Automatic motor changing warehouse for continuous operation of unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The utility model provides an unmanned aerial vehicle continuous operation automatic battery changing garage which comprises a shell, an unmanned aerial vehicle parking apron, a battery changing mechanism and a control circuit, an unmanned aerial vehicle parking apron track is arranged on a bottom plate of the shell, and a cabin door capable of being opened or closed is arranged at the front end of the shell; the unmanned aerial vehicle parking apron is slidably arranged on the unmanned aerial vehicle parking apron track so that the unmanned aerial vehicle parking apron can enter the shell through the cabin door or slide out of the shell, and the unmanned aerial vehicle parking apron is used for parking an unmanned aerial vehicle; the battery replacing mechanism is fixedly arranged in the shell; the unmanned aerial vehicle parking apron and the battery replacing mechanism are both connected with the control circuit, and the control circuit controls the unmanned aerial vehicle parking apron to slide so that the unmanned aerial vehicle can be opposite to the battery replacing mechanism in position and controls the battery replacing mechanism to conduct battery replacing on the unmanned aerial vehicle. The size and the weight are large, and the unmanned aerial vehicle is not suitable for small-size unmanned aerial vehicles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of UAV battery replacement, and more specifically, to an automatic battery replacement hangar for continuous operation of UAVs. Background Technique

[0002] In the process of unattended automatic UAV operation over a large area, when the planned flight path exceeds the maximum single - flight range of the UAV, the UAV needs to return for charging. However, charging causes the task to pause, which seriously affects the scope and continuity of UAV automatic operation. By replacing the battery, the link of the UAV docking for charging during the continuous flight mission of the UAV can be eliminated, and the charging and maintenance of the replaced battery can be completed by making full use of the time when the UAV is performing the flight mission, effectively improving the sortie frequency of the UAV flight and reducing the time consumed for the UAV to resume the task execution ability after landing. Existing similar UAV battery replacement solutions use robotic arms to simulate human hands to grab the battery or modify the UAV to be designed for hanging the battery. However, high - precision control of the robotic arm is required, resulting in a high cost of the robotic arm after the solution is implemented. At the same time, the UAV solution for hanging the battery is mainly for medium - and large - sized multi - rotor UAVs. Since it is necessary to ensure the secure installation of the battery, the volume and weight of the UAV battery hanger are large and not suitable for use with smaller - sized UAVs. Content of the Utility Model

[0003] The main purpose of the utility model is to provide an automatic battery replacement hangar for continuous operation of UAVs, so as to at least solve the problems that the existing UAV automatic battery replacement device has a high manufacturing cost, and its volume and weight are large and not suitable for use with smaller - sized UAVs.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides an automatic battery replacement hangar for continuous operation of UAVs, including: a housing, a UAV apron, a battery replacement mechanism, and a control circuit. A UAV apron track is arranged on the bottom plate of the housing, and a hatch that can be opened or closed is arranged at the front end of the housing; the UAV apron is slidably arranged on the UAV apron track so that the UAV apron can enter or slide out of the housing through the hatch, and the UAV apron is used for parking UAVs; the battery replacement mechanism is fixedly arranged inside the housing; both the UAV apron and the battery replacement mechanism are connected to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit controls the sliding of the UAV apron so that the position of the UAV is opposite to that of the battery replacement mechanism and controls the battery replacement mechanism to replace the battery of the UAV.

[0005] Furthermore, the hatch includes: an upper hatch and a lower hatch. The upper hatch is connected to the top of the housing through an electric hinge; the lower hatch is connected to the front end of the bottom plate through a spring hinge.

[0006] Further, the drone landing pad includes: a base plate, an orbital drive motor, a push rod guide groove, a drone positioning push rod, and a push rod drive motor; the orbital drive motor is disposed on the base plate; the push rod guide groove is disposed at the center of the base plate; the drone positioning push rod is slidably embedded in the push rod guide groove and arranged along the circumference of the base plate; the push rod drive motor is disposed on the base plate, wherein the push rod drive motor drives the drone positioning push rod along the direction of the push rod guide groove to position the drone at the center of the base plate, and then drives the base plate into the housing through the orbital drive motor.

[0007] Further, there are two battery swapping mechanisms, which are symmetrically arranged transversely in the housing along the housing.

[0008] Further, the battery swapping mechanism includes: a battery swapping mechanism bracket, a battery swapping battery compartment, and a battery compartment track motor. The battery swapping mechanism bracket is fixedly arranged on the bottom plate, and the battery swapping mechanism bracket is provided with a battery compartment track extending transversely along the housing; the battery swapping battery compartment is slidably embedded in the battery compartment track; the battery compartment track motor is arranged on the battery swapping mechanism bracket and connected to the battery swapping battery compartment, and the battery compartment track motor is used to drive the battery swapping battery compartment to slide to a designated position.

[0009] Further, the battery swapping battery compartment includes: a push plate track, a push plate, battery maintenance contacts, and a push plate drive motor. The push plate track is arranged on both sides of the inner wall of the battery swapping battery compartment; the push plate is slidably embedded in the push plate track; the battery maintenance contacts are arranged at the bottom of the battery swapping battery compartment; the push plate drive motor is arranged in the battery swapping battery compartment and connected to the push plate, and the push plate drive motor is used to push the push plate to slide the battery in the battery swapping battery compartment to a designated position.

[0010] Further, two elastic buffer contact blocks are arranged at the front end of the push plate.

[0011] Further, a battery positioning boss is also designed in the battery swapping battery compartment.

[0012] Further, a cover plate that can be opened or closed is arranged at the top of the housing.

[0013] Further, a drone battery compartment is designed at the top of the drone. Battery positioning bosses are designed on the front and rear end faces of the drone battery compartment, and drone connection contacts are designed at the bottom of the drone battery compartment.

[0014] An automatic battery-changing hangar for continuous operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to the technical solution of the utility model includes: a housing, a UAV apron, a battery-changing mechanism, and a control circuit. A UAV apron track is provided on the bottom plate of the housing, and a hatch that can be opened or closed is provided at the front end of the housing; the UAV apron is slidably arranged on the UAV apron track so that the UAV apron can enter the housing through the hatch or slide out of the housing, and the UAV apron is used for parking the UAV; the battery-changing mechanism is fixedly arranged inside the housing; the UAV apron and the battery-changing mechanism are both connected to the control circuit. Among them, the control circuit controls the sliding of the UAV apron so that the UAV and the battery-changing mechanism are in relative positions and controls the battery-changing mechanism to change the battery of the UAV. When the UAV needs to replace the battery, the UAV lands on the UAV apron, the control circuit receives the information of the UAV's request to land and controls the UAV apron to slide into the housing and be in relative position with the battery-changing mechanism and controls the battery-changing mechanism to change the battery of the UAV. When the battery-changing of the UAV is completed, the control circuit controls the UAV apron to slide out of the housing, and the UAV continues to work. By replacing the battery, the link of docking and charging during the flight mission of the UAV can be eliminated, and the time for charging and maintaining the replaced battery can be fully utilized during the flight mission of the UAV, effectively improving the dispatch frequency of the UAV flight, reducing the time consumed for the UAV to resume the mission execution after landing, simplifying the steps of UAV battery-changing, and solving the problems that the existing UAV automatic battery-changing device has a high cost and a large volume and weight, which are not suitable for small-sized UAVs.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the technical solution of the utility model are as follows:

[0016] By changing the installation method of the battery of the battery-changing UAV, the steps required for UAV battery-changing are simplified, the cost of the UAV automatic battery-changing device is reduced, and the volume of the battery-changing mechanism is reduced through the structural design, so that the UAV automatic battery-changing device has the same volume and weight as an ordinary unmanned unattended hangar, effectively expanding the environmental conditions requirements for the UAV automatic battery-changing device. Description of the Drawings

[0017] The schematic diagrams in the specification, which form a part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the utility model. The schematic embodiments of the utility model and their descriptions are used to explain the utility model and do not constitute an improper limitation to the utility model. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 is an overall structural schematic diagram of an automatic battery-changing hangar for continuous operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to an optional embodiment of the utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the battery-changing mechanism of an automatic battery-changing hangar for continuous operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to an optional embodiment of the utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the drone apron structure of an automatic battery-changing hangar for continuous operation of drones according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the battery-changing operation steps of an automatic battery-changing hangar for continuous operation of drones according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Among them, the above-mentioned drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0023] 10. Housing; 11. Bottom plate; 111. Drone apron track; 12. Hatch door; 121. Upper hatch door; 122. Lower hatch door; 13. Cover plate; 20. Drone apron; 21. Substrate; 23. Push rod guide groove; 24. Drone positioning push rod; 30. Drone; 31. Drone battery compartment; 40. Battery-changing mechanism; 41. Battery-changing mechanism bracket; 42. Battery-changing battery compartment; 421. Push plate track; 422. Push plate; 423. Battery maintenance contact; 43. Battery compartment track motor; 50. Control circuit. Detailed implementation manners

[0024] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other. The present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0025] An automatic battery-changing hangar for continuous operation of drones according to an embodiment of the present utility model, as Figure 1As shown in the figure, it includes a housing 10, a drone landing pad 20, a battery swapping mechanism 40, and a control circuit 50. A drone landing pad track 111 is provided on the bottom plate 11 of the housing 10, and a hatch 12 that can be opened or closed is provided at the front end of the housing 10. The drone landing pad 20 is slidably arranged on the drone landing pad track 111 so that the drone landing pad 20 can enter the housing 10 through the hatch 12 or slide out of the housing 10. The drone landing pad 20 is used for parking the drone 30. The battery swapping mechanism 40 is fixedly arranged inside the housing 10. Both the drone landing pad 20 and the battery swapping mechanism 40 are connected to the control circuit 50. Among them, the control circuit 50 controls the sliding of the drone landing pad 20 so that the drone 30 is opposite to the position of the battery swapping mechanism 40 and controls the battery swapping mechanism 40 to swap the battery of the drone 30. When the drone 30 needs to replace the battery, the drone 30 lands on the drone landing pad 20. The control circuit 50 receives the request landing information of the drone 30 and controls the drone landing pad 20 to slide into the housing 10 and be opposite to the position of the battery swapping mechanism 40 and controls the battery swapping mechanism 40 to swap the battery of the drone. When the battery swapping of the drone 30 is completed, the control circuit 50 controls the drone landing pad 20 to slide out of the housing 10, and the drone 30 continues to work. By replacing the battery, not only can the charging link during the flight mission of the drone 30 be eliminated, but also the charging and maintenance of the replaced battery can be completed by making full use of the time when the drone 30 executes the flight mission, effectively improving the sortie frequency of the drone 30 flight, reducing the time consumed for the drone to resume the mission execution after landing, and simplifying the steps of swapping the battery of the drone.

[0026] Further, as Figure 1 shown, the hatch 12 includes an upper hatch 121 and a lower hatch 122. The upper hatch 121 is connected to the top end of the housing 10 through an electric hinge; the lower hatch 122 is connected to the front end of the bottom plate 11 through a spring hinge. The connection through the hinge makes the connection between the hatch 12 and the housing 10 more stable and the cost is low. The electric hinge is connected to the control circuit 50. When the drone landing pad 20 extends, it pushes the lower hatch 122 to open, and the upper hatch 121 is controlled to open through the control circuit. When the drone landing pad 20 enters the housing 10, the upper hatch 121 is controlled to close through the control circuit, and at the same time the lower hatch 122 closes and can prevent the displacement of the drone landing pad 20.

[0027] Further, as Figure 3As shown in the figure, the drone parking apron 20 includes: a base plate 21, an orbital drive motor, a push rod guide groove 23, a drone positioning push rod 24, and a push rod drive motor; the orbital drive motor is arranged on the base plate 21; the push rod guide groove 23 is arranged at the center position of the base plate 21; the drone positioning push rod 24 is slidably embedded in the push rod guide groove 23 and arranged along the circumference of the base plate 21; the push rod drive motor is arranged on the base plate 21. Among them, the push rod drive motor drives the drone positioning push rod 24 along the direction of the push rod guide groove 23 to make the drone 30 located at the center position of the base plate 21, and then drives the base plate 21 into the housing 10 through the orbital drive motor. The push rod structure is compact, the transmission accuracy is high, the installation space occupied is small, and the installation and maintenance costs are relatively low. The orbital drive motor and the push rod drive motor are both connected to the control circuit 50 through wires. When the drone 30 lands on the base plate 21, the control circuit 50 controls the push rod drive motor to push the drone to the center position of the base plate 21 and controls the orbital drive motor to slide the base plate 21 into the housing 10, so that the drone on the base plate 21 and the power exchange mechanism 40 are in the same plane position.

[0028] Further, as Figure 1 shown, there are two power exchange mechanisms 40. The two power exchange mechanisms 40 are symmetrically arranged in the housing 10 along the transverse direction of the housing 10. Among them, one power exchange mechanism 40 exchanges power for the drone, and the other power exchange mechanism 40 charges the battery replaced by the drone.

[0029] Further, as Figure 2 shown, the power exchange mechanism 40 includes: a power exchange mechanism bracket 41, a power exchange battery compartment 42, and a battery compartment track motor. The power exchange mechanism bracket 41 is fixedly arranged on the bottom plate 11, and the power exchange mechanism bracket 41 is provided with a battery compartment track extending along the transverse direction of the housing 10; the power exchange battery compartment 42 is slidably embedded in the battery compartment track; the battery compartment track motor is arranged on the power exchange mechanism bracket 41 and connected to the power exchange battery compartment 42. The battery compartment track motor is used to drive the power exchange battery compartment 42 to slide to a specified position. The power exchange mechanism bracket 41 is fixedly arranged on the bottom plate 11 to keep stable during operation. The power exchange battery compartment 42 is embedded in the battery compartment track, which not only saves space but also increases stability.

[0030] Further, as Figure 2As shown in the figure, the battery swapping battery compartment 42 includes: a push plate track 421, a push plate 422, battery maintenance contacts 423, and a push plate drive motor. The push plate track 421 is provided on both sides of the inner wall of the battery swapping battery compartment 42; the push plate 422 is slidably embedded in the push plate track 421; the battery maintenance contacts 423 are provided at the bottom of the battery swapping battery compartment 42; the push plate drive motor is provided in the battery swapping battery compartment 42 and is connected to the push plate 422. The push plate drive motor is used to push the push plate 422 to slide the battery in the battery swapping battery compartment 42 to a designated position. When the drone apron 20 enters the housing 10, the battery maintenance contacts 423 are connected to the battery being swapped and obtain the state information of the battery being swapped, and perform charging or battery maintenance according to the state of the battery being swapped.

[0031] Further, as Figure 3 shown, two elastic buffer contact blocks are provided at the front end of the push plate 422 to prevent the push plate 422 from exerting pressure on the battery housing during movement, causing deformation of the battery housing, which can effectively protect the battery and extend its service life.

[0032] Further, as Figure 3 shown, battery positioning bosses are also designed in the battery swapping battery compartment 42. The battery positioning bosses are provided on both inner walls of the battery swapping battery compartment 42. When installing the battery being swapped, the battery positioning bosses can limit the moving direction of the battery and prevent the battery from being displaced.

[0033] Further, as Figure 1 shown, a cover plate 13 that can be opened or closed is provided at the top of the housing 10. Opening the cover plate 13 facilitates the maintenance of internal components.

[0034] Further, as Figure 1 shown, a drone battery compartment 31 is designed at the top of the drone 30. Battery positioning bosses are designed on the front and rear end faces of the drone battery compartment 31, and drone connection contacts are designed at the bottom of the drone battery compartment 31. When installing the battery, the battery positioning bosses can limit the moving direction of the battery; drone connection contacts are designed at the bottom. After installing the battery, the drone connection contacts come into contact with and connect to the battery maintenance contacts. The drone obtains electrical energy from the battery being swapped through the connected battery maintenance contacts; the drone connection contacts are designed to protrude from the bottom surface of the drone battery compartment and can limit the displacement of the battery being swapped after installing the battery being swapped, ensuring that the battery being swapped does not move and does not disconnect from the drone during the operation of the drone.

[0035] Battery swapping operation steps of the automatic battery swapping hangar for continuous operation of drones:

[0036] S1. The control circuit 50 obtains the information that the drone 30 requests to land;

[0037] S2. The drone cabin door 12 is opened, the track drive motor drives the substrate 21 to extend, and the push rod drive motor drives the drone positioning push rod 24 to move to the edge position of the substrate 21;

[0038] S3. The drone hatch 12 closes, the communication circuit sends information allowing the drone 30 to land, and waits for the drone 30 to complete landing;

[0039] S4. The communication circuit confirms that the drone 30 has completed landing, the drone hatch opens, the push rod drive motor drives the drone positioning push rod 24 to fix the drone 30 at the center position of the substrate 21, and the track drive motor drives the substrate 21 to slide into the housing 10;

[0040] S5. The drone hatch 12 closes, the battery compartment track motor drives the battery replacement compartment 42 to move to the battery replacement position, and the control circuit 50 confirms the idle state of the battery replacement compartment 42 of the battery replacement mechanism 40;

[0041] S6. The push plate 422 of the battery replacement compartment 42 on the replacement side pushes the replacement battery to move along the direction of the positioning boss through the push plate drive motor;

[0042] S7. The battery maintenance circuit detects that the battery maintenance contact 423 of the battery replacement compartment 42 on the replaced side contacts the battery connection contact of the replaced battery, and the push plate drive motor of the battery replacement compartment 42 on the replacement battery side stops pushing the battery push plate;

[0043] S8. The communication circuit confirms the status of the battery replacement drone 30 and the replacement battery:

[0044] When the battery replacement drone 30 is properly connected to the replacement battery, the battery replacement device continues to operate;

[0045] When the battery replacement drone 30 is not properly connected to the replacement battery, the battery push plate 422 of the battery replacement compartment 42 on the replaced side respectively pushes the replacement battery back to the state before battery replacement and returns to S6 to continue execution.

[0046] S9. The battery compartment track motor drives the battery replacement compartment 42 to return to the standby position, and the battery maintenance circuit confirms the battery status in the two battery replacement compartments 42;

[0047] S10. The drone hatch 12 opens, the track drive motor drives the substrate 21 to extend, the push rod drive motor drives the drone positioning push rod 24 to move to the edge position of the substrate 21, the drone hatch 12 closes, and the communication circuit sends information allowing the battery replacement drone 30 to take off;

[0048] S11. The battery replacement drone 30 takes off and continues to execute the flight mission, the communication circuit obtains the information that the battery replacement drone 30 has completed takeoff, the drone hatch 12 opens, and the substrate 21 slides into the housing 10;

[0049] S12. The drone hatch 12 closes, and the automatic battery replacement device for continuous operation of the drone enters the state of waiting for the drone to land.

[0050] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. For those skilled in the art, the present utility model may have various changes and modifications. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present utility model shall be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An automatic motor-changing hangar for continuous operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized in that, Comprising: A housing (10), on the bottom plate (11) of the housing (10), there is provided a drone landing pad track (111), and at the front end of the housing (10), there is provided a hatch (12) that can be opened or closed; A drone landing pad (20), the drone landing pad (20) is slidably arranged on the drone landing pad track (111) so that the drone landing pad (20) can enter the housing (10) through the hatch (12) or slide out of the housing (10), and the drone landing pad (20) is used for parking drones (30); A battery swapping mechanism (40), the battery swapping mechanism (40) is fixedly arranged inside the housing (10); A control circuit (50), the drone landing pad (20) and the battery swapping mechanism (40) are both connected to the control circuit (50), wherein, the control circuit (50) controls the sliding of the drone landing pad (20) so that the drone (30) is opposite to the position of the battery swapping mechanism (40) and controls the battery swapping mechanism (40) to swap the battery of the drone (30).

2. The automatic drone battery replacement hangar for continuous operation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hatch (12) comprises: An upper hatch (121), the upper hatch (121) is connected to the top end of the housing (10) through an electric hinge; A lower hatch (122), the lower hatch (122) is connected to the front end of the bottom plate (11) through a spring hinge.

3. The automatic motor-changing hangar for continuous operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The drone landing pad (20) comprises: A substrate (21); A track driving motor, the track driving motor is arranged on the substrate (21); A push rod guide groove (23), the push rod guide groove (23) is arranged at the central position of the substrate (21); A drone positioning push rod (24), the drone positioning push rod (24) is slidably embedded in the push rod guide groove (23) and is arranged circumferentially along the substrate (21); A push rod driving motor, the push rod driving motor is arranged on the substrate (21), wherein, the push rod driving motor drives the drone positioning push rod (24) along the extension direction of the push rod guide groove (23) so that the drone (30) is located at the central position of the substrate (21), and the track driving motor is used to drive the substrate (21) to enter the housing (10) or slide out of the housing (10).

4. The automatic motor-changing hangar for continuous operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are two battery swapping mechanisms (40), and the two battery swapping mechanisms (40) are symmetrically arranged inside the housing (10) along the transverse direction of the housing (10).

5. The automatic motor-changing hangar for continuous operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 4, wherein The battery swapping mechanism (40) comprises: A battery swapping mechanism bracket (41), the battery swapping mechanism bracket (41) is fixedly arranged on the bottom plate (11) and the battery swapping mechanism bracket (41) is provided with a battery compartment track extending along the transverse direction of the housing (10); A battery swapping battery compartment (42), the battery swapping battery compartment (42) is slidably embedded in the battery compartment track; A battery compartment track motor, the battery compartment track motor is arranged on the battery swapping mechanism bracket (41) and is connected to the battery swapping battery compartment (42), and the battery compartment track motor is used to drive the battery swapping battery compartment (42) to slide to a designated position.

6. The automatic motor-changing hangar for continuous operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 5, wherein The battery swapping battery compartment (42) comprises: Pusher plate track (421), the pusher plate track (421) is arranged on the inner walls on both sides of the battery swapping battery compartment (42); Pusher plate (422), both ends of the pusher plate (422) are slidably embedded in the pusher plate track (421); Battery maintenance contact (423), the battery maintenance contact (423) is arranged at the bottom of the battery swapping battery compartment (42); Pusher plate driving motor, the pusher plate driving motor is arranged in the battery swapping battery compartment (42) and is connected to the pusher plate (422), and the pusher plate driving motor is used to push the pusher plate (422) so that the battery in the battery swapping battery compartment (42) slides to a designated position.

7. The automatic motor-changing hangar for continuous operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that Two elastic buffer contact blocks are arranged at the front end of the pusher plate (422).

8. The automatic motor-changing hangar for continuous operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, A battery positioning boss is further arranged in the battery swapping battery compartment (42).

9. The automatic motor-changing hangar for continuous operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that, A cover plate (13) that can be opened or closed is arranged at the top of the housing (10).

10. The automatic motor-changing hangar for continuous operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the unmanned aerial vehicle (30) is designed with an unmanned aerial vehicle battery compartment (31), battery positioning bosses are arranged on the front and rear end faces of the unmanned aerial vehicle battery compartment (31), and unmanned aerial vehicle connection contacts are arranged at the bottom of the unmanned aerial vehicle battery compartment (31).

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