An unmanned aerial vehicle with dispensing function

Abstract

This application discloses a drone with delivery function, relating to the field of drones. A transport compartment is installed at the bottom of the drone body, containing an inner cavity for accommodating goods and a goods loading / unloading port on one side. At least two clamping mechanisms are arranged opposite each other within the inner cavity, configured to clamp and fix the goods from opposite sides. Each clamping mechanism includes a clamping plate and multiple adaptive elastic clamping units arranged in a two-dimensional array on the clamping plate. A drive mechanism is installed in the transport compartment, with its output end connected to each clamping plate, for driving the at least two clamping mechanisms to move towards or away from each other. This application utilizes the independent extension and retraction characteristics of the multiple adaptive elastic clamping units arranged in a two-dimensional array on the clamping plate, enabling each adaptive elastic clamping unit to actively conform to the surface contour of goods of different shapes, forming a uniform and flexible "wrapping" clamping force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of drone technology, and more particularly to a drone with delivery capabilities. Background Technology

[0002] Drone technology has been widely used in the logistics and distribution field in recent years. Using drones for cargo delivery can effectively improve delivery efficiency, especially in dealing with complex terrain or emergency material delivery scenarios, where it demonstrates significant advantages.

[0003] Existing delivery drones typically require dedicated cargo loading devices, which usually include clamping mechanisms to secure the cargo. Traditional clamping mechanisms often employ rigid clamping arms or blocks driven by motors, clamping the cargo by moving in opposite directions. However, the clamping surfaces of such rigid clamping mechanisms are usually flat or fixed curved surfaces, primarily suitable for cargo with regular shapes (such as cubes or regular packaging boxes). When dealing with spherical, cylindrical, or other irregularly shaped cargo, the rigid clamping surface cannot fully conform to the cargo surface, resulting in a small clamping contact area. This can easily lead to unstable clamping, cargo slipping or even rotating during transport, seriously affecting flight safety and delivery reliability. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a drone with delivery function, which solves the problem in the prior art where the clamping mechanism of the drone cannot fully fit the surface of the goods, resulting in a small clamping contact area, which easily leads to unstable clamping, slippage or even rotation of the goods during transportation.

[0005] This application provides a drone with delivery function, including: a drone body; a transport compartment installed at the bottom of the drone body, which has an inner cavity for accommodating goods and a goods loading / unloading port on one side; at least two clamping mechanisms, which are disposed opposite to each other in the inner cavity and configured to clamp and fix the goods from opposite sides; wherein, the clamping mechanism includes a clamping plate and a plurality of adaptive elastic clamping units arranged in a two-dimensional array on the clamping plate, the plurality of adaptive elastic clamping units being configured to independently extend and retract and conform to the surface of the goods to adapt to goods of different shapes and achieve multi-point elastic clamping; a drive mechanism installed in the transport compartment, the output end of which is connected to each of the clamping plates, for driving at least two of the clamping mechanisms to move towards or away from each other.

[0006] In one possible implementation, the adaptive elastic clamping unit includes a first elastic element and a clamping element; one end of the first elastic element is connected to the clamping plate, and the other end is connected to the clamping element; the clamping element is used to directly abut against the surface of the cargo and trigger the elastic deformation of the first elastic element when pressure is applied.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the adaptive elastic clamping unit further includes a cylinder fixed to the clamping plate; the first elastic element is disposed in the cylinder; the clamping element extends into the cylinder to compress the first elastic element and retract into the cylinder when subjected to force.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the adaptive elastic clamping unit further includes a piston; the piston is disposed at one end of the clamping member extending into the cylinder; the piston is damped and slidably connected to the inner wall of the cylinder; and the end of the first elastic member away from the clamping plate is connected to the piston.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the drive mechanism includes a bidirectional lead screw disposed within the transport compartment, two sliders respectively threaded to two opposite threaded sections of the bidirectional lead screw, and a power component for driving the bidirectional lead screw to rotate, wherein the two sliders are connected to the corresponding clamping plates.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the drone with delivery function further includes a guide rail disposed at the bottom of the transport compartment, the guide rail extending along the moving direction of the clamping mechanism; the bidirectional lead screw is located inside the guide rail; and the slider is slidably connected to the guide rail.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the cargo loading / unloading port is provided with two doors slidably connected to the bottom of the transport compartment; the two doors are respectively connected to the outside of the corresponding clamping plates, so that when the clamping plates move towards each other to clamp the cargo, they drive the doors to close the cargo loading / unloading port, and when they move away from each other to release the cargo, they drive the doors to open the cargo loading / unloading port.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the delivery drone further includes two compensating sealing components; a receiving groove is provided inside the cargo door; the two compensating sealing components are disposed in the corresponding receiving grooves of the cargo door, for automatically compensating for the docking gap when the cargo door is closed.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the compensating sealing assembly includes a second elastic element and a baffle; one end of the second elastic element is connected to the receiving groove, and the other end is connected to the baffle, for pushing the baffle out of the receiving groove or retracting the receiving groove when under pressure.

[0014] In one possible implementation, a T-shaped groove is provided on the side of the transport compartment away from the compartment door; T-shaped blocks are symmetrically slidably installed in the T-shaped groove; and two T-shaped blocks are respectively installed on the corresponding clamping plates.

[0015] One or more technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application have at least the following technical effects: The delivery drone provided in this application embodiment controls two opposing clamping mechanisms to move towards each other via a drive mechanism. Utilizing the independent extension and retraction of multiple adaptive elastic clamping units arranged in a two-dimensional array on the clamping plate, each unit actively conforms to the surface contour of goods of different shapes, forming a uniform and flexible "wrapping" clamping force. This effectively overcomes the industry challenges of traditional rigid clamping mechanisms, such as small clamping contact area, easy slippage, and poor stability when dealing with spherical, cylindrical, or irregularly shaped goods. It improves the clamping reliability and flight safety of the drone during transportation, broadens the applicability of drone delivery, and further enhances the application value of drones in complex delivery scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a drone with delivery function provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the storage door provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the drive mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of a portion at point A; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping structure provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the adaptive elastic clamping unit provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the compensation sealing assembly provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0018] Icons: 1-UAV body; 2-Transportation compartment; 3-Clamping mechanism; 31-Clamping plate; 32-Adaptive elastic clamping unit; 321-First elastic element; 322-Clamping component; 323-Cylinder; 324-Piston; 4-Cargo loading / unloading port; 5-Drive mechanism; 51-Bidirectional lead screw; 52-Power component; 53-Slider; 6-Guide rail; 7-Compensation door; 71-Accommodation slot; 8-Compensation sealing assembly; 81-Second elastic element; 82-Baffle; 9-T-slot; 10-T-block; 11-Connecting plate. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and for 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 application. The terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0021] This application provides a drone with delivery capabilities, such as... Figures 1 to 7 As shown. The delivery drone includes a drone body 1, a transport compartment 2, a drive mechanism 5, and at least two clamping mechanisms 3. The transport compartment 2 is installed at the bottom of the drone body 1, and has an inner cavity for accommodating goods and a goods loading / unloading port 4 on one side. The at least two clamping mechanisms 3 are arranged opposite each other in the inner cavity and are configured to clamp and fix the goods from opposite sides. The clamping mechanism 3 includes a clamping plate 31 and multiple adaptive elastic clamping units 32 arranged in a two-dimensional array on the clamping plate 31. The multiple adaptive elastic clamping units 32 are configured to extend and retract independently and conform to the surface of the goods to adapt to goods of different shapes and achieve multi-point elastic clamping. The drive mechanism 5 is installed in the transport compartment 2, and its output end is connected to each clamping plate 31 to drive the at least two clamping mechanisms 3 to move towards or away from each other.

[0022] It should be noted that the delivery drone provided in this application embodiment controls two opposing clamping mechanisms 3 to move towards each other through the drive mechanism 5. Utilizing the independent extension and retraction characteristics of multiple adaptive elastic clamping units 32 arranged in a two-dimensional array on the clamping plate 31, each adaptive elastic clamping unit 32 can actively conform to the surface contour of goods of different shapes, forming a uniform and flexible "wrapping" clamping force. This effectively overcomes the industry problems of traditional rigid clamping mechanisms 3 having small clamping contact area, easy slippage, and poor stability when facing spherical, cylindrical, or irregularly shaped goods. It improves the clamping reliability and flight safety of the drone during transportation, broadens the applicable scope of drone delivery, and further enhances the application value of drones in complex delivery scenarios.

[0023] In this application, the adaptive elastic clamping unit 32 includes a first elastic element 321 and a clamping element 322. One end of the first elastic element 321 is connected to the clamping plate 31, and the other end is connected to the clamping element 322. The clamping element 322 is used to directly abut against the surface of the goods and trigger the elastic deformation of the first elastic element 321 when pressure is applied.

[0024] It should be noted that when goods are placed in the transport compartment 2, the clamping component 322 will first contact the surface of the goods. As the clamping plate 31 approaches, the goods will exert a pushing force on the clamping component 322, causing it to move toward the corresponding clamping plate 31 and compress the first elastic component 321. Due to the different shapes of the goods, such as spheres, cylinders or irregular shapes, the clamping components 322 at different positions will autonomously adjust their extension and contraction according to the outline of the goods. The elastic force of the first elastic component 321 forms a multi-point elastic clamping, thereby closely adhering to the surface of the goods. This transforms the traditional "rigid planar clamping" into "flexible curved surface wrapping", greatly increasing the effective contact area and ensuring the uniform distribution of clamping force. This fundamentally solves the risk of goods slipping, rolling or tipping over during transportation, and improves the stability and reliability of drone delivery.

[0025] In this application, the adaptive elastic clamping unit 32 further includes a cylinder 323 fixed to the clamping plate 31. A first elastic member 321 is disposed within the cylinder 323. A clamping member 322 extends partially into the cylinder 323 to compress the first elastic member 321 and retract into the cylinder 323 when subjected to force. The cylinder 323 of this application constrains the telescopic movements of the first elastic member 321 and the clamping member 322 within a reliable guide space.

[0026] In this embodiment, the adaptive elastic clamping unit 32 further includes a piston 324. The piston 324 is disposed at one end of the clamping member 322 that extends into the cylinder 323. The piston 324 is damped and slidably connected to the inner wall of the cylinder 323. The end of the first elastic member 321 away from the clamping plate 31 is connected to the piston 324.

[0027] It should be noted that during the flight of the drone, when the cargo vibrates and shifts due to the drone's maneuvering or airflow impact, the damping effect between the piston 324 and the cylinder 323 can efficiently buffer and absorb this kinetic energy, quickly suppress the high-frequency micro-swaying of the clamping part 322 and the cargo, and convert it into heat energy for dissipation, thereby greatly eliminating the risk of cargo slippage.

[0028] In this application, the drive mechanism 5 includes a bidirectional lead screw 51 disposed in the transport compartment 2, two sliders 53 respectively threaded to two opposite threaded sections of the bidirectional lead screw 51, and a power component 52 for driving the bidirectional lead screw 51 to rotate. The two sliders 53 are connected to the corresponding clamping plates 31.

[0029] It should be noted that the drive mechanism 5 achieves synchronous and precise linkage control of the two clamping plates 31. Specifically, when the power component 52 is powered on, it outputs torque, driving the bidirectional lead screw 51 to rotate around its axis. Since the two reverse threaded sections of the bidirectional lead screw 51 adopt an opposite thread design, the two sliders 53 sleeved on it move synchronously in opposite directions under the drive of the threads, thereby driving the clamping plates 31 fixed to it to move synchronously closer or further away. Therefore, the reverse synchronous movement of the two sliders 53 on a single bidirectional lead screw 51 ensures that the clamping forces acting on both sides of the cargo are always equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, ensuring the symmetry and stability of the clamping, and significantly improving the reliability, safety and automation level of the operation. In addition, through high-precision thread transmission, this application can accurately control the stroke and moving speed of the clamping plates 31, thereby achieving precise adjustment of the initial clamping force of the cargo, avoiding the risk of cargo slippage due to excessively loose clamping, or the problem of cargo damage due to excessively tight clamping.

[0030] In this application, the drone with delivery function also includes a guide rail 6 located at the bottom of the transport compartment 2, extending along the moving direction of the clamping mechanism 3. A bidirectional lead screw 51 is located inside the guide rail 6. A slider 53 is slidably connected to the guide rail 6.

[0031] In this application, two doors 7 are slidably connected to the bottom of the transport compartment 2 at the cargo loading / unloading port 4. The two doors 7 are respectively connected to the outside of the corresponding clamping plates 31, so that when the clamping plates 31 move towards each other to clamp the cargo, they drive the doors 7 to close the cargo loading / unloading port 4, and when they move away from each other to release the cargo, they drive the doors 7 to open the cargo loading / unloading port 4.

[0032] Specifically, the transport compartment 2 has through openings at both ends on the side facing the cargo loading / unloading port 4, and the compartment door 7 moves along the through openings.

[0033] In this application, the drone with delivery function also includes two compensating sealing components 8. A receiving groove 71 is provided inside the cargo door 7. The two compensating sealing components 8 are disposed in the corresponding receiving grooves 71 of the cargo door 7, and are used to automatically compensate for the docking gap when the cargo door 7 is closed.

[0034] It should be noted that the compensating sealing component 8 can automatically extend and fill any manufacturing or assembly gaps that may exist when the two compartment doors 7 are closed and docked.

[0035] In this application, the compensating sealing assembly 8 includes a second elastic member 81 and a baffle 82. One end of the second elastic member 81 is connected to the receiving groove 71, and the other end is connected to the baffle 82, for pushing the baffle 82 out of the receiving groove 71 or retracting it into the receiving groove 71 when under pressure.

[0036] It should be noted that this application utilizes the elastic force of the second elastic element 81 to continuously push the baffle 82 out of the receiving groove 71 to press the mating surface; when there is an error in the mating or when there is vibration and impact, the baffle 82 can retract under pressure, thereby dynamically compensating for the gap and absorbing vibration, always maintaining good sealing contact, and improving the reliability of the sealing effect and environmental adaptability.

[0037] In this application, a T-shaped groove 9 is provided on the side of the transport compartment 2 away from the compartment door 7. T-shaped blocks 10 are symmetrically slidably installed in the T-shaped groove 9. The two T-shaped blocks 10 are respectively installed on the corresponding clamping plates 31.

[0038] It should be noted that the cooperation between the T-slot 9 and the T-block 10 improves the stability of the clamping between the two clamping plates 31. The T-block 10 slides along the T-slot 9 to provide guidance and limit for the clamping plate 31, preventing it from shifting or tilting during movement, ensuring that the clamping plate 31 always remains in a parallel state, and improving the clamping reliability.

[0039] Furthermore, the clamping plate 31 and the door 7 are connected by a connecting plate 11. The installation position of the connecting plate 11 needs to be designed and determined according to the length of the cylinder 323. The connecting plate 11 plays the role of linking the clamping plate 31 and the door 7. When the clamping plate 31 moves under the drive mechanism 5, the door 7 will slide synchronously along the bottom of the transport compartment 2 through the transmission action of the connecting plate 11. When the two clamping plates 31 move towards each other to clamp the goods, the door 7 retracts towards the inside of the transport compartment 2, closing the goods loading and unloading port 4; when the clamping plates 31 move in the opposite direction to release the goods, the door 7 extends outward, thereby opening the goods loading and unloading port 4. Its installation position matches the length of the cylinder 323, which can avoid structural interference between the door 7 and the adaptive elastic clamping unit 32 when sliding, and ensure the overall coordination of the movement.

[0040] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. For the same or similar parts between the various embodiments, please refer to each other. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments.

[0041] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit this application. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of this application.

Claims

1. A drone with a dispensing function, characterized in that, include: Unmanned aerial vehicle body (1); The transport compartment (2) is installed at the bottom of the UAV body (1), and has an inner cavity for accommodating goods and a goods loading and unloading port (4) on one side. At least two clamping mechanisms (3) are disposed opposite to each other in the inner cavity and are configured to clamp and fix the goods from opposite sides; wherein, the clamping mechanism (3) includes a clamping plate (31) and a plurality of adaptive elastic clamping units (32) arranged in a two-dimensional array on the clamping plate (31), and the plurality of adaptive elastic clamping units (32) are configured to extend and retract independently and fit the surface of the goods to adapt to goods of different shapes and achieve multi-point elastic clamping; A drive mechanism (5) is installed in the transport compartment (2), and its output end is connected to each of the clamping plates (31) for driving at least two of the clamping mechanisms (3) to move toward or away from each other.

2. The drone with dispensing function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adaptive elastic clamping unit (32) includes a first elastic element (321) and a clamping element (322); One end of the first elastic member (321) is connected to the clamping plate (31), and the other end is connected to the clamping member (322). The clamping member (322) is used to directly abut against the surface of the goods and trigger the elastic deformation of the first elastic member (321) when pressure is applied.

3. The drone with delivery function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The adaptive elastic clamping unit (32) also includes a cylinder (323) fixed to the clamping plate (31); The first elastic element (321) is disposed inside the cylinder (323); The clamping member (322) extends into the cylinder (323) to compress the first elastic member (321) and retract into the cylinder (323) when subjected to force.

4. The drone with dispensing function according to claim 3, characterized in that, The adaptive elastic clamping unit (32) also includes a piston (324); The piston (324) is disposed at one end of the clamping member (322) that extends into the cylinder (323); The piston (324) is damped and slidably connected to the inner wall of the cylinder (323); The end of the first elastic element (321) away from the clamping plate (31) is connected to the piston (324).

5. The drone with dispensing function according to claim 1, wherein, The drive mechanism (5) includes a bidirectional lead screw (51) disposed in the transport compartment (2), two sliders (53) respectively threaded to two reverse threaded sections of the bidirectional lead screw (51), and a power component (52) for driving the bidirectional lead screw (51) to rotate. The two sliders (53) are connected to the corresponding clamping plates (31).

6. The drone with dispensing function according to claim 5, wherein, It also includes a guide rail (6) disposed at the bottom of the transport compartment (2), the guide rail (6) extending along the moving direction of the clamping mechanism (3); The bidirectional lead screw (51) is located inside the guide rail (6); The slider (53) is slidably connected to the guide rail (6).

7. The drone with dispensing function according to claim 1, wherein, The cargo loading / unloading port (4) is provided with two doors (7) that are slidably connected to the bottom of the transport compartment (2); The two compartment doors (7) are respectively connected to the outside of the corresponding clamping plates (31), so that when the clamping plates (31) move towards each other to clamp the goods, they drive the compartment doors (7) to close the goods pick-up and drop-off ports (4), and when they move away from each other to release the goods, they drive the compartment doors (7) to open the goods pick-up and drop-off ports (4).

8. The drone with dispensing function according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes two compensating sealing components (8); The compartment door (7) is provided with a receiving slot (71); Two of the compensation sealing components (8) are disposed in the receiving groove (71) of the corresponding compartment door (7) for automatically compensating the docking gap when the compartment door (7) is closed.

9. The drone with dispensing function according to claim 8, characterized in that, The compensating sealing assembly (8) includes a second elastic element (81) and a baffle (82); One end of the second elastic member (81) is connected to the receiving groove (71), and the other end is connected to the baffle (82), for pushing the baffle (82) out of the receiving groove (71) or retracting the receiving groove (71) when pressed.

10. The drone with dispensing function according to claim 7, wherein, A T-shaped groove (9) is provided on the side of the transport compartment (2) away from the compartment door (7); T-shaped blocks (10) are symmetrically slidably installed in the T-groove (9); The two T-shaped blocks (10) are respectively installed on the corresponding clamping plates (31).

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