Inorganic body unmanned aerial vehicle, aerial container and modular transportation system
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202521618050.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-03
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing electric drones have insufficient range for transport, making it difficult to meet the needs of medium and long-distance transportation. Furthermore, large unmanned transport aircraft have complex structures that result in excessive weight. Traditional air transport is costly, land transport is inefficient, and it is difficult to take off and land in complex terrain areas. Inter-island air transport has not become a regular practice, and firefighting operations rely on fixed water sources, which is costly.
It adopts a fuselage-less unmanned aerial vehicle and modular aviation container design. The aircraft has no traditional fuselage, and the power system and load structure are located on the wings. The container serves as the fuselage, enabling vertical take-off and landing and horizontal flight. The container and aircraft are modularly combined, supporting rapid loading and unloading and dynamic combination. The fire extinguishing water tank can be detached and mounted to achieve flexible transportation and fire extinguishing operations.
It has improved transportation efficiency and load capacity, reduced its own weight and transportation costs, adapted to take-off and landing in complex terrain, realized routine transportation between islands and flexible fire fighting operations, and reduced dependence on fixed water sources.
Smart Images
Figure CN224929228U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a fuselage-less unmanned aerial vehicle, an aviation container, and a modular transportation system. Background Technology
[0002] Air logistics plays a vital role in modern logistics systems due to its high efficiency. With some countries promoting low-altitude economies and opening up low-altitude flight policies, electric drone transportation has demonstrated greater safety and efficiency advantages. However, current electric drone transportation is still primarily based on rotor configurations (multi-rotor unmanned helicopters), with payloads generally below tens of kilograms and ranges typically only tens of kilometers, making it difficult to meet medium- and long-distance transportation needs. In contrast, while large unmanned transport aircraft with conventional straight-wing configurations have ranges of hundreds of kilometers, their complex structure results in a weight ratio exceeding 1.5 times the total payload. For example, an unmanned transport aircraft capable of carrying 3 tons of cargo, even with a hybrid power system instead of pure battery power, still needs to weigh over 5 tons. Therefore, the structural layout of air transport aircraft dictates that their weight is far greater than their actual payload, making it difficult to overcome economic bottlenecks.
[0003] While air transport plays a vital role in rapid response during forest fire fighting and disaster relief, current technologies still face significant challenges. Conventional aircraft configurations struggle to take off and land in complex terrain, leading to reliance on parachutes for airdrops, which can compromise accuracy. Helicopters, on the other hand, suffer from reduced response efficiency due to frequent loading and unloading processes. Furthermore, while large firefighting aircraft offer high firefighting efficiency, their operations rely on large lakes for water, which are scarce in mountainous regions. Additionally, the low frequency of forest fires makes maintaining large firefighting aircraft long-term, along with maintenance and personnel costs, prohibitively high.
[0004] For regions with numerous islands, regular air transport between islands and between the mainland and islands has not yet been fully realized due to limitations in airports. Utility Model Content
[0005] This utility model proposes a fuselage-less unmanned aerial vehicle, an aviation container, and a modular transportation system, which at least solves the problems of high cost of traditional air cargo transportation and low efficiency of land transportation.
[0006] In a first aspect, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is characterized in that it is used for transporting goods, the UAV has no cargo hold, adopts a flying wing layout or a conventional layout, the wings of the flying wing layout or conventional layout are used to generate lift, and enter a straight wing flight mode after takeoff, the wings are provided with a power system, a flight control system, and a mounting structure for detachably connecting aviation containers.
[0007] In some examples, the mounting structure includes mechanical latches, electromagnetic locking devices, or hydraulic docking devices.
[0008] In some examples, the power system includes: a propeller that is driven by electric, hydrogen, or hybrid power to provide horizontal thrust; or a rotor that is driven by electric, hydrogen, or hybrid power to provide thrust and lift, enabling hovering and vertical movement.
[0009] In some examples, the aircraft has no fuselage and uses the attached aviation container as its fuselage.
[0010] Secondly, an aviation container with a streamlined aerodynamic shape is used to be mounted on the aircraft, and the aviation container is provided with loading and unloading doors on both sides and / or the rear.
[0011] In some examples, the aviation container is equipped with a landing gear system and a standardized cable interface that interfaces with the flight control system of the aircraft. This interface enables data exchange between the flight control system and the landing gear system, thereby enabling the control of the landing gear system.
[0012] Thirdly, a modular transportation system includes the aircraft and the aviation container, wherein the aircraft and the aviation container are modularly combined.
[0013] Fourthly, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for forest fire fighting, wherein the UAV has no water tank and adopts a flying wing or conventional layout, wherein the wings of the flying wing or conventional layout are used to generate lift, and the wings are equipped with a power system, a flight control system and a mounting structure for detachably connecting a fire extinguishing water tank, wherein the bottom of the fire extinguishing water tank is provided with an openable and closable release door.
[0014] In some examples, the fire extinguishing water tank is equipped with a standardized cable interface through which the flight control system controls the delivery gate.
[0015] In some examples, the fire extinguishing water tank is equipped with a landing gear system, and the flight control system and the landing gear system can interact through the interface to control the landing gear system.
[0016] In some examples, the aircraft has no fuselage and uses the attached fire extinguishing water tank as its fuselage.
[0017] Fifthly, a method for transportation using the aforementioned modular transportation system includes: S1. An aircraft carrying a first container loaded with goods departs from location A and flies to location B; while the aircraft is transporting goods from location A to location B, location B simultaneously completes the loading operation of a second container; S2. After arriving at location B, the aircraft separates from the first container, and the separated first container is transferred to the unloading area of location B; S3. After the aircraft separates from the first container, the second container, already loaded with goods, is mounted on the aircraft; S4. The aircraft carrying the second container loaded with goods departs from location B and flies to location A; while the aircraft is transporting goods from location B to location A, location A simultaneously completes the loading operation of a third container; S5. After arriving at location A, the aircraft separates from the second container, and the separated second container is transferred to the unloading area of location A; S6. After the aircraft separates from the second container, the third container, already loaded with goods, is mounted on the aircraft; S7. The aircraft carrying the third container loaded with goods departs from location A and flies to location B.
[0018] Sixthly, a method for fire extinguishing using the aforementioned aircraft includes: S1. The aircraft, carrying a fully loaded first fire extinguishing water tank, departs from the filling site and flies to the fire scene; while the aircraft flies from the filling site to the fire scene to extinguish the fire, a second fire extinguishing water tank is filled at the filling site; S2. After the aircraft arrives over the fire scene, the release door at the bottom of the first fire extinguishing water tank is opened to release water into the fire scene for fire extinguishing; S3. After the water in the first fire extinguishing water tank is exhausted, the aircraft returns to the filling site and unloads the first fire extinguishing water tank; S4. The fully loaded second fire extinguishing water tank is mounted on the aircraft; S5. Flying... The aircraft, fully loaded with the second fire extinguishing water tank, departs from the filling site and flies to the fire scene. Simultaneously, while the aircraft flies from the filling site to the fire scene to extinguish the fire, the first fire extinguishing water tank is filled at the filling site. S6. After the aircraft arrives over the fire scene, it controls the opening of the release door at the bottom of the second fire extinguishing water tank to release water into the fire scene for fire extinguishing. S7. After the water in the second fire extinguishing water tank is exhausted, the aircraft returns to the filling site and unloads the second fire extinguishing water tank. S8. The fully loaded first fire extinguishing water tank is then mounted on the aircraft. S9. The aircraft, fully loaded with the first fire extinguishing water tank, departs from the filling site and flies to the fire scene to extinguish the fire.
[0019] 1. The aircraft adopts a fuselage-less design.
[0020] 2. The fuselage functions are handled by dedicated aviation containers.
[0021] 3. The aircraft can take off and land vertically and convert to conventional wing flight, thus eliminating the need for landing wheels.
[0022] 4. The container is equipped with landing gear, which allows it to take off and land on the ground after being loaded.
[0023] 5. The aircraft and container can be separated and mounted, enabling modular operation.
[0024] 6. Enable long-distance transportation of cargo containers, rather than being limited to short-distance movement.
[0025] 7. A single aircraft can be equipped with multiple specially designed aviation containers, suitable for shuttle transportation.
[0026] 8. Adopt the simplest flying wing layout.
[0027] 9. With a load capacity exceeding 3 tons, equipped with a hybrid power system, it is recommended to adopt a hydrogen hybrid power solution to achieve environmental protection goals. Attached Figure Description
[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a fuselage-less aircraft and its modularly assembled aviation container, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an aircraft without a fuselage in another embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an aircraft without a fuselage in another embodiment of this utility model.
[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the rotor in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an aviation container in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting structure in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a shuttle transportation method in one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0035] Example 1 This embodiment proposes a fuselage-less unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV is used to transport cargo or firefighting water. "Fuse-less" does not mean the fuselage is integrated into the wings or wings; rather, the entire UAV has no cargo hold. This invention creatively assembles cargo-carrying aviation containers and fire-fighting water tanks into modular units with the UAV. Generally, the aviation containers and fire-fighting water tanks are only attached to the UAV when performing transportation or firefighting missions; when not performing a mission, the aviation containers (fire-fighting water tanks) are detached from the UAV.
[0036] The aircraft consists only of lift-generating components such as wings and tail (the tail is an optional structure), and can perform various flight requirements independently. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the aircraft can adopt a flying wing aerodynamic layout without a traditional fuselage structure. The power system of the flying wing can adopt a multi-propeller layout, such as twin-propeller, tri-propeller, or quad-propeller, depending on the requirements.
[0037] The aircraft is an unmanned aerial vehicle, and its flight control and propulsion systems are based on existing mature technologies. These two systems can be integrated into the blended wing-body structure or inside the wing, or... Figure 1 As shown, it is installed inside the wing box structure in the middle of the wing.
[0038] The power system can be either propeller-driven or rotor-driven, with rotor-driven systems enabling vertical takeoff and landing, such as... Figure 4 As shown.
[0039] Because the aircraft employs a fuselage-less design, it does not require a traditional landing gear system. For example... Figure 1 As shown, simple support legs are installed on the aircraft, specifically on the wing box. When the aircraft is parked on the ground, the rotor axis in the power system should rotate to the vertical direction, at which point the simple support legs located at the bottom of the wing box bear the overall weight.
[0040] This novel fuselage-less unmanned aerial vehicle adopts a minimalist design and has a simple structure, consisting only of lift-generating components. It solves the problem of heavy weight caused by the complex structure of traditional straight-wing conventional large unmanned transport aircraft.
[0041] Example 2 This embodiment proposes an aviation container designed for mounting on the fuselageless aircraft described in Embodiment 1. After being mounted on the aircraft, the container serves as the aircraft's fuselage. The container's streamlined shape effectively reduces air resistance. A modular, detachable mounting structure is used between the aircraft and the container, thereby constructing a complete air transport system.
[0042] Airline containers are containers designed to meet the requirements of air transport, characterized by their lightweight, sturdiness, and low wind resistance. For example... Figure 5As shown, the container transporting heavy cargo is equipped with a landing gear system to meet the takeoff and landing requirements of aircraft. To this end, the container integrates a standardized cable interface for docking with the aircraft, enabling bidirectional data exchange between the flight control system and the container's landing gear system. Specifically, the nose wheel steering mechanism and the aircraft's control surface control system are synchronized through this interface, and the activation, deactivation, and braking force adjustment of the main landing gear braking system are precisely controlled via control signals transmitted through the interface. Furthermore, all landing wheels are equipped with aerodynamically designed fairing assemblies to effectively reduce aerodynamic drag during flight. It should be noted that the landing gear system configured in the aviation container of this invention maintains the same functional principle and structural design as traditional aircraft landing gear systems, only changing the installation position. At the same time, this invention does not exclude the option of retaining the landing gear system's installation on the aircraft body as an alternative implementation.
[0043] The container features openable side doors on both sides and a liftable loading / unloading door at the rear, creating a multi-directional loading and unloading channel. This three-dimensional loading and unloading structure can quickly handle large cargo and significantly improve loading and unloading efficiency.
[0044] Example 3 This embodiment provides a modular flight transport system, comprising the fuselageless aircraft described in Embodiment 1 and the aviation container described in Embodiment 2. The aircraft and container are physically connected via a detachable mounting structure. This mounting structure employs a standardized interface design, allowing the aircraft to be combined with different containers. This modular design of the container and aircraft achieves both flexible separation of the flight platform and the payload compartment, and ensures the overall aerodynamic coordination of the transport system.
[0045] like Figure 6 As shown, the mounting structure is located below the aircraft wing and includes a hydraulic cylinder 1, a rocker arm 2, a central shaft 3, a long rod 4, and a guide rail 5. The hydraulic cylinder 1 is mounted on the wing box structure in the middle of the wing, and its output end is hinged to the rocker arm 2. The other end of the rocker arm 2 is connected to the central shaft 3 via a bearing, and the central shaft 3 is arranged laterally along the wingspan. Two sets of translational linkages 4 are hinged to both ends of the central shaft 3. Each set of linkages 4 consists of a double-arm structure, and each arm has a hook 6 at its end. The end of each arm is embedded in the limiting groove of the guide rail 5 to achieve linear motion constraint in the horizontal direction. Locking pins 7 are correspondingly installed on both sides of the container, and their structural shape matches the hooks 6.
[0046] Mounting operation procedure: Start cylinder 1 to drive rocker arm 2 to swing downwards, causing central shaft 3 to rotate around its axis. During this process, translation link 4 slides outwards along guide rail 5, and end hook 6 automatically flips outwards due to the leverage effect of the link arm. When hook 6 is fully extended, it precisely aligns with container locking pin 7, and hooking is completed through inertia. At this time, the hydraulic system applies locking force, making the hook and mounting post rigidly fixed.
[0047] Unloading process: The drive cylinder 1 retracts in the reverse direction, the rocker arm 2 swings upward, driving the central shaft 3 to rotate in the opposite direction. The translation link 4 slides inward along the guide rail 5, and the end hook 6 automatically flips inward under the leverage effect, disengaging from the locking pin 7. When the hook 6 has fully retracted to its initial position, the container detaches from the aircraft.
[0048] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the specific form of the mounting structure. It can adopt any feasible connection method in the prior art, including but not limited to mechanical buckles, electromagnetic locking or hydraulic docking devices, to meet the needs of rapid loading and unloading in different application scenarios.
[0049] Example 4 This embodiment proposes an innovative modular transportation method (also known as a shuttle transportation method), the core of which lies in realizing the dynamic combination and rapid transshipment of aircraft and containers. Figure 7 A two-way circular transportation process was demonstrated.
[0050] 1. Transportation from A to B: The aircraft, carrying the first container, departs from point A and flies to point B using a straight-wing flight mode. Upon arrival, depending on the characteristics of the cargo and airport conditions, it selects either a runway takeoff and landing or a vertical landing mode to physically separate from the first container. Container handling: After separation, the first container (i.e., the cargo shipped from point A to point B) is transferred to the unloading area at point B by a ground tractor.
[0051] 2. Rapid Container Transfer: Loading Preparation at Location B: While the aircraft is performing the transport from Location A to Location B, the loading of the second container (containing goods destined for Location A) is completed at Location B. Secondary Aircraft Docking: After separating from the first container, the aircraft quickly completes a physical connection with the second container already loaded at Location B, ready to perform the transport mission from Location B to Location A.
[0052] 3. Transportation from point B to point A: Takeoff mode selection: Depending on the weight of the cargo and airport conditions, the aircraft can choose vertical takeoff and landing, runway takeoff and landing, or short takeoff and landing mode to transport the newly loaded second container to point A.
[0053] Location A circular processing: After arriving at location A, the separation-loading-unloading-connection process is repeated to form a continuous transportation closed loop.
[0054] This modular transportation method significantly improves the operational efficiency of air freight systems. Through a dynamic combination of "aircraft + container," a single aircraft can achieve a cyclical transport of at least three containers (A→B→A→B cycle). The increased transportation efficiency is primarily reflected in maximizing aircraft utilization: through continuous container transshipment, the aircraft can maintain continuous flight without waiting for loading and unloading processes. Simultaneously, the modular design allows containers to be rapidly transferred between different aircraft. Based on a ratio of "1 aircraft + N containers" (N≥3), economies of scale reduce the manpower, energy consumption, and equipment depreciation costs per trip. This transportation mode achieves optimal allocation of transportation resources through the efficient collaboration between aircraft and containers.
[0055] Example 5 This embodiment proposes a fire extinguishing water tank designed for mounting on the fuselageless aircraft described in Embodiment 1. After being mounted on the aircraft, the water tank serves as its fuselage. The water tank's streamlined shape effectively reduces air resistance. The aircraft and water tank are physically connected via a detachable mounting structure. This structure employs a standardized interface design, allowing the aircraft to be combined with different containers. The modular design of the water tank and aircraft achieves flexible separation of the flight platform and payload compartment while ensuring the overall aerodynamic coordination of the transportation system. This embodiment does not limit the specific form of the mounting structure; it can employ any feasible connection method available in the prior art, including but not limited to mechanical latches, electromagnetic locking, or hydraulic docking devices (see reference). Figure 6 (etc.) to meet the rapid loading and unloading needs in different application scenarios.
[0056] The water tank uses a high-strength, pressure-resistant structure to load firefighting water, replacing the cargo loading function of traditional containers. An openable / closable delivery door is integrated at the bottom of the tank, equipped with a hydraulic / electric actuator. The aircraft control system controls the hydraulic / electric actuator of the delivery door to achieve precise water deployment.
[0057] Furthermore, similar to the aforementioned aviation containers, landing gear systems can also be configured on water tanks. For this purpose, the water tank integrates a standardized cable interface for docking with the aircraft, enabling data exchange between the flight control system, the water tank landing gear system, and the deployment door. Specifically, the nose wheel steering mechanism and the aircraft's control surface control system are synchronized through this interface; the activation, deactivation, and braking force adjustment of the main landing gear braking system are precisely controlled via control signals transmitted through the interface; and the deployment door is opened and closed via control signals transmitted through the interface. In addition, all landing wheels are equipped with aerodynamically designed fairing assemblies to effectively reduce aerodynamic drag during flight.
[0058] It should be noted that the landing gear system configured with the water tank in this invention is consistent with the traditional aircraft landing gear system in terms of functional principle and structural design, with only the installation position changed. Furthermore, this invention does not preclude the option of retaining the landing gear system's installation method within the aircraft body as an alternative implementation.
[0059] Example 6 This embodiment provides a modular transportation system, which includes the airframeless aircraft described in Embodiment 1 and the water tank described in Embodiment 5. Once the water tank is mounted on the aircraft, it can perform forest fire fighting missions.
[0060] Example 7 This embodiment proposes an innovative fire extinguishing method, the core of which lies in realizing the dynamic combination and rapid replacement of the aircraft described in Embodiment 1 and the water tank described in Embodiment 5.
[0061] This modular transportation method has significant advantages in forest fire fighting scenarios. By directly mounting the fire-fighting water tank onto the aircraft and combining it with a cyclical operation mode, it effectively solves the limitation of traditional manned aircraft fire fighting operations that rely on fixed water sources.
[0062] Firefighting water tanks can be filled at any location with resupply capabilities (such as temporary water stations, fire truck water storage devices, etc.), without relying on natural water sources such as lakes, greatly expanding the geographical coverage of firefighting operations. A single aircraft can cyclically carry two or more firefighting water tanks, and through modular replacement, it can achieve a continuous operation process of "water drop-return-resupply-re-water drop".
[0063] Specifically, while the aircraft is carrying a full load of water tanks to carry out firefighting missions, ground personnel can simultaneously fill spare empty water tanks at resupply stations. After the aircraft returns, the emptied water tanks are unloaded, and the fully filled water tanks are quickly loaded, forming a cyclical connection for firefighting operations, thereby achieving continuity and efficiency in firefighting missions.
[0064] If the aircraft's propulsion system uses a rotor structure, there is no need to build a large apron or runway; conventional roads can meet the takeoff and landing requirements. This flexible combination of "aircraft + fire extinguishing water tank" overcomes water source limitations, optimizes operational efficiency, and lowers operational barriers, enabling the rapid deployment and efficient utilization of fire extinguishing resources in complex terrain environments such as mountains and forests.
Claims
1. A fuselage-less unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized in that, Used for transporting goods, the aircraft has no cargo hold and adopts a flying wing layout or a conventional layout. The wings of the flying wing layout or conventional layout are used to generate lift and enter a straight wing flight mode after takeoff. The wings are equipped with a power system, a flight control system, and a mounting structure for detachably connecting aviation containers.
2. The fuselageless unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting structure includes mechanical buckles, electromagnetic locking devices, or hydraulic docking devices.
3. The fuselageless unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aircraft has no fuselage; instead, it uses the attached aviation container as its fuselage.
4. An air container, characterized in that, It has a streamlined aerodynamic shape and is used to be mounted on the fuselageless unmanned aerial vehicle as described in claim 1. The aviation container is provided with loading and unloading doors on both sides and / or at the rear.
5. The aviation container according to claim 4, characterized in that, The aviation container is equipped with a landing gear system and a standardized cable interface that interfaces with the flight control system of the aircraft. Through this interface, data exchange between the flight control system and the landing gear system is realized, thereby enabling the control of the landing gear system.
6. A modular transportation system, characterized in that, Includes the airframeless unmanned aerial vehicle according to any one of claims 1-3 and the aviation container according to any one of claims 4-5, wherein the aircraft and the aviation container are modularly combined.
7. A fuselage-less unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized in that, Used for forest fire fighting, the aircraft has no water tank and adopts a flying wing or conventional layout. The wings of the flying wing or conventional layout are used to generate lift. The wings are equipped with a power system, a flight control system, and a mounting structure for detachably connecting the fire extinguishing water tank. The bottom of the fire extinguishing water tank is equipped with an openable and closable delivery door.
8. The fuselageless unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that, The fire extinguishing water tank is equipped with a standardized cable interface, through which the flight control system controls the delivery gate.
9. The fuselageless unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that, The fire extinguishing water tank is equipped with a landing gear system. The flight control system and the landing gear system can interact through the interface to control the landing gear system.
10. The fuselageless unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that, The aircraft has no fuselage; instead, it uses the attached fire extinguishing water tank as its fuselage.