Power supply drone port and power supply drone port system

Abstract

To provide a power supply drone port which enables a drone to be charged efficiently without fail.SOLUTION: A power supply drone port includes: a landing pad 4 where a drone 2 may take off and land; a power supply device 6 which supplies electric power to a power reception device 2 of the drone placed on the landing pad; and a positioning facility 10 which moves the drone landed on the landing pad or the power supply device to a power supply position 7 where the power supply device and the power reception device 2a face each other. The landing pad has X opposite sides extending in an X direction. The positioning facility has X direction movable plates 11 each of which has both ends located at the outer side of the X opposite sides opposing each other and can move in the X direction along an upper surface of the landing pad. The drone has the power reception device on a side surface. The power supply device is attached to the X direction movable plate, located above the landing pad while forming a space with the upper surface of the landing pad, and supplies electric power to the power reception device in a lateral direction. The positioning facility has: a movable plate drive device 21 which moves the X direction movable plate to the power supply position in the X direction; and a power supply moving device 23 which moves the power supply device along the X direction movable plate with the power supply device attached.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply drone port and a power supply drone port system that efficiently and reliably charge drones. [Background technology]

[0002] A "drone" is a type of small unmanned helicopter. In recent years, there are plans to use drones to transport small packages, inspect bridges and other structures, and spray pesticides. Such drones are called "industrial drones."

[0003] As industrial drones become more common, there is a demand for systems that enable drones to fly long distances. However, since a drone flies by rotating its propellers with power supplied from a battery installed in the drone, the flight distance depends on the amount of power stored in the battery. Therefore, in order to realize a long-distance flight of a drone, a relay point for charging the battery is required on the flight path of the drone. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses such a technology.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a drone operation system that recovers a drone that has become abnormal in flight using recovery means attached to electric wires or utility poles. This drone operation system is also capable of charging the drone's battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-12477 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In order to charge the battery charging means of the drone with the battery power supply means provided on the utility pole recovery means of Patent Document 1, the positions of the battery power supply means and the battery charging means must be precisely aligned. However, when a drone lands, the downwash (a downward current of air) generated by the drone bounces off the takeoff surface, and the downward current and upward current mix above the takeoff surface, making attitude control difficult. As a result, the drone often lands in a position different from the intended landing position.

[0007] However, the drone operation system of Patent Document 1 does not have a means for correcting the drone's position, and if the drone lands in a bad position, the positions of the battery power supply means and the battery charging means will shift, reducing the power supply efficiency and making it impossible to charge the drone. Even if the drone's landing position shifts, it is not possible for a person to go to the recovery means installed on the electric wire or electric pole and correct the position each time. Therefore, the drone operation system of Patent Document 1 made it difficult to charge the drones efficiently.

[0008] The present invention has been invented to solve the above-mentioned problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply drone port and a power supply drone port system that can efficiently and reliably charge a drone. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a landing platform on which a drone can take off and land; A power supply device that supplies power to a power receiving device of the drone mounted on the landing pad; and a positioning device that moves the drone or the power supply device that has landed on the landing pad to a power supply position where the power supply device and the power receiving device face each other or come into contact with each other; The landing platform has a shape, when viewed from above, having an X-direction extending parallel to a horizontal X-direction; The positioning device has an X-direction moving plate having both ends located outside each of the two opposing X-sides and movable in the horizontal X-direction along the upper surface of the landing platform; The drone has the power receiving device on a side thereof, the power supply device is attached to the X-direction moving plate and positioned above and spaced apart from the upper surface of the landing pad, and supplies power laterally toward the power receiving device; The positioning device further includes a moving plate driving device that moves the X-direction moving plate in the X-direction to the power supply position; A power supply moving device is provided that moves the power supply device along the X-direction moving plate to which the power supply device is attached. Effect of the Invention

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013] According to the present invention, since the power supply drone port has a positioning device, the drone can be precisely positioned at the power supply position during power supply. This allows the position of the power supply device of the power supply drone port to be precisely opposite or in contact with the position of the power receiving device mounted on the drone, ensuring the charging efficiency according to the design value, and allowing the drone to be reliably powered even when the power supply drone port is unmanned. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a power supply drone port according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the power supply drone port of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the power supply drone port of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a unit drive device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of a fall prevention device. [Figure 7] 1 is an explanatory diagram of the procedure for removing the fall prevention device from the landing pad. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a power supply drone port according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a power supply drone port according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a power supply drone port according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] 13A to 13C are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the positioning equipment of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a power supply drone port according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view of the power supply drone port of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a right side cross-sectional view of the power supply drone port of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the power supply drone port of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a power supply drone port according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 17] 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the power supply drone port of the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, common parts in each drawing are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0016] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a power supply drone port 1 according to a first embodiment. In this diagram, 1 is a drone port for power supply, 2 is a drone, 2a is a power receiving device, 3 is a power pole, 4 is a landing pad, 6 is a power supply device, 9 is a fall prevention device, 10 is a positioning device, 26 is a transformer, and 27 is a lightning rod.

[0017] The power supply drone port 1 of this embodiment is a power supply port for supplying power to a drone 2 provided at the upper end 3a of a power-carrying pole 3 to which power is supplied. The power supply drone port 1 includes a landing pad 4 on which the drone 2 can take off and land, a power supply device 6 that supplies power to the drone 2 placed on the landing pad 4, and a positioning device 10 that moves the drone 2 or the power supply device 6.

[0018] The landing pad 4 is fixed to the upper end 3a of the electrified pole 3 via a support base 5. The electrified pole 3 is a columnar structure to which power is supplied, and is assumed to be, for example, a pole supporting a street light or a traffic light, a utility pole, an advertising tower on the roof of a building, a monument clock or a clock tower installed in a park or a plaza in front of a station, etc. These electrified poles 3 are generally installed at a height that is out of reach of a person H so that the person H does not touch an electrified device such as an electric wire, a traffic light, or a street light and get electrocuted. The power supply drone port 1 is installed at the upper end 3a of such an electrified pole 3, so that the person H cannot easily reach the landing pad 4.

[0019] The power used by the power supply drone port 1 is distributed from the electrified pole 3 to which it is fixed. For example, as shown in this figure, the power supply drone port 1 may be equipped with a transformer 26 that transforms the power distributed from the electrified pole 3. For example, if the electrified pole 3 is a utility pole, it is preferable to receive power from two low-voltage power lines and one low-voltage lighting line, as shown in this figure.

[0020] As shown in this figure, the power supply drone port 1 is preferably provided with a fall prevention device 9 surrounding the periphery of the landing pad 4. The fall prevention device 9 is preferably a mesh net or fence large enough to prevent the drone 2 from passing through. By using the fall prevention device 9 as a net or fence, it is possible to prevent the drone 2 from being blown by the wind and falling from the landing pad 4 while suppressing the effects of strong winds on the electrified pole 3. It is preferable that the fall prevention device 9 is provided with a removable portion of the net or fence so that workers can easily perform maintenance on the power supply drone port 1.

[0021] Furthermore, it is preferable that the power supply drone port 1 is provided with a lightning rod 27 on the fall prevention device 9 or the landing pad 4. The lightning rod 27 is provided with a ground wire 27a. With this configuration, the lightning rod 27 can protect the drone 2 and the power supply drone port 1 itself from lightning.

[0022] The drone 2 has a power receiving device 2a that receives power from a power supply device 6. The power receiving device 2a may be provided on the underside of the drone 2, for example, as shown in this figure.

[0023] The power supply device 6 in this figure is provided on the upper surface 4a of the power supply position 7 of the landing pad 4, and supplies the power distributed from the power-conducting support 3 upward. The power supply position 7 is a position where the power receiving device 2a of the drone 2 mounted on the landing pad 4 faces or contacts the power supply device 6. The power supply device 6 may be a contact power supply device in which the power supply side and the power receiving side are in contact, but a non-contact power supply device is more preferable. When the power supply device 6 is a contact power supply type, the power supply position 7 is a position where the connectors of the power supply side and the power receiving side are in contact. When the power supply device 6 is a non-contact power supply type, the power supply position 7 is a position where the transmitting coil of the power supply device 6 and the receiving coil of the power receiving device 2a mounted on the drone 2 face each other coaxially.

[0024] The power supply drone port 1 in this figure also includes a positioning device 10 that moves the landed drone 2 to the power supply position 7. This allows the position of the power receiving device 2a of the drone 2 to be aligned with the power supply position 7 by driving the positioning device 10.

[0025] 2 is a side view of the power supply drone port 1 of the first embodiment. In this figure, 4 is a landing pad, 4a is its upper surface, 5 is a support base, 6 is a power supply device, 6a is a transmitting coil, 9 is a fall prevention device, 10 is a positioning device, 13 is a horizontal movement unit, 11 is an X-direction moving plate, 24 is a unit drive device, 24a is a drive plate, and 24b is a horizontal movement fitting. Note that the drive plate drive device 25 is omitted in this figure.

[0026] Not only when the power supply device 6 is a contact power supply device, but even when it is a non-contact power supply device, efficient power supply is not possible unless the positions of the power receiving device 2a mounted on the drone 2 and the power supply device 6 mounted on the power supply drone port 1 are accurately aligned.

[0027] For example, when the power supply device 6 is a non-contact power supply device, an electromagnetic induction method may be used. In this case, the transmitting coil 6a of the power supply device 6 and the receiving coil 2b of the power receiving device 2a are coaxially opposed to each other, and electricity flows in the receiving coil 2b due to a magnetic field 35 generated by energizing the transmitting coil 6a. This allows power to be supplied from the power supply device 6 to the power receiving device 2a even if the transmitting coil 6a and the receiving coil 2b are separated from each other.

[0028] Thus, in order for the power supply drone port 1 to charge the drone 2, it is essential to accurately position the drone 2 at the time of power supply.

[0029] In addition, a support base 5 is fixed to the upper end 3a of the conductive pole 3, and a landing pad 4 is fixed to this support base 5. The landing pad 4 is provided above and spaced apart from the support base 5, and the space between the landing pad 4 and the support base 5 provides a space for arranging various devices.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the support base 5. As shown in FIG. The support base 5 may be a cylindrical pole attachment part 5a that is fixed to cover the upper end 3a of the electrification pole 3, and a shaped steel 5b that is assembled horizontally on the pole attachment part 5a. The shaped steel 5b may be assembled, for example, in a grid pattern. The support base 5 supports the landing pad 4 at a fixed interval in the vertical direction with connecting metal fittings 5c extending upward from both ends in the X direction in this figure. In this example, the six connecting metal fittings 5c are located only at both ends in the X direction of the landing pad 4 and the support base 5, and a hollow space with no obstructions in the X and Y directions is formed between the left and right connecting metal fittings 5c.

[0031] 4 is a plan view of the power supply drone port 1 of the first embodiment. In this figure, 4a is the upper surface of the landing pad 4, 4b is the X-side edge, 4c is the Y-side edge, 5 is the support base, 6 is the power supply device, 7 is the power supply position, and 10 is the positioning equipment. The fall prevention device 9 is omitted in this figure. In the positioning device 10, reference numeral 13 denotes a horizontal movement unit, 11 denotes an X-direction movement plate, 14 denotes a Y-direction movement plate, 15 denotes a connecting plate, and 16 denotes a hinge.

[0032] The landing pad 4 has a rectangular plate shape when viewed from above, with an X-side 4b extending parallel to the horizontal X-direction and a Y-side 4c extending parallel to the horizontal Y-direction. The power supply device 6 of this embodiment is provided at the center of the landing pad 4, and the power supply position 7 is disposed at the center M of the landing pad 4.

[0033] The positioning equipment 10 in this figure has a horizontal movement unit 13 that can move horizontally along the upper surface 4a of the landing pad 4. The horizontal movement unit 13 has a function of horizontally moving the drone 2 to the center M of the upper surface 4a. In this example, the horizontal movement unit 13 has a pair of X-direction movement plates 11 , a pair of Y-direction movement plates 14 , and four connection plates 15 .

[0034] The pair of X-direction moving plates 11 extend horizontally in the Y direction in this figure, with both ends 11a positioned outside the X opposite side 4b. A pair of Y-direction moving plates 14 extend horizontally in the X-direction of this figure. The four connecting plates 15 connect both ends 11a of the X-direction moving plate 11 and both ends of the Y-direction moving plate 14 obliquely in a plan view. Furthermore, both ends of the X-direction moving plate 11, the Y-direction moving plate 14 and the connecting plate 15 are connected by hinges 16 so as to be freely rotatable about a vertical axis.

[0035] In this figure, both ends 11a of the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 are fixed to four horizontally moving fittings 24b that are movable in the X-direction. Furthermore, the four horizontally moving fittings 24b are positioned outside the X opposite side 4b.

[0036] With the above-described configuration, the four horizontally movable fittings 24b are moved inward in the X direction in synchronization with each other, so that the pair of X-direction movable plates 11 can be moved inward in the X direction while maintaining their parallelism from the standby position (solid line) to the center position (dashed line). In conjunction with this, a pair of Y-direction moving plates 14 connected to the connecting plate 15 by the hinge 16 can be moved inward in the Y direction while maintaining their parallelism with each other.

[0037] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the unit driving device 24. As shown in FIG. 5(A) is a view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5(B) is a view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5(A). In this figure, the positioning equipment 10 further includes a unit driving device 24 that drives the horizontal movement unit 13 .

[0038] In this example, the unit drive 24 has a pair of drive plates 24 a and a drive plate drive 25 . The pair of drive plates 24a are located between the landing platform 4 and the support platform 5, and are connected to both ends 11a of the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 via horizontal movement fittings 24b so as to be freely rotatable about a vertical axis. Further, the drive plate drive device 25 is provided on the support base 5 and synchronously drives the pair of drive plates 24a horizontally in the X direction. In this example, the drive plate drive device 25 is made up of a pair of linear guides 25a and a pair of ball screw drive devices 25b. A ball nut that meshes with a ball screw of a ball screw drive unit 25b is fixed to the drive plate 24a, and the ball nut is driven horizontally in the X direction via the ball screw.

[0039] With the configuration of the positioning equipment 10 described above, the pair of drive plates 24a are synchronously driven horizontally in the X direction by the drive plate drive device 25, so that the four horizontally moving fittings 24b can be moved synchronously with each other in the X direction. Therefore, the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 can be moved inward in the X direction while maintaining their parallelism, and at the same time, the pair of Y-direction moving plates 14 can be moved inward in the Y direction while maintaining their parallelism. This allows the X-direction moving plates 11 and the Y-direction moving plates 14 to move along the upper surface 4a of the landing pad 4 from the standby position to a center position closely surrounding the power supply position 7, and the drone 2 placed on the upper surface 4a can be moved horizontally to the center M of the upper surface 4a. It is preferable that the drone 2 be configured to move freely along the upper surface 4a of the landing pad 4.

[0040] A power supply device 6, a control device 8, and a communication device 17 are also provided in the space between the landing pad 4 and the support pad 5. The power supply device 6 may be provided below the landing pad 4, or may be flush with and exposed on the upper surface 4a of the landing pad 4, as long as the magnetic field 35 reaches above the upper surface 4a of the landing pad 4. The power supply device 6 is connected to an electric wire wired to the electrified support pole 3, and supplies power supplied from the electrified support pole 3 to the power receiving device 2a of the drone 2 mounted on the landing pad 4. The positioning equipment 10 and the control device 8 are also operated by the power supplied from the electrified support pole 3.

[0041] The control device 8 controls the operation of the power supply drone port 1. The power supply device 6, the drive plate drive device 25, and the communication device 17 are also connected to the control device 8 and are under their control.

[0042] With this configuration, the control device 8 guides the drone 2 to land by communicating with the drone 2 via the communication device 17, and after detecting the landing, drives the drive plate drive device 25 to move the drone 2 horizontally to the power feeding position 7. Next, power is supplied to the power feeding device 6 to feed power to the power receiving device 2a of the drone 2.

[0043] After detecting the charging of the drone 2, the control device 8 again drives the drive plate drive device 25 to move the horizontal movement fitting 24b from the center position to the standby position, and moves the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 outward in the X-direction while maintaining them parallel to each other, thereby releasing the drone 2.

[0044] This allows the battery of the drone 2 to be automatically charged at the power supply drone port 1 installed at the upper end 3a of the power pole 3.

[0045] 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of the configuration of the fall prevention device 9. Fig. 6(A) is a side view of the fall prevention device 9. The fall prevention device 9 is preferably structured so that it can be folded and removed from the landing pad 4. For example, in the case of the fall prevention device 9 shown in FIG. 6(A), the net surrounding the landing pad 4 is divided into a plurality of parts 9a, 9b, which are connected by metal fittings. In the case of the fall prevention device 9 shown in this figure, the vertically adjacent parts 9a, 9b are connected by a hinge 29, and the horizontally adjacent parts are connected by a removable connecting device 30. The connecting device 30 connecting the horizontally adjacent parts 9a, 9b may be, for example, a fastener or a snap lock. Note that the vertically adjacent parts 9a, 9b do not necessarily need to be connected by the hinge 29, and may be connected by the connecting device 30.

[0046] The fall prevention device 9 is fixed to the landing pad 4 with a gap 31 provided for the horizontal movement fitting 24b to pass through. It is preferable to use a detachable hinge 28 for connecting the fall prevention device 9 to the landing pad 4. FIG. 6(B) is an explanatory diagram of the detachable hinge 28. The detachable hinge 28 may have a knob 28c for sliding the shaft 28b inside the tube 28a, for example, as shown in this figure. In this case, when removing the fall prevention device 9, the shaft 28b can be removed from the tube 28a by moving the knob 28c axially inward. One wing 28d of the detachable hinge 28 is fixed to the fall prevention device 9, and the other wing 28d is fixed to the landing platform 4. In order to make it easier to attach the fall prevention device 9 to the landing platform 4, it is better for the knob 28c to be located inside the fall prevention device 9.

[0047] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the procedure for removing the fall prevention equipment 9 from the landing pad 4. The procedure progresses from FIG. 7(A) to FIG. 7(E). When a worker performs maintenance on the power supply drone port 1, it is necessary to temporarily remove the fall prevention equipment 9. Since the worker works at a height while being careful not to come into contact with surrounding electric wires, it is important that the fall prevention equipment 9 can be easily attached and detached. First, the worker releases the connecting device 30 of the upper part 9a of the fall prevention device 9 (FIG. 7(A)). As a result, the upper part 9a is folded toward the outside of the fall prevention device 9 by the hinge 29, and hangs down from the upper end of the lower part 9b by the hinge 29 (FIG. 7(B)).

[0048] Next, while the upper part 9a is still folded, the connecting device 30 of the lower part 9b is released (Figure 7(C)), and the lower part 9b is rotated downward from the front (Figure 7(D)), exposing the knob 28c of the detachable hinge 28 within reach of the worker (Figure 7(D)). This allows the worker to comfortably approach knob 28c. The worker moves knob 28c and removes lower part 9b from landing pad 4 (FIG. 7(E)).

[0049] In this way, the fall prevention device 9 can be disassembled, and the parts 9a and 9b can be folded up small, so that it is easy to work without touching the electric wires even if they are close to the electric wires at a high place. Therefore, maintenance work on the power supply drone port 1 can be performed safely.

[0050] Furthermore, the power supply drone port 1 of this embodiment may be equipped with a bird alarm device (not shown). The bird alarm device may determine whether an object approaching from the air is a drone 2 or not, and if the object is not a drone 2, may emit an alarm sound that birds dislike (for example, the alarm call of a crow, the cry of a bird of prey, etc.). This makes it possible to prevent birds from nesting on the landing pad 4.

[0051] Since the power supply drone port 1 of this embodiment is fixed to the upper end 3a of the power-carrying pole 3, the person H cannot easily approach the power supply drone port 1. Therefore, theft of the drone 2 and the luggage carried by the drone 2 can be prevented, and the safety of the drone 2 and the luggage can be ensured.

[0052] Furthermore, since the power supply drone port 1 is provided on the power pole 3, the power required for the power supply drone port 1 can be supplied from the power pole 3 on which it is installed. Therefore, the cost of wiring electricity to the power supply drone port 1 can be kept low, and power transmission losses can be reduced.

[0053] In addition, since the power poles 3 are installed over a wide area throughout Japan, by installing power supply drone ports 1 on these power poles 3, numerous relay points for charging can be secured, making it easy to realize long-distance flights of the drone 2.

[0054] In addition, since the power supply drone port 1 has a positioning device 10, the position of the drone 2 during power supply can be precisely determined. This allows the position of the power supply device 6 of the power supply drone port 1 to be precisely aligned with the position of the power receiving device 2a mounted on the drone 2, ensuring charging efficiency according to the design value.

[0055] Furthermore, by fixing the legs 2d of the drone 2 with positioning equipment 10 or by stringing anti-fall equipment 9 around the landing pad 4, the drone 2 can be prevented from falling from the landing pad 4.

[0056] Second embodiment Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the power supply drone port 1 of the second embodiment. Figure 8(A) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view, and Figure 8(B) is a perspective view of the landing pad 4. In this figure, 4 is the landing pad, 4a is the upper surface of the landing pad 4, 4d is the inclined surface, 5 is the support base, 6 is the power supply device, 6a is the transmitting coil, 9 is a fall prevention tool, and 10 is a positioning device. The positioning facility 10 in this embodiment is the inclined surface 4d of the landing pad 4 that slopes downward toward the power supply position 7. The power supply position 7 in this figure is at the center M of the landing pad 4, but the power supply position 7 in this embodiment is not limited to this. The power supply position 7 may be located on the edge of the landing pad 4 as long as the drone 2 does not fall off the landing pad 4.

[0057] It is preferable that a freely rotatable roller 2c is attached to the lower end of the leg 2d of the drone 2 that is charged by this power supply drone port 1. It is preferable that the roller 2c is rotatable in all directions like a caster.

[0058] The positioning equipment 10 of this embodiment does not have a driving device because it is the inclined surface 4d. As a result, since no power is used to operate the positioning equipment 10, the maintenance cost of the power supply drone port 1 can be reduced, and the frequency of maintenance can be reduced. In addition, since the configuration is simple, the power supply drone port 1 is less likely to break. Since no motor or actuator is required, the manufacturing cost can be reduced accordingly. In addition, since the drone 2 rolls on the inclined surface 4d by its own weight, all drones 2 can be gathered at the power supply position 7 regardless of the size of the drone 2.

[0059] In the power supply drone port 1 of this embodiment, for example, the drone 2 may detect that no other drones 2 have landed on the landing pad 4 and land on the landing pad 4 on its own without guidance from the power supply drone port 1. When the drone 2 lands on the landing pad 4, the rollers 2c at the tips of the legs 2d roll on the inclined surface 4d due to gravity, and the drone 2 moves to the power supply position 7. When the power supply device 6 is of a non-contact power supply type, the control device 8 may start by detecting that the transmitting coil 6a of the power supply device 6 and the receiving coil 2b of the power receiving device 2a of the drone 2 face each other, and start supplying power to the transmitting coil 6a. When the power supply device 6 is of a contact power supply type, the contact between the power receiving device 2a and the power supply device 6 may be used as a trigger for starting the control device 8. The other configurations and effects of this embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0060] Third embodiment FIG. 9 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the power supply drone port 1 of the third embodiment. As shown in this figure, the power supply drone port 1 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the power supply device 6 is located above and spaced from the upper surface 4a of the landing pad 4, and supplies power sideways. If the non-contact power supply device 6 of this embodiment is, for example, an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic flux is generated from the power supply device 6 directly to the side. The power receiving device 2a of the drone 2 that receives power from this power supply device 6 is attached to the side of the drone 2.

[0061] The power supply device 6 is preferably fixed to a position on the positioning equipment 10 where it faces or comes into contact with the power receiving device 2a when the drone 2 is at the power supply position 7. For example, when the positioning equipment 10 is the same as that in the first embodiment, the power supply device 6 may be fixed to the center of the X-direction moving plate 11 or the Y-direction moving plate 14. This allows the power supply device 6 to be easily positioned in a position facing or in contact with the power receiving device 2a when the drone 2 is located at the power supply position 7. The power supply device 6 facing or in contact with the power receiving device 2a supplies power laterally toward the power receiving device 2a.

[0062] The drone 2 has a built-in magnetic direction sensor that detects whether it is facing north, south, east or west, so it can land with the power receiving device 2a facing the desired direction. Therefore, the power supply device 6 only needs to be in one location. For example, if all the power supply drone ports 1 are standardized to a configuration in which the power supply device 6 is located north, the drone 2 can always land with the power receiving device 2a facing north, and the positions of the power receiving device 2a and the power supply device 6 can be easily aligned.

[0063] However, the configuration of the power supply drone port 1 is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of power supply devices 6 may be provided to surround the power supply position 7. For example, when the positioning equipment 10 is that of the first embodiment, the power supply devices 6 may be provided in the center of all of the X-direction moving plates 11 and the Y-direction moving plates 14. In this way, no matter in which direction the drone 2 faces when landing, the positioning equipment 10 can easily align the positions of the power receiving device 2a and the power supply device 6 by simply horizontally moving the drone 2 to the power supply position 7. Alternatively, the power supply drone port 1 may be equipped with a rotation device, and the drone 2 may be rotated so that the power receiving device 2a faces the power supply device 6.

[0064] With the above-mentioned configuration, the power supply device 6 can be provided at a position above and away from the upper surface 4a of the landing pad 4, which prevents the magnetic field 35 from being generated near the upper surface 4a and prevents the power supply connector from being exposed on the upper surface 4a. This makes it possible to prevent heat generation due to power supply to dissimilar metals.

[0065] In other words, in the cities and mountains where drone 2 flies, there are birds, such as crows, that have the habit of collecting shiny objects. Such birds often pick up glass or metal objects and hide them in rain gutters or take them back to their nests. Therefore, even though power supply drone port 1 is at a height that is out of reach of human H, metal objects such as nails, hairpins, and coins may be placed on landing pad 4. For example, if the power supply device 6 is of a non-contact power supply type, and a metal object is present near the transmission coil 6a, heat will be generated by the magnetic field 35. If the power supply device 6 is of a contact power supply type, when the power supply device 6 supplies power while a dissimilar metal is in contact with the connector on the power supply side, the connector and the dissimilar metal will generate heat due to the Peltier effect.

[0066] In the power supply drone port 1 of this embodiment, the power supply device 6 is located above and away from the upper surface 4a of the landing pad 4, so that metal objects that have fallen onto the landing pad 4 can be prevented from being affected by the magnetic field 35 or from coming into contact with the connector on the power supply side. Therefore, the power supply drone port 1 can prevent unexpected heat generation due to dissimilar metals. The other configurations and effects of this embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0067] (Fourth embodiment) 10 is a perspective view of the power supply drone port 1 of the fourth embodiment. In this figure, 10 is a positioning device, 11 is an X-direction moving plate, 12 is a belt conveyor, 21 is a moving plate driving device, and 22 is a conveyor driving device. In this figure, the control device 8 and the fall prevention device 9 are omitted. In addition, this figure illustrates a case where the power supply position 7 is the center M of the landing pad 4. The power supply drone port 1 of this embodiment differs from that of the first or third embodiment in the configuration of the positioning device 10.

[0068] The landing pad 4 of this embodiment has a shape seen from above that is a parallelogram having an X-side 4b extending parallel to the horizontal X-direction and a Y-side 4c extending parallel to the horizontal Y-direction. The landing pad 4 may have a rectangular shape in plan view, as shown in the figure.

[0069] The positioning equipment 10 of this embodiment includes an X-direction moving plate 11, a belt conveyor 12, a moving plate driving device 21, and a conveyor driving device 22.

[0070] The X-direction moving plate 11 extends horizontally in the Y direction in this figure, with both ends 11a located outside the X-direction opposite side 4b, and is provided so as to be horizontally movable along the upper surface 4a of the landing pad 4. In this figure, the power supply device 6 is attached to the X-direction moving plate 11. In this embodiment, not only the upper surface 4a of the landing pad 4 but also the upper surface of the conveyor belt 12 serves as the takeoff and landing surface for the drone 2.

[0071] In this figure, a pair of X-direction moving plates 11 are provided to move horizontally in synchronization, but this is not limited to this. For example, when the power supply position 7 is at one end of the landing pad 4 in the X direction, one X-direction moving plate 11 is provided so as to be able to move back and forth between both ends of the landing pad 4 in the X direction, and it is preferable that a fixed plate that crosses the landing pad in the Y direction is fixed to the other end of the landing pad 4 in the X direction. In this case, the fixed plate stops the movement of the drone 2 pushed by the X-direction moving plate 11 on the belt.

[0072] Similar to the first embodiment, both ends 11a of the X-direction moving plate 11 are fixed to four horizontally moving fittings 24b that are movable in the X-direction. Furthermore, the four horizontally moving fittings 24b are located outside the X opposite side 4b and protrude inward in the X-direction from the X-direction moving plate 11.

[0073] The moving plate driving device 21 moves the horizontally moving fitting 24b in the X direction. In the example shown in this figure, the moving plate driving device 21 has a pair of guide rails 21a, a pair of endless chains 21b, and a chain rotation actuator 21c.

[0074] The pair of guide rails 21a guide the horizontal movement fittings 24b in the X direction. The pair of endless chains 21b pull the four horizontal movement fittings 24b and move them inward in the X direction while synchronously moving them. The endless chains 21b are provided in pairs at both ends of the power supply drone port 1 in the Y direction, and are wound around a pair of shafts 21d extending in the Y direction at both ends in the X direction. One of the horizontal movement fittings 24b arranged on both sides in the X direction (the horizontal movement fitting 24b on the right side in the figure) is connected to the upper chain of the wound endless chain 21b, and the other (the horizontal movement fitting 24b on the left side in the figure) is connected to the lower chain. The chain rotation actuator 21c rotates the endless chain 21b.

[0075] With this configuration, when the chain rotation actuator 21c rotates one of the endless chains 21b, the pair of endless chains 21b rotate synchronously, and the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 can be moved back and forth between the inward and outward directions in the X-direction in synchronization. Therefore, the moving plate driving device 21 can move the X-direction moving plate 11 in the X-direction to the power supply position 7. In addition, since the horizontal movement fitting 24b protrudes inward in the X-direction from the X-direction moving plate 11, it is possible to prevent the drone 2 that has landed on the Y-direction end of the landing pad 4 from being pushed by the X-direction moving plate 11 and falling from the Y-direction end.

[0076] The configuration of the moving plate driving device 21 of this embodiment is not limited to this, and may be the same as the unit driving device 24 of the first embodiment.

[0077] The horizontal movement of the drone 2 in the Y direction after landing on the landing pad 4 is achieved by a conveyor belt 12. The belt conveyor 12 is provided at a position where the belt 12a passes through the power supply position 7. When the power supply position 7 is at the center M of the landing pad 4, the belt conveyor 12 is also located at the center of the landing pad 4 in the X direction, and when the power supply position 7 is at an end of the landing pad 4 in the X direction, the belt conveyor 12 is also located at that end. The belt 12a of the belt conveyor 12 extends in the Y direction and is rotated in the Y direction by a conveyor drive device 22. The belt 12a is preferably weather resistant. In addition, it is preferable to install a brush on the underside of the belt 12a to keep the landing pad 4 in good condition at all times.

[0078] Both the conveyor driving device 22 and the chain rotation actuator 21c are controlled by the control device 8. The conveyor driving device 22 and the chain rotation actuator 21c are preferably waterproof motors. With the above-described configuration, the positioning equipment 10 moves the drone 2 horizontally to the power supply position 7 using the X-direction moving plate 11 and the conveyor belt 12.

[0079] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the positioning equipment 10 of the fourth embodiment. In this figure, the illustration of the propellers of the drone 2 and the illustration of the moving plate driving device 21 are omitted. In FIG. 11, time passes from FIG. 11(A) to FIG. 11(D). Also, FIG. 11(E) and FIG. 11(F) are plan views of the power supply drone port 1 when the positioning equipment 10 has two belt conveyors 12. As shown in FIG. 11(A), the drone 2 lands on the landing pad 4 with the magnetic orientation sensor pointing the power receiving device 2a toward the X-direction moving board 11 on which the power supply device 6 is attached (the X-direction moving board 11 on the right side of this figure).

[0080] After detecting the landing of the drone 2 by the communication device 17, the control device 8 moves the X-direction moving plate 11 to move the drone 2 (FIG. 11(B)). The moving plate driving device 21 is then moved until it pinches both sides of the drone 2 (for example, until resistance is generated in the movement of the chain rotation actuator 21c). As a result, as shown in FIG. 11(C), the drone 2 is surrounded by the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 and the horizontal movement fittings 24b on the belt 12a with the power receiving device 2a facing the right side of the figure. In this state, the movement of the drone 2 in the X direction is restricted by the pair of X-direction moving plates 11.

[0081] Next, the control device 8 drives the conveyor drive device 22 to move the drone 2 in the Y direction along the X-direction moving plate 11. The horizontal movement fittings 24b protrude inward in the X direction from the X-direction moving plate 11 to stop the drone 2 moving in the Y direction, so that the drone 2 does not fall from both ends of the landing pad 4 in the Y direction. The control device 8 may horizontally move the drone 2 to the power supply position 7 by repeating forward and reverse rotation of the belt 12a until it detects, for example, that the power supply device 6 and the power receiving device 2a face each other or come into contact with each other. For example, it is preferable to detect the face-to-face or contact between the power supply device 6 and the power receiving device 2a by detecting a change in the current supply of the power supply device 6 or a change in the magnitude of the magnetic field 35. When the control device 8 detects that the power supply device 6 and the power receiving device 2a face each other or come into contact with each other, it stops driving the conveyor drive device 22 and starts power supply by the power supply device 6.

[0082] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11(E) and FIG. 11(F), two belt conveyors 12 may be arranged in the Y direction. By rotating the belts 12a of the two belt conveyors 12 toward the inside of the landing pad 4 in the Y direction, the drone 2 moves to the position of the joint 12b of the two belt conveyors 12 regardless of the position of the drone 2. In the example of this figure, the power supply position 7 is the center M of the landing pad 4, so the joint 12b of the two belt conveyors 12 is arranged at the center M of the landing pad 4. In this configuration, the drone 2 moves to the power supply position 7 by rotating the belt 12a for a certain period of time, so there is no need for a mechanism for detecting the face-to-face or contact between the power supply device 6 and the power receiving device 2a. The control device 8 determines that the drone 2 is at the power supply position 7 by rotating the belt 12a for a certain period of time, and starts power supply by the power supply device 6.

[0083] The position of the power supply device 6 in this embodiment may be attached to the X-direction moving plate 11 as shown in this figure. Alternatively, the power supply device 6 may be provided under the upper surface 4a of the landing pad 4, between the belts 12a of the belt conveyor 12, or under the joint 12b of the belt conveyor 12 as in the first embodiment.

[0084] With the above-described configuration, the power supply drone port 1 of this embodiment does not need to limit the power supply position 7 to the center M of the landing pad 4. For example, depending on the environment in which the power supply drone port 1 is installed, the power supply position 7 can be freely set at the center M of the landing pad 4 or at the end of the landing pad 4. In addition, the chain rotation actuator 21c is driven until the drone 2 is sandwiched between the pair of X-direction moving plates 11, and the chain rotation actuator 21c is stopped at the point where the drone 2 is sandwiched, so that all drones 2 can be gathered at the power supply position 7 regardless of the size of the drone 2. The same applies when the drone 2 is sandwiched between the X-direction moving plate 11 and the fixed plate. The other configurations and effects of this embodiment are similar to those of the first and third embodiments.

[0085] Fifth embodiment FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the power supply drone port 1 of the fifth embodiment. Fig. 13 is a front view of the power supply drone port 1 of the fifth embodiment. Fig. 13(A) is a diagram when the X-direction moving plate 11 is in the standby position, and Fig. 13(B) is a diagram when the X-direction moving plate 11 is in the center position. Figure 14 is a right side cross-sectional view of the power supply drone port 1 of the fifth embodiment. Figure 14(A) is a view taken along the CC arrow in Figure 13(B), and Figure 14(B) is an enlarged view of part D in Figure 14(A). Note that these figures omit the illustration of the fall prevention device 9. Also, in Figure 14(B), the illustration of the support base 5 and the connecting fitting 5c ​​is omitted.

[0086] The landing pad 4 of this embodiment has a shape, when viewed from above, that has an X-direction opposite side 4b that extends parallel to the horizontal X-direction. The shape of the landing pad 4 when viewed from above may be a trapezoid, a parallelogram, or a rectangle. The positioning device 10 of this embodiment is similar to that of the fourth embodiment in that it can move horizontally along the upper surface 4a of the landing platform 4, both ends 11a are located outside the X-direction opposite side 4b, and it has an X-direction moving plate 11. However, the shape of the X-direction moving plate 11 is different from that of the fourth embodiment.

[0087] 12, the X-direction moving plate 11 of this embodiment is provided in pairs, and the central portion 11b of each X-direction moving plate 11 is bent outward in the X-direction of the landing pad 4 more than both ends 11a. In other words, when the power supply drone port 1 is viewed in a plan view, the left X-direction moving plate 11 bent in the shape of an inequality sign "<" (less than) and the right X-direction moving plate 11 bent in the shape of an inequality sign ">" face each other on the landing pad 4.

[0088] Both ends 11a of the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 are fixed to four horizontally moving fittings 24b that are movable in the X-direction, and are pulled by an endless chain 21b, in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment. The pair of X-direction moving plates 11 are positioned alternately in the up-down direction as shown in Fig. 13. Moreover, as shown in Fig. 14(B), the two horizontally moving fittings 24b fixed to one of the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 are positioned further outward in the Y direction than the horizontally moving fitting 24b fixed to the other one.

[0089] The moving plate driving device 21 of this embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that it has a total of four guide rails 21a, two at each end of the Y direction of the power supply drone port 1. In this figure, the horizontal moving fitting 24b located on the inside of the Y direction among the four horizontal moving fittings 24b has a rotating roller 24c on the outside of the Y direction that can rotate freely, and the rotating roller 24c rolls in the X direction in the groove of the guide rail 21a that opens in the Y direction. Similarly, the rotating roller 24c rotatably attached in the Y direction inward of the horizontal moving fitting 24b located on the outside of the Y direction is fitted into the guide rail 21a that opens outward in the Y direction, and rolls in the X direction in the groove of the guide rail 21a. With this configuration, the moving plate driving device 21 moves the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 inward in the X-direction of the landing pad 4 until the drone 2 is sandwiched between both of the X-direction moving plates 11. Other configurations of the moving plate driving device 21 are similar to those in the fourth embodiment.

[0090] With this configuration, when the endless chain 21b rotates by being driven by the chain rotation actuator 21c, the horizontally moving fitting 24b on the inside in the Y direction and the horizontally moving fitting 24b on the outside in the Y direction pass each other at the center in the Y direction. Because the heights at which the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 are installed are offset in the vertical direction, the X-direction moving plates 11 will not collide with each other even if the horizontally moving fittings 24b pass each other.

[0091] Next, the operation of the power supply drone port 1 of the fifth embodiment will be described. In this figure, the description of the propellers of the drone 2 and the description of the moving plate driving device 21 are omitted. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the power supply drone port 1 of the fifth embodiment. Time passes from FIG. 15(A) to FIG. 15(D). After detecting the landing of the drone 2 by the communication device 17, the control device 8 moves the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 inward in the X-direction by the moving plate driving device 21. The control device 8 drives the chain rotation actuator 21c until the drone 2 is sandwiched between the pair of X-direction moving plates 11, and stops the chain rotation actuator 21c when it detects that the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 have sandwiched the drone 2 from both sides. For example, when resistance is generated in the movement of the chain rotation actuator 21c, the control device 8 may determine that the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 have sandwiched the drone 2 from both sides.

[0092] After the chain rotation actuator 21c is stopped, as shown in Fig. 15(D), the power supply device 6 starts supplying power. After the power supply is finished, the control device 8 rotates the chain rotation actuator 21c in the reverse direction, and returns the X-direction moving plate 11 to the standby position.

[0093] With the above-mentioned configuration, by moving the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 inward in the X direction, the drone 2 can be moved horizontally along the pair of bent X-direction moving plates 11 toward the center M of the landing pad 4, as shown in FIG. 15(C). Since the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 are bent at the center portion 11b, the drone 2 can be surrounded on all four sides by simply moving the X-direction moving plates 11 in the X direction to sandwich the drone 2. Furthermore, since the X-direction moving plates 11 do not have any movable parts such as links, they are sturdy and not easily broken. In addition, since the driving device of the positioning equipment 10 of this embodiment is only the chain rotation actuator 21c, less power is required than in the fourth embodiment. In addition, since the chain rotation actuator 21c is driven until the X-direction moving plates 11 sandwich the drone 2, all the drones 2 can be gathered at the center M of the landing pad 4 regardless of the size of the drones 2, as in the second and fourth embodiments.

[0094] In the fifth embodiment illustrated in the figure, the power supply device 6 is attached to the X-direction moving plate 11, and the power receiving device 2a is provided on the side of the drone 2, but as in the first embodiment, the power supply device 6 may be provided on the landing pad 4, and the power receiving device 2a may be provided on the underside of the drone 2. The other configurations and effects of this embodiment are similar to those of the fourth embodiment.

[0095] Sixth embodiment FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the power supply drone port 1 of the sixth embodiment. The power supply drone port 1 of this embodiment differs from other embodiments in that the power supply device 6 is movable.

[0096] The landing pad 4 of this embodiment has a shape seen from above with an X-direction opposite side 4b extending parallel to the horizontal X-direction. For example, the shape of the landing pad 4 seen in a plan view may be a trapezoid, a parallelogram, or a rectangle.

[0097] The positioning facility 10 of this embodiment may be the same as that of the fourth embodiment, for example. That is, the positioning facility 10 has an X-direction moving plate whose both ends are located outside the X-side 4b and which is horizontally movable along the upper surface 4a of the landing pad 4, and a moving plate driving device 21 that moves the X-direction moving plate 11 in the X direction to the power supply position 7. The X-direction moving plate 11 is preferably a plate that extends linearly in the Y direction as in the fourth embodiment, but may be a plate that is curved outward in the X direction.

[0098] The power supply drone port 1 of this embodiment differs from the power supply drone port 1 of the fourth embodiment in that it does not have a belt conveyor 12 and a conveyor driving device 22, but has a power supply moving device 23.

[0099] The power supply moving device 23 is a device for moving the power supply device 6 along the X-direction moving plate 11 . The power supply movement device 23 in the example of this figure has, for example, a linear guide 23a and a power supply movement actuator 23b. The power supply movement actuator 23b may have, for example, a ball screw 23c and a motor 23d as shown in the figure. Alternatively, the power supply movement actuator 23b may be a linear cylinder.

[0100] Next, the operation of the power supply drone port 1 of the sixth embodiment will be described. Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the power supply drone port 1 of the sixth embodiment. Time passes from Figure 17(A) to Figure 17(D). In addition, in this figure, the description of the propeller of the drone 2 and the description of the moving plate driving device 21 are omitted. After detecting the landing of the drone 2 with the communication device 17, the control device 8 moves the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 inward in the X-direction with the moving plate driving device 21 (FIGS. 17(A) and 17(B)). The drone 2 lands with the power receiving device 2a facing the X-direction moving plate 11 (the X-direction moving plate 11 on the right side of the figure) to which the power supply device 6 is attached, as determined by the magnetic direction sensor. With the X-direction moving plate 11 sandwiching the drone 2, the power receiving device 2a and the X-direction moving plate 11 on the right side of the figure become parallel to each other (FIG. 17(C)).

[0101] The control device 8 stops the chain rotation actuator 21c when it detects that the pair of X-direction moving plates 11 has sandwiched the drone 2 from both sides. Next, the control device 8 drives the motor 23d of the power supply moving device 23 to move the power supply device 6 back and forth in the Y direction (FIG. 17(C)), and stops the power supply device 6 at the position where the current flow between the power supply device 6 and the power receiving device 2a is the strongest (FIG. 17(D)). This position of the power supply device 6 is the power supply position 7. After that, the control device 8 starts supplying power from the power supply device 6 to the power receiving device 2a.

[0102] After the power supply is completed, the control device 8 rotates the chain rotation actuator 21c in the reverse direction to return the X-direction moving plate 11 to the standby position, and drives the power supply moving device 23 to return the position of the power supply device 6 to its original position.

[0103] With this configuration, the power supply drone port 1 of this embodiment can supply power to the power receiving device 2a while minimizing the movement of the drone 2. The other configurations and effects of this embodiment are similar to those of the fourth embodiment.

[0104] According to the present invention described above, the power supply drone port 1 capable of supplying power to the drone 2 is installed on the power supply pole 3, and the power supply pole 3 is installed all over Japan. This allows the drone 2 to relay power supply drone ports 1 in various locations, thereby enabling the drone 2 to fly long distances.

[0105] Furthermore, the electrified pole 3 usually has electrified equipment attached at a height that is out of reach of the person H so that the person H cannot touch it. Since the power supply drone port 1 is attached to the upper end 3a of such an electrified pole 3, the person H cannot reach the power supply drone port 1 either. This makes it possible to prevent theft of the drone 2 and the cargo carried by the drone 2, and ensures the safety of the drone 2 and the cargo.

[0106] Furthermore, since the power-carrying pole 3 to which the power-supply drone port 1 is attached is originally supplied with electricity, the power required for the power-supply drone port 1 can be supplied from the power-carrying pole 3 on which it is installed. Therefore, the cost of wiring electricity to the power-supply drone port 1 can be kept low, and there is little transmission loss, making it efficient.

[0107] Moreover, since the power supply drone port 1 has a positioning device 10, the position of the drone 2 during power supply can be precisely positioned at the power supply position 7. This allows the position of the power supply device 6 of the power supply drone port 1 and the position of the power receiving device 2a mounted on the drone 2 to be accurately faced or in contact with each other, so that the charging efficiency according to the design value can be ensured and power can be reliably supplied to the drone 2.

[0108] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 Drone port for power supply, 2 drone, 2a power receiving device, 2b receiving coil, 2c roller, 2d leg, 3 Energized pole, 3a top end, 4 Landing pad, 4a Top surface, 4b X-side surface, 4c Y opposite side, 4d inclined surface, 5 Support stand, 5a column attachment part, 5b section steel, 6 power supply device, 6a transmitting coil, 7 power supply position, 8 Control device, 9 Fall prevention equipment, 10 Positioning equipment, 11 X-direction moving plate, 11a both ends, 11b central portion, 12 belt conveyor, 12a belt, 12b joint, 13 horizontal movement unit, 14 Y-direction movement plate, 15 connecting plate, 16 hinge, 17 communication device, 21 Moving plate drive device, 21a guide rail, 21b endless chain, 21c Chain rotation actuator, 21d axis, 22 conveyor drive unit, 23 Power supply moving device, 23a Linear guide, 23b power supply movement actuator; 23c ball screw, 23d motor, 24 unit drive device, 24a drive plate, 24b horizontal movement fitting, 24c rotating roller, 25 Drive plate drive device, 25a Linear guide, 25b ball screw drive unit, 26 transformer, 27 Lightning rod, 27a Ground wire, 28 detachable hinge, 28a tube, 28b shaft, 28c knob, 29 hinge, 30 connecting device, 31 gap through which horizontal movement fitting passes, 35 magnetic field, H person, M center of the top surface of the landing pad

Claims

1. A landing pad on which drones can take off and land; A power supply device that supplies power to a power receiving device of the drone mounted on the landing pad; and a positioning device that moves the drone or the power supply device that has landed on the landing pad to a power supply position where the power supply device and the power receiving device face each other or come into contact with each other; The landing platform has a shape, when viewed from above, having an X-direction extending parallel to a horizontal X-direction; The positioning device has an X-direction moving plate having both ends located on the outer sides of the two opposing X-sides, and movable in the horizontal X-direction along the upper surface of the landing platform; The drone has the power receiving device on a side thereof, the power supply device is attached to the X-direction moving plate and positioned above and spaced apart from the upper surface of the landing platform, and supplies power laterally to the power receiving device; The positioning device further includes a moving plate driving device that moves the X-direction moving plate in the X-direction to the power supply position; A power supply moving device that moves the power supply device along the X-direction moving plate to which the power supply device is attached.

2. A control device for controlling the moving plate drive device, The power supply drone port of claim 1 , wherein the control device stops driving the moving plate drive device when it detects that the pair of X-direction moving plates has sandwiched the drone from both sides.

3. At least one power supply drone port according to claim 1 is provided as a relay point on a flight route of the drone to a destination, A power supply drone port system charges the drone at a power supply drone port that serves as a relay point, replenishing the drone's battery with power, allowing it to fly to the destination.

Images