Unmanned aerial vehicle cargo hold connecting mechanism

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle cargo carrying, in particular to an unmanned aerial vehicle cargo hold connecting mechanism which comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle body. The collet chuck is arranged at the bottom of the unmanned aerial vehicle main body, and the end, away from the unmanned aerial vehicle main body, of the collet chuck is a clamping end; the top column is fixedly mounted at the top of the cargo hold and is used for being matched with the collet chuck in an inserting manner; and the pressure applying assembly is arranged in the unmanned aerial vehicle main body, and the pressure applying assembly is used for applying force to the collet chuck in the radial direction of the collet chuck. According to the invention, the unmanned aerial vehicle is automatically connected with the cargo hold, and the portability and stability of connection are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) cargo carrying, in particular to a connecting mechanism for a UAV cargo compartment. Background Art

[0002] When a UAV is used for logistics cargo carrying and logistics distribution, it is crucial to ensure the connection stability and safety between the UAV and the cargo compartment during flight. Currently, the connection between a UAV and a cargo compartment is usually achieved through connection methods such as suspension ropes and robotic arm grasping. Among them, the suspension rope connection method is simple and has high connection strength. However, when loading and unloading goods, it mostly relies on manual operation, with insufficient convenience and high working intensity. Although the robotic arm grasping connection method can achieve flexible loading and unloading and transportation of goods, the coupling relationship between the robotic arm and the UAV is complex, the structure is relatively heavy and overly complicated, and it has high requirements for the stability and control accuracy of the UAV. Therefore, designing a connecting mechanism that can improve both the connection stability and portability between the UAV and the cargo compartment is a technical problem that enterprise R & D personnel urgently need to solve. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] In view of the above deficiencies in the prior art, the present application provides a connecting mechanism for a UAV cargo compartment.

[0004] The above object of the present application is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0005] A UAV main body;

[0006] A collet, which is arranged at the bottom of the UAV main body, and one end of the collet away from the UAV main body is a clamping end;

[0007] A top column, which is fixedly installed at the top of the cargo compartment and is used for plugging and matching with the collet;

[0008] A pressure applying assembly, which is arranged inside the UAV main body and is used for applying a force along the radial direction of the collet to the collet.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solutions, when installing the cargo compartment, the UAV main body drives the collet to move to the top column of the cargo compartment through its own movement. Then, after the clamping end of the collet is plugged and matched with the top column, the collet continuously contracts under the radial force applied by the pressure applying assembly, so that the collet clamps the top column inside it, completing the stable connection of the cargo compartment. Compared with traditional manual operations, it can achieve the automatic connection between the UAV and the cargo compartment, improving the portability and stability of the connection. Compared with the operations of complex structures such as robotic arms, the structural relationship is clear, simple, and practical.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the present application can be further configured as follows: The pressing assembly includes a locking sleeve, a locking bolt, and a driving member. The locking sleeve is disposed inside the drone body and has a threaded section inside. The threaded section is in threaded cooperation with the locking bolt. The locking bolt is fixedly connected to one end of the collet near the drone body. The driving member is used to drive the locking sleeve to rotate about its axis.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the driving member drives the locking sleeve to rotate about its axis, causing the locking sleeve to advance axially along the locking bolt with which it is in threaded cooperation until it reaches the collet connected to the locking bolt, thereby applying a radial force to the collet to firmly clamp the ejector pin and achieve the rapid connection between the drone and the cargo hold.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the present application can be further configured as follows: The driving member is a motor. The motor is fixedly installed inside the drone body, and the output shaft of the motor is fixedly connected to the locking sleeve.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, a motor is provided to achieve the function of driving the locking sleeve to rotate about its axis, thereby effectively saving manpower and reducing the working intensity.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the present application can be further configured as follows: A coupling is fixedly connected between the output shaft of the motor and the locking sleeve.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the coupling can provide buffering and shock-absorbing functions between the motor and the locking sleeve to improve the connection stability between the output shaft of the motor and the locking sleeve.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the present application can be further configured as follows: A pressure sensor is provided at the clamping end of the collet, and the pressure sensor is controllably connected to the motor.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the pressure sensor can real-time monitor the radial force received at the clamping end of the collet, so as to feed back to the motor to control the start and stop of the motor, thereby precisely controlling the clamping force of the collet.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the present application can be further configured as follows: A limiting flange extends from the outer edge of the insertion end of the ejector pin, and a limiting snap ring extends radially inside the collet. When the ejector pin is inserted and mated with the collet, the limiting flange is lapped and mated with the limiting snap ring.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, under the action of the lapping and mating of the limiting flange and the limiting snap ring, the connection stability between the drone and the cargo hold can be further improved.

[0020] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0021] 1. When installing the cargo hold, the drone body drives the collet to move to the top column of the cargo hold through its own movement. Then, after the clamping end of the collet is inserted and matched with the top column, the collet is continuously contracted by the radial force applied by the pressing assembly, so that the collet clamps the top column inside it, completing the stable connection of the cargo hold. Compared with the traditional manual operation, it can realize the automatic connection between the drone and the cargo hold, improving the portability and stability of the connection. Compared with the operation of complex structures such as robotic arms, the structural relationship is clear, simple and practical.

[0022] 2. The driving member drives the locking sleeve to rotate around the axis, so that the locking sleeve advances along the axial direction of the locking bolt that is threadedly engaged with it until it advances to the collet connected to the locking bolt, thereby applying a radial force to the collet to complete the firm clamping of the top column, so as to realize the rapid connection between the drone and the cargo hold.

[0023] 3. The pressure sensor can monitor the radial force received by the clamping end of the collet in real time, so as to feed back to the motor to control the start and stop of the motor, thereby accurately controlling the clamping force of the collet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the drone cargo hold connection mechanism in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the drone cargo hold connection mechanism in an embodiment of the present application after removing part of the drone body;

[0026] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a partial enlarged schematic diagram of part A in

[0027] Figure 4 is an exploded structure schematic diagram of the pressing assembly in an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Reference numerals: 1, drone body; 2, collet; 3, top column; 4, pressing assembly; 41, locking sleeve; 42, locking bolt; 43, motor; 44, coupling; 5, pressure sensor; 6, limiting flange; 7, limiting snap ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The following describes exemplary embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Various details of the embodiments of the present application are included to assist in understanding, and they should be considered merely exemplary. Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the art should recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present application. Similarly, for the sake of clarity and conciseness, the description below omits the description of well-known functions and structures.

[0030] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the present utility model are used to distinguish similar objects and do not necessarily describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure.

[0031] In addition, the term "and / or" herein is merely a relational description of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " herein, unless otherwise specified, generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0032] The following describes a drone cargo hold connection mechanism of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Refer to Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the drone cargo hold connection mechanism includes a drone main body 1, a collet 2, a top column 3, and a pressing component 4. The collet 2 is arranged at the bottom of the drone main body 1. One end of the collet 2 away from the drone main body 1 is a clamping end. The top column 3 is fixedly installed on the top of the cargo hold and is used for plugging and matching with the collet 2. The pressing component 4 is arranged inside the drone main body 1. The pressing component 4 is used to apply a force along the radial direction of the collet 2 to the collet 2. When installing the cargo hold, the drone main body 1 drives the collet 2 to move to the top column 3 of the cargo hold through its own movement. Then, after the clamping end of the collet 2 is plugged and matched with the top column 3, the collet 2 is continuously contracted by the radial force applied by the pressing component 4, so that the collet 2 clamps the top column 3 inside it, completing the stable connection of the cargo hold. Compared with the traditional manual operation, it can realize the automatic connection between the drone and the cargo hold, improving the portability and stability of the connection. Compared with the operation of complex structures such as robotic arms, the structural relationship is clear, simple, and practical.

[0034] Among them, the pressing component 4 includes a locking sleeve 41, a locking bolt 42, and a driving member. The locking sleeve 41 is arranged inside the drone main body 1 and has a threaded section inside. The threaded section is in threaded cooperation with the locking bolt 42. The locking bolt 42 is fixedly connected to one end of the collet 2 close to the drone main body 1. The driving member is used to drive the locking sleeve 41 to rotate around its axis. By driving the locking sleeve 41 to rotate around its axis by the driving member, the locking sleeve 41 is advanced along the axial direction of the locking bolt 42 with which it is in threaded cooperation until it reaches the collet 2 connected to the locking bolt 42, thereby applying a radial force to the collet 2 and completing the firm clamping of the top column 3 to achieve the rapid connection between the drone and the cargo hold.

[0035] Specifically, the driving member is a motor 43. The motor 43 is fixedly installed inside the UAV body 1, and the output shaft of the motor 43 is fixedly connected to the locking sleeve 41. By setting the motor 43, the function of driving the locking sleeve 41 to rotate around its axis is realized, thus effectively saving manpower and reducing the working intensity.

[0036] Furthermore, a coupling 44 is fixedly connected between the output shaft of the motor 43 and the locking sleeve 41. By setting the coupling 44, the functions of buffering and shock absorption can be provided between the motor 43 and the locking sleeve 41, so as to improve the connection stability between the output shaft of the motor 43 and the locking sleeve 41.

[0037] Furthermore, in order to precisely control the clamping force of the collet 2, a pressure sensor 5 is arranged at the clamping end of the collet 2. The pressure sensor 5 is controllably connected to the motor 43. The pressure sensor 5 can monitor the radial force received by the clamping end of the collet 2 in real time, so as to feed back to the motor 43 to control the start and stop of the motor 43, thereby precisely controlling the clamping force of the collet 2.

[0038] In addition, a limiting flange 6 is extended and arranged on the outer edge of the inserting end of the ejector pin 3, and a limiting snap ring 7 is radially extended and arranged inside the collet 2. When the ejector pin 3 is inserted and matched with the collet 2, the limiting flange 6 is lapped and matched with the limiting snap ring 7. Under the action of the lapping and matching of the limiting flange 6 and the limiting snap ring 7, the connection stability between the UAV and the cargo hold can be further improved.

[0039] The implementation principle of a UAV cargo hold connection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application is as follows: when connecting the cargo hold, the UAV body 1 drives the collet 2 to move to the ejector pin 3 of the cargo hold, sleeved the collet 2 onto the ejector pin 3 to complete the insertion and matching, and then drives the locking sleeve 41 to rotate by starting the motor 43, so that the locking sleeve 41 advances along the axial direction of the locking bolt 42 with which it is threadedly engaged until it advances to the collet 2 connected to the locking bolt 42, applying a radial force to the collet 2 to complete the clamping of the ejector pin 3 by the collet 2, realizing the automatic connection between the UAV and the cargo hold.

[0040] It should be noted that multiple UAV cargo hold connection mechanisms of the present application can be arranged on a single UAV body 1 to meet the requirements when the load capacity is larger, that is, multiple collets 2 can be arranged on the UAV body 1 to be respectively sleeved with multiple ejector pins 3 of the cargo hold, and multiple UAV bodies 1 can also be coordinated to jointly connect a large cargo hold, so as to cope with the situation of larger load capacity.

[0041] The above specific implementation manners do not constitute a limitation to the protection scope of the present application. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub - combinations and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A drone cargo compartment connection mechanism, characterized in that: include: UAV body (1); A collet (2), wherein the collet (2) is arranged at the bottom of the drone body (1), and an end of the collet (2) away from the drone body (1) is a clamping end; A top column (3), the top column (3) is fixedly mounted on the top of the cargo hold and is used to be plugged into and matched with the collet (2); A pressure-applying component (4), wherein the pressure-applying component (4) is arranged inside the drone body (1), and the pressure-applying component (4) is used to apply a force along the radial direction of the collet (2) to the collet (2).

2. The drone cargo compartment connection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure-applying assembly (4) comprises a locking sleeve (41), a locking bolt (42) and a driving member. The locking sleeve (41) is arranged inside the drone body (1) and is provided with a threaded section inside. The threaded section is threadedly matched with the locking bolt (42). The locking bolt (42) is fixedly connected to one end of the collet (2) close to the drone body (1). The driving member is used to drive the locking sleeve (41) to rotate about its axis.

3. The drone cargo compartment connection mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driving component is a motor (43), and the motor (43) is fixedly installed inside the drone body (1), and the output shaft of the motor (43) is fixedly connected to the locking sleeve (41).

4. The drone cargo compartment connection mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: A coupling (44) is fixedly connected between the output shaft of the motor (43) and the locking sleeve (41).

5. The drone cargo compartment connection mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: A pressure sensor (5) is provided at the clamping end of the collet (2), and the pressure sensor (5) is controllably connected to the motor (43).

6. The drone cargo compartment connection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limit flange (6) is extended from the outer edge of the plug-in end of the top column (3), and a limit snap ring (7) is radially extended from the inside of the collet (2). When the top column (3) and the collet (2) are plugged in, the limit flange (6) and the limit snap ring (7) overlap and fit.

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