An aerial communication payload pod device for a drone

Abstract

The utility model discloses an aviation communication load pod device of unmanned plane, including pod body, it is the streamlined casing of elliptic cylindrical annular frame structure, and suspension support is set in the top of pod body, and suspension support is detachable connection through connecting part with cabin body, core module is set in the inside of pod body, communication module includes power conversion box, switching control equipment and at least three communication load storage position. This load pod device can adapt to the general suspension support of multiple unmanned plane and the internal modular core function unit, adopts the modularization and guide rail type installation design, supports the quick plugging and flexible reconfiguration of communication load, the design of full -sealing shield structure and integrated environmental control system has realized the intelligent management and control and efficient guarantee of unmanned platform communication load, has effectively promoted the multitask ability, deployment elasticity and comprehensive guarantee efficiency of unmanned plane system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, and in particular to an aviation communication payload pod device for UAVs. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread application of drones in military reconnaissance, emergency communications, and border patrols, airborne communication payload pods have become key equipment for achieving remote data relay, high-definition image transmission, and collaborative networking. Currently, fixed-wing drones mostly carry communication equipment through external pods to achieve signal coverage and information forwarding for ground or air nodes.

[0003] However, most existing aviation communication pods are single-function, platform-specific, and closed designs, which have the following prominent problems: First, the internal structure of the pod is fixed, making it difficult to quickly replace or upgrade communication modules according to mission requirements; second, there is a lack of unified intelligent control and status monitoring, and the power supply, heat dissipation, and environmental adaptability designs are relatively isolated; third, the interfaces and installation methods lack standardization, resulting in difficulties in compatibility between different aircraft models and poor deployment flexibility.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, there is an urgent need for an aviation communication payload pod device that is modular, intelligent, and reconfigurable, capable of rapid deployment on multiple UAV platforms, supporting flexible payload configuration and dynamic mission switching, and enabling intelligent monitoring and management of the entire system status, thereby improving the equipment's versatility, reliability, and mission responsiveness. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the problems existing in the above-mentioned existing load pod devices, this utility model is proposed.

[0006] Therefore, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an aviation communication payload pod device for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The aim is to develop a modular aviation communication pod that can be quickly reconfigured, intelligently controlled, and universally applicable to multiple UAVs, so as to improve the adaptability and response efficiency of UAV communication missions.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution: including a pod body, which is a streamlined shell with an elliptical cylindrical annular frame structure.

[0008] A suspension bracket is disposed above the pod body, and the suspension bracket is detachably connected to the pod body via a connecting component.

[0009] The core module is located inside the pod body; the communication module includes a power conversion box, a switching control device, and at least three communication payload compartments.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the load pod device of this utility model, the internal support frame is a cuboid frame structure, the outer contour dimensions of which are adapted to the internal accommodating space of the pod body and are fixedly embedded in the accommodating space.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the load pod device of this utility model, the pod body is divided into an upper shell and a lower shell along the axial direction. The bottom edge of the upper shell extends outward to form an annular connecting edge. The upper shell and the lower shell are assembled through the annular connecting edge. Multiple mounting holes are evenly distributed on the annular connecting edge. The upper shell and the lower shell are fixedly and sealed together by fasteners passing through the mounting holes.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the load pod device of this utility model, the connecting component comprises at least two hooks, the lower end of which is fixed to the top of the pod body, and the upper end of which is hooked to a pre-set connecting hole of the suspension bracket.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the payload pod device of this utility model, the suspension bracket is a truss-type mounting bracket, which includes an X-shaped main frame and crossbars at both ends of the main frame; the suspension bracket has an adjustable mounting hole matrix and an anti-misinstallation guide structure, which can be adapted to various types of fixed-wing UAVs.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the load pod device of this utility model, the pod body includes a main load-bearing frame and skin made of high-strength aluminum alloy, and a fiberglass or honeycomb sandwich composite material structure disposed in the wave-transparent area.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the payload pod device of this utility model, the power conversion box includes an input protection module, an isolated DC / DC power conversion module, and an intelligent control and monitoring module.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the payload pod device of this utility model, the switching control device is a gigabit Ethernet switch that supports VLAN segmentation and flow control, and its external interface is implemented through an aviation connector.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the payload pod device of this utility model, each of the communication payload compartments is provided with a guide rail type installation structure, and an isolation wall is provided between the compartments.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the load pod device of this utility model, the pod body is a fully sealed structure, and conductive elastomers / shielding pads are provided at the joints of the pod body. An environmental control system based on temperature and humidity sensors is integrated inside to meet the protection requirements of a working temperature range of -40℃ to +70℃ and a non-condensing environment of 95%RH.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: The modular intelligent reconfigurable aviation communication payload pod device provided by this technical solution achieves significant benefits by integrating a streamlined, fully sealed pod body, a universal suspension bracket adaptable to multiple types of UAVs, and internal modular core functional units (including multi-channel intelligent power conversion, gigabit switching control, and at least three independent communication payload bays): First, the modular and rail-mounted installation design supports rapid insertion and removal and flexible reconfiguration of the communication payload, greatly improving mission adaptability and equipment utilization; Second, the high-strength aluminum alloy body combined with fiberglass / honeycomb wave-transparent components... The optimized selection of materials, along with the design of a fully sealed shielded structure and an integrated environmental control system, ensures that the pod can operate stably and reliably in harsh environments such as a wide temperature range of -40℃ to +70℃, high humidity of 95%RH, IP66 or higher protection, and high-intensity electromagnetic interference. Thirdly, it has standardized aviation interfaces, intelligent power management, network switching, and health status monitoring functions. While meeting the reliability, maintainability, and quality requirements of the GJB series standards, it realizes intelligent control and efficient protection of the communication payload of the unmanned platform, effectively improving the multi-tasking capability, deployment flexibility, and comprehensive support efficiency of the UAV system. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments 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.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall external structure of the device according to the embodiment is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the external side structure of the device according to an embodiment is shown; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0022] Reference numerals: 1. Pod body; 11. Upper shell section; 12. Lower shell section; 13. Annular connecting edge; 131. Mounting hole; 2. Suspension bracket; 21. Connecting hole; 3. Hook; 4. Power conversion box; 5. Switching control equipment; 6. Communication payload compartment. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand this utility model, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0024] The terminology used in this invention refers to those general terms currently widely used in the art in consideration of the functionality of this invention; however, these terms may vary according to the intent, precedent, or new technology of those skilled in the art. Furthermore, specific terms may be chosen by the applicant, and in such cases, their detailed meanings will be described in the detailed description of this invention. Therefore, the terminology used in this specification should not be construed as simple names, but rather based on the meaning of the terms and the overall description of this invention.

[0025] Example 1, refer to Table 1, Figures 1-3 This is the first embodiment of the present invention, which provides an aviation communication payload pod device for a UAV. The device includes a pod body, which is a streamlined shell with an elliptical cylindrical ring frame structure; a suspension bracket, which is disposed above the pod body and is detachably connected to the pod body through connecting components; a core module, which is disposed inside the pod body; and a communication module, which includes a power conversion box, a switching control device, and at least three communication payload compartments.

[0026] The device comprises a streamlined pod body with an elliptical cylindrical ring frame structure, a detachable suspension bracket, and a core module. The pod body is constructed from a high-strength aluminum alloy main load-bearing frame and composite material skin, with a streamlined shape to reduce flight drag. Its interior is a hollow structure to house all functional components. The suspension bracket is fixed to the top of the pod body via bolted connections, providing a mechanical interface with the UAV pylon. The core module consists of a power conversion box, a switching control device, and at least three communication payload bays, all modularly installed in pre-defined locations within the pod: the power conversion box is located on one side of the pod body, responsible for overall power distribution and management; the switching control device is located in the center, handling data exchange and system control; and the three communication payload bays are arranged side-by-side on the other side of the pod body. Each bay has an independent installation interface and standard interface, supporting rapid plug-and-play and functional reconfiguration of different communication payloads. This overall architecture enables modular integration, intelligent management, and mission reconfigurability of the pod.

[0027] Furthermore, the pod body is divided into an upper shell and a lower shell along the axial direction. The bottom edge of the upper shell extends outward to form an annular connecting edge. The upper shell and the lower shell are assembled through the annular connecting edge. Multiple mounting holes are evenly distributed on the annular connecting edge. The upper shell and the lower shell are fixedly and sealed by fasteners passing through the mounting holes.

[0028] The pod body is divided into an upper shell and a lower shell at its largest cross-section along its long axis. The bottom of the upper shell is flanged outward to form an annular connecting edge, on which multiple threaded holes are evenly distributed. The lower shell has corresponding through holes. During assembly, stainless steel bolts, spring washers, and sealing gaskets are used to securely connect the upper and lower shells. A circular silicone rubber sealing strip is embedded inside the annular connecting edge, and a copper wire mesh shielding gasket is attached to the metal contact surface. This ensures environmental sealing and electromagnetic shielding continuity at the connection point while achieving the modular mechanical assembly of the pod. This modular structure facilitates the installation and maintenance of internal equipment.

[0029] Furthermore, the pod body includes a main load-bearing frame and skin made of high-strength aluminum alloy, as well as a fiberglass or honeycomb sandwich composite material structure set in the wave-transparent area.

[0030] The main load-bearing frame and skin of the pod are made of 7075-T6 high-strength aluminum alloy, formed through CNC machining and riveting processes, providing the main mechanical support for the pod. In the radio frequency antenna window areas reserved on the sides and bottom of the pod, metal skin is not used; instead, a wave-transparent composite material structure is employed. This structure uses aramid paper honeycomb as the core material, with fiberglass fabric prepreg laminates bonded to both the top and bottom, forming a "sandwich" structure. This fiberglass / honeycomb composite material ensures sufficient structural strength while exhibiting high transmittance for electromagnetic waves in the communication frequency band, ensuring efficient signal transmission between the internal antenna and the outside world.

[0031] Furthermore, the pod body is a fully sealed structure, with conductive elastomers / shielding pads installed at the seams. It also integrates an environmental control system based on temperature and humidity sensors to meet the protection requirements of an operating temperature range of -40℃ to +70℃ and a non-condensing environment of 95%RH.

[0032] The pod itself is a fully sealed structure, with all hatch seams and cable outlets sealed with silicone rubber sealing rings. Inside all metal seams, beryllium copper alloy finger-shaped springs or conductive rubber strips are embedded to ensure electrical continuity and form a complete electromagnetic shield. The environmental control system consists of four digital temperature sensors and two humidity sensors evenly distributed within the pod, a miniature dehumidifier, and a network of cooling fans. Based on sensor data, the control system automatically starts and stops the fans for forced air cooling or activates the dehumidifier to lower the dew point inside the pod, thereby ensuring stable operation of the internal electronic equipment in harsh environments with extreme temperatures ranging from -40℃ to +70℃ and 95% relative humidity (non-condensing).

[0033] Table 1. Pod Performance Indicators

[0034] The performance indicators listed in Table 1 above systematically define the core technical parameters of this aviation communication payload pod, reflecting its comprehensive design goal of achieving reliable communication in harsh environments: the entire pod weighs no more than 70kg, meeting the lightweight requirements for UAV payloads; the operating temperature range is -40℃ to +70℃, and the humidity resistance is 95%RH (non-condensing), combined with an IP66 or higher protection rating and dust resistance conforming to ISO 16232-12, ensuring the pod's survival and operation in extreme environments such as high and low temperatures, humidity, and dust; in terms of electromagnetic compatibility, the shell shielding effectiveness is required to be no less than 620dB*1GHz, ensuring that the internal sensitive communication payloads are not subject to external interference, while controlling its own electromagnetic emissions; the power supply is no less than 2.5kW, providing sufficient energy for various communication payloads; all interfaces adopt aviation standards, ensuring the reliability and standardization of connections with the carrier platform and internal modules. These indicators together constitute a highly reliable, highly adaptable, and integrable aviation communication payload pod device.

[0035] Example 2, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 This is the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the internal support frame is a cuboid frame structure. Its outer contour dimensions are adapted to the internal accommodating space of the pod body and it is fixedly embedded in the accommodating space.

[0036] The internal support frame is a welded aluminum alloy cuboid frame with a base plate and a top plate, which are rigidly connected to the main load-bearing skeleton of the cabin via multiple mounting legs. This frame serves as the primary mounting platform for all internal equipment, featuring standardized mounting holes and guide rails. Power conversion boxes, switching control equipment, and various communication payload modules are directly fixed to this frame using bolts or sliders. The support frame design evenly distributes the equipment weight to the main cabin structure, improving overall rigidity and ensuring a neat layout of internal equipment and orderly cable routing. It also facilitates pre-installation and testing of equipment outside the cabin, significantly improving assembly and maintenance efficiency.

[0037] Furthermore, the connecting component consists of at least two hooks, with the lower end of the hooks fixed to the top of the pod body and the upper end of the hooks hooking into the pre-set connection hole of the suspension bracket.

[0038] The connecting component consists of at least two hooks forged from high-strength alloy steel. Each hook has a threaded lower end that screws into a lug bolt hole fixed to the load-bearing crossbeam at the top of the pod body, and is secured with a lock nut. The upper end of the hook is J-shaped, and a corresponding connecting hole is provided on the crossbar of the suspension bracket. During installation, the J-shaped hook is inserted into the connecting hole of the suspension bracket; the hook's self-locking design prevents it from coming loose under vibration and impact. This hook connection method provides reliable vertical load-bearing capacity and lateral restraint, while also enabling rapid disassembly and assembly between the pod and the support frame.

[0039] Furthermore, the suspension bracket is a truss-type mounting bracket, which includes an X-shaped main frame and crossbars at both ends of the main frame; the suspension bracket has an adjustable mounting hole matrix and an anti-misinstallation guide structure, which can be adapted to various types of fixed-wing UAVs.

[0040] The suspension bracket is a truss-type mounting frame, its main body consisting of two intersecting titanium alloy tubes welded into an X-shaped frame. A horizontally arranged crossbar is welded to each end to increase rigidity and expand the connection interface. The node areas of the crossbars and the X-shaped frame are arranged with a matrix of elongated oval holes, serving as adjustable mounting holes. By selecting different combinations of mounting hole positions, it can accommodate different bolt hole spacings for various UAV mounts. Furthermore, wedge-shaped guide grooves and matching conical positioning pins are designed on the mating surface between the bracket and the UAV mount. These automatically guide alignment and prevent misalignment during pod mounting, enabling fast, accurate, and error-proof mounting operations.

[0041] Example 3, referring to Figure 3 This is the third embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this embodiment and the second embodiment is that the power conversion box includes an input protection module, an isolated DC / DC power conversion module, and an intelligent control and monitoring module.

[0042] The power conversion box, weighing approximately 5 kg, is mounted on the left side of the support frame. Its input receives DC 28V bus power from the UAV platform. Internally, it integrates an input protection module (including EMI filtering, surge suppression, and reverse connection protection), an isolated DC / DC power conversion module (rated power ≥ 2.5kW, efficiency > 93%), and an intelligent control and monitoring module (enabling remote enable, multi-output on / off control, and voltage / current / temperature monitoring and reporting). A microprocessor is embedded in the intelligent control and monitoring module, which, in addition to basic protection and monitoring, implements a dynamic power allocation algorithm based on real-time load power demand. The processor communicates with the switching control equipment via a CAN bus, receives power demand predictions for each load, dynamically adjusts the voltage and current limits of each output channel, and automatically enters a low-power mode during light load periods, thereby improving overall energy efficiency and extending the UAV's flight time.

[0043] Furthermore, the switching control device is a gigabit Ethernet switch that supports VLAN segmentation and flow control, and its external interface is implemented through aviation connectors.

[0044] The device utilizes ZTE's NE series gigabit Ethernet switches, featuring at least eight 10 / 100 / 1000M auto-sensing ports and supporting VLAN segmentation and flow control. All external interfaces are implemented using D38999 series aviation connectors, internally integrated into a shielded housing measuring approximately 300mm × 200mm × 50mm, with power consumption below 100W.

[0045] Furthermore, each communication payload compartment is equipped with a rail-mounted structure, and isolation walls are installed between the compartments.

[0046] Each communication load compartment is mounted on an internal support frame, with two compartments stacked horizontally and one vertically, totaling approximately 20 kg. Each compartment features an aluminum alloy guide rail mounting structure, equipped with stop pins, limit blocks, and vibration-damping elastic pads. Compartments are physically isolated from each other by aluminum alloy partitions with a thickness of ≥2 mm, ensuring independent installation and no interference between loads. Each compartment has reserved standard electrical and data interfaces, including 48V / 24V / 12V DC outputs derived from the power conversion box, as well as Gigabit Ethernet and RS-422 / 485 serial communication interfaces.

[0047] During operation, the pod is mounted under the UAV fuselage via a suspension bracket. The onboard 28V power supply is input to the power conversion box via an aviation plug, providing stable multi-channel power to each communication payload. The switching control equipment establishes an in-cabin gigabit Ethernet network, enabling payload data aggregation, exchange, and uploading to the UAV mission system. The three communication payload bays can be flexibly configured with communication modules of different frequency bands and functions (such as satellite communication, data links, and relay equipment) according to mission requirements. They can be quickly installed via rails, with plug-and-play interfaces, achieving a "modular and reconfigurable" operational capability. The in-cabin intelligent monitoring system collects real-time status information such as power supply, temperature, humidity, and vibration, outputting it through a maintenance Ethernet port or USB port to support ground health management.

[0048] This utility model provides an aviation communication payload pod for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Through highly modular, lightweight, and environmentally adaptable design, it brings several significant benefits: First, the modular architecture and standardized interfaces enable rapid configuration, replacement, and functional reconfiguration of the communication payload, greatly improving mission flexibility and equipment utilization. Second, based on strict lightweight design and the application of high-strength materials, the total weight of the pod is controlled to within 70 kg while ensuring structural strength, effectively reducing the load burden and aerodynamic impact on the UAV platform. Third, through integrated sealing design, a composite temperature control system, and multi-layer electromagnetic shielding, the pod can operate at -40℃ to +70℃ and 95%RH. It operates stably in extreme environments such as high humidity, IP66 protection, and strong sandstorms, and possesses excellent electromagnetic compatibility performance, ensuring continuous and reliable communication quality. Fourth, it has embedded intelligent power management and comprehensive health monitoring functions, supporting remote status monitoring and fault diagnosis, significantly improving the system's testability and field maintenance efficiency. Fifth, the entire solution complies with military standards such as GJB450A, GJB368B, and GJB9001C, implementing reliability, maintainability, and quality management requirements throughout the design, production, and testing process. Ultimately, it forms an integrated aviation communication payload platform that combines high performance, high reliability, high adaptability, and easy maintenance, effectively supporting various types of UAVs to complete remote communication and data relay tasks in complex environments.

[0049] It is important to note that the constructions and arrangements of this application shown in several different exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative. Although only a few embodiments are described in detail in this disclosure, those who consult this disclosure will readily understand that many modifications are possible (e.g., changes in the size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportion of various elements, as well as parameter values ​​(e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, color, orientation, etc.) without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described in this application). For example, an element shown as integrally formed may be composed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be inverted or otherwise altered, and the nature or number or position of discrete elements may be changed or altered. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this utility model. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be changed or reordered according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any "device plus function" clause is intended to cover the structure described herein that performs the function, and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, alterations, and omissions may be made in the design, operation, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, but extends to various modifications that still fall within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, for the purpose of providing a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, not all features of the actual embodiments (i.e., those features not relevant to the currently considered best mode for carrying out this invention, or those features not relevant to implementing this invention) may be omitted.

[0050] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solution of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of this utility model, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. An aerial communication payload pod device for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), characterized in that: include, The pod itself is a streamlined shell with an elliptical cylindrical ring frame structure; as well as, A suspension bracket is disposed above the pod body, and the suspension bracket is detachably connected to the pod body via a connecting component; The core module is located inside the pod body; The communication module includes a power conversion box, a switching control device, and at least three communication payload compartments.

2. The aviation communication payload pod device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An internal support frame, which is a cuboid frame structure, has an outer contour dimension that is adapted to the internal accommodating space of the pod body and is fixedly embedded in the accommodating space.

3. The aviation communication payload pod device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pod body is divided into an upper shell and a lower shell along the axial direction. The bottom edge of the upper shell extends outward to form an annular connecting edge. The upper shell and the lower shell are assembled through the annular connecting edge. Multiple mounting holes are evenly distributed on the annular connecting edge. The upper shell and the lower shell are fixedly and sealed together by fasteners passing through the mounting holes.

4. The aviation communication payload pod device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting component consists of at least two hooks. The lower end of the hook is fixed to the top of the pod body, and the upper end of the hook is hooked to a pre-set connection hole of the suspension bracket.

5. The aviation communication payload pod device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The suspension bracket is a truss-type mounting bracket, which includes an X-shaped main frame and crossbars at both ends of the main frame; the suspension bracket has an adjustable mounting hole matrix and an anti-misinstallation guide structure, and can be adapted to various types of fixed-wing UAVs.

6. The aviation communication payload pod device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The pod body includes a main load-bearing frame and skin made of high-strength aluminum alloy, as well as a fiberglass or honeycomb sandwich composite material structure set in the wave-transparent area.

7. The aviation communication payload pod device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power conversion box includes an input protection module, an isolated DC / DC power conversion module, and an intelligent control and monitoring module.

8. The aviation communication payload pod device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switching control device is a gigabit Ethernet switch that supports VLAN segmentation and flow control, and its external interface is implemented through an aviation connector.

9. The aviation communication payload pod device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the communication payload compartments is equipped with a rail-mounted structure, and isolation walls are installed between the compartments.

10. The aviation communication payload pod device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The pod body is a fully sealed structure, with conductive elastomers / shielding pads installed at the joints. It integrates an environmental control system based on temperature and humidity sensors to meet the protection requirements of a working temperature range of -40℃ to +70℃ and a non-condensing environment of 95%RH.

Images