Fastening device for releasably fastening a load device to a guide device, transport system and aircraft with a fastening device

Abstract

Fastening device (10) for releasably fastening a load device (30) to a guide device (50), comprising: a support structure (12) with a fastening unit (14) and a locking unit (16); wherein the fastening unit (14) is connectable to the guide unit (50); wherein the locking unit (16) is designed for releasably fastening the load device (30); wherein the closure unit (16) has a plurality of projections (18) which are arranged at predetermined intervals (d) along a circumference (20) of the support structure (12); wherein each projection (18) of the plurality of projections (18) has a closure element (17) which is movable between a closed state (22) and an open state (24); wherein two adjacent projections (18) together form a recess (19) for receiving the load device (30) or a part (31) of the load device.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the fastening of loads for transport. In particular, the invention relates to a fastening device for releasably fastening a load device to a guide device, a transport system, and an aircraft with a fastening device. Background of the invention

[0002] The transport of loads, such as containers, is used in a wide variety of technical fields. For example, loads can be transported using construction cranes or helicopters and transported by air. Of particular importance in this case is the precise and secure attachment of the loads, for example to hook devices and the like. Since these hook devices for attaching the load are often attached to flexible or even swinging guide units, such as ropes or chains, it is difficult to attach these hook devices to the load to be transported using conventional control methods. If, for example, a construction crane or a helicopter is positioned above the load, gripping the load using the hook device is made more difficult by the swinging rope or chain.Such a hook device is usually aligned manually by assistant personnel in order to be able to hook the load into the hook device.

[0003] EP 2 338 794 A1 and US 2011 / 0 147 328 A1 describe a lifting device for replacing dynamic or static components of rotary-wing aircraft. The lifting device comprises a lifting means for moving the components between an installation or removal position and a loading or unloading position near the aircraft. The lifting device also comprises a support structure on which the lifting means is mounted, and a support device rigidly attached to the support structure and designed to rest on and be directly attached to the airframe of the aircraft. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the attachment of loads to movable guide devices.

[0005] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Exemplary embodiments emerge from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a fastening device for releasably fastening a load device to a guide device is specified. The fastening device, which can also be referred to as a hook device, has a support structure with a fastening unit and a closure unit. The fastening unit is connectable to the guide unit, and the closure unit is designed to receive or releasably fasten the load device. The closure unit has a plurality of projections arranged at predetermined intervals along a circumference of the support structure. At least some projections or each projection of the plurality of projections has / has a closure element that is movable between a closed state and an open state.

[0007] Such a fastening device facilitates the fastening of load devices or loads to movable or swinging guide devices in order to subsequently transport the fastened load device safely. In particular, the fastening device according to the invention can act like a type of crane hook that has projections, for example hooks, with locking elements at regular intervals along its circumference, thus enabling easy engagement of the fastening device with the load device in a wide variety of orientations of the fastening device with respect to the load device. If, for example, the fastening device is fastened like a crane hook to the end of a hanging or freely swinging flexible rope, it could be cumbersome to align or orient the fastening device with respect to the load device to be fastened.However, the geometric design of the fastening device according to the invention advantageously means that the fastening device does not first have to be laboriously aligned with respect to the load device to be fastened, but rather enables the load device to be fastened to the fastening unit from multiple spatial directions. In other words, the probability is increased that the load device will be "correctly" aligned with respect to the fastening device on the first attempt and can thus be successfully fastened to the fastening device. The load devices to be fastened can be standardized containers or the like, which can be hooked in and fastened from any direction with respect to the fastening device using the crown-shaped fastening device or hook device according to the invention.

[0008] This also increases safety when securing the load, as the need for auxiliary personnel or ground personnel to manually suspend the load device into the fastening device is eliminated. Accordingly, personnel costs and the time required to suspend the load device are reduced. Likewise, complex alignment maneuvers for the fastening device are no longer required. The fastening device requires little or no maintenance, as complex mechanical geometries, actuators, and mechanisms are eliminated. Furthermore, the fastening device according to the invention does not require an electrical or hydraulic power supply.

[0009] The fastening device is preferably connected to a guidance device of an aircraft, in particular a hover-capable aircraft or a helicopter. The guidance device can be part of the aircraft or attached to it. However, the guidance device can also be part of the fastening device itself.

[0010] The guide device may comprise a fastening cable, for example in the form of a hanging metal cable or the like. However, the guide device may also comprise other forms, such as a hanging metal chain or the like. The guide device may be attached to the aircraft at a first end of the guide device. The fastening device may be provided at a second end of the guide device or connected to the guide device in order to couple the load device to the guide device.

[0011] The fastening device comprises a support structure, which is designed, for example, in the form of a metal construction or a metal frame. Other materials, such as fiber-reinforced plastics for the support structure, are possible. The support structure acts as a connecting element between the fastening unit, via which the fastening device is connected to the guide device, and the locking unit, by means of which the load device is attached to the fastening device. The support structure can have a circular shape in a plan view, with the projections arranged next to one another around its circumference. The projections can be part of the support structure or integrated into it. The support structure can have a circular base plate or a circular base frame, wherein the projections are arranged next to one another along an outer circumference of the circular base plate or the circular base frame.

[0012] The projections can be arranged in the form of protrusions or extensions on the outer circumference of the support structure. Any number of projections can be provided on the support structure. For example, a plurality of projections can comprise three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, etc. projections. The projections can protrude at various angles from the base plate or base frame of the support structure and / or form a sawtooth-like pattern or wave-like pattern protruding from the base plate or base frame and extending along the outer circumference of the base plate or base frame. In other words, the fastening device can have a crown-like shape. This will be explained in more detail in the description of the figures.

[0013] The projections can be arranged along the circular circumference of the support structure such that a recess is formed between adjacent projections. The recesses thus formed are designed to receive or engage a load fastening component of the load device. This means that the load fastening component of the load device is arranged in at least one or two of the recesses when the load device is fastened to the guide device by means of the fastening device. Preferably, the load fastening component of the load devices extends through exactly two recesses when the load device is fastened to the fastening device. The recesses, the projections, and the closure elements can together form the closure unit of the fastening device.

[0014] The projections may have a first end which is connected to the base plate or the base frame of the supporting structure, and a second end via which the closure elements are coupled to the respective associated projections.

[0015] Exactly one closure element can be fastened to exactly one associated projection of the plurality of projections. In the closed state, the closure elements point from a projection to which they are respectively fastened to an adjacent projection, against whose surface they rest in the closed state. The closure elements are movably, in particular rotatably, fastened to the projections. The closure elements can each have a first end, via which the closure element is movably or articulately connected to the respectively associated projection, and a second end which can be freely pivoted in space between a closed state and an open state. The closure elements can have an elongated shape or be rod-shaped or bar-shaped.The first end of the rod-shaped closure element can be hingedly coupled to the respective associated projection at a coupling point and the second end of the closure element can be pivotable about this coupling point.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the projections are arranged at equal distances from one another along the circumference of the supporting structure.

[0017] This means that the distances between adjacent projections are the same. This can apply, in particular, to all distances between adjacent projections. The distances can be linear distances between the central axes of adjacent projections. For example, the distances can be linear distances between two adjacent projection tips or linear distances between the centers or central axes of two adjacent projection extensions. Alternatively, the distances can be measured along circular arc segments between the central axes of adjacent projections. For example, the distances can be measured along circular arc segments between two adjacent projection tips or along circular arc segments between the centers or central axes of two adjacent projection extensions.In this case, the distances are each specified by circular arc segments between adjacent projections, with all circular arc segments between adjacent projections being of equal length. This allows for a regular distribution of projections along the circular perimeter of the support structure, facilitating the attachment of the load device from any direction relative to the perimeter of the support structure.

[0018] According to the invention, two adjacent projections together form a recess for receiving the load device or a part of the load device, for example a load fastening component.

[0019] The recess can be formed by the surfaces of the adjacent projections. Thus, each recess is formed by two projections adjacent along the circumference. In the same way, all recesses located between the projections are formed along the circumference. The load device or the part of the load device can thus engage in the respective recess of the closure unit. Preferably, the load fastening component of the load device extends through exactly two recesses when the load device is attached to the fastening device or engaged with it.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the closure element has a first end which fastens the closure element to the projection, wherein the closure element further has a second end which, in the closed state, is in contact with an adjacent projection and, in the open state, is spatially separated from the adjacent projection.

[0021] The first end of the closure element can be rotatably mounted in the area of a tip of the associated projection. This can be achieved via a coupling point that attaches the closure element to the projection in a rotatable or rotatable manner, so that the second end of the closure element forms a free end that can pivot freely in space. In this way, the closure element can be converted from the closed state to the open state and vice versa.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the closure element of each of the projections has a biasing mechanism which is designed to bias the closure element in the closed state.

[0023] The preloading mechanism can therefore be configured such that, without the application of an external force, the closure element always remains in the closed state, with the second end of the closure element in contact with the adjacent projection. If the closure element is deflected from its closed state to its open state, the spring force increases, acting against this deflection movement and driving the closure element back to the closed state. The preloading mechanism can be a spring mechanism. In particular, the preloading mechanism comprises a spring, for example, a torsion spring.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the closure element can be pivoted out by applying an external force to the closure element in order to thus transfer the closure element from the closed state to the open state.

[0025] The external force can arise, for example, from direct contact between the load device, in particular the load fastening component of the load device, when the fastening device is pressed against the load fastening device. The load fastening component of the load device can, for example, be pressed against the closure element, causing the closure element to open so that the load fastening component can slide or snap into the recess. Subsequently, when the load fastening component is in the recess and no longer presses against the closure element, the closure element folds or snaps back into the closed state due to the preload force exerted by the preload mechanism.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the projections each have a free end or a second end to which the closure element is attached. Furthermore, the projections each have a connecting portion that connects the free end or the second end of the projection to the support structure, wherein the free end or the second end of the projection is widened relative to the connecting portion of the projection.

[0027] The projections can each have an elongated shape that tapers from the support structure to the free end, with a widening, for example a material widening, of the respective projection being located in the region of the free end. In other words, a cross-section of the connecting section can decrease in size from the support structure to the free end, so that for the majority of projections the impression of a sawtooth or wave shape of the projections is created, which extends around the circumference of the support structure. It can be provided that the widening forms the end or a tip region of the respective projection. The closure element can be arranged in each case on this widened region of the projection.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the support structure comprises a base frame with a circular base, wherein the projections are arranged at equal distances from one another along a circumference of the circular base. Furthermore, the base frame is connected to the fastening unit in the region of a center point of the circular base.

[0029] The base frame can comprise a metallic material, such as steel, or a fiber-reinforced plastic material. Other materials are possible. The base frame can have the shape of a round or circular plate, wherein the circular plate defines the circular base surface. The fastening unit can extend upwards from the center of the base surface and perpendicular to the base surface in order to provide a connection or fastening to the guide device. The fastening device can comprise a rolling mechanism designed to change or adjust the length of a cable-shaped guide device to which the fastening device is attached.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the closure unit has a substantially cylindrical shape or the closure unit has a substantially truncated cone shape.

[0031] Whether the shape is cylindrical or truncated conical depends on the angle at which the respective projections are arranged in relation to the base of the base frame of the supporting structure. If the projections are arranged perpendicular to the base, for example, the resulting closure unit appears cylindrical. If, on the other hand, the projections are arranged at an angle to the base other than 90°, the projections are inclined relative to the base of the base frame, so that the closure unit appears truncated cone-shaped. The projections can each be arranged at an angle between 80° and 140° relative to the base. If, for example, the projections are arranged at an angle of 80° relative to the base, the resulting closure unit appears truncated conical.If, however, the projections are arranged at an angle of 140° relative to the base, the resulting shape is a truncated cone, with the projections tilting outward relative to the base toward the free end. It can be provided that all projections have the same inclination or orientation relative to the base.

[0032] According to one embodiment, at least some of the plurality of projections are arranged inclined relative to a central axis of the support structure, wherein the central axis of the support structure forms a central axis of the circumference of the support structure.

[0033] The central axis can be a surface normal to the base surface of the base frame of the supporting structure. The central axis or the central axis can thus run through the center point of the circular base surface of the base frame of the supporting structure. The central axis or the central axis can essentially lie in an extension direction of, for example, a cable-shaped guide unit. This can be the case if the fastening device is coupled to the cable-shaped guide unit or suspended from it.

[0034] If the projections extend parallel to the central axis of the supporting structure, the closure unit appears cylindrical. If the projections extend at an angle to the central axis other than 0°, the projections are inclined relative to the base of the base frame, resulting in a truncated cone-shaped closure unit.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, a transport system is provided. The transport system comprises a fastening device, as described above and below, and a guide device, wherein the guide device has a movable coupling element comprising one of the following components: a rope, a chain, a wire, a belt, a strand, a band, a rope, a cord, or a line.

[0036] The guide device can therefore be a flexible elongated element to which the fastening device is coupled via the fastening unit. The fastening unit can provide a rolling mechanism for adjusting the length of the guide device.

[0037] The transport system can be a mobile transport system. For example, the transport system can be a crane system, such as a construction crane or a loading crane, or a vehicle. In particular, the transport system can be an aircraft, such as a helicopter.

[0038] According to a further aspect of the invention, an aircraft with a fastening device as described above and below is provided.

[0039] The aircraft can have the guidance device and the associated fastening device, so that the fastening device according to the invention enables air transport of the load device. The aircraft can be a hover-capable manned or unmanned aircraft. For example, the aircraft is a vertical takeoff-capable aircraft such as a helicopter or a drone. Short description of the characters Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a fastening device according to an embodiment. Fig. 2A shows a detailed view of a closure element of a fastening device in a closed state according to an embodiment. Fig. 2B shows a plan view of a fastening device with closure elements in the closed state according to an embodiment. Fig. 3A shows a detailed view of a closure element of a fastening device in an open state according to an embodiment. Fig. 3B shows a plan view of a fastening device with closure elements in the open state according to an embodiment. Fig. 4A shows a detailed view of a closure element of a fastening device in a closed state and a load fastening component of a fastened load device engaging the fastening device according to an embodiment. Fig. 4B shows a plan view of a fastening device with closure elements in a closed state and of a load fastening component of a fastened load device engaging the fastening device according to an embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a load device with a load attachment component according to an embodiment. Fig. 6A shows an aircraft prior to securing a load device using a securing device according to an embodiment. Fig. 6B shows an aircraft during or after securing a load device by means of a securing device according to an embodiment. Fig. 7A shows an aircraft with a detection system prior to attaching a load device using a fastening device according to an embodiment. Fig. 7B shows an aircraft with a detection system during or after attaching a load device by means of a fastening device according to an embodiment. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0040] The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale. Where the same reference symbols are used in different figures in the following description, they refer to identical or similar elements. Identical or similar elements may also be designated by different reference symbols.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a fastening device 10 for releasably fastening a load device (not shown) to a partially illustrated guide device 50. The fastening device 10 comprises a support structure 12 with a fastening unit 14 and a closure unit 16, wherein the fastening unit 14 is connected to the guide unit 50. The closure unit 16 is designed for releasably fastening the load device. The closure unit 16 has, in particular, a plurality of projections 18, which are arranged at predetermined intervals d along a circumference 20 of the support structure 12 (cf. Fig. 2B). Each projection 18 of the plurality of projections 18 has a closure element 17 which is arranged between the Fig. 1 shown closed state 22 and for example in Fig. 3A and Fig. 3b shown open state 24 is movable.

[0042] The projections 18 can be integrated into the support structure 12 or attached thereto. The projections 18 can protrude from a circular base plate or a circular base frame of the support structure 12 and can thus be regarded as extensions or arms extending along the circumference of the support structure 12 in the form of a sawtooth structure or a wave structure, giving the impression of a crown-like hook device 10. Fig. 1 shows a configuration of the fastening device 10 with exactly eight projections 18, wherein one projection 18 is covered by the fastening unit 14.

[0043] Each two adjacent projections 18 together form a recess 19 for receiving the load device (not shown), in particular a load fastening component of the load device. The recesses 19 are each defined or delimited by two adjacent projections 18 and by a closure element 17 in the closed state 22. In this way, the recess 19 forms an opening in the closed state 22 of the closure element 17, through which a load fastening component of the load device can extend. This is explained with reference to the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B. In the Fig. 1 shows a configuration of the fastening device 10 with exactly eight recesses 19, each arranged between two adjacent projections 18 along the circumference 20.

[0044] The closure elements 17 are elongated, in particular rod-shaped or bar-shaped elements, each of which is attached to a coupling point 21 on an associated projection 18 and is pivotable or rotatable about this coupling point 21. As shown in Fig. 1 for a coupling point 21, this is located at a free end 18a of the projection 18. Analogously, coupling points 21 can be provided at all remaining projections 18.

[0045] The projections 18 each have a free end 18a, to which the closure element 17 is attached, as well as a connecting section 18b (in Fig. 1 shown only once for the sake of clarity), which connects the free end 18a of the respective projection 18 with the supporting structure 12. Also in Fig. 1 that the free end 18a of the projection 18 is widened compared to the connecting section 18b of the projection 18. The widened area of the free end 18a of the projection 18 can, as in Fig. 1, essentially have a spherical shape.

[0046] The closure elements 17 are in the Fig. 1, in the closed state 22 shown, with a respective adjacent projection 18, in particular a free end 18a of the adjacent projection 18. When opening the closure elements 17, these are rotated away from the adjacent projection 18 such that at least one or some of the closure elements 17 are in an open state 24, as shown in the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, are spatially separated from the adjacent projection 18.

[0047] In the Fig. 1, the closure unit 16 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The projections 18 are aligned approximately parallel to a central axis 25 of the support structure 12, which means that all projections 18 extend vertically from a Fig. 1 protrude from a concealed base plate or a base frame of the support structure 12. The central axis 25 of the support structure 12 forms a central axis 25 of the circumference 20 of the support structure 12.

[0048] The fastening unit 14 is cylindrical and serves to fasten the support structure 12 and thus the entire fastening device 10 to the Fig. 1 only partially shown guide device 50. The guide device 50 can comprise a rope-like element 51 with which the fastening device 10 is suspended from a means of transport not shown, for example an aircraft.

[0049] Fig. 2A shows a detailed view of a closure element 17 of a fastening device 10 in a closed state 22. The closure element 17 is a rod-shaped or bar-shaped elongated element having a first end 17a and a second end 17b. The first end 17a is attached to the second end 18a or free end 18a of the projection 18 by means of a coupling point, wherein the coupling point provides an articulated connection of the closure element 17 to the projection 18. As shown in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2A, the second end 17b of the closure element 17, in the closed state 22, rests against the free end 18a of the adjacent projection 18 or is in contact with the free end 18a. The recess 19 formed thereby is therefore an opening defined by the adjacent projections 18 and the closed closure element 17, which is suitable for receiving a load-fastening component.

[0050] Fig. 2B shows a plan view of the fastening device 10 with closure elements 17 in the closed state 22, that is to say a plan view of the Fig. 1. The support structure 12 of the fastening device 10 has a base frame 15, for example a base plate 15, which is circular in plan view. The base frame 15 connects the fastening unit 14, which is arranged centrally on the base frame 15, to the projections 18 arranged in the circumferential direction of the base frame 15. In the closed state 22 shown, all of the adjacent projections 18 are connected by closure elements 17, which each extend approximately in the circumferential direction. Adjacent projections 18 are spaced apart from one another by equal distances d. Although only shown for three distances d, this can apply to all distances between the adjacent projections 18 along the circumference 20. The distance d can be measured as a linear distance between the centers or central axes of adjacent projections 18, as in Fig. 2B, or as a circular arc length measured in relation to the circular arc segment lying between the center axes of the projections 18.

[0051] Fig. 3A shows a detailed view of a closure element 17 in an open state 24. The second end 17b of the closure element 17 is pivoted or deflected and thus spatially separated from the adjacent projection 18. The deflection movement of the closure element 17, indicated by the double arrow, occurs around the coupling point at which the closure element 17 is articulated and thus rotatably connected to the free end 18a of the projection 18.

[0052] The closure element 17 of the respective projections 18 has a pre-tensioning mechanism which is designed to hold the closure element 17 in the position shown in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B. By applying an external force F (shown by an arrow) to the closure element 17, in particular to the second end 17b of the closure element 17, the closure element can be pivoted out, thus transferring the closure element 17 from the closed state 22 to the open state 24. The force F can be caused during the fastening process by the load fastening component 31 colliding with the closure element 17, so that the closure element 17 is pressed open or opened against a prestressing force of the prestressing mechanism.

[0053] In the open state 24, the load fastening component 31 of the load device (not shown) can now be received in or engage with the recess 19. The load fastening component 31 can be received between the connecting sections 18b of the adjacent projections 18 when the load device is attached to the fastening device 10.

[0054] Fig. 3B shows a top view of the Fig. 3A with two closure elements 17 in the open state 24. This can be the configuration of the fastening device 10 during a fastening process in which the load device 30 is fastened to the fastening device 10 by means of the load fastening component 31. The load fastening component 31 extends over the two closure elements 17 shown in the open state 24, which are thus pressed open so that the load fastening component 31 can enter and engage the recesses 19 between the projections 18.

[0055] Fig. 4A shows a detailed view of a closure element 17 of the fastening device 10 in a closed state 22 and a load fastening component 31 of a not-shown attached load device engaging with the fastening device 10. This can be the state after the load fastening component 31 has been opened in the open state 24 of the closure element 17, as shown in FIGS. Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, has engaged in the recess 19. With reference to the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the recess 19 was closed again by returning the corresponding closure element 17 to the closed state 22, in which the second end 17b of the closure element 17 is again in contact with the free end 18a of the adjacent projection 18. It can also be seen that the load fastening component 31 is now captured in the recess 19 formed by the adjacent projections 18 and the closure element 17, so that the load device is securely attached to the fastening device 10 and can be transported.

[0056] Fig. 4B shows the corresponding top view of the Fig. 4A shows the fastening device 10 with all closure elements 17 in the closed state 22. The load fastening component 31 of the load device 30 engages with exactly two recesses 19 (here located under the corresponding closure elements 17), so that the load device 30 is securely fastened to the fastening device 10 and the load device 30 can be transported when the closure elements 17 are in the closed state 22.

[0057] By the in relation to the Fig. 1 to 4B, the fastening of load devices 30 or loads 30 to movable or oscillating guide devices 50 can be made considerably easier. In particular, the fastening device 10 can act like a type of crane hook, which has projections 18 with locking elements 17 at regular intervals along its circumference 20, thus enabling easy engagement of the fastening device 10 with the load device 30 in a wide variety of orientations of the fastening device 10 with respect to the load device 30. The geometric design of the fastening device 10 results in particular in that the fastening device 10 does not first have to be laboriously aligned with respect to the load device 30 to be fastened, but rather enables the load device 30 to be fastened to the fastening device 10 from multiple directions.Due to the identical pattern of the fastening device 10 repeating around the circumference 20 of the support structure 12, it is irrelevant from which direction the load fastening component 31 of the load device 30 is ultimately gripped with respect to the fastening device 10.

[0058] Fig. 5 shows an exemplary load device 30 with a load attachment component 31. The load device 30 may be a load such as a container, a box, a bin, or the like. The load attachment component 31 may be a flexible, cable-like element such as a rope, a chain, a wire, a belt, a strand, a band, a rope, a cord, or a line. The load attachment component 31 may be connected or attached to the load device 30.

[0059] Fig. 6A shows an aircraft 100, in particular a helicopter, with the fastening device 10. The aircraft 100 is shown before the load device 30 is fastened by means of the fastening device 10. The fastening device 10 can be a type of hook component for gripping the load fastening component 31. The fastening device 10 is attached to the aircraft 100 in a freely suspended or swinging manner via the guide device 50, which is a rope-like component 51. In the Fig. In the state shown in Figure 6A, all closure elements 17 are in the closed state 22.

[0060] Fig. 6B shows the aircraft 100 during or after fastening the load device 30 by means of the fastening device 10. When fastening the load device 30 by means of the fastening device 10, some of the closure elements 17, preferably exactly two closure elements 17, are brought into the open state 24 so that the load fastening component 31 can engage in the two associated recesses 19 (cf. Fig. 1 to 4B). After securing the load device 30 by means of the fastening device 10, the previously opened closure elements 17 are returned to the closed state, with the load fastening component 31 engaging the two corresponding recesses 19. The load device 30 can now be transported by the aircraft 100.

[0061] Fig. Figure 7A shows that the aircraft 100 may include a detection system 110, 120 with two detection units 110, 120. The detection units 110, 120 may be optical detection units such as cameras. Fig. 7A again shows the aircraft before the load device 30 is attached by means of the fastening device 10. The detection units 110, 120 support the alignment of the fastening device 10 with respect to the load device 30, in particular with respect to the load attachment component 31. A first detection unit 110 is attached to the aircraft itself and covers a detection area 111. The first detection unit 110 is designed to provide information about a position and / or orientation of the fastening device 10 and / or the load device 30. This can be an absolute position and / or orientation or a relative position and / or orientation with respect to the aircraft 100. A second detection unit 110 is attached to the fastening device 10 and covers a detection area 121.The second detection unit 120 is designed to provide information about a position and / or orientation of the load device 30 or the load attachment component 31. In particular, the second detection unit 120 can detect and / or read markings 32 on the load device 30, thereby allowing the load device 30 to be identified. The information from the first detection unit 110 and the second detection unit 120 can be used by a control unit (not shown) of the aircraft 100 to control the aircraft 100.

[0062] Fig. 7B shows that Fig. 7A, the aircraft 100 with the detection system 110. 120 during or after fastening the load device 30 by means of the fastening device 10.

Claims

[1] Fastening device (10) for releasably fastening a load device (30) to a guide device (50), comprising: a support structure (12) with a fastening unit (14) and a locking unit (16); wherein the fastening unit (14) is connectable to the guide unit (50); wherein the locking unit (16) is designed for releasably fastening the load device (30); wherein the closure unit (16) has a plurality of projections (18) which are arranged at predetermined intervals (d) along a circumference (20) of the support structure (12); wherein each projection (18) of the plurality of projections (18) has a closure element (17) which is movable between a closed state (22) and an open state (24); wherein two adjacent projections (18) together form a recess (19) for receiving the load device (30) or a part (31) of the load device. [2] Fastening device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the projections (18) are each arranged at equal distances (d) from one another along the circumference (20) of the support structure (12). [3] Fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (17) has a first end (17a) which fastens the closure element (17) to the projection (18); wherein the closure element (17) has a second end (17b) which, in the closed state (22), is in contact with an adjacent projection (18) and, in the open state (24), is spatially separated from the adjacent projection (18). [4] Fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (17) of the respective projections (18) has a pretensioning mechanism which is designed to pretension the closure element (17) in the closed state (22). [5] Fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (17) can be pivoted out by applying an external force (F) to the closure element (17) in order to thus transfer the closure element (17) from the closed state (22) to the open state (24). [6] Fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections (18) each have a free end (18a) to which the closure element (17) is attached; wherein the projections (18) each have a connecting portion (18b) which connects the free end (18a) of the projection (18) to the supporting structure (12); wherein the free end (18a) of the projection (18) is widened relative to the connecting portion (18b) of the projection (18). [7] Fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure (12) has a base frame (15) with a circular base area; wherein the projections (18) are each arranged at equal distances (d) from one another along a circumference (20) of the circular base area; wherein the base frame (15) is connected to the fastening unit (14) in the region of a center point of the circular base area. [8] Fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure unit (16) has a substantially cylindrical shape; or wherein the closure unit (16) has a substantially truncated cone shape. [9] Fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the plurality of projections (18) are arranged inclined relative to a central axis (25) of the support structure (12); wherein the central axis (25) of the support structure (12) forms a central axis (25) of the circumference (20) of the support structure (12). [10] Transport system (100), comprising: a fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, a guide device (50), wherein the guide device (50) comprises a movable coupling element (51) which is selected from the group comprising: a rope, a chain, a wire, a belt, a strand, a band, a rope, a cord or a line. [11] Aircraft (100) with a fastening device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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