Photovoltaic unmanned aerial vehicle inspection device

Abstract

This utility model discloses a photovoltaic drone inspection device, belonging to the field of photovoltaic inspection. It includes a support plate, on the upper surface of which a gas sensing device is fixedly installed. A bracket is fixed to the lower surface of the support plate by bolts. A balance rod is fixedly installed at the edge of the upper surface of the bracket. Weight reduction holes are formed on the upper surface of the balance rod. A rotor is fixedly installed at the top of one end of the balance rod. A camera is connected via a control gimbal, thereby adjusting the camera's deflection angle to form a calibrated fixed angle between the optical axis of the infrared thermal imager and the optical axis of the camera lens. This ensures that when the control gimbal drives the camera to deflect, the infrared thermal imager can synchronously complete attitude adjustments in the same direction and angle, achieving real-time dynamic alignment between the visible light image and the infrared thermal image. Furthermore, the compact layout provides redundant load space for the drone, helping to improve its mission endurance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of photovoltaic inspection technology, specifically a photovoltaic drone inspection device. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing global demand for renewable energy, photovoltaic (PV) power generation, as an important component of clean energy, is continuously expanding in scale and application scope. Large-scale PV power plants are widely distributed, often covering vast areas such as deserts and mountains. Meanwhile, PV modules require regular inspections to check for issues such as dust accumulation, cracks, and hot spots. Manual inspections are insufficient to meet such high-frequency, repetitive task requirements. Moreover, manual inspections face even greater challenges in areas difficult to access, such as mountains and water surfaces.

[0003] An investigation revealed a Chinese utility model patent (Publication No.: CN222080915) disclosing a photovoltaic drone maintenance and inspection device, comprising a body, including a drone body, the surface of which is equipped with rotors. This utility model utilizes a sliding groove to facilitate the sliding of a fixing plate into the inner side of the groove, thereby fixing and positioning the mounting frame. A movable rod moves within the movable groove, allowing the insertion and separation of the insert and slot, thus limiting and releasing the fixing plate. This facilitates the installation of a camera and infrared thermal imager onto the drone body, and also facilitates the removal of the camera and infrared thermal imager from the drone body for maintenance and inspection. The installation and removal of the camera and infrared thermal imager are convenient and require no tools, thus enabling better inspection of photovoltaic systems using the camera and infrared thermal imager.

[0004] However, in practical applications, the procurement cost of high-definition cameras and high-precision infrared thermal imagers is relatively high. In complex terrain areas such as mountains and hills, the flight path planning of drones and complex terrain can easily block signal transmission. Furthermore, turbulent airflow may cause drones to lose control of their attitude. Dense forests, rocks, and other obstacles further increase the risk of collisions. Interference in complex terrain may affect the flight trajectory of drones, further exacerbating equipment wear and tear and the risk of inspection failures.

[0005] Therefore, this utility model provides a photovoltaic drone inspection device to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0006] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0007] This invention provides a photovoltaic drone inspection device, which aims to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0008] (II) Technical Solution

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: It includes a support plate, on the upper surface of which a gas sensing device is fixedly installed; a bracket is fixed to the lower surface of the support plate by bolts; a balance rod is fixedly installed at the edge of the upper surface of the bracket; a weight-reducing hole is formed on the upper surface of the balance rod; a rotor is fixedly installed at the top of one end of the balance rod; a lower edge is provided on the lower surface of the balance rod near the rotor; a foot is movably connected to the lower surface of the lower edge via a pivot; a control gimbal is fixedly installed in the middle of the lower surface of the bracket; a camera is fixedly connected to the end of the control gimbal away from the bracket; a fixing member abuts on one side of the camera; a hinge is provided on one side surface of the fixing member; and a connecting rod is fixedly installed on one side surface of the fixing member via the hinge.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution of this application, a calibration seat is fixedly installed at the end of the connecting rod away from the fixing member, and an annular cavity is provided on one side surface of the calibration seat, and an infrared thermal imager is sleeved on the inner arc surface of the annular cavity.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the infrared thermal imager is placed on one side of the camera, and there are two connecting rods, which are distributed in a mirror symmetrical manner on both sides of the fixing member. The outer arc surfaces of the two connecting rods are connected to the docking member through the connection.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the upper surface of the docking part is provided with a bent end, the bottom surface of the bent end is placed on the top of the camera, and is fixedly connected by bolts.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution of this application, a cover is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the bracket, and a connecting plane is provided on the upper surface of the cover. The cover is fixedly connected to the bracket through the connecting plane at the top.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the front end of the cover is provided with a flange, and both the flange and the outer arc surface of the cover are provided with shock-absorbing holes. The upper surface of the connecting plane is provided with a through hole and is connected to the control gimbal. The cover is sleeved around the outside of the camera.

[0015] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0016] 1. By controlling the gimbal to connect to the camera, the deflection angle of the camera can be adjusted so that the optical axis of the infrared thermal imager and the optical axis of the camera lens form a calibrated fixed angle. This ensures that when the gimbal drives the camera to deflect, the infrared thermal imager can synchronously complete the attitude adjustment in the same direction and angle, realizing real-time dynamic alignment between the visible light image and the infrared thermal image. Moreover, the compact layout provides redundant payload space for the fuselage, helping to improve the mission endurance of the drone.

[0017] 2. The device is fixedly connected to the top of the drone's bottom cover via a connecting plane and fitted around the camera. When external impact or vibration is transmitted to the cover, the elastic material undergoes reversible deformation. Energy is absorbed through the contraction of the shock-absorbing holes, and the flange acts as a rigid edge, effectively suppressing excessive deformation of the cover and preventing damage caused by stress concentration at the edge. This creates a dynamic buffer barrier for the camera, enabling it to maintain stable operation under complex conditions such as flight turbulence and collisions. This significantly improves the environmental adaptability and reliability of the drone's vision system, avoiding interference in complex terrain that could affect the drone's flight trajectory and further exacerbate equipment wear and inspection failure risks. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall drone structure of a photovoltaic drone inspection device;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the cover and camera in a photovoltaic drone inspection device;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall planar structure of a photovoltaic drone inspection device;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembly structure of a fixing component of a photovoltaic drone inspection device.

[0022] In the picture:

[0023] 1. Support plate; 2. Gas sensing device; 3. Bracket; 4. Balance support rod; 401. Weight reduction hole; 402. Lower edge; 403. Support leg; 5. Rotor; 6. Control gimbal; 7. Camera; 8. Fixture; 801. Hinge; 802. Connecting rod; 803. Calibration seat; 804. Annular cavity; 9. Infrared thermal imager; 10. Connecting part; 101. Bending end; 11. Cover; 111. Connecting plane; 112. Flanged edge; 113. Vibration damping hole. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0025] This utility model provides a drone inspection device, such as Figures 1 to 4As shown, the system includes a support plate 1, a gas sensing device 2 fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the support plate 1, a bracket 3 fixedly mounted on the lower surface of the support plate 1 by bolts, a balance rod 4 fixedly mounted on the edge of the upper surface of the bracket 3, a weight reduction hole 401 opened on the upper surface of the balance rod 4, a rotor 5 fixedly mounted on the top of one end of the balance rod 4, a lower edge end 402 provided on the lower surface of the balance rod 4 near the rotor 5, a support leg 403 movably connected to the lower surface of the lower edge end 402 via a pivot, a control pan-tilt unit 6 fixedly mounted in the middle of the lower surface of the bracket 3, and a camera fixedly connected to the end of the control pan-tilt unit 6 away from the bracket 3. The camera 7 has a fixing member 8 on one side. The fixing member 8 has a hinge part 801 on one side surface. A connecting rod 802 is fixedly installed on one side surface of the fixing member 8 through the hinge part 801. A calibration seat 803 is fixedly installed on the end of the connecting rod 802 away from the fixing member 8. An annular cavity 804 is provided on one side surface of the calibration seat 803. An infrared thermal imager 9 is sleeved on the inner arc surface of the annular cavity 804. The infrared thermal imager 9 is placed on one side of the camera 7. There are two connecting rods 802, which are distributed in a mirror symmetrical manner on both sides of the fixing member 8. The outer arc surfaces of the two connecting rods 802 are connected to the docking member 10 through.

[0026] The connection between the support plate 1 and the bracket 3 forms the connection of the balance support rod 4. Simultaneously, a rotor 5 is fixedly installed at the top of the balance support rod 4, thus forming a lightweight drone assembly. A lower edge 402 is provided at the front bottom of the balance support rod 4, and a support leg 403 is hinged inside the lower edge 402. The support leg 403, through the buffer structure between itself and the lower edge 402, effectively absorbs the impact force during landing, reducing damage to the drone's fuselage and internal components, allowing the drone to land smoothly on the ground. Furthermore, the hinged design of the support leg 403 enables it to... During flight, the drone can fold upwards to fit the bottom front of the balance strut 4, reducing air resistance and improving flight efficiency and stability. During landing, the legs 403 unfold downwards under their own weight, providing reliable support for the drone. This design, with the lower edge 402 of the hinged legs 403 at the bottom front of the balance strut 4, not only enhances the safety and reliability of the drone during landing, but also takes into account the different needs of the drone during flight and landing without adding too much weight through the foldable legs 403 structure.

[0027] The camera 7 is connected to the control gimbal 6 under the entire bracket 3, thereby adjusting the deflection angle of the camera 7. At the same time, in order to synchronize the infrared thermal imager 9 with the camera 7, the bent end 101 at the top of the docking part 10 is fixedly installed on the top of the camera 7. Meanwhile, the calibration seat 803 connected to the other end of the bent end 101 is attached to one side of the camera 7, and the infrared thermal imager 9 is fixedly sleeved in the annular cavity 804 inside the calibration seat 803. Through the fitting design of the calibration seat 803 and the camera 7, the optical axis of the infrared thermal imager 9 and the lens optical axis of the camera 7 form a fixed angle for calibration. This ensures that when the control gimbal 6 drives the camera 7 to deflect, the infrared thermal imager 9 can synchronously complete the attitude adjustment in the same direction and angle, realizing real-time dynamic alignment of the visible light image and the infrared thermal image. Moreover, the compact layout provides redundant load space for the body, which helps to improve the mission endurance of the drone.

[0028] The bottom surface of the bent end 101 is placed on the top of the camera 7 and fixedly connected by bolts. The cover 11 is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the bracket 3. The upper surface of the cover 11 is provided with a connecting plane 111. The cover 11 is fixedly connected to the bracket 3 through the connecting plane 111 at the top. The front end of the cover 11 is provided with a flange 112. Both the flange 112 and the outer arc surface of the cover 11 are provided with shock-absorbing holes 113. The upper surface of the connecting plane 111 is provided with a through hole and is connected to the control pan-tilt unit 6. The cover 11 is sleeved around the outside of the camera 7.

[0029] Meanwhile, it is fixedly connected to the connecting plane 111 at the top of the entire drone bottom cover 11 and sleeved around the camera 7. When external impact or vibration is transmitted to the cover 11, the elastic material undergoes reversible deformation. Energy is absorbed through the contraction of the shock-absorbing hole 113. The flange 112 serves as a rigid edge, which can effectively suppress excessive deformation of the cover 11 and prevent damage to the edge due to stress concentration. This creates a dynamic buffer barrier for the camera 7, enabling it to maintain stable operation under complex conditions such as flight turbulence and collision impact, and significantly improving the environmental adaptability and reliability of the drone vision system.

[0030] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) inspection device, comprising a support plate (1), characterized in that: A gas sensing device (2) is fixedly installed on the upper surface of the bearing support plate (1). A bracket (3) is fixed to the lower surface of the bearing support plate (1) by bolts. A balance support rod (4) is fixedly installed at the edge of the upper surface of the bracket (3). A weight reduction hole (401) is opened on the upper surface of the balance support rod (4). A rotor (5) is fixedly installed at the top of one end of the balance support rod (4). A lower edge end (402) is provided on the lower surface of the balance support rod (4) near the rotor (5). The lower surface of the lower edge end (402) is movably connected to a support leg (403) via a pivot. A control gimbal (6) is fixedly installed in the middle of the lower surface of the bracket (3). A camera (7) is fixedly connected to the end of the control gimbal (6) away from the bracket (3). A fixing member (8) is abutted on one side of the camera (7). A hinge part (801) is provided on one side surface of the fixing member (8). A connecting rod (802) is fixedly installed on one side surface of the fixing member (8) via the hinge part (801).

2. The photovoltaic drone inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A calibration seat (803) is fixedly installed at the end of the connecting rod (802) away from the fixing member (8). An annular cavity (804) is provided on one side surface of the calibration seat (803), and an infrared thermal imager (9) is sleeved on the inner arc surface of the annular cavity (804).

3. The photovoltaic drone inspection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The infrared thermal imager (9) is placed on one side of the camera (7). There are two connecting rods (802), which are distributed in a mirror symmetrical manner on both sides of the fixing member (8). The outer arc surfaces of the two connecting rods (802) are connected to the docking member (10).

4. The photovoltaic drone inspection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upper surface of the docking part (10) is provided with a bent end (101), and the bottom surface of the bent end (101) is placed on the top of the camera (7) and fixedly connected by bolts.

5. A photovoltaic unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower surface of the bracket (3) is fixedly installed with a cover (11), and the upper surface of the cover (11) is provided with a connecting plane (111). The cover (11) is fixedly connected to the bracket (3) through the connecting plane (111) at the top.

6. A photovoltaic drone inspection device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The front end of the cover (11) is provided with a flange (112), and the flange (112) and the outer arc surface of the cover (11) are provided with shock-absorbing holes (113). The upper surface of the connecting plane (111) is provided with a through hole and is connected to the control gimbal (6). The cover (11) is sleeved around the outside of the camera (7).

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