Charging station for unmanned aircraft

Abstract

To provide a charging station which can charge an unmanned aircraft with power generated by natural energy, and has high crime prevention property.SOLUTION: A charging station (1) comprises: a power generation facility (5) having at least one of a solar power generator and a wind power generator; a storage battery (6) for storing power generated by the power generation facility (5); a controller (7) for performing control to allow power generated by the power generation facility (5) to be input to the storage battery (6) and allow the power of the storage battery (6) to be output to a charging device (8); and a housing (2) for accommodating the storage battery (6) and the controller (7). The housing (2) is provided with an opening / closing part (12), and the charging device (8) is provided inside the opening / closing part (12) or the housing (2). An unmanned aircraft (10) landed on the charging device (8) is accommodated inside the housing (2) by closing the opening / closing part (12).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging station capable of charging an unmanned aerial vehicle with electricity generated from natural energy and having high crime prevention capabilities. [Background technology]

[0002] The flight distance and flight time of unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones depend on the batteries they are equipped with. As a means for extending the flight distance and flight time, there is a method of providing a charging system using a solar power generation device at the flight location (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-044169 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the top of the landing port of the unmanned aerial vehicle is open, so there is a risk of theft while charging. In addition, since it requires the construction of solar panels, there are problems in that installation is not easy and transportation is difficult.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a charging station for unmanned aerial vehicles that is easy to install and can be transported, without the risk of theft of the unmanned aerial vehicle while charging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the charging station of the present invention is a charging station equipped with a charging device capable of charging unmanned aerial vehicles, and comprises a power generation facility having at least one of a solar power generation device and a wind power generation device, a storage battery that stores the electricity generated by the power generation facility, a control device that controls the input of the electricity generated by the power generation facility to the storage battery and the output of the electricity from the storage battery to the charging device, and a housing that accommodates the storage battery and the control device, wherein the housing is provided with an opening and closing section, the charging device is provided in the opening and closing section or inside the housing, and the unmanned aerial vehicle that has landed on the charging device is accommodated inside the housing by closing the opening and closing section.

[0007] According to this configuration, the unmanned aerial vehicle can be charged with electricity generated from natural energy. Also, since the unmanned aerial vehicle is housed in the housing by closing the opening and closing part, theft and vandalism of the unmanned aerial vehicle can be prevented, and the crime prevention is excellent.

[0008] In the charging station of the present invention, the opening / closing portion may be provided on a side wall or an upper wall.

[0009] With this configuration, the position of the opening and closing part can be freely selected according to the environment in which the housing is installed.

[0010] In the charging station of the present invention, a protective fence may be provided inside the housing and facing the opening / closing portion.

[0011] According to this configuration, when the opening and closing part is in the open state, the protective fence can prevent people, animals, etc. from entering the inside of the housing, providing excellent crime prevention properties.

[0012] In the charging station of the present invention, the housing may be a transportable container.

[0013] According to this configuration, the housing can be transported by truck or the like, which makes installation and removal easier.

[0014] The charging station of the present invention may also have a communication device that performs opening and closing operations of the opening / closing section, monitors the status of the unmanned aerial vehicle, the power generation equipment, the storage device and the charging device, and charges the unmanned aerial vehicle from outside the housing.

[0015] With this configuration, the status of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the charging station can be monitored and operated from a remote location, improving convenience for users of the charging station. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the charging station of the present invention, there is no risk of theft of the unmanned aerial vehicle while it is being charged, and the charging station can be easily installed and transported. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a charging station according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] 5 is a perspective view showing the operation of the charging station according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2B] 2 is a side view showing the inside of the charging station according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3A] 5A to 5C are vertical cross-sectional views showing the operation of the charging station according to the embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the operation of FIG. 3A completed; [Figure 4A] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a charging station according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the charging station according to the embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a charging station according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] 2 is a side view showing the inside of the charging station according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6A] 10A to 10C are vertical cross-sectional views showing the operation of a charging station according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the operation of FIG. 6A completed. [Figure 7A] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a charging station according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the charging station according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a charging station according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9A] 13A to 13C are vertical cross-sectional views showing the operation of a charging station according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the operation of FIG. 9A completed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] <First embodiment> A charging station 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the charging station 1 is formed by a housing 2 that accommodates a person, an unmanned aerial vehicle, etc. inside. A solar panel 3 constituting a solar power generation device is provided on the top surface or the top surface and side surface of the housing 2. A windmill 4 constituting a wind power generation device is provided on the side surface of the housing 2. The solar panel 3 and the windmill 4 are structured to be removable from the housing 2, and constitute a power generation facility 5. One of the solar panel 3 and the windmill 4, especially the windmill 4, may not be provided. In this way, the power generation facility 5 includes at least one of the solar power generation device 3 and the wind power generation device 4. Inside the housing 2 of the charging station 1, a control device 7 that electrically controls the solar panel 3, the windmill 4 shown in FIG. 2B, and the storage battery 6, and a charging device 8 for charging the storage battery 6 and the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 shown in FIG. 2A are provided. The control device 7 in FIG. 2B includes, for example, an AC / DC converter that converts AC power generated by the power generation facility 5 into DC power that can be stored in the storage battery 6. Power can be supplied to unmanned aerial vehicle 10 either wirelessly from charging device 8 in FIG. 2A or by contact power supply.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2A, this charging station 1 opens an opening / closing section 12a forming one side wall 12, and holds the inner surface of one side wall 12 facing up at a high position on the housing 2 using support wires 14 and supports 15. This opens one side of the housing 2. A charging device 8 for the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is provided on the inner surface of the opening / closing section 12a. Multiple charging devices 8 may be provided. An entrance / exit 20 may be provided on the other side wall that does not open or close.

[0020] When the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 lands on the charging device 8 in the opening / closing section 12a of the housing 2, electricity generated by solar and / or wind power can be supplied to the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 on the spot, allowing the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 to be charged.

[0021] 2B, a protective fence 11 is provided at a location facing the opening / closing section 12a inside the housing 2. The fence 11 is structured so as to be removable from inside the housing 2.

[0022] By providing the fence 11 at a position facing the opening / closing part 12a inside the housing 2, it is possible to prevent people, animals, etc. from entering the housing 2 even if the side of the housing 2 is open. In addition, since the fence 11 cannot be removed from the outside of the housing 2, it is possible to reduce the risks of theft, vandalism, electric shock, etc. of the control device 7 and the storage battery 6.

[0023] The housing 2 of the charging station 1 is preferably a container made up of pillars and beams. With this configuration, the housing 2 can be strong enough to withstand transportation by truck or cargo ship, so that the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 can be easily moved according to changes in demand areas.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 3A, opening / closing section 12a is configured to close so that unmanned aerial vehicle 10 grounded to charging device 8 is housed inside housing 2. Fig. 3B shows the state in which opening / closing section 12a is closed.

[0025] By configuring the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 to be housed inside the housing 2, theft or vandalism of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 while the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is being charged can be prevented, providing excellent crime prevention. In addition, inspection and maintenance of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 housed inside the housing 2 becomes easy.

[0026] The charging station 1 has a communication device that allows remote operation of the charging station 1. The communication means may be any of wireless communication using a terrestrial network such as 3G, LTE, 5G, LPWA, Wi-Fi, and Wi-SUN, non-terrestrial network communication using a satellite, or wired communication such as an optical cable.

[0027] By equipping the charging station 1 with a communication device, it becomes possible to open and close the housing 2 remotely, monitor the status of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10, power generation equipment 5, storage battery 6 and charging device 8, and charge the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 from outside the housing, improving convenience for users of the charging station 1.

[0028] The charging device 8 may be provided with a mechanism for holding down the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 using walls surrounding the sides of the charging device 8, fixing bars, or the like. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 from departing from the charging device 8 while the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is being powered.

[0029] The charging station 1 may have sensing devices such as pressure sensors or photoelectric sensors, or surveillance cameras to confirm that the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 has landed on the charging device 8 normally.

[0030] The unmanned aerial vehicle 10 may be provided with sensing devices such as pressure sensors and photoelectric sensors, and surveillance cameras, in order to confirm that no people or animals have entered the vehicle when the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is housed in the housing 2. In addition, when an abnormality is detected, a warning may be issued using a speaker, monitor, etc., so that attention can be drawn from a remote location.

[0031] The electricity generated by solar or wind power (hereinafter sometimes referred to as natural energy) can be used to charge the unmanned aerial vehicle 10, as well as to power the opening and closing device of the housing 2, communication devices, lighting, air conditioners, etc. In addition to natural energy, it is also possible to use a system power supply in combination, and it may be possible to supply power from the charging device 8 to the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and to the lighting, air conditioners, etc. in the charging station via the control device 7. Furthermore, the charging station 1 may have a function to automatically switch to natural energy if the system power supply is interrupted due to a disaster or the like.

[0032] According to the above configuration, power can be generated by solar and / or wind power both when the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is charging and when it is waiting to be charged. Furthermore, in unelectrified areas where it is difficult to secure a power source, there is no need to install new utility poles or power lines, so the installation work is simple and the construction costs can be reduced.

[0033] <Other embodiments> In the following description, parts corresponding to matters previously described in each embodiment are given the same reference symbols, and duplicated description is omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described, the other parts of the configuration are the same as the previously described embodiment unless otherwise specified. The same action and effect are achieved from the same configuration. It is possible to combine not only the parts specifically described in each embodiment, but also partially combine the embodiments, provided that there is no particular problem with the combination.

[0034] <Second embodiment> Next, a charging station 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 4A and 4B. As shown in Figure 4A, in this charging station 1, a part of one side wall 12 opens upward as an opening 12a, and a charging device 8 for an unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is provided on the inner surface of this opening 12a. An entrance / exit 20 may be provided in the non-opening part of the side wall 12.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4B, in the charging station 1 according to this embodiment, the area of ​​the opening / closing section 12a is smaller than that of the charging station 1 according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2B), and therefore the costs associated with the opening / closing mechanism and fence 11 can be reduced.

[0036] <Third embodiment> Next, a charging station 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5A and 5B. As shown in Figure 5A, in this charging station 1, the entire one side wall 12 serves as an opening / closing section 12a that opens and closes downward. When the one side wall 12 is open, a charging device 8 for the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is provided on the inner surface above the opening / closing section 12a.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 6A, the charging station 1 according to this embodiment has a simpler opening / closing mechanism for the opening / closing part 12a than the charging station 1 according to the first and second embodiments (Fig. 3B), making it possible to provide a less expensive charging station 1. Fig. 6B shows the opening / closing part 12a in a closed state.

[0038] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a charging station 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7A and 7B. As shown in Figure 7A, in this charging station 1, a part of one side wall 12 opens downward to form an opening / closing section 12a. With the part of one side wall 12 open, a charging device 8 for unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is provided on the inner surface above opening / closing section 12a.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7B, in the charging station 1 according to this embodiment, the area of ​​the opening / closing section 12a is smaller than that of the charging station 1 according to the third embodiment (FIG. 5B), thereby making it possible to reduce the costs associated with the opening / closing mechanism and the fence 11.

[0040] <Fifth embodiment> Next, a charging station 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8, 9A and 9B. As shown in Figure 8, this charging station 1 has a structure in which an upper wall 22 of a housing 2 is open.

[0041] As shown in Figures 9A and 9B, solar panels 3 are provided on both sides of opening / closing section 22a, which is part of upper wall 22. A fence 11 is provided in a location facing opening / closing section 22a within housing 2, i.e., near the upper surface within housing 2, and a charging device 8 for unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is provided on the upper surface of fence 11. Unmanned aerial vehicle 10 lands on charging device 8 on the upper surface of fence 11. Opening / closing section 22a is supported by a support pole 15 in the open state.

[0042] According to the charging station 1 of this embodiment, solar panels 3 are provided on both sides of the opening / closing section 22a, so that the solar panels 3 can receive light and generate electricity whether the opening / closing section 22a is closed or open.

[0043] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the disclosed embodiment is illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1. Charging station 2. Housing 3. Solar panels 4...Windmill 5. Power generation facilities 6…Battery 7...Control device 8…Charging device 10...Unmanned aerial vehicle 11...Protection fence (fence) 12a, 22a...opening / closing part 14…branch line 15...post 20...Entrance / exit

Claims

1. A charging station equipped with a charging device capable of charging an unmanned aerial vehicle, A power generation facility including at least one of a solar power generation device and a wind power generation device; A storage battery that stores the electricity generated by the power generation facility; a control device that controls the input of electric power generated by the power generation facility to the storage battery and the output of the electric power from the storage battery to the charging device; a housing that houses the storage battery and the control device, The housing is provided with an opening / closing part, The charging device is provided inside the opening / closing part or the housing, The unmanned aerial vehicle that has landed on the charging device is accommodated inside the housing by closing the opening / closing part. charging station.

2. The charging station according to claim 1 , wherein the opening and closing portion is provided on a side wall or an upper wall.

3. 3. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein a protective fence is provided inside the housing and faces the opening / closing part.

4. 3. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein the housing is a transportable container.

5. A charging station as described in claim 1 or 2, comprising a communication device that performs opening and closing operations of the opening / closing section, monitors the status of the unmanned aerial vehicle, the power generation equipment, the storage device and the charging device, and charges the unmanned aerial vehicle from outside the housing.

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