Novel unmanned aerial vehicle tracking and positioning device

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, and relates to a novel unmanned aerial vehicle tracking and positioning device. Positioning guidance can be provided for the falling or forced landing unmanned aerial vehicle. The novel unmanned aerial vehicle tracking and positioning device is arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle, and the unmanned aerial vehicle further comprises an attitude sensor. The novel unmanned aerial vehicle tracking and positioning device comprises a tracking and positioning unit, the tracking and positioning unit is electrically connected with a main battery of an unmanned aerial vehicle, and the tracking and positioning unit is configured as follows: when the unmanned aerial vehicle detects that the unmanned aerial vehicle is about to be / is in a falling process or about to be / is in a forced landing process, the tracking and positioning unit is started; and the tracking and positioning unit is separated from the unmanned aerial vehicle, and the point location tracking unit is started and sends a positioning signal to the outside when being separated from the main battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and relates to a novel UAV tracking and positioning device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, drones generally use positioning batteries as their power source. Often, due to insufficient positioning battery power, the drone cannot return to base in time. In this case, the drone may crash or autonomously find a suitable location to land.

[0003] In many cases, drones crash or are forced to land in special environments such as wilderness, jungles, and cliffs, making them difficult to find. Furthermore, insufficient battery power often leads to weak or even lost location signals, further increasing the difficulty of finding the drone. Utility Model Content

[0004] To overcome the deficiencies in the aforementioned related technologies, this utility model proposes a novel drone tracking and positioning device that can provide positioning guidance for drones that have crashed or been forced to land.

[0005] To achieve the above technical objectives, this utility model provides a novel drone tracking and positioning device, which is installed on a drone, and the drone also includes an attitude sensor.

[0006] The novel drone tracking and positioning device includes a tracking and positioning unit electrically connected to the drone's main battery. The tracking and positioning unit is configured to separate from the drone when the drone detects that it is about to / is in the process of falling or is about to / is in the process of forced landing. The tracking and positioning unit is activated and sends a positioning signal when it is separated from the main battery.

[0007] Preferably, the drone includes a cabin at its bottom, and a power interface is provided on the side wall of the cabin, the power interface being electrically connected to the main battery. The tracking and positioning unit is disposed inside the cabin, and the tracking and positioning unit is electrically connected to the power interface.

[0008] Preferably, the tracking and positioning unit includes: a housing, a counterweight, a positioning battery, a positioning module, and an antenna. The outer wall of the lower part of the housing is curved. The counterweight is fixed inside the lower part of the housing, and the counterweight is configured such that the lower part of the housing faces downwards during the descent of the tracking and positioning unit. The positioning battery is fixed above the counterweight inside the housing. The positioning module is fixed above the positioning battery inside the housing. The antenna is fixed above the positioning module inside the housing and is electrically connected to the positioning module.

[0009] Preferably, the tracking and positioning unit further includes a laser pointing module, which is fixed above the antenna inside the housing; the laser pointing module is configured to emit a laser upward to provide guidance for retrieval.

[0010] Preferably, the laser pointing module includes a laser lamp and a laser beam splitter. The laser lamp is fixed above the antenna inside the housing, and its light emission direction is upward. The laser beam splitter is fixed above the laser lamp, and its light emission direction is tilted upward.

[0011] Preferably, the tracking and positioning unit further includes an integrated circuit board disposed within the housing between the positioning battery and the antenna. The integrated circuit board includes a microprocessor, a light sensor, and a signal module. The microprocessor is electrically connected to the positioning module and the laser light. The light sensor is electrically connected to the microprocessor. The signal module is electrically connected to the microprocessor.

[0012] Preferably, the outer shell is spherical and comprises polylactic acid.

[0013] Preferably, the tracking and positioning unit further includes a buzzer, which is fixed to both sides of the positioning battery below the integrated circuit board inside the housing.

[0014] Preferably, the tracking and positioning unit further includes a solar panel, which is disposed in the upper part of the housing and is electrically connected to the positioning battery.

[0015] Preferably, the novel UAV tracking and positioning device further includes a parachute, which is disposed inside the cabin and connected to the tracking and positioning unit. The parachute is configured to provide a cushioning effect for the landing of the tracking and positioning unit.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0017] This invention employs a tracking and positioning unit that can separate from the drone during a crash or forced landing, facilitating the transmission of positioning signals by the tracking and positioning unit and avoiding interference from the drone's internal electrical components and shell.

[0018] The outer wall of the lower part of the outer casing of the tracking and positioning unit of this invention is curved, and a counterweight is fixed in the lower part of the inner casing. This ensures that the electrical components transmitting signals are at the top and the solar panel faces upwards during the descent of the tracking and positioning unit, thereby enabling effective and continuous transmission of the positioning signal and facilitating retrieval. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or related technologies, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the cabin location of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the tracking and positioning unit of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram of the optical sensor and laser control circuit of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0025] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0026] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0027] Some embodiments of this utility model provide a novel drone tracking and positioning device. For example... Figure 1As shown, the novel drone tracking and positioning device is mounted on drone 1, and drone 1 also includes an attitude sensor.

[0028] The novel drone tracking and positioning device includes a tracking and positioning unit 2, which is electrically connected to the main battery of the drone 1. The tracking and positioning unit 2 is configured to separate from the drone 1 when the drone 1 detects that it is about to / is in the process of falling or is about to / is in the process of forced landing. The tracking and positioning unit 2 is activated and sends a positioning signal to the outside world when it is separated from the main battery.

[0029] In some examples, the drone 1 can be a quadcopter or a fixed-wing drone. A tracking and positioning unit 2 is located on the lower part of the drone 1, and this unit is electrically connected to the main battery of the drone 1. When the drone 1 senses that it is preparing for a forced landing or crash, for example, when the drone 1 detects insufficient main battery power, it may initiate a forced landing or crash procedure. At this time, the drone 1 can detach the tracking and positioning unit 2 from its lower part, achieving a separate descent process for the drone 1 and the tracking and positioning unit 2. Simultaneously, the tracking and positioning unit 2 separates from the main battery. After separation, the tracking and positioning unit 2 activates to send positioning signals externally.

[0030] Alternatively, during the descent of drone 1, i.e., drone 1 senses its continuous descent through its attitude sensor and may exhibit tilting, rolling, or rotation, drone 1 can determine that it is in a falling state. At this point, drone 1 can detach the tracking and positioning unit 2 from its lower part, achieving a separate descent process for drone 1 and tracking and positioning unit 2. Simultaneously, tracking and positioning unit 2 separates from the main battery. After separation, tracking and positioning unit 2 activates to send positioning signals externally.

[0031] Alternatively, during the forced landing process, the drone 1 can, based on factors such as its altitude, detach the tracking and positioning unit 2 from its lower part, allowing the drone 1 and the tracking and positioning unit 2 to descend separately. Simultaneously, the tracking and positioning unit 2 separates from the main battery. After separation, the tracking and positioning unit 2 activates to send positioning signals.

[0032] In this invention, the drone can be equipped with a cargo delivery module or a material throwing module, such as the Hawa drone material throwing module (YT-FAC) or other drone throwers. It is understood that the cargo delivery module or material throwing module is existing technology and can communicate and transmit power to the drone via a USB interface, etc. The tracking and positioning unit 2 is disposed on the cargo delivery module or material throwing module. When the drone 1 determines that it needs to separate from the tracking and positioning unit 2, it can send a signal to the cargo delivery module or material throwing module to separate the tracking and positioning unit 2 from the drone 1.

[0033] In this embodiment, to ensure that the tracking and positioning unit 2 locates the drone 1 after the drone 1 descends separately, a flexible connecting line can be provided between the tracking and positioning unit 2 and the drone 1. The flexible connecting line can be a rope with a diameter of 1~2mm.

[0034] When the tracking and positioning unit 2 is mounted on the drone 1, it is electrically connected to the main battery, which can charge the tracking and positioning unit 2. When the tracking and positioning unit 2 is separated from the main battery, it starts autonomously. This means the tracking and positioning unit 2 should also include a power-off self-starting circuit. One possible example of this circuit is a normally closed intermediate relay. The coil of the normally closed intermediate relay can be located on the positive terminal of the charging circuit from the main battery to the tracking and positioning unit 2, and the contacts of the normally closed intermediate relay are located on the main starting circuit of the tracking and positioning unit 2. When the charging circuit between the main battery and the tracking and positioning unit 2 is disconnected, the contacts of the normally closed intermediate relay close, thus connecting the main starting circuit of the tracking and positioning unit 2 and enabling its autonomous start.

[0035] It should be noted that this utility model does not impose any special limitations on the specific circuit structure of the power failure self-starting circuit. The above example is only for auxiliary illustration. Other circuits that can achieve self-starting after power failure are also applicable to this utility model.

[0036] In this embodiment, the tracking and positioning unit 2 is separated from the drone 1. The tracking and positioning unit 2 transmits positioning signals to the outside world, which can avoid the drone 1 from interfering with the positioning signals, making it easier for staff to receive the positioning signals and increasing the possibility of the drone 1 being found.

[0037] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the drone 1 includes a cabin 11 at its bottom, and a power interface 12 is provided on the side wall of the cabin 11. The power interface 12 is electrically connected to the main battery. The tracking and positioning unit 2 is disposed inside the cabin 11 and is electrically connected to the power interface 12.

[0038] The UAV 1 has a cabin 11 at its bottom, with the cabin opening facing downwards. A cabin door 13 is hinged to the cabin opening and can be a single or double door. A tracking and positioning unit 2 is located inside the cabin 11. The cabin door 13 can accommodate the tracking and positioning unit 2. When the UAV 1 needs to separate the tracking and positioning unit 2 from itself, the UAV 1 can directly control the cabin door 13 to open, allowing the tracking and positioning unit 2 to fall freely under gravity, thus achieving separation between the tracking and positioning unit 2 and the UAV 1.

[0039] The hatch 13 of the UAV 1, which can be opened and closed autonomously, is existing technology and will not be described in detail in this utility model.

[0040] A power interface 12 is provided on the side wall of the cabin 11, for example, it can be located on the left, right, front, rear or top side wall of the cabin 11. The power interface 12 can be a magnetic power interface 12. The tracking and positioning unit 2 is connected to an external charging line, and the end of the charging line is provided with a charging head adapted to the magnetic power interface 12. The magnetic power interface 12 facilitates the quick separation of the charging head from the magnetic power interface 12 after the tracking and positioning unit is detached from the cabin 11, ensuring that the tracking and positioning unit can be separated from the drone 1 and that the tracking and positioning unit 2 can be activated in a timely manner.

[0041] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the tracking and positioning unit 2 includes: a housing 21, a counterweight 22, a positioning battery 23, a positioning module, and an antenna 24. The lower outer wall of the housing 21 is curved. The counterweight 22 is fixed inside the lower part of the housing 21, and is configured such that the lower part of the housing 21 faces downwards during the descent of the tracking and positioning unit 2. The positioning battery 23 is fixed above the counterweight 22 inside the housing 21. The positioning module is fixed above the positioning battery 23 inside the housing 21. The antenna 24 is fixed above the positioning module inside the housing 21 and is electrically connected to the positioning module.

[0042] The reason for adopting a separate design between the tracking and positioning unit 2 and the drone 1 in this utility model also includes: after the tracking and positioning unit 2 descends, the electrical components that transmit positioning signals are located above the tracking and positioning unit 2, which can ensure the efficient transmission of positioning signals. In this embodiment, the outer wall of the lower part of the outer shell 21 of the tracking and positioning unit 2 is curved, and a counterweight 22 is provided in the lower part of the inner shell 21. This structure is similar to a roly-poly toy. When the tracking and positioning unit 2 descends, due to the influence of air resistance, the counterweight 22 is gradually adjusted to be below the positioning battery 23, the positioning module, and the antenna 24. That is, the tracking and positioning unit 2 descends with the lower part of the outer shell 21 facing downwards. When the tracking and positioning unit 2 stops descending, the antenna 24 is located in the upper part of the inner shell 21, which facilitates the antenna 24 to transmit signals to the outside, making it easier for the positioning signal of the positioning module to be received by the staff, thereby improving the retrieval probability.

[0043] In some examples, the positioning module can be a BeiDou positioning module. After receiving the BeiDou satellite positioning signal, the BeiDou positioning module transmits the positioning signal to the outside through the antenna 24. The counterweight 22 can be made of lead or iron, and the positioning battery 23 is placed at the lower part of the outer casing 21 to increase the weight of the lower part of the tracking and positioning unit 2, ensuring that the lower part of the outer casing 21 faces downward when the tracking and positioning unit 2 falls.

[0044] In some embodiments, the outer shell 21 is spherical and comprises polylactic acid. Exemplarily, the outer shell 21 may include an upper shell 211 and a lower shell 212, both of which are hemispherical shells. The upper shell 211 and lower shell 212 can be fixed together by bolts, wherein the lower shell 212 is the lower part of the outer shell 21. A counterweight 22 and a positioning battery 23 may be disposed in the lower shell 212, while a positioning module and an antenna 24 may be disposed in the upper shell 211. The upper shell 211 and lower shell 212 are made of polylactic acid, which has advantages such as good thermal stability, good mechanical properties, ease of processing, and resistance to breakage from drops and in the field.

[0045] In some embodiments, the tracking and positioning unit 2 further includes a laser pointing module 25, which is fixed above the antenna 24 inside the housing 21; the laser pointing module 25 is configured to emit a laser upward to provide guidance for retrieval.

[0046] The laser pointing module 25 includes a laser lamp 251 and a laser beam splitter 252. The laser lamp 251 is fixed above the antenna 24 inside the housing 21, and its light emission direction is upward. The laser beam splitter 252 is fixed above the laser lamp 251, and its light emission direction is tilted upward.

[0047] In some examples, the positioning signal also includes an optical signal, facilitating the indication of the tracking and positioning unit 2's location to personnel at night via lighting. For instance, a laser beam splitter 252 can be housed inside the housing. The laser emitted by the laser lamp 251 enters the laser beam splitter 252, and the resulting multiple beams shine obliquely upwards through the transparent housing 21. Alternatively, the laser beam splitter 252 can be embedded in the top of the upper housing 211, with the laser-receiving side of the laser beam splitter 252 located inside the housing 21 and the laser-emitting side located outside the housing 21. The laser beam splitter 252 can split the laser into multiple beams, preventing the tracking and positioning unit 2 from falling into environments such as bushes where a single laser beam might be blocked by other obstacles, thus increasing the probability of the optical signal being received by personnel.

[0048] In some embodiments, the tracking and positioning unit 2 further includes an integrated circuit board 26, which is disposed between the positioning battery 23 and the antenna 24 within the housing 21. The integrated circuit board 26 includes a microprocessor Q, a light sensor, and a signal module. The microprocessor Q is electrically connected to the positioning module and the laser lamp 251. The light sensor is electrically connected to the microprocessor Q. The signal module is electrically connected to the microprocessor Q.

[0049] In some examples, the tracking and positioning unit 2 also includes a charging circuit, a laser control circuit, and a voltage regulator circuit. The microprocessor Q, charging circuit, laser control circuit, voltage regulator circuit, optical sensor, positioning module, and power-off self-starting circuit can all be integrated onto the integrated circuit board 26. The microprocessor Q can be a microcontroller, PLC, or FPGA, etc., and the optical sensor can be a photoresistor, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the power supply terminal VDD of the voltage regulator circuit, the voltage divider resistor R1, and the photoresistor R2 are connected in series, and the other end of the photoresistor R2 is grounded. The connection point of the voltage divider resistor R1 and the photoresistor R2 is electrically connected to the microprocessor Q. The microprocessor Q can control the laser control circuit to turn on or off by detecting the voltage at the connection point of the voltage divider resistor R1 and the photoresistor R2.

[0050] The laser control circuit may include a normally open intermediate relay, and the microprocessor Q may be a microcontroller, for example. The I / O pins of the microcontroller are electrically connected to the coil KA1.1 of the normally open intermediate relay. The contacts KA1.2 of the normally open intermediate relay, the laser lamp 251, and the positioning battery form a closed circuit.

[0051] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3As shown, the tracking and positioning unit 2 further includes a buzzer 27, which is fixed to both sides of the positioning battery 23 below the integrated circuit board 26 inside the housing 21. Exemplarily, the tracking and positioning unit 2 also includes a buzzer 27 circuit for controlling the operation of the buzzer 27.

[0052] In some embodiments, the tracking and positioning unit 2 further includes a solar panel 28, which is disposed in the upper part of the housing 21. The solar panel 28 is electrically connected to the positioning battery 23. For example, the solar panel 28 can be a flexible solar panel that is attached to the inside of the upper housing 211. The solar panel 28 can absorb light energy and provide power to the positioning battery 23, which can effectively improve the operating time of the tracking and positioning unit 2.

[0053] Preferably, the novel UAV tracking and positioning device further includes a parachute, which is disposed within the cabin 11 and connected to the tracking and positioning unit 2. The parachute is configured to provide cushioning for the landing of the tracking and positioning unit 2. Exemplarily, the parachute can be fixedly connected to the top of the upper housing 211. When the tracking and positioning unit 2 detaches from the UAV 1 cabin 11, the parachute opens autonomously, allowing the tracking and positioning unit 2 to descend slowly, mitigating the impact force during landing and protecting the tracking and positioning unit 2.

[0054] In the description of this specification, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0055] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A novel unmanned aerial vehicle tracking and positioning device, provided on an unmanned aerial vehicle, the unmanned aerial vehicle further comprising an attitude sensor, characterized in that, The new unmanned aerial vehicle tracking positioning device comprises a tracking positioning unit, which is electrically connected with a main battery of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and comprises: a shell, the outer wall of the lower part of the shell is arc-shaped; a counterweight fixed in the lower part of the shell, configured to make the lower part of the shell face downward during the descent of the tracking positioning unit; a positioning battery fixed above the counterweight in the shell; a positioning module fixed above the positioning battery in the shell; an antenna fixed above the positioning module in the shell and electrically connected with the positioning module; the tracking positioning unit further comprises a laser indication module fixed above the antenna in the shell; the laser indication module is configured to emit laser upward to provide guidance for recovery; the laser indication module comprises: a laser lamp fixed above the antenna in the shell, and the outgoing direction of the laser lamp is upward; a laser beam splitter fixed above the laser lamp in the shell, and the outgoing direction of the laser beam splitter is upward.

2. The novel drone tracking and positioning device according to claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a cabin, and a power supply interface is arranged on the side wall of the cabin, and the power supply interface is electrically connected with the main battery; the tracking positioning unit is arranged in the cabin, and the tracking positioning unit is electrically connected with the power supply interface.

3. The novel drone tracking and positioning device as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The tracking positioning unit further comprises an integrated circuit board arranged between the positioning battery and the antenna in the shell, and the integrated circuit board comprises: a microprocessor electrically connected with the positioning module and the laser lamp; a light sensor electrically connected with the microprocessor; a signal module electrically connected with the microprocessor.

4. The novel drone tracking and positioning device as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The tracking positioning unit further comprises a buzzer fixed below the integrated circuit board on both sides of the positioning battery in the shell.

5. The novel drone tracking and positioning device as claimed in claim 4, wherein, The tracking positioning unit further comprises a solar panel arranged in the upper part of the shell, and the solar panel is electrically connected with the positioning battery.

6. The novel drone tracking and positioning device as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The new unmanned aerial vehicle tracking positioning device further comprises a parachute arranged in the cabin, and the parachute is connected with the tracking positioning unit, and the parachute is configured to provide buffering effect for the tracking positioning unit during landing.

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