Extension type storage port

Abstract

To provide an extension type storage port which enables extension by addition of various functions according to needs of users.SOLUTION: An extension type storage port includes a plurality of connection ports 2 having housings 3 surrounding hollow insides 3a. The respective connection ports 2 include openings 4 provided upper surfaces, lower surfaces, or side faces 3d of the housings 3, connection tools 5 for connecting the housings by aligning the openings 4 each other, control parts 6 for controlling the plurality of connection ports 2 in conjunction with each other, and cargo conveyance devices 7 for a cargo L between the openings 4 and the hollow insides 3a. At least one of the plurality of connection ports 2 is a drone storage port 10 which enables a drone D to taken off / land from / on a take off / land surface 10e exposed from the upper surface 3b or the side face 3d of the housing 3, stores the landed drone D or the cargo L conveyed by the drone D in the hollow inside 3a from an entrance 11 provided on the upper surface 3b, and delivers the cargo L to the other connection port 2 through the opening 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an expandable storage port that allows drones to take off and land, can store landed drones, and can safely store cargo carried by the drone inside and allow it to be removed to the outside at any time. [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 widespread, there is a demand for drone ports that can be installed on the rooftops of buildings and allow drones to take off and land. Such drone ports are disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-138650 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the past, drone ports were developed on a case-by-case basis in response to user requests, with functions tailored to each user's needs. However, different users have different needs for the functions they want to add to the drone port. For example, one user may want a drone port with functions specialized for logistics, while another user may want a drone port with functions specialized for surveillance. Therefore, if we had to start development each time a user requested it, we would not be able to quickly provide a drone port with additional functions that met the needs of the user. Therefore, there is a need to quickly provide a drone port with functions that meet the needs of users.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an expandable storage port that can be expanded by adding or supplementing various functions according to the needs of users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a liquid-filled ... Each connection port has an opening provided on the top, bottom, or side of the housing; A control device that controls the plurality of connection ports in an interlocking manner; a luggage transport device for transporting luggage between the opening and the hollow interior, The housings of the plurality of connection ports are connected to each other by aligning the openings with each other, An expandable storage port is provided, where at least one of the multiple connection ports is a drone storage port that allows a drone to take off and land on a takeoff and landing surface exposed from the top or side of the housing, stores the landed drone or cargo carried by the drone in the hollow interior, and hands over the cargo to other connection ports via the opening. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention described above, each of the multiple connection ports has a unique function. By connecting and combining the connection ports with the drone storage port, the expandable storage port can be given any function desired by the user. Therefore, the functions of the multiple connection ports can be combined to expand the functions of the expandable storage port. This allows the user to select the functions they want to add to the expandable storage port according to their needs.

[0009] Furthermore, even if a function cannot be realized by a single connecting port, by combining multiple connecting ports, each with its own unique function, the expandable storage port as a whole can realize functions that meet the user's needs.

[0010] In addition, since each connection port is specialized for a specific function, users can add or supplement the connection port specialized for the function they want to add later by purchasing an additional connection port, etc. By connecting to an expansion type storage port that they already own, they can add the function they want to add to the expansion type storage port later. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an expandable storage port of the first embodiment that connects a drone storage port and a delivery port. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front arrow view of the internal structure of the drone storage port of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the expandable storage port of the first embodiment, which connects the delivery port and the drone storage port. [Figure 4] 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an expandable storage port of the first embodiment in which two storage ports are connected to the delivery port of FIG. 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the expansion-type storage port of the first embodiment in which connection ports are stacked one above the other. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an expandable storage port with a port with a display. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view of the port for the energy station. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view of the aircraft parking port. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a control port system. [Figure 10] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a storage port provided in the expandable storage port of the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11]13 is a front view showing a part of the internal structure of the expandable storage port of the third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a drone storage port provided in the expandable storage port of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] 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.

[0013] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an expandable storage port 1 of a first embodiment in which a drone storage port 10 and a delivery port 15 are connected. FIG. 1(A) is a perspective view of the drone storage port 10, and FIG. 1(B) is a perspective view of the delivery port 15. FIG. 1(C) is a perspective view of an expandable storage port 1 in which the drone storage port 10 of FIG. 1(A) is connected to the delivery port 15 of FIG. 1(B). FIG. 1(D) is a perspective view of a drone storage port 10 (left) and a delivery port 15 (right) having a housing 3 of a different shape from those in FIG. 1(A) to FIG. 1(C). Below, the expandable storage port 1 will be described using an example in which a drone storage port 10 and a delivery port 15 are connected.

[0014] The expandable storage port 1 comprises a plurality of connection ports 2. Each of the plurality of connection ports 2 has a specialized, unique function. Each connection port 2 has a housing 3 surrounding a hollow interior 3a, and a device for realizing each unique function is installed in the hollow interior 3a. The connection port 2 comprises a connector 5. The connector 5 connects the housings of the plurality of connection ports 2 to each other to construct a single expandable storage port 1.

[0015] The multiple connection ports 2 are, for example, a drone storage port 10, a storage port 20, a cooling storage port 30, a port with a display 40, an energy station port 50, a parking port 60, and a control port 80. The expandable storage port 1 functions as one connection port by connecting and integrating a connection port 2 arbitrarily selected from the multiple connection ports 2 to the drone storage port 10.

[0016] An opening 4 is provided on the upper surface 3b, the lower surface 3c, or the side surface 3d of the housing 3 of each connection port 2. Hereinafter, the surface of the upper surface 3b, the lower surface 3c, or the side surface 3d of the housing 3 on which the opening 4 is provided will be referred to as the opening surface 3e. There may be multiple types of openings 4. For example, the openings 4 include a transfer opening 4a for transferring the luggage L between adjacent connection ports 2, a delivery opening 4b for handing over the luggage L to a vehicle or person, and a drone opening 4c for moving a drone D to an adjacent connection port 2. The transfer opening 4a and the delivery opening 4b are large enough to allow the luggage L to pass through. The drone opening 4c will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0017] An exterior wall door 23 is provided at each opening 4. The exterior wall door 23 opens and closes the opening 4 under the control of the control device 6. The control device 6 operates the exterior wall door 23 to a position that opens the opening 4, or unlocks the exterior wall door 23 that closes the opening 4.

[0018] The shape of the housing 3 of each connection port 2 may be any shape as long as the opening surfaces 3e of adjacent connection ports match each other. For example, the shape of the housing 3 of the connection port 2 may be a rectangular parallelepiped or a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, as shown in the figure, or a polygonal prism such as a hexagonal prism, or a polyhedron such as a dodecahedron. The size and shape of the multiple connection ports 2 may not be the same. For example, as shown in FIG. 1(D), a convex portion 3h and a concave portion 3g having an opening 4 may be provided on the housing wall. The connection ports 2 in this figure can be connected by fitting the convex portion 3h into the concave portion 3g, and the openings 4 can be aligned.

[0019] The expandable storage port 1 has a drone storage port 10 in at least one of the multiple connection ports 2. The drone storage port 10 is a connection port 2 that allows the drone D to take off and land on a takeoff and landing surface 10e exposed to the outside of the housing 3. For example, the drone storage port 10 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1(A) has an entrance 11 on the upper surface 3b of the housing 3 that leads to the hollow interior 3a of the housing 3. The entrance 11 of the drone storage port 10 is closed by multiple roof plates 11a except when the drone D takes off and lands. When the drone D takes off and lands, the roof plate 11a opens, and the takeoff and landing surface 10e appears at the entrance 11 from the hollow interior 3a. The drone storage port 10 lands the drone D on the takeoff and landing surface 10e. Next, the drone storage port 10 stores the drone D that has landed or the baggage L carried by the drone D together with the takeoff and landing surface 10e in the hollow interior 3a from the entrance 11.

[0020] A transfer opening 4a is provided on the side 3d and bottom 3c of the drone storage port 10, through which cargo L can be handed over to other connection ports 2. A connecting portion 3f is provided on the side surface 3d or the bottom surface 3c on which the transfer opening 4a is provided. The connecting portion 3f is a part of the housing 3 to which a connector 5 can be attached. For example, the connecting portion 3f may be provided with a through hole through which the connector 5 such as a bolt passes. A cover is provided on unused connecting portions 3f to cover the through hole to prevent the intrusion of wind and rain.

[0021] 1(B) is a perspective view of the delivery port 15. The delivery port 15 is a connection port 2 having a function of delivering the load L in the hollow interior 3a to another machine carrying the load L, such as a vehicle, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), or a drone, or directly to a person.

[0022] A loading / unloading opening 4a is also provided on the side surface 3d of the delivery port 15. The loading / unloading opening 4a is an opening 4 through which the baggage L passes between the connection ports. The transfer openings 4a are provided at positions where the transfer openings 4a align with each other when the connection ports 2 are connected. This makes it possible to easily align the positions of the transfer openings 4a by simply connecting multiple connection ports 2 (for example, the delivery port 15 and the drone storage port 10).

[0023] The delivery port 15 also has an opening 4 on the upper surface 3b, the lower surface 3c, or the side surface 3d that is not connected to other connection ports 2. In other words, it has at least one opening surface 3e that is not connected to other connection ports 2. The delivery port 15 takes the baggage L in the hollow interior 3a out of the connection port 2 through this opening 4 and delivers it to a person or a vehicle. This opening 4 may be a delivery opening 4b dedicated to delivering baggage to a person or a vehicle, as shown in FIG. 1(B). However, this is not limited to this, and one of the multiple transfer openings 4a that the delivery port 15 has may be used exclusively for delivering baggage to a person or a vehicle.

[0024] As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1(C), the expansion type storage port 1 is used in an integrated manner by aligning the openings 4 of the housings 3 of the multiple connection ports 2 and connecting them with a connector 5. The connector 5 is a member that connects the housings together by matching the openings 4. The connector 5 may be, for example, a bolt and a nut.

[0025] Moreover, the expansion type storage port 1 does not simply physically connect a plurality of connection ports 2 with the connector 5. The expansion type storage port 1 operates the systems of each connection port 2 in conjunction with each other. For example, each connection port 2 has a control device 6 that controls its own operation. When connecting the connection ports 2, the control device 6 is connected by wire 6a or wirelessly, so that the expansion type storage port 1 controls the operations of the multiple connection ports 2 in a linked manner. Alternatively, the expandable storage port 1 may use the control device 6 of one connection port 2 to centrally control all of the various devices in the other connected connection ports. The control device 6 may be, for example, the control device 6 of the drone storage port 10. This is because the drone storage port 10 is always included in the connection ports 2 of the expandable storage port 1.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a front arrow view of the internal structure of the drone storage port 10 of the first embodiment. As shown in this figure, the entrance 11 of the drone storage port 10 is configured to be openable and closable by multiple rectangular roof panels 11a.

[0027] The hollow interior 3a of the drone storage port 10 is provided with a landing pad 10a that can be raised and lowered by a landing pad lifting device 10d. The upper surface of this landing pad 10a is the takeoff and landing surface 10e of the drone D. The landing pad 10a rises and lowers between the upper surface height H1 of the drone storage port 10 and a storage height H2 at which the drone D can be stored in the hollow interior 3a together with the baggage L. A passage hole 10b through which the baggage L passes is provided in the center of the landing pad 10a, and the passage hole 10b is blocked by a floor door 10c. The floor door 10c in this figure is configured to open like a double door facing downward.

[0028] When the drone D lands, first, the roof plate 11a slides to open the entrance 11. Next, the landing pad 10a rises to the upper surface height H1 and is exposed to the outside through the entrance 11. The drone D lands on the landing pad 10a in this state. After that, the control device 6 controls the landing pad lifting device 10d to lower the landing pad 10a to the storage height H2, closes the roof plate 11a, and completes the storage of the drone D and the cargo L.

[0029] The drone storage port 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a luggage transport device 7 that transports luggage L between the opening 4 and the hollow interior 3a. The luggage transport device 7 may be a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor. Alternatively, the luggage transport device 7 may be a robot hand or an automatic transport robot equipped with AI. Alternatively, if there is a difference in height between the transfer opening 4a on the sending side and the receiving side of the luggage L, the luggage transport device 7 may be a board-type slide that slides down an inclined surface or a roller slide whose rollers can freely rotate in the moving direction. In this figure, a conveyor is shown as an example of the luggage transport device 7.

[0030] The baggage transport device 7 of the drone storage port 10 is provided so as to be able to rise and fall between a receiving height H3 and a transfer height H4. The receiving height H3 is the height directly below the drone D when the landing pad 10a is at the storage height H2. The transfer height H4 is the height of the baggage transport device 7 when transferring the baggage L from the transfer opening 4a. The baggage transport device 7 rises and falls by a lifting device 7a.

[0031] When the drone storage port 10 receives the luggage L from the drone D, the luggage transport device 7 is raised to the receiving height H3. When the drone D releases the luggage L, the luggage L is placed on the floor door 10c. When the floor door 10c opens, the luggage L slides over the floor door 10c, slides down through the passage hole 10b, and is placed on the luggage transport device 7. The luggage transport device 7 is then lowered, and the luggage transport device 7 is driven at the transfer height H4, so that the luggage L received from the drone D can be transferred to the adjacent connecting port 2.

[0032] As shown in this figure, two transfer openings 4a may be connected by one luggage conveying device 7, and the rotation direction of the belt may be changed depending on whether the luggage L is to be taken out from the left or right transfer opening 4a. Alternatively, a single connection port 2 may have a plurality of luggage transport devices 7, and different luggage transport devices 7 may be used depending on the direction in which the luggage L is transported.

[0033] Such luggage transport devices 7 are provided not only in the drone storage port 10 but also in other connection ports 2.

[0034] The drone storage port 10 may be equipped with a drone transport device 12. The drone transport device 12 of the first embodiment is a device that transports the drone D stored in the hollow interior 3a between the hollow interior 3a and the drone opening 4c, and delivers it to the adjacent connection port 2. The operation of the drone transport device 12 is also controlled by the control device 6. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 2, a drone opening 4c is provided at the rear side of the landing pad 10a. The drone opening 4c is an opening 4 used to move the drone D to the adjacent connection port 2 (in this figure, a connection port 2 not shown that is connected to the drone storage port 10 at the rear side of the paper). In the example shown in this figure, the exterior wall door 23 of this drone opening 4c is designed to slide up and down to open and close.

[0035] The drone transport device 12 of this embodiment may be, for example, a belt conveyor 12b in which the belt 12a extends toward the drone opening 4c at a position avoiding the passage hole 10b of the landing pad 10a. For example, the drone transport device 12 in this figure is a belt conveyor 12b in which two rows of belts 12a extend in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface adjacent to both the left and right sides of the passage hole 10b. When the drone D is in a fixed position in the center of the landing pad 10a, the legs of the drone D are placed on the belt 12a. The drone transport device 12 may be one belt conveyor 12b having two rows of belts 12a that move synchronously, or may be a device that drives two belt conveyors 12b having one row of belt 12a synchronously.

[0036] To transfer the cargo L of the drone D to the drone storage port 10, it is necessary to move the cargo L to the passage hole 10b. In this figure, the drone transport device 12 pushes the drone D to the center of the landing pad 10a with a positioning device 13 that moves horizontally on the landing pad 10a. This allows the drone D to move to a fixed position for transfer to the drone storage port 10, and the cargo L can be placed directly above the passage hole 10b. At the same time, by moving the drone D to the fixed position, the legs of the drone D can be placed on the belt 12a. In this state, the cargo L is dropped into the passage hole 10b between the two rows of belts 12a, completing the transfer of the cargo L from the drone D to the drone storage port 10.

[0037] Furthermore, when the handover is complete, since the legs of the drone D are placed on the belt 12a, the drone transport device 12 can be driven as is to move the drone D to the drone opening 4c. In this way, the drone storage port 10 can transfer the drone D to another connecting port 2 (e.g., an energy station port 50 or a parking port 60) through the opening 4 by the drone transport device 12.

[0038] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the expandable storage port 1 of the first embodiment in which the delivery port 15 and the drone storage port 10 are connected. Fig. 3(A) is a vertical cross-sectional view, and Fig. 3(B) is a horizontal cross-sectional view. The transfer port 15 in the example of this figure has a lifting device 7a that lifts and lowers the luggage transport device 7. For convenience of explanation of this figure, the luggage transport device 7 lifted and lowered by the lifting device 7a in the transfer port 15 is called the lifting transport device 7b. For convenience of explanation, the luggage transport devices 7 that are fixed in position and provided in multiple stages vertically in this figure in the hollow interior 3a of the transfer port 15 are called fixed transport devices 7c. Note that a roller conveyor is depicted as the luggage transport device 7 in this figure.

[0039] The luggage transport device 7 transports luggage L between the opening 4 and the hollow interior 3a. In this figure, the luggage transport device 7 of the drone storage port 10 on the right side of the figure extends to the right of the figure from the transfer opening 4a in the center of the figure toward the hollow interior 3a of the drone storage port 10. Similarly, the lifting and lowering transport device 7b of the delivery port 15 on the left side of the figure extends to the left of the figure from the transfer opening 4a in the center of the figure toward the hollow interior 3a of the delivery port 15. In short, the luggage transport device 7 of the drone storage port 10 and the lifting and lowering transport device 7b of the delivery port 15 are continuously connected via the transfer opening 4a.

[0040] With this configuration, the luggage transport devices 7 in the separate connection ports are connected with the opening 4 between them, so that they can function as a single transport device as a whole. As a result, the luggage L loaded on the luggage transport device 7 in the drone storage port 10 is taken out from the transfer opening 4a in the center of this figure by the drive of the luggage transport device 7, and transferred to the lifting transport device 7b in the delivery port 15.

[0041] The delivery port 15 in this figure has two levels of fixed transport devices 7c, one above the other. The lifting and lowering transport device 7b moves up and down between the upper and lower fixed transport devices 7c. The lifting and lowering transport device 7b and the fixed transport device 7c are connected when they are at the same height. With this configuration, the lifting and lowering conveying device 7b can deliver the luggage L to either the upper or lower fixed conveying device 7c. In addition, the fixed transport device 7c in this figure has two stages, but it may have one stage or three or more stages. When the fixed transport device 7c has one stage, the lifting device 7a does not need to be provided in the delivery port 15.

[0042] 3(B) is provided with a plurality of storage spaces 21 for storing luggage L. The storage spaces 21 are arranged in the hollow interior 3a of the delivery port 15 along the luggage transport device 7 (fixed transport device 7c in this figure). For example, the storage spaces 21 may be a conveyor extending from the side of the luggage transport device 7.

[0043] The delivery port 15 also has a baggage sorting device 22. The baggage sorting device 22 is a device that moves the baggage L placed on the baggage conveying device 7 to the destination storage space 21. This allows the baggage L to travel back and forth between the storage space 21 and the baggage conveying device 7.

[0044] For example, the luggage sorter 22 in the example of this figure may be a horizontal bar 22a that rotates around a vertical axis. For example, when moving luggage L to storage space 21 R in Fig. 3(B), the horizontal bar 22a of the luggage sorter 22 may block the movement path on the luggage conveyor as shown in the figure, and then the horizontal bar 22a may be rotated to move luggage L to storage space 21 R.

[0045] In Fig. 3(B), two luggage sorters 22 are provided on either side of the luggage conveying device 7. The horizontal bars 22a of these luggage sorters 22 are preferably attached at different heights. By staggering the heights of the horizontal bars 22a, the horizontal bars can rotate freely without colliding with each other.

[0046] The delivery port 15 has a plurality of openings 4. As shown in this figure, a single opening surface 3e may have a plurality of openings 4. Each opening 4 is provided with a baggage transport device 7 extending from the hollow interior 3a to the opening 4. The delivery port 15 has a plurality of opening surfaces 3e. At least one of the opening surfaces 3e is not connected to other connection ports 2 and is exposed to the outside of the expandable storage port 1. For example, in the example of this figure, the opening 4 depicted on the upper side in Fig. 3(B) opens toward the outside of the expandable storage port 1. This opening 4 is used as a delivery opening 4b.

[0047] The storage space 21 marked with the symbol R is also provided with a function for horizontally moving the luggage L. Therefore, the storage space 21 marked with the symbol R also functions as a luggage transport device 7. For example, when a receipt signal is issued for the luggage L stored in the storage space 21 marked with the symbol Q, the conveyor of the storage space 21 marked with the symbol Q returns the luggage L to the nearest luggage transport device 7. Next, the luggage transport device 7 and the luggage sorting device 22 are driven to move the luggage L to the luggage transport device 7 marked with the symbol R (storage space 21). After that, the outer wall door 23 of the delivery opening 4b is opened and the conveyor of the luggage transport device 7 marked with the symbol R (storage space 21) is driven toward the delivery opening 4b, whereby the luggage L can be delivered to a person or a car waiting outside the expandable storage port 1.

[0048] For example, the way in which the connection port 2 is connected may be changed so that the opening 4 on the left side of the delivery port 15 shown in FIG. 3(B) is used as the delivery opening 4b.

[0049] With this configuration, the expandable storage port 1 in Figure 3 can add functions specialized for logistics using drones D to the drone storage port 10 by connecting the delivery port 15. The delivery port 15 may cooperate with an unmanned ground vehicle to automatically deliver the cargo L to the unmanned ground vehicle.

[0050] The expansion type storage port 1 in Fig. 3 is operated as follows. All of these operations are performed by the control device 6. First, the expandable storage port 1 lands the drone D on the takeoff and landing surface 10e of the drone storage port 10, and stores the drone D together with the baggage L in its hollow interior 3a. Next, the expandable storage port 1 receives the baggage L from the drone D in the hollow interior 3a of the drone storage port 10. In addition, the expandable storage port 1 drives the lifting device 7a of the delivery port 15 to match the height of the lifting conveying device 7 of the drone storage port 10. Next, it drives the baggage conveying device 7 of the drone storage port 10, and transports the baggage L from the transfer opening 4a of the drone storage port 10 to the delivery port 15.

[0051] Next, the expansion type storage port 1 temporarily stores the cargo L at the delivery port 15. The delivery port 15 may have an operation panel 72 that can be operated by a recipient of the luggage L. Alternatively, the delivery port 15 may be capable of communicating with a manned vehicle or an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) that transports the luggage L, or with a smartphone owned by a recipient of the luggage L. The specified luggage L is delivered to the outside through the delivery opening 4b when a reception signal is transmitted by operation or communication of the operation panel 72. In this way, by combining the drone storage port 10 and the delivery port 15, the expandable storage port 1 in Figure 3 can obtain functions specialized for logistics, such as handing over luggage L received from drone D to a person or vehicle.

[0052] The transfer opening 4a between the delivery port 15 and the drone storage port 10 may be always open. This makes it possible to eliminate the waiting time until the exterior wall door 23 is fully opened when transferring the luggage L from the drone storage port 10 to the delivery port 15.

[0053] Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the expandable storage port 1 of the first embodiment in which two storage ports 20 are connected to the delivery port 15 in Fig. 3. In this figure, the delivery port 15 is the rightmost connection port 2 in the figure, and the storage ports 20 are the central and leftmost connection ports 2. In the expandable storage port 1, at least one of the multiple connection ports 2 may be a storage port 20. The expandable storage port 1 in this figure has two storage ports 20 connected to the delivery port 15 shown in FIG. The storage port 20 shown on the far left side of Fig. 4 is a refrigerated storage port 30 for storing luggage L that needs to be refrigerated or frozen. The refrigerated storage port 30 has an air-cooling device 31 that cools the room temperature of the hollow interior 3a. The room temperature of the hollow interior 3a may be 2°C to 5°C for refrigerated storage, or -20°C to -17°C for frozen storage.

[0054] Not limited to the cooled storage port 30, each connection port 2 may have an exterior wall door 23 that opens and closes the opening 4 connected to another connection port 2. In this case, when transporting the luggage L in the storage space 21 to the opening 4, the control device 6 operates the exterior wall door 23 to a position that opens the opening 4 or unlocks the exterior wall door 23 that closes the opening 4. For example, when receiving the luggage L into the cooled hollow interior 3a of the cooled storage port 30, the control device 6 opens the exterior wall door 23 of the cooled storage port 30 in accordance with the driving of the luggage transport device 7.

[0055] These storage ports 20, 30 have, in their hollow interiors 3a, a luggage conveying device 7, a plurality of storage spaces 21 for storing luggage L, and a luggage sorting device 22 for moving luggage L from the luggage conveying device 7 to the destination storage space 21. In this respect, they are similar to the delivery port 15. Also, like the delivery port 15, the storage port 20 in this figure has storage spaces 21 arranged along the luggage conveying device 7.

[0056] For example, the storage port 20 in this figure has a plurality of tiers of luggage transport devices 7 and storage spaces 21 in the vertical direction. The end of each tier of luggage transport devices 7 is provided with a transfer opening 4a. The luggage transport devices 7 in each tier are connected to luggage transport devices 7 installed at the same height in other connecting ports, with the transfer opening 4a between them. For example, in this figure, the delivery port 15 and the storage port 20 have two tiers of storage spaces 21 and luggage transport devices 7 in the vertical direction. By connecting these two connecting ports 2 at the same installation height, the upper transfer opening 4a of the delivery port 15 is aligned with the upper transfer opening 4a of the storage port 20, and the lower transfer opening 4a of the delivery port 15 is aligned with the lower transfer opening 4a of the storage port 20. As a result, for example, luggage L stored in the upper storage space 21 of the storage port 20 can be transferred to the delivery port 15 simply by driving the upper luggage transport devices 7 of each connecting port 2.

[0057] In other words, the multi-stage luggage transport device 7 of each connection port 2 is provided at the same height as the multi-stage luggage transport device 7 of the adjacent connection port 2. A transfer opening 4a is provided at each stage. As a result, even if the number of connected connection ports 2 increases, the luggage L can be moved between the connection ports simply by moving it laterally. Therefore, the luggage L can be transferred between the connection ports more quickly than if the lifting device 7a were used. The transfer speed of the luggage L between the connection ports is important, particularly when transferring luggage L that needs to be refrigerated or frozen.

[0058] The opening surface 3e having a plurality of transfer openings 4a may be connected to an opening surface 3e having only one opening 4 of another connection port 2. In this case, the two can be connected while keeping the outer wall door 23 of the transfer opening 4a that does not have a corresponding opening 4 on the other side closed.

[0059] The storage port 20 is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and may be provided with a lifting and conveying device 7b and its lifting device 7a, like the delivery port 15 in FIG. Furthermore, among the multiple connected storage ports 20, one having an opening surface 3e that is not connected to other connection ports 2 may be used as the delivery port 15.

[0060] If each connection port 2 has an opening 3e that is not connected to other connection ports 2, the luggage L may be taken out from the nearest opening 4. For example, the luggage L that needs to be refrigerated may be directly delivered from the opening 4 of the cooling storage port 30, and the luggage L stored at room temperature may be directly delivered from the storage port 20 in which it was stored. Also, for example, when a user receives the luggage L just after it has arrived by drone D, the luggage L may be directly delivered from the drone storage port 10.

[0061] 3 and 4, the connection ports 2 are connected in a horizontal row, but the connection form is not limited to this. The storage ports 20, 30 and the delivery port 15 may have openings 4 in at least two of the top surface 3b, bottom surface 3c, and side surface 3d of the housing 3. This allows the storage space 21 for luggage L to be increased by any number by connecting more storage ports 20, 30 to the back or front side of the paper in these figures.

[0062] Furthermore, when the connection port 2 is equipped with a luggage transport device 7 that transports luggage L in the vertical direction (hereinafter, luggage transport device 7 for vertical transfer), the connection ports 2 may be stacked and connected. For example, when using connection ports 2 that do not have luggage transport devices 7 for vertical transfer in a stacked manner, some of the fixed transport devices 7c in the housings are replaced with luggage transport devices 7 for vertical transfer. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the expandable storage port 1 of the first embodiment in which the connecting ports 2 are stacked one above the other. The four connecting ports 2 shown in this figure are the drone storage port 10 on the upper right, the delivery port 15 on the lower right, and the storage ports 20 on the upper and lower left sides. In the example of this figure, in the lower row, the delivery port 15 (bottom right) and the storage port 20 (bottom left) are connected, and the drone storage port 10 (top right) is stacked on top of the delivery port 15, and another storage port 20 (top left) is stacked on top of the storage port 20 at the bottom left, and they are connected to each other.

[0063] The opening 4 on the bottom surface 3c of the upper left storage port 20 in the figure and the opening 4 on the top surface 3b of the lower storage port 20 join together to form a transfer opening 4a. In this figure, a pantograph lift 7d is installed in the lower storage port 20 as a luggage transport device 7 for vertical transfer. A picking device or conveyor is provided at the upper end of the pantograph lift 7d, allowing luggage L to be handed over to and from the adjacent fixed transport device 7c. With this configuration, the expandable storage port 1 can transfer luggage L placed on the picking device or conveyor between the upper and lower connected ports.

[0064] The movement route of the luggage L will be explained using the example of handing over the luggage L received from the drone D. First, the luggage L dropped from the drone D onto the luggage transport device 7 at the drone storage port 10 at the top right of the figure is transferred by the luggage transport device 7 to the lifting and lowering transport device 7b of the storage port 20 at the top left of the figure. The luggage L is then transferred from the lifting and lowering transport device 7b to the picking device or conveyor of the pantograph lift 7d via the fixed transport device 7c at the lower stage, and moved to the storage port 20 at the bottom left by contracting the pantograph. The luggage L may be temporarily stored in the storage space 21 of the storage port 20. After that, the luggage L is transported to the delivery opening 4b by the storage port 20, the fixed transport device 7c of the delivery port 15, and the lifting and lowering transport device 7b of the delivery port 15, and the luggage L is delivered.

[0065] Since the luggage transport device 7 for vertical transfer is the pantograph lift 7d, the pantograph lift 7d can be stored in the housing when the connecting ports 2 are not stacked. When the connecting ports 2 are not stacked, the pantograph lift 7d can be contracted as shown by the dashed line in the figure and used as one fixed transport device 7c for horizontal movement of luggage L. However, without being limited to this, as long as the stacking of the connecting ports 2 is maintained, a luggage transport device 7 of a type that cannot be extended or retracted, such as the lifting device 7a, may be used as the luggage transport device 7 for vertical transfer.

[0066] The expansion type storage port 1 may include a connection port 2 having a communication device 71 and an operation panel 72 as shown in FIG. 1(C). The communication device 71 receives transported baggage authentication information from the drone D that is about to land, and outputs it to the control device 6. The transported baggage authentication information is information about the baggage L transported by the drone D. The control device 6 associates and stores the transported baggage authentication information with position information indicating the position of the storage space 21 in which the baggage L is stored.

[0067] The operation panel 72 is a terminal into which stored baggage authentication information is input. The stored baggage authentication information is information about the baggage L stored in the storage space 21 from outside. The operation panel 72 may be, for example, buttons that display the unique number of the storage space or a numeric keypad for entering numbers, or may be displayed on a touch panel. Alternatively, the operation panel 72 may be the user's own smartphone to which an application linked to the expansion storage port 1 has been downloaded. The stored baggage authentication information inputted from the operation panel 72 is outputted to the control device 6.

[0068] When the stored transported luggage authentication information matches the stored luggage authentication information, the control device 6 controls the luggage transport device 7 to remove the luggage L from the housing 3 in the storage space 21 indicated by the location information linked to the transported luggage authentication information.

[0069] The communication device 71, the operation panel 72, and the control device 6 may be provided in separate connection ports 2 as long as they operate in conjunction with one another. For example, the communication device 71 may be provided in the drone storage port 10, the operation panel 72 may be provided on the side of the delivery opening 4b of the delivery port 15, and the control device 6 may be provided in the storage ports 20 and 30. However, without being limited thereto, the communication device 71, the operation panel 72, and the control device 6 may all be built into the drone storage port 10.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an expandable storage port 1 with a port 40 with a display. At least one of the multiple connection ports 2 may be a port with a display 40 having a display 41 on its housing 3. The display 41 preferably displays an image or video of the luggage L stored in the storage port 20. Alternatively, advertising videos related to the luggage L or other videos may be displayed on the display 41.

[0071] This gives the expandable storage port 1 a sales function, so that it can be used like a vending machine or an unmanned convenience store. For example, suppose that the expandable storage port 1 is installed on the roof of an apartment building or a building. Even if the transportation network to the apartment building or building is cut off due to a disaster, the expandable storage port 1 allows supplies L to be delivered by drone D. While looking at the display 41, victims can operate a smartphone or operation panel 72 equipped with software linked to the expandable storage port 1 to select and obtain the supplies L they need.

[0072] The other connection port 2 to which the drone D is transported by the drone transport device 12 may be, for example, an energy station port 50. FIG. 7 is a front view of the energy station port 50. As shown in FIG. The energy station port 50 includes a battery storage section 51 and a battery exchange device 52 . The battery storage section 51 stores multiple batteries 53 for the drone D. The battery replacement device 52 replaces the battery 53 installed on the drone D with another battery 53 stored in the battery storage section 51.

[0073] 7, the battery storage section 51 has a battery shelf 51a. The battery shelf 51a positions a plurality of batteries 53 along the same vertical plane 55 at intervals.

[0074] In FIG. 7, the battery exchange device 52 includes a lifting unit 52a and a picking device 54. In this example, the lifting unit 52a is a Caesar lift device that lifts and lowers the unit base 52b while holding it horizontally.

[0075] The picking device 54 is attached to the unit base 52b, is capable of horizontal rotation and horizontal movement perpendicular to the vertical plane 55, and is configured to be able to grip the battery 53. The horizontal rotation is rotation about a vertical axis. The horizontal movement perpendicular to the vertical plane 55 is movement in the left-right direction in this figure. In this example, the picking device 54 has a rotating device 54a, a traversing device 54b, and a picking arm 54c.

[0076] The turning device 54a is provided on the lifting unit 52a (the unit base 52b in this example) and is configured to be able to turn the traverse device 54b horizontally. The traverse device 54b is provided at the turning portion of the turning device 54a and is configured to be movable in a horizontal direction (left and right direction in this figure) perpendicular to the vertical plane 55. The picking arm 54c is provided at the moving part of the traverse device 54b and is configured to be able to grasp the battery 53. The battery 53 is moved horizontally in the left-right direction of the figure by the picking arm 54c and the traverse device 54b, so that it can be inserted horizontally into the drone D and mounted thereon.

[0077] In this way, the expandable storage port 1 is equipped with a battery storage section 51 and a battery replacement device 52 in the energy station port 50, and the battery 53 installed on the drone D is removed and stored in the battery storage section 51, and another battery 53 is installed on the drone D. Therefore, the battery 53 of the drone D can be directly replaced, which allows the drone D to be operated for a long time with a short landing without waiting for charging.

[0078] Furthermore, the connection port 2 to which the drone D is transported by the drone transport device 12 may be, for example, a parking port 60. FIG. 8 is a front view of the aircraft parking port 60. FIG. The parking port 60 has a drone parking section 61 that stores the drone D received by the drone transport device 12 from the drone storage port 10 through the drone opening 4c. The drone parking section 61 may be, for example, a shelf on which the drone D can travel back and forth between the drone transport device 12 and the drone storage port 10, as shown in the figure. In the example shown in the figure, a conveyor belt is provided on each level of the shelf of the drone parking section 61, and the drone D can be stored on the belt. However, this is not limited to the above, and for example, the drone transport device 12 itself that receives the drone D directly from the drone storage port 10 may be the drone parking section 61.

[0079] With this configuration, the expandable storage port 1 is equipped with a drone storage port 10 and a parking port 60, so that the expandable storage port 1 can be utilized as a storage base for drone D.

[0080] Furthermore, by providing the drone storage port 10 and the parking port 60, when the drones D are to be landed one after another or when multiple drones D are waiting for the battery 53 to be replaced, the drones D can be made to wait in the hollow interior 3a of the expandable storage port 1. This allows the next drone D to land in succession without waiting for the drone D that landed first to take off, so the drones D can be taken off and landed smoothly without having to wait in the air.

[0081] The connection port 2 may also be a control port 80 . Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a system of a control port 80. Fig. 9(A) shows a configuration example 1 of a system in which the control port 80 communicates with a drone D or a control device 83 of the drone D based on weather values.

[0082] The control port 80 further includes a weather value acquisition device 81 and a determination device 82. The weather value acquisition device 81 measures weather values ​​related to the location where the control port 80 is installed. The weather values ​​may be weather values ​​for a local area including the location of the control port 80.

[0083] The weather value acquisition device 81 is, for example, an anemometer. The anemometer 81 may be provided on the upper surface 3b (a corner of the upper surface) of the housing 3 of the control port 80, or may be provided in another position. The anemometer 81 repeatedly measures wind speed as a weather value.

[0084] The determination device 82 determines whether the weather values ​​(e.g., the wind speed described above) acquired by the weather value acquisition device 81 through measurement are within an allowable range. This determination may be made each time a weather value is measured. If the result of this determination is negative, the determination device 82 transmits a prohibition signal that prohibits the drone D from landing on the upper surface 3b (e.g., the landing pad 10a) of the housing 3 of the drone storage port 10. At this time, the determination device 82 transmits the prohibition signal to the drone D or to the control device 83 of the drone D, for example, by wireless communication.

[0085] For example, in order to place the baggage L on the upper surface 3b of the drone storage port 10, or during flight, the drone D transmits a signal to that effect to the determination device 82, for example, by wireless communication. When the determination device 82 receives this signal, if the result of the latest determination is negative (for example, if the wind speed exceeds 10 m), it transmits a prohibition signal to the drone D in response to this signal. This causes the drone D to halt its flight to the upper surface 3b of the drone storage port 10.

[0086] In another example, if the result of the above determination is negative, the determination device 82 transmits a prohibition signal to the control device 83. When the control device 83 receives the prohibition signal, it transmits a signal to the corresponding drone D via wireless communication to suspend flight to the upper surface 3b of the drone storage port 10. As a result, the drone D suspends flight to the upper surface 3b (landing pad 10a) of the drone storage port 10.

[0087] The above-mentioned weather value is not limited to wind speed, and may be other weather values ​​(for example, rainfall amount, snowfall amount, etc.). In this case, a weather value acquisition device 81 for measuring the other weather value is provided, and other points may be the same as those described above.

[0088] FIG. 9(B) shows a second configuration example of a system in which the control port 80 communicates with the drone D or a control device 83 of the drone D based on weather values. In the second configuration example, the weather value acquisition device 81 repeatedly receives the latest weather values ​​from a weather data source 84 (e.g., a meteorological observation agency or a meteorological data management agency) by, for example, wireless communication. The determination device 82 determines whether the weather values ​​acquired by the weather value acquisition device 81 through reception are within an allowable range. This determination may be made each time a weather value is received. If the result of this determination is negative, the determination device 82 transmits the prohibition signal described above. Other points are the same as those in the first configuration example described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0089] With this configuration, the control port 80 of the expandable storage port 1 automatically acquires weather data and determines whether or not takeoff and landing of the drone D is possible, so the drone D can automatically take off and land even if the expandable storage port 1 is unmanned. This allows the drone D to take off and land safely. In this way, for example, by combining the drone storage port 10 and the control port 80, the expandable storage port 1 can be provided with an automatic monitoring function. Also, for example, by combining the control port 80 and the storage port 20, the expandable storage port 1 can be applied to unmanned logistics.

[0090] In this way, the expandable storage port 1 of this embodiment can freely combine multiple connection ports 2 with different functions, and the connected connection ports 2 can be moved in conjunction with each other. This allows the user to freely select a connection port 2 with a function and connect it to the drone storage port 10. In other words, since connection ports 2 with various functions are prepared and the connection ports 2 are configured to be connectable to each other and to move in conjunction with each other, the user can customize the expandable storage port 1 to suit his or her needs. This makes it possible to quickly provide an expandable storage port 1 that meets the diverse needs of users.

[0091] Second embodiment 10 is a cross-sectional view of the storage port 20 of the expandable storage port 1 of the second embodiment. In this figure, the storage port 20 of the second embodiment is sandwiched and connected between the cooling storage port 30 on the left and the delivery port 15 on the right of the figure. In the storage port 20 of this figure, multiple (a large number of) storage spaces S (areas surrounded by dashed lines) are adjacent to each other in the horizontal and vertical directions. A storage space 21 can be located in each storage space S. In the storage port 20, a number of storage spaces 21, the number of which is less than the number of storage spaces S, are provided. Under the storage spaces 21, a moving device (not shown) is provided for moving the storage spaces 21 in the horizontal and vertical directions. This allows the storage spaces 21 to be moved horizontally in sequence between adjacent storage spaces S. In the example of FIG. 10, the storage spaces 21 can be moved between adjacent storage spaces S in the locations and directions indicated by the arrows.

[0092] In the storage port 20 of this figure, multiple (a large number) storage spaces 21 are adjacent to each other in the horizontal and vertical directions. The storage spaces 21 are designed so that the position of the luggage L can be moved thereon. For example, the storage spaces 21 may be a large number of belt conveyors whose belts rotate in the left and right directions. This allows the luggage L to be moved back and forth between the luggage transport devices 7 of other adjacent connection ports 2.

[0093] In other words, in this storage port 20, both the structure (belt conveyor) that moves the luggage L over the storage space 21 and the moving device that moves the storage space 21 itself in the horizontal and vertical directions correspond to the luggage transport device 7.

[0094] The control device 6 operates the moving device by grasping the individual identification and current position of each storage space 21. The control device 6 drives the moving device to move the storage space 21 like a puzzle. In this storage port 20, this control device 6 corresponds to the baggage sorting device 22.

[0095] With this configuration, when receiving a package L from the delivery port 15 on the right side of the figure, the control device 6 moves the empty storage space 21 to the storage space S1 adjacent to the transfer opening 4a of the delivery port 15. The control device 6 then drives the package transport device 7 of the delivery port 15 to remove the package L from the transfer opening 4a. The storage space S1 is located immediately adjacent to the transfer opening 4a of the delivery port 15. The package L that comes out from the transfer opening 4a is placed directly in the storage space 21 in the storage space S1. The storage space 21 that receives the package L waits with the package L still loaded until a receiving signal for the package L is issued.

[0096] When the control device 6 receives the receiving signal, it again moves the storage space 21 horizontally and vertically like a puzzle, and moves the corresponding storage space 21 to the storage space S1. Then, it drives the belt conveyor of the corresponding storage space 21 to carry out the baggage L to the baggage conveying device 7 of the delivery port 15.

[0097] With this configuration, the storage port 20 of this embodiment can have a large storage space 21 because the floor area is not occupied by the luggage transport devices 7 (for example, the luggage transport devices 7 of the delivery port 15 in FIG. 3) that only have the function of transporting luggage L. Therefore, more luggage L can be stored. Other configurations and effects of the expansion type storage port 1 of this embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0098] Third embodiment 11 is a front view showing a part of the internal structure of the expandable storage port 1 of the third embodiment. The connection port 2 in the center of this figure is the drone storage port 10, and the connection port 2 to the right of it is the delivery port 15 or the storage port 20. The connection port 2 on the left side of the figure is the energy station port 50 or the parking port 60.

[0099] The luggage transport device 7 of the third embodiment is a robot hand. In this figure, the robot hand 7 is provided in a delivery port 15 or a storage port 20 adjacent to the drone storage port 10. The robot hand 7 enters the drone storage port 10 through the transfer opening 4a, directly grasps the luggage L of the drone D, and returns to the delivery port 15 or the storage port 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the robot hand 7 may also be provided in the drone storage port 10. In that case, the robot hand 7 in the drone storage port 10 may receive the luggage L from the drone D and deliver the luggage L to the delivery port 15 or the storage port 20 through the transfer opening 4a.

[0100] Since the luggage transport device 7 is a robot hand, it is possible to receive luggage directly from the drone D. Therefore, there is no need to provide a passage hole 10b through which the luggage L passes in the landing pad 10a. As a result, in the expandable storage port 1 of this embodiment, the absence of the passage hole 10b increases the degree of freedom in arranging the belt 12a of the drone transport device 12. In the expandable storage port 1 of this embodiment, two rows of belts 12a may be arranged on the landing pad as shown in FIG. 2, but the entire landing pad 10a may be covered with the belt 12a.

[0101] For example, in the example of FIG. 11, the belt 12a of the belt conveyor 12b extends horizontally along the upper surface of the landing pad 10a between the transfer opening 4a and the drone opening 4c. By rotating the belt 12a carrying the drone D, the drone transport device 12 can transport the drone D between the transfer opening 4a and the drone opening 4c. In order to reliably grasp the baggage L with the robot hand 7, a positioning device (not shown) that determines the position of the drone D in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of this figure may be provided. The configuration of the positioning device may be the same as the positioning device 13 shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, a sensor that detects the position of the baggage L may be attached to the robot hand 7 so that the robot hand 7 can receive the baggage L directly from the drone D.

[0102] For example, in the case of the expanded storage port 1 in FIG. 11, when the luggage L is delivered, the drone transport device 12 is driven to move the drone D to the right in the figure, and the drone D is brought closer to the transfer opening 4a. Next, the robot hand 7 of the delivery port 15 or storage port 20 enters the drone storage port 10 through the transfer opening 4a, receives the luggage L directly from the drone D, and returns to the delivery port 15 or storage port 20. The operation of the delivery port 15 or storage port 20 after receiving the luggage L and placing it on the luggage transport device 7 inside the delivery port 15 or storage port 20 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

[0103] After that, the belt 12a of the belt conveyor 12b rotates in the reverse direction, and the drone D, having released the baggage L, moves in the direction of the drone opening 4c (left in FIG. 11). The drone D passes through the drone opening 4c and moves to the drone transport device 12 of another connecting port 2 (for example, the energy station port 50 or the parking port 60). Other configurations and effects of the expansion type storage port 1 of this embodiment are similar to those of the first and second embodiments.

[0104] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the drone storage port 10 provided in the expandable storage port 1 of the fourth embodiment. Fig. 12(A) is a diagram of the drone D when it lands, and Fig. 12(B) is a diagram of the drone D when it is stored. The expandable storage port 1 of the fourth embodiment is characterized in that a takeoff and landing surface 10e is exposed from a side surface 3d of the drone storage port 10.

[0105] The drone storage port 10 of this embodiment has a telescopic conveyor device 12c. The telescopic conveyor device 12c has both a function of transporting the drone D as the drone transport device 12 and a function of providing a takeoff and landing surface 10e as the landing pad 10a. The telescopic conveyor device 12c is a belt conveyor whose length of the upper surface on which the luggage L is placed can be extended or retracted. The telescopic conveyor device 12c extends or retracts the length of the upper surface by moving the position of the pulley at the tip forward while keeping the position of the rear end of the upper surface fixed on the side of the drone opening 4c.

[0106] The expandable storage port 1 of this embodiment opens the entrance 11 on the side surface 3d when the drone D lands. Then, the telescopic conveyor device 12c is extended to protrude the front of the belt 12a from the entrance 11. The drone D of this embodiment lands on the upper surface of this protruding telescopic conveyor device 12c. In other words, the upper surface of the telescopic conveyor device 12c also serves as the takeoff and landing surface 10e.

[0107] Next, the telescopic conveyor device 12c returns to its original length with the drone D still on the belt 12a, and is stored in the hollow interior 3a. The entrance / exit 11 closes. This completes the storage of the drone D and the baggage L.

[0108] The luggage transport device 7 of this embodiment is preferably a robot hand 7, as in the third embodiment. The robot hand 7 receives the luggage L directly from the drone D stopped on the upper surface of the telescopic conveyor device 12c, and carries it out to the storage port 20 or the delivery port 15 (not shown).

[0109] The drone D that is left behind may be parked on the telescopic conveyor device 12c until takeoff, or the drone D may be moved from the drone opening 4c to the adjacent connection port 2 by the rotation of the belt 12a.

[0110] With this configuration, the expandable storage port 1 of the fourth embodiment can enable the drone D to take off and land even in places where the takeoff and landing surface 10e cannot be exposed on the upper surface 3b of the housing 3. The take-off and landing surface 10e of this embodiment is not limited to the upper surface of the telescopic conveyor device 12c. The take-off and landing surface 10e may be any horizontal surface that can come out from the side surface 3d of the housing 3 and return to the hollow interior 3a. For example, the take-off and landing surface 10e may be a horizontal plate fixed to the tip of an actuator. Other configurations and effects of the expansion type storage port 1 of this embodiment are similar to those of the third embodiment.

[0111] According to the present invention described above, each of the multiple connection ports has a unique function. By connecting and combining the connection port 2 with the drone storage port 10, the expandable storage port 1 can be given any function desired by the user. Therefore, the functions of the multiple connection ports 2 can be combined to expand the functions of the expandable storage port 1. This allows the user to select the functions they want to add to the expandable storage port 1 according to their needs.

[0112] For example, if you want to specialize in logistics, you can combine the drone storage port 10 with storage ports 20, 30 and a delivery port 15, and if you want to increase the amount of luggage L that can be stored, you can add as many storage ports 20 as necessary. For example, if one wishes to use the expandable storage port 1 as a storage base for drones D, like a parking facility for cars, one can combine the drone storage port 10 with a parking port 60.

[0113] Also, for example, if you want to use the expandable storage port 1 as an energy supply point for the drone D, like a gas station for a car, you can combine the energy station port 50 with the drone storage port 10. Furthermore, you can combine the parking port 60 with the drone storage port 10 to which the energy station port 50 is connected. This allows you to expand the scale of the energy supply point. By combining the parking port 60, you can speed up the replacement of the drone D and shorten the waiting time of the drone D. For example, in the above explanation, the opening 4 on the right side of FIG. 11 is described as the transfer opening 4a, but this can be used as the drone opening 4c, and the drone opening 4c of the parking port 60 can be connected to the right side of the drone storage port 10 in FIG. 11.

[0114] Moreover, when it is desired to manage these expansion type storage ports 1 unmanned, it is sufficient to combine these expansion type storage ports 1 with a control port 80.

[0115] In this way, even if a function cannot be realized by a single connecting port 2, by combining multiple connecting ports 2, each with its own unique function, the expandable storage port 1 as a whole can realize functions that meet the user's needs. For example, with a single storage port 20, only one temperature zone can be selected for the storage temperature of the housing 3. It is not possible for a single storage port 20 to achieve all of room temperature storage, refrigerated storage, and frozen storage. However, according to the present invention, by combining a storage port 20 for room temperature storage, a cooling storage port 30 for refrigerated storage, and a cooling storage port 30 for frozen storage, the expandable storage port 1 can be endowed with storage functions in three temperature zones.

[0116] Furthermore, a single storage port 20 can only store luggage L, but by combining it with a port 40 with a display, the expansion type storage port 1 can have a sales function. Furthermore, with only a single storage port 20, the volume of the space capable of accommodating luggage L is limited by the size of the housing 3. However, in the present invention, each connection port 2 is configured on the premise that it will be combined with other connection ports 2, so luggage L can be automatically and freely moved between the multiple connection ports 2 after combination. Moreover, since each connection port 2 is designed on the premise that it will be combined, the multiple connection ports 2 can work together to operate as one expandable storage port 1. Moreover, since each connection port 2 is designed in advance to be combined with other connection ports 2, it is easy to add, supplement, or expand connection ports 2.

[0117] In addition, since each connection port 2 is specialized for a specific function, the user can add or add a connection port 2 specialized for the function he or she wants to add later by purchasing an additional connection port 2. By connecting to an expansion type storage port 1 that the user already owns, the user can add the function he or she wants to add to the expansion type storage port 1 later.

[0118] 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]

[0119] 1 Expandable storage port, 2 connection ports, 3 Housing, 3a hollow interior, 3b top surface, 3c bottom surface, 3d side surface, 3e opening surface, 3f connecting part, 3g concave part, 3h convex part, 4 opening, 4a transfer opening, 4b delivery opening, 4c drone opening, 5 connector, 6 control device, 6a wiring, 7 Luggage transport device (robot hand), 7a Lifting device, 7b lifting conveying device, 7c fixed conveying device, 7d Pantograph lift, 10 drone storage ports, 10a landing pad, 10b passing hole, 10c floor door, 10d landing pad lifting device, 10e takeoff and landing surface, 11 Entrance, 11a Roof plate, 12 Drone transport device, 12a belt, 12b belt conveyor, 12c Telescopic conveyor device, 13 Positioning device, 15 Delivery port, 20 storage ports, 21 storage spaces, 22 baggage sorting device, 22a horizontal bar, 23 exterior wall door, 30 Cooling storage port, 31 Air cooling device, 40 Port with Display, 41 Display, 50 Port for Energy Station, 51 battery storage section, 51a battery shelf, 52 battery exchange device, 52a lifting unit, 52b unit base, 53 battery, 54 picking device, 54a turning device, 54b traversing device, 54c picking arm, 55 vertical plane, 60 Parking Port, 61 Drone Parking Area, 71 communication device, 72 operation panel, 80 Control Port, 81 Weather value acquisition device, 82 Determination device, 83 control device, 84 weather data source, D drone, H1 top height, H2 storage height, H3 receiving height, H4 transfer height, L luggage (supplies), Q Storage space, R Storage space, S, S1 storage space

Claims

1. a plurality of connection ports having a housing enclosing a hollow interior; Each connection port has an opening provided on the upper surface, the lower surface, or a side surface of the housing; A control device that controls the plurality of connection ports in an interlocking manner; a luggage transport device for transporting luggage between the opening and the hollow interior, The housings of the plurality of connection ports are connected to each other by aligning the openings with each other, At least one of the multiple connection ports is an expandable storage port that allows a drone to take off and land on a takeoff and landing surface exposed from the top or side of the housing, stores the landed drone or cargo carried by the drone in the hollow interior, and transfers the cargo to other connection ports via the opening.

2. The expandable containment port of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of connection ports has the opening on the top surface, the bottom surface, or the side surface that is not connected to other connection ports.

3. At least one of the plurality of connection ports has a plurality of storage spaces arranged in the hollow interior along the luggage transport device and configured to store the luggage; 3. The expandable storage port according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a baggage sorting device that moves the baggage from the baggage transport device to a destination storage space.

4. an outer wall door for opening and closing the opening connected to the other connection port; 4. The expandable storage port according to claim 3, wherein the control device, when transporting the luggage in the storage space to the opening, operates the exterior wall door to a position that opens the opening or unlocks the exterior wall door that is closing the opening.

5. An air-cooling device for cooling the room temperature inside the hollow space, The expandable containment port of claim 4 , wherein the controller opens the exterior wall door when receiving the cargo into the refrigerated hollow interior.

6. 6. The expansion type storage port according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of connection ports has a display on its housing that displays an image or video.

7. The expandable storage port according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the opening is provided on at least two of the upper surface, the lower surface, and the side surface of the housing.

8. At least one of the multiple connection ports has a battery storage section for storing a battery for the drone; The expandable storage port according to claim 1 , further comprising: a battery exchange device that exchanges a battery mounted on the drone with another battery stored in the battery storage section.

9. The drone storage port is equipped with a drone transport device that transports the drone in the hollow interior between the opening and the hollow interior and transfers it to an adjacent connecting port, and is capable of transferring the drone to another connecting port through the opening; The expandable storage port of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of connection ports has a drone parking section that stores the drone received from the drone storage port through the opening.

10. A communication device that receives transported baggage authentication information, which is information about the baggage transported by the drone from the drone that is about to land; an operation panel into which stored baggage authentication information, which is information about the baggage stored in the storage space, is input from the outside; The expandable storage port of claim 3, wherein the control device stores location information indicating the location of the storage space in which the luggage transported by the drone is stored in association with the transported luggage authentication information, and controls the luggage transporting device to remove the luggage from the storage space indicated by the location information linked to the transported luggage authentication information from the housing when the stored luggage authentication information matches the transported luggage authentication information.

11. A weather value acquisition device that measures or receives weather values ​​for a current location; 2. The expandable storage port of claim 1, further comprising: a determination device that determines whether the weather values ​​are within an acceptable range for the landing of the drone, and if the result of the determination is negative, sends a prohibition signal to the drone or its control device prohibiting the drone from landing on the top surface of the housing.

Images