 101. The output end of the drive unit is provided with a drive bevel gear 102. The drive bevel gear 102 is arranged at the vertical central axis of the fixed base 101. The bottom of the fixed base 101 is provided with a plurality of sliding grooves 103, which are radially and evenly distributed around the center of the fixed base 101. A sliding block 104 is slidably disposed at each sliding groove 103. The drive unit is also evenly provided with a plurality of linear execution units. Each group of linear execution units corresponds to one of the sliding grooves 103. A transmission bevel gear 105 is provided at one end of each group of linear execution units near the drive bevel gear 102. The output end of each group of linear execution units is connected to the corresponding sliding block 104. The bottom of each sliding block 104 is provided with a support leg unit.

[0025] In this embodiment, when the UAV needs to land in a confined area (such as a balcony or narrow bridge) or on uneven ground (such as a hillside or gravel ground), the drive unit installed in the fixed base 101 at the bottom of the fuselage is activated, driving the drive bevel gear 102 to rotate. The drive bevel gear 102 simultaneously meshes with the transmission bevel gears 105 at the ends of multiple radially distributed linear actuators, transmitting power to the linear actuators. The output end of each linear actuator drives the corresponding sliding block 104 to move synchronously within the corresponding groove 103. The support leg unit at the bottom of the sliding block 104 then extends outward or retracts inward synchronously along the radial direction, thereby dynamically changing the grounding span of the landing support mechanism. Using this structure, the UAV can flexibly adapt to the platform size or expand the support area according to the actual landing environment, significantly improving landing stability and safety in complex terrain.

[0026] Furthermore, the drive unit also includes a servo motor 106 and a gear reducer 107. The servo motor 106 is installed inside the fixed base 101, and the output end of the servo motor 106 is provided with the gear reducer 107. The output end of the gear reducer 107 is provided with the drive bevel gear 102.

[0027] In this embodiment, the servo motor 106 serves as a power source, and its output shaft is fixedly connected to the input shaft of the gear reducer 107 via a coupling. The gear reducer 107 employs a planetary gear reduction structure to convert the high-speed, low-torque output of the servo motor 106 into a low-speed, high-torque output, thereby meeting the greater driving force required for the extension and retraction adjustment of the support leg unit.

[0028] Furthermore, each set of linear execution units also includes two support members 108, a lead screw 109, and a lead screw pair 110. The two support members 108 are respectively disposed at both ends of the corresponding slide groove 103. The lead screw 109 is rotatably disposed between the two support members 108. The transmission bevel gear 105 is disposed at the end of the lead screw 109 near the drive bevel gear 102. The lead screw pair 110 is disposed on the lead screw 109 and is connected to the corresponding sliding block 104.

[0029] In this embodiment, by employing the transmission method of the lead screw 109 and the lead screw pair 110, the rotational motion of the lead screw 109 is converted into the linear motion of the sliding block 104, which has the advantages of smooth transmission, strong load-bearing capacity, and high positioning accuracy.

[0030] Furthermore, each of the support members 108 is provided with a rotating bearing 111 at its top end, and each of the lead screws 109 is provided with a rotating head 112 at both ends, the rotating head 112 being embedded inside the rotating bearing 111.

[0031] In this embodiment, by providing the rotating bearing 111 at the top of the support member 108, the frictional resistance of the lead screw 109 during rotation can be effectively reduced, the transmission efficiency can be improved, the service life can be extended, and the coaxiality of the lead screw 109 during rotation can be guaranteed, thereby improving the overall transmission accuracy.

[0032] Furthermore, each of the support leg units includes a connecting arm 113, an elastic support leg, and a reinforcing arm 114. One end of the connecting arm 113 is fixedly connected to the corresponding sliding block 104, and the other end of the connecting arm 113 is equipped with the elastic support leg. The reinforcing arm 114 is disposed between the elastic support leg and the connecting arm 113.

[0033] In this embodiment, by setting the connecting arm 113 and the reinforcing arm 114, the connection stiffness between the elastic support leg and the sliding block 104 can be significantly improved, the support leg unit's ability to resist lateral impact can be enhanced, and the connection can be prevented from deforming or breaking due to uneven force when the UAV lands.

[0034] Furthermore, each of the elastic support legs includes an upper support leg 115, a lower support leg 116, and a shock-absorbing spring 117. The upper end of the upper support leg 115 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the connecting arm 113, and the lower end of the upper support leg 115 is slidably sleeved inside the lower support leg 116. The shock-absorbing spring 117 is disposed inside the lower support leg 116, with the upper end of the shock-absorbing spring 117 abutting against the lower end face of the upper support leg 115 and the lower end of the shock-absorbing spring 117 abutting against the bottom inner wall of the lower support leg 116.

[0035] In this embodiment, by setting the shock-absorbing spring 117 between the upper support leg 115 and the lower support leg 116, the impact energy generated when the UAV lands can be effectively absorbed, playing a buffering and shock-absorbing role, protecting the fuselage and the cargo carried from impact damage, and improving the stability and comfort of landing.

[0036] Furthermore, each of the lower support legs 116 is provided with a limit ring 118 at its top end, and each of the upper support legs 115 is provided with a limit block 119 at its bottom, the limit block 119 being adapted to the limit ring 118.

[0037] In this embodiment, the cooperation between the limiting block 119 and the limiting ring 118 can effectively prevent the upper support leg 115 from separating from the lower support leg 116 when they slide relative to each other, ensuring that the elastic support leg is always within a reliable working stroke range, thereby improving the stability and safety of the structure.

[0038] Furthermore, the top of the fixed base 101 is uniformly provided with a plurality of first heat dissipation grooves 120, and the sides of the fixed base 101 are uniformly provided with a plurality of second heat dissipation grooves 121. The first heat dissipation grooves 120 and the second heat dissipation grooves 121 are staggered. The top edge of the fixed base 101 is vertically provided with a plurality of first slots 122, and the top edge of the fixed base 101 is horizontally provided with a plurality of second slots 123. The first slots 122 correspond to the first heat dissipation grooves 120, and the second slots 123 correspond to the second heat dissipation grooves 121. The interior of the first slots 122 and the second slots 123 are provided with dustproof mesh.

[0039] In this embodiment, by setting the first heat dissipation groove 120 and the second heat dissipation groove 121, an effective heat dissipation channel can be formed to promptly dissipate the heat generated inside the drive unit, preventing the servo motor 106 from being affected by overheating and damaged. By setting the dustproof net, external dust, sand and other foreign objects can be effectively blocked from entering the interior of the fixed base 101, avoiding wear on the gear meshing surface, while not affecting the normal flow of heat dissipation airflow, thus taking into account both heat dissipation and protection needs.

[0040] The above description discloses only one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes of the above embodiments can be implemented, and equivalent changes made in accordance with the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for a logistics transportation drone, characterized in that, It includes a fixed base, a drive unit, multiple sets of linear actuators and multiple support leg units. The fixed base is fixedly connected to the bottom of the UAV fuselage. The drive unit is installed inside the fixed base. The output end of the drive unit is provided with a drive bevel gear. The drive bevel gear is located at the vertical central axis of the fixed base. The bottom of the fixed base is provided with multiple sliding grooves, which are radially and evenly distributed around the center of the fixed base. A sliding block is slidably disposed at each sliding groove. Multiple sets of linear execution units are also evenly disposed inside the drive unit. Each set of linear execution units corresponds to one of the sliding grooves. A transmission bevel gear is provided at the end of each set of linear execution units near the drive bevel gear. The output end of each set of linear execution units is connected to the corresponding sliding block. A support leg unit is provided at the bottom of each sliding block.

2. The adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for a logistics transportation drone as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drive unit also includes a servo motor and a gear reducer. The servo motor is installed inside the fixed base, and the gear reducer is provided at the output end of the servo motor. The drive bevel gear is provided at the output end of the gear reducer.

3. The adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for a logistics transportation drone as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Each linear actuator further includes two support members, a lead screw, and a lead screw pair. The two support members are respectively disposed at both ends of the corresponding slide groove. The lead screw is rotatably disposed between the two support members. The transmission bevel gear is disposed at the end of the lead screw near the drive bevel gear. The lead screw pair is disposed on the lead screw and is connected to the corresponding sliding block.

4. The adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for a logistics transportation drone as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the support members is provided with a rotating bearing at its top end, and each of the lead screws is provided with a rotating head at both ends, the rotating head being embedded inside the rotating bearing.

5. The adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for a logistics transportation drone as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the support leg units includes a connecting arm, an elastic support leg, and a reinforcing arm. One end of the connecting arm is fixedly connected to the corresponding sliding block, and the other end of the connecting arm is equipped with the elastic support leg. The reinforcing arm is disposed between the elastic support leg and the connecting arm.

6. The adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for a logistics transportation drone as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the elastic support legs includes an upper support leg, a lower support leg, and a shock-absorbing spring. The upper end of the upper support leg is fixedly connected to the bottom of the connecting arm, and the lower end of the upper support leg is slidably sleeved inside the lower support leg. The shock-absorbing spring is disposed inside the lower support leg, with the upper end of the shock-absorbing spring abutting against the lower end face of the upper support leg and the lower end of the shock-absorbing spring abutting against the bottom inner wall of the lower support leg.

7. The adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for a logistics transportation drone as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Each of the lower support legs is provided with a limit ring at its top and a limit block is provided at its bottom, the limit block being adapted to the limit ring.

8. The adjustable take-off and landing support mechanism for a logistics transportation drone as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the fixed base is evenly provided with a plurality of first heat dissipation grooves, and the sides of the fixed base are evenly provided with a plurality of second heat dissipation grooves. The first heat dissipation grooves and the second heat dissipation grooves are staggered. The top edge of the fixed base is vertically provided with a plurality of first slots, and the top edge of the fixed base is horizontally provided with a plurality of second slots. The first slots correspond to the first heat dissipation grooves, and the second slots correspond to the second heat dissipation grooves. The interior of the first slots and the second slots is provided with dustproof mesh.

Images