A passenger drone for transporting winter sports athletes wearing buckled winter sports gear.

Abstract

A passenger drone (1) for transporting a winter sports person (45) wearing buckled winter sports gear (46), comprising a transport drone (2) to which a hanger (3) can be attached, preferably detachably, and to which at least one chair (4), preferably at least one lift chair, for at least one winter sports person can be attached, in particular directly.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a passenger drone for transporting winter sportspersons wearing buckled winter sports gear, the passenger drone comprising a transport drone to which a hanger is preferably releasably attachable.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for transporting winter sportspersons, in particular wearing buckled winter sports gear, by at least one passenger drone.

[0002] Passenger drones, also known as autonomous flying taxis, are already known in the prior art. Passenger drones are capable of transporting passengers and are characterized by the ability to fly autonomously, as is known from unmanned aerial vehicles. Flyable models with enclosed passenger cabins are already known in the prior art, for example the EHang 184 model for one passenger and the EHang 216 model for two passengers.

[0003] WO 2020 / 184602 shows a passenger drone for rescuing people, capable of carrying one person standing upright in an open hangar attached to a transport drone.

[0004] Transporting winter sports people to higher landings is usually achieved by lifts, cable cars or chairlifts. The drawback of transporting by lifts, cable cars or chairlifts is that the landings are determined by mountain stations, which makes it impossible to achieve individual descents as desired by backcountry riders or freeriders.

[0005] An alternative solution is to transport winter sports athletes by helicopter, also known as heli-skiing / heli-snowboarding. In this method, a pilot transports one or more winter sports athletes to a landing site of their choice, often the summit of a mountain. The disadvantage of this method is the high costs, especially due to high fuel consumption and the need for a pilot. Furthermore, heli-skiing / heli-snowboarding places a burden on the environment due to the helicopter's loud engine noise and exhaust fumes. Therefore, heli-skiing / heli-snowboarding is prohibited in many areas, especially in large parts of the Alps.

[0006] This drawback can be partially avoided by using a passenger drone to transport winter sportspeople. International Publication No. 2019 / 209132 shows the use of a passenger drone with a closed cabin in mountainous areas, particularly for winter sportspeople engaged in backcountry riding or freeriding.

[0007] Unfortunately, however, landing is difficult on uneven, steep, and / or windswept slopes, such as narrow mountain peaks or ridges or steep canyons, making it impossible to land a passenger drone. Therefore, winter sports personnel often need to disembark from a passenger drone mid-flight. Because passenger drones do not provide space for buckling winter sports gear, such as skis or snowboards, winter sports personnel must disembark with their winter sports gear unbuckled and then buckle the gear on the slope. This poses a significant safety risk for winter sports personnel on uneven, steep, and / or windswept slopes. It is also difficult to get inside a passenger drone.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to avoid these drawbacks, in particular to provide a passenger drone that allows safe landing on exposed slopes.

[0009] Therefore, in the passenger drone according to the present invention, at least one chair, preferably at least one lift chair, for at least one winter sports person can be attached to the hanger.

[0010] The method according to the invention is particularly specific for transporting a winter sports person wearing buckled winter sports gear by at least one such passenger drone.

[0011] This allows a winter sports person to be transported with their winter sports gear at least partially buckled, similar to a chairlift, which allows for safe landing of the passenger drone on steep slopes and also allows for jumping out of the drone in particularly inaccessible areas.

[0012] In particular, at least one chair can be attached directly to the hanger, but the at least one chair cannot be attached in a cabin attached to the hanger, and the chair is in particular a lift chair capable of transporting winter sports persons wearing buckled winter sports gear.

[0013] In one embodiment, it is specified that at least one chair and / or hanger is provided with a safety bar and / or is attached thereto, thereby protecting the winter sports person from falling from the chair during transport. In this case, it is specified that the safety bar is preferably provided with a footrest on which the winter sports person can support their feet, in particular their buckled winter sports gear.

[0014] The safety bar may be pivotable and thus have an open and a closed position, allowing the winter sports person to get on and off the vehicle when the safety bar is open, and then close the safety bar when the passenger drone is in flight.

[0015] The leg rest may be attachable directly to the chair and / or to the hanger.

[0016] The hanger may have an at least partially curved shape, which allows it to also be used for chairs in chairlifts.

[0017] The chair and / or hanger may be at least partially, preferably predominantly, made of fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, which keeps the passenger drone's own weight low and simultaneously provides a stable construction.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the seating area of ​​at least one chair is at least partially open outward. In particular, the chair is not disposed within a closed capsule or cabin. Rather, the seating area of ​​at least one chair may be at least partially surrounded by a frame, which may be, for example, part of the chair, a safety bar, or a hanger.

[0019] In another embodiment, at least one chair may be partially closable by at least one openable, preferably pivotable and / or partially transparent, protective hood. In this case, it is preferably specified that the seating area of ​​the at least one chair is at least partially open outward when the protective hood is closed and when it is open. This provides winter sports people with simple protection against wind and weather. The feet of those wearing buckled winter sports gear may protrude outward, particularly resting on a leg rest, due to the seating area of ​​the at least one chair being at least partially open outward even when the protective hood is closed.

[0020] A further positive effect of the protective hood is the protection of winter sports people seated in at least one of the chairs against so-called prop wash, which is an air current generated by the rotation of the rotor, which can be particularly powerful, especially at start-up.

[0021] In both embodiments of the previous two paragraphs, a typical lift chair may be used, which often has a protective hood that is openable.

[0022] Protection of the winter sportsperson against rotor propwash can additionally or alternatively be realized in other ways. In general, at least one cover for protecting the winter sportsperson seated in the at least one chair may be arranged between the at least one chair and at least one, preferably all, rotors of the transport drone.

[0023] In this case, the cover is preferably at least partially transparent.

[0024] The cover is preferably curved towards the at least one chair, particularly preferably partly spherical, so as to at least partially surround the winter sportsperson, for example, and thereby provide good protection against prop wash.

[0025] As mentioned above, the cover may be formed as an openable protective hood, such as is often provided on lift chairs.

[0026] The hanger and / or chair may preferably be provided with a take-off and landing gear that extends into an area below at least one chair and / or hanger, allowing the chair and / or hanger or the entire passenger drone to take off and land. In this case, the transport drone may be detached, either coupled or switched off.

[0027] Preferably, the take-off and landing gear has at least one skid and / or at least one wheel, the skid allowing movement of the passenger drone or chair and / or hanger in snow, and the wheel allowing movement of the passenger drone or chair and / or hanger on snow-free surfaces.

[0028] It may also be specified that the take-off and landing gear is to be used as a footrest, for which purpose the take-off and landing gear may be provided with lateral braces.

[0029] In one embodiment, the transport drone has a connecting member by which the hanger can be attached to the transport drone.

[0030] In one embodiment, the hanger has an attachment device at an end opposite the at least one chair for connecting to a transport drone.

[0031] The attachment device allows the hanger to be attached, preferably releasably, to the transport drone. Different attachment methods are possible.

[0032] A joint may be arranged between the transport drone and the hanger, preferably configured as a hinge, a pivoting bearing, a cardan joint or a ball joint, so that the hanger can hang straight down, even when the transport drone is in an inclined position during flight, for example.

[0033] Such joints may be located on the mounting device and / or on the connecting member and / or on the hanger.

[0034] The joints may be configured to be lockable. For example, it may be specified that the joints are locked when the passenger drone lands, to prevent the transport drone, which is switched off, from tipping over. Locking of the joints may be electronic and / or mechanical, automatic and / or manual.

[0035] The joint may be configured in a damped manner, which makes it possible to reduce or avoid vibrations of the hanger during flight of the passenger drone.

[0036] A weight detection device, preferably including a strain gauge, may be disposed between the transport drone and the hangar, and can measure whether one and / or more winter sportspeople are seated in the chairs of the passenger drone and can also detect whether at least one winter sportsperson has dismounted.

[0037] It may be specified that the hanger can be attached to the transport drone via tether sections and / or rails, so that attachment devices customary in chairlifts can be used to attach the hanger to the transport drone.

[0038] The hanger may be attachable to the transport drone via a clamp, which is preferably held in a closed position by a spring and / or can be moved from the closed position to the open position by an operating lever. In this case, the clamp may be formed according to an embodiment customary in chairlifts. By operating the operating lever, the hanger can be detached from the transport drone. In particular, it is specified that the clamp can be attached to the transport drone via a rope section.

[0039] It may be specified that the clamp is hookable into the rail and is guided within the rail at the lift station, as in the conventional arrangement of clamps on chair lifts.

[0040] In one embodiment, the transport drone has at least one, preferably four, six, eight or sixteen rotors, preferably mountable on at least one arm, and particularly preferably with exactly one and / or exactly two rotors mounted on each arm, i.e., the transport drone may be configured as a multicopter.

[0041] Various configurations of the arms are possible, with all rotors preferably arranged on one imaginary circle, in particular a plus configuration in which one rotor is arranged forward in the forward flight direction, and a cross configuration in which two rotors are arranged forward in the forward flight direction.

[0042] It may be specified that two propellers are attached to one arm and are operable coaxially and in opposite directions to each other.

[0043] The transport drone has at least one electric motor, and the at least one electric motor can be supplied with electric energy from at least one battery. It may be specified that multiple electric motors can be supplied with electric energy from one battery. However, it may also be specified that each electric motor is assigned to one battery.

[0044] It is particularly advantageous if one rotor or two coaxial rotors can each be driven by one electric motor, which allows the transport drone to be controlled with different rotational speeds of the electric motors without variable speed transmissions and without tilting the rotors.

[0045] In one embodiment, the transport drone is specified to have at least one sensor.

[0046] In this case, the transport drone may have at least one position sensor, in particular at least one pressure sensor, by means of which it is possible to determine, for example, the altitude of the transport drone.

[0047] The transport drone may have at least one motion sensor, in particular at least one gyro sensor and / or acceleration sensor. The gyro sensor can determine the amount of rotation of the transport drone. The acceleration sensor can determine the acceleration of the drone.

[0048] The transport drone may have at least one environmental sensor, in particular at least one camera, at least one LIDAR system and / or at least one radar system, to avoid obstacles, such as trees, rocks, pillars or soil.

[0049] In one embodiment, the transport drone includes a control unit for controlling at least one electric motor, which can be connected to a sensor, where the control unit processes the sensor signals and controls the motor speed via a control algorithm to stabilize the transport drone in hover, move, and / or perform other maneuvers.

[0050] The passenger drone may have at least one communication unit, and preferably the communication unit has an antenna for communication, and the electromagnetic signal is - from satellites, in particular navigation satellites, and / or - in and from mobile and / or fixed transmitting units, in particular via a mobile communication network Able to transmit and / or receive.

[0051] Electromagnetic signals from satellites, particularly navigation satellites, may be used to determine the position of the passenger drone by a navigation satellite system, such as GPS.

[0052] The electromagnetic signals may also be received at and from a portable transmitting unit. If the winter sportsperson carries a portable transmitting unit, such as a smartphone or smartwatch, the winter sportsperson can give commands to the passenger drone. The passenger drone can also transmit, for example, its current location or availability / usage status to the winter sportsperson.

[0053] Electromagnetic signals may be transmitted via fixed transmission units. Via a mobile communication network, voice messages and / or data, such as map material and / or control instructions, may be transmitted.

[0054] In one configuration, the transport drone is provided with a first communication unit and the hanger and / or at least one chair is provided with a second communication unit, whereby at least one electrical signal is transmitted between the first and second communication units, whereby, for example, status alerts of the transport drone can be transmitted to the winter sportsperson or control commands can be transmitted from the winter sportsperson to the transport drone. The first and / or second communication units may be configured to communicate with a third one.

[0055] In one embodiment, an operating unit is arranged on at least one chair and / or hanger, the operating unit having a display and / or an operating element, and preferably the transport drone is controllable by the operating unit, in particular the operating unit can communicate with the control unit via the first and second communication units.

[0056] Furthermore, an intercom may be arranged in at least one chair and / or hanger, which allows the winter sportsperson to communicate with a third entity, which may in particular be a base station and / or a winter sportsperson in another passenger drone.

[0057] The communication can be carried out via a communication unit, in particular the first communication unit, whereby signals can be transmitted between the communication unit and the control unit, preferably wirelessly, allowing, for example, a winter sportsperson to control the transport drone.

[0058] As mentioned at the outset, the method according to the invention is particularly specific for transporting a winter sports person wearing buckled winter sports gear by at least one of the passenger drones described above.

[0059] An embodiment of the method according to the present invention comprises: - accommodating at least one winter sports person in at least one chair; - transporting at least one winter sports person from at least one first base station to a landing location, preferably located higher than said at least one first base station, by means of a preferably autonomous flight of a passenger drone, - sending at least one winter sports person off at a landing point; - method steps for returning the passenger drone to at least one first base station or at least one second base station; The method includes at least one method step of:

[0060] The base station may be provided with a charging station for charging the passenger drone, in particular the battery.

[0061] The accommodation of the at least one winter sports person in the at least one chair may be performed at at least one first base station, which may be specified as only accessible with a ski pass, in which case an access system may be used, for example.

[0062] When accommodating the at least one winter sports person, it may be specified that a hanger with at least one chair is separated from the transport drone and that the transport drone is only connected to the hanger before transporting the at least one winter sports person, i.e. the winter sports person may be taken away by the transport drone and may already be seated in advance.

[0063] in this case, - accommodating at least one winter sports person at at least one valet station, the hanger being attached to a cable of a chairlift; - transporting at least one winter sports person by means of a chairlift to at least one first base station, which is preferably located higher than the valet station; - Steps on how to remove the hanger from the chairlift cable; - Steps on how to attach the hanger to the transport drone This allows only the final transport section, preferably on an uneven slope, to be realized by the transport drone.

[0064] A hanger with at least one chair may be provided in a suspended state at at least one first base station and / or in a stationary state on the floor to accommodate at least one winter sports person. When the hanger is provided in a suspended state, it may be specified that the hanger is suspended in a stand by a mounting device. When the hanger is provided in a stationary state, it may be specified that the hanger is placed by a takeoff and landing gear.

[0065] The passenger drone may be required to stay within a predefined flight corridor during the transport and / or return of the at least one winter sports person. For this purpose, the passenger drone's navigation satellite system, in particular GPS, may be used. This prevents the passenger drone from straying into dangerous areas, for example areas containing air traffic.

[0066] In one embodiment, the passenger drone is at least partially responsible for transporting and / or returning at least one winter sports person. - Fly autonomously, and / or - Controlled from a base station and / or - Controlled by at least one winter sports person It has been identified that:

[0067] Preferably, the passenger drone is specified to fly autonomously, for example, based on a map. For example, the passenger drone may be controlled by the winter sports person before landing and / or in an emergency. Also, in an emergency, the passenger drone may be controlled from the base station.

[0068] When the at least one winter sports person is sent off at the landing point, it may be recorded whether or not the at least one winter sports person has been sent off. - automatically, in particular by measuring with a weight detection device, and / or - by manual instruction of at least one winter sportsperson; and / or - By remote command from the base station You may go.

[0069] The weight detection device measures the reduction in the passenger drone's payload, and based on this, it can be inferred that at least one winter sports person has been sent off.

[0070] In this case, manual instruction of the at least one winter sports person can take place via the operating device and / or the portable transmitting unit, in particular the first communication unit.

[0071] In this case, remote instructions from the base station can be given via the communication unit.

[0072] In one embodiment, the autonomous return of the passenger drone to the at least one first base station or the at least one second base station may be initiated by recording the launch of the at least one winter sports person, thereby allowing the passenger drone to automatically return, for example, after the launch of the at least one winter sports person.

[0073] The passenger drone may be configured to track at least one winter sportsperson before or during the return. The passenger drone may, for example, create a video of the winter sportsperson. Preferably, the passenger drone is configured to transmit a warning signal to the base station in the event of an emergency. The emergency may, for example, be an avalanche and / or a fall of the winter sportsperson. The emergency may be identified automatically, in particular by artificial intelligence, and / or from the base station via a camera provided on the passenger drone.

[0074] Particularly preferably, the at least one winter sportsperson can summon the passenger drone away from the at least one base station, preferably by means of a portable transmitting unit. In this case, subsequent collection of the at least one winter sportsperson can take place away from the at least one base station. This can be used in emergency situations, for example, when the winter sportsperson can no longer continue skiing, whether due to injury or because the skiing route is blocked by a cliff.

[0075] This feature may also be used in a planned manner, for example, when a continuous run down the route is not possible, for example because a cliff is blocking the route, allowing for the upper part of the route to be run down, followed by a planned redeployment by the passenger drone.

[0076] Of course, passenger drones may be used in the summer, similar to chairlifts, and passenger drones may be used for non-sporting purposes.

[0077] For example, a passenger drone may be used as a rescue drone. In this case, the victim may be taken away by the passenger drone. If the drone is configured as a two-seater, the first rescuer may be transported to the victim by the passenger drone. Instead of a second seat, it may be specified that a holding means for an Akio or a stretcher is provided.

[0078] Therefore, first rescuers no longer even need to land at the scene of the accident, which saves time and minimizes the risk to injured people. The risk to first rescuers is also minimized, as they no longer need to land in potentially dangerous areas.

[0079] When using a passenger drone with a helicopter, it is advantageous that the passenger drone can fly close to the ground in poor visibility and on steep slopes that are dangerous for helicopters. The passenger drone also has autonomous flight capabilities that allow it to always return to the base station.

[0080] Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, which are based on illustrative examples. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0081] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a passenger drone. [Figure 2] This is a side view of a passenger drone including a winter sports person. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of a passenger drone including a winter sports person and a cover. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a side view of a passenger drone including a winter sports person and a protective hood. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a transport drone with devices installed inside. [Figure 6a] FIG. 1 illustrates the connection of a transport drone to a hangar. [Figure 6b] FIG. 1 illustrates the connection of a transport drone to a hangar. [Figure 7] 10A-10C illustrate alternative embodiments of connecting a transport drone to a hanger. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates a method for transporting a winter sports person by a passenger drone. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates a method for transporting a winter sports person by a passenger drone between two base stations. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 illustrates a method for transporting winter sports persons by passenger drone in combination with a chairlift.

[0082] 1 and 2 show a passenger drone 1 for transporting winter sports persons wearing buckled winter sports gear, comprising a transport drone 2 to which a hanger 3 is attached, preferably releasably, and to which a chair 4 for at least one winter sports person is attached.

[0083] In this case, Figure 1 shows a front view of the passenger drone 1 and Figure 2 shows a side view, in which Figure 2 also shows a winter sports person 45 seated in a chair wearing buckled winter sports gear 46, here formed as skis.

[0084] In this embodiment, the chair 4 is configured as a pair chair for two winter sports people. The chair 4 may be essentially a typical lift chair.

[0085] The seating area of ​​at least one chair 4 is open outward, in particular there is no capsule in which the chair 4 is located: the winter sportsperson seated in the seating area is merely surrounded by an air-permeable frame.

[0086] At least one chair 4 is provided with a safety bar 5, which is further provided with a leg rest 6. A winter sports person 45 may place their feet, and possibly their winter sports gear 46, on the leg rest 6. The safety bar 5 is pivotally supported and can be pivoted from a closed position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to an open position. In the open position, the winter sports person 45 can get in and out of the chair.

[0087] The hanger 3 has an at least partially curved shape. The curved shape of the hanger 4 is typically adapted to the hanger of a chairlift for which this shape is required as support. The hanger 3 and chair 4 may be configured as in a conventional chairlift.

[0088] The chair 4 has a chair frame 38 connected to the hanger 3. In the lower area of ​​the chair frame 38, a seating surface 40 and a backrest 39 are arranged, which together form the actual seat rest for a winter sports person 45.

[0089] The chair 4 and / or the hanger 3 may be at least partly, preferably mostly, made from fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, which keeps the weight of the passenger drone 1 low.

[0090] A take-off and landing gear 7 is arranged on the chair 4, and in this case, the take-off and landing gear 7 extends into an area below at least one chair 4 and hangar 3. The take-off and landing gear 7 has at least one skid 8, which allows the passenger drone 1 to move in snow. The take-off and landing gear 7 may also be specified to have at least one wheel, although this is not shown in the drawings. In the illustrated configuration, the take-off and landing gear 7 is attached to a chair frame 38.

[0091] The transport drone 2 has a connecting member 10 by which the hanger 3 can be attached to the transport drone 2. The hanger 3 has an attachment device 15 at the end opposite the at least one chair 4 for connecting to the transport drone 2. Further details for attaching the hanger 3 to the transport drone 2 become apparent from Figures 6a, 6b and 7.

[0092] 3 shows the passenger drone 1 shown in FIG. 2 equipped with a cover 47, which is arranged between the rotor 19 of the transport drone 2 and at least one chair 4 to protect the winter sports person 45. This allows the winter sports person 45 to be protected from prop wash (air flow from the rotor 19).

[0093] The cover 47 is attached to the chair 4 in this example, although other attachment points, in particular at the hanger 3, are also possible.

[0094] The cover 47 has a partially spherical shape and is curved towards the at least one chair 4. The cover 47 is partially transparent, which ensures visibility for the winter sports person 45.

[0095] The cover 47 opens downwards, allowing the winter sports person 45 to step off the chair 4 without unbuckling the winter sports gear 46 .

[0096] The cover 47 may be movably, in particular pivotably, supported at the attachment point.

[0097] In Figure 4, the passenger drone 1 shown in Figure 2 or 3 is shown equipped with an openable protective hood 48. Such protective hoods 48 are already known for chairlifts and protect the winter sports person 45 from wind and weather. In the configuration shown, the protective hood 48 additionally has the advantage of protection against propwash, since in the closed state the protective hood 48 is also arranged between the rotor 19 and the chair 4.

[0098] The winter sports person 45 can swing the protective hood 48 to an open position before dismounting and dismount or jump out of the chair 4 while still wearing the buckled winter sports gear 46 .

[0099] Despite the protective hood 48 shown in Fig. 4 or the cover 47 shown in Fig. 3, the seating area of ​​at least one chair 4 is at least partially open outward. In particular, the winter sports person 45 can place the winter sports gear 46 outside the protective hood 48. This allows the winter sports person 45 to more easily descend or jump off onto uneven, steep slopes while keeping the winter sports gear 46 buckled up.

[0100] 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the transport drone 3 along with the equipment inside the transport drone 3. The transport drone 2 has a base 41 with a housing, four arms 20 pointing outward from the base, and four rotors 19 attached to the outer ends of the arms, respectively.

[0101] The axes of the rotors 19 lie on an imaginary circle (also in Figures 1 and 2). The transport drone 2 is formed in a plus configuration in the illustrated configuration, i.e., in the case of four rotors 19, one rotor 19 is arranged at the front, two rotors 19 are arranged at the center lateral sides, and one rotor 19 is arranged at the rear, as viewed in the forward flight direction.

[0102] The transport drone 2 has one electric motor 21 inside for each rotor 19, which is supplied with electrical energy from at least one battery 22. The electric motor 21 assigned to a rotor 19 is arranged coaxially with the rotor 19, which allows the rotor 19 to be driven directly by the electric motor 21 without the need for a transmission.

[0103] The transport drone 2 can be controlled by a control unit 27 for controlling at least one electric motor 21. This control unit 27 can be connected to a sensor 23. Based on the input of the sensor 23, the rotation speed of the electric motor 21 can be adapted for control purposes.

[0104] The sensors 23 of the transport drone 2 comprise at least one position sensor 24 capable of determining altitude, in particular at least one pressure sensor.

[0105] The sensors 23 of the transport drone 2 also include a motion sensor 25, in particular at least one gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor, that can measure rotation and acceleration. The motion sensor may be used for an inertial navigation system that can determine the relative position of the transport drone 2.

[0106] The sensors 23 of the transport drone 2 also include at least one ambient environment sensor 26, in particular at least one camera, at least one LIDAR system and / or at least one radar system, that can perceive the ambient environment, thereby enabling, for example, the detection of obstacles.

[0107] The passenger drone 1 further comprises a communication unit 28, which in this case comprises an antenna 29 for communication. Via this antenna 29, electromagnetic signals may be transmitted and received from satellites, in particular navigation satellites, and / or to and from portable and / or fixed transmitting units, in particular via a mobile communication network. Navigation satellite signals, for example GPS, allow the absolute position of the passenger drone 1 to be determined. Further communication may take place with the winter sports person 25 or a base station 32.

[0108] In this case, the transport drone 2 is equipped with a first communication unit 281. This is evident from FIG.

[0109] 1, at least one chair 4 is provided with a second communication unit 282. In the illustrated configuration, this second communication unit 282 is attached to the chair frame 38 at head height of the winter sports person 45. The second communication unit 282 also has mounted thereto an interphone 31 that enables the winter sports person 45 to send and receive voice messages.

[0110] The chair frame 38 further includes an operating unit 30, which has a display and / or operating elements. The transport drone 2 may be manually controlled by the winter sports person via the operating unit 30. The display may display the status of the transport drone 2, such as its speed, altitude, or position. A map may also be displayed.

[0111] Signals can be transmitted, preferably wirelessly, between the communication unit 28, preferably the first communication unit 281, and the operating unit 30. This allows, for example, the transport drone 2 to be controlled by a winter sports person 45.

[0112] 6a, 6b and 7 show the connection of the transport drone 2 to the hanger 3, and in particular different configurations of the connection member 10 of the transport drone 2 and the attachment device 15 provided on the hanger 3 for connecting the transport drone 2 to the hanger 3.

[0113] Figure 6a shows a front view of one embodiment, in which a hanger 3 is attachable to a transport drone 2 via a tether section 12. The tether section may be formed as a rod or tube with similar dimensions.

[0114] More specifically, the hanger 3 can be attached to the transport drone 2 via a clamp 16, which is held in a closed position by a spring 17 and can be moved from the closed position to an open position by an operating lever 18. In Figure 6a, the clamp 16 is shown in the closed position.

[0115] Figure 6b shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 6a, in which the clamp 16 is not shown, but the rope section 12 attached to the connecting member 10 is evident.

[0116] 6a and 6b, a weight detection device 14 is arranged between the transport drone 2 and the hanger 3. In the illustrated configuration, this weight detection device is arranged in the upper region of the connecting member 10. The weight detection device can measure the weight of the hanger 3 and the load, i.e., the chairs 4 including the winter sports people, for example by means of strain gauges. This makes it possible to determine whether or not winter sports people are sitting in the chairs 4 and how many winter sports people are sitting in the chairs 4.

[0117] A joint 11 is attached to the hanger 3, in particular to the mounting device 15, so that the hanger 3 is pivotally supported relative to the transport drone 2, so that the hanger 3 and the chair 4 are arranged substantially vertically even when the transport drone 2 is tilted, i.e., when the transport drone 2 is flying forward. The joint 11 may be designed in a damped manner to prevent excessive vibrations of the hanger 3 during flight. In the illustrated configuration, the joint 11 is designed as a pivot bearing.

[0118] FIG. 7 shows the connection of the transport drone 2 to the hanger 5, and in particular an alternative embodiment of the connection of the connecting member 10 of the transport drone 2 to the mounting device 15 provided on the hanger 3.

[0119] In this figure, the mounting device 15 is formed as a plug with a circular or polygonal cross section, which can be inserted into an opening in the connecting member 10 that is adapted to the plug and locked into this opening.

[0120] Also shown in this figure is a weight sensing device 14 which in the illustrated configuration is located on the hanger 3, and in particular on the mounting device 15. This weight sensing device 14 may include strain gauges for determining weight, as previously mentioned.

[0121] In the upper region of the connecting piece, a joint 11 is arranged, which in this case is formed as a lockable ball joint, which allows the transport drone 2, which is switched off, to be held without tipping over in the stationary hanger 3 with the chair 4.

[0122] The passenger drone 1 is particularly identified for use in transporting a winter sports person 45 wearing buckled winter sports gear 46.

[0123] 8 shows an embodiment of a method for transporting a winter sports person. A mountainous region suitable for downhill skiing in winter sports gear 46 is shown. In particular, a downhill skiing route 43 is suitable for downhill skiing. It is therefore desired that the winter sports person 45 go to the start of the downhill skiing route 43, which may be, for example, the top of a mountain.

[0124] For this purpose, firstly at least one winter sports person 45 is accommodated in at least one chair 4, with the winter sports gear 46 preferably being at least partly buckled.

[0125] The accommodation of the at least one winter sports person in the at least one chair 4 may take place at the at least one first base station 321 .

[0126] In this case, the first base station 321 may be, for example, a hut or a lift station, but the first base station 321 may also simply be the location from which the winter sports person 45 departs with the passenger drone 1.

[0127] When accommodating at least one winter sports person 45, the hanger 3 with the at least one chair 4 may be separated from the transport drone 2, and the transport drone 2 may only be connected to the hanger 3 before transporting the at least one winter sports person 45. For example, the chair 4 may be supported on the base station 321 and only be taken away by the transport drone 2 after the winter sports person 45 has sat in it.

[0128] To accommodate at least one winter sports person, a hanger 3 with at least one chair 4 may be provided in a suspended state and / or standing on the floor at at least one first base station 321.

[0129] In a next step, at least one winter sports person 45 is transported by preferably autonomous flight of the passenger drone 1 from the at least one first base station 321 to a landing site 33, which is preferably located higher than the at least one first base station 321.

[0130] The passenger drone 1 may fly at least partially autonomously during the transportation of the at least one winter sports person, may be controlled from the base station 32, or may be controlled by the at least one winter sports person 45. In this case, the passenger drone 1 may remain within a predefined flight corridor 37 during the transportation of the at least one winter sports person 45. Thus, the flight route 44 is located within the flight corridor 37.

[0131] In the next step, the at least one winter sports person 45 is sent out at the landing point 33. In other words, the at least one winter sports person 45 is lowered from the chair 4 of the passenger drone 1. The fact that the at least one winter sports person 45 is seated in the chair 4 wearing buckled winter sports gear 46 makes landing significantly easier, and buckling the winter sports gear 46 at the landing point 33 is no longer necessary.

[0132] The landing point 33 may be a point on the windswept slope, for example a mountain peak, a ridge or a steep ravine.

[0133] The landing point 33 is located at the start of a downhill route 43. After the winter sports person has disembarked / been sent off, this winter sports person 45 can enjoy a descent along the downhill route 43.

[0134] In this case, the passenger drone 1 may track at least one winter sports person, and preferably in this case the passenger drone 1 transmits an alarm signal to the base station 32 in the event of an emergency.

[0135] At least one winter sports person can call the passenger drone 1 away from at least one base station 32, preferably by means of a portable transmission unit. The at least one winter sports person can then be picked up away from at least one base station 32, after which they can return to the valley or fly again to the landing point 33. This allows for partial descent of routes that are not continuously descentable.

[0136] When the at least one winter sports person 45 is sent off at the landing point 33, it may be recorded whether the sending off of the at least one winter sports person 45 has taken place. The recording may be made automatically, in particular by measurement of the weight detection device 14, and / or by manual instruction of the at least one winter sports person 45 and / or by remote instruction from the base station 32.

[0137] In a next step, the passenger drone 1 may return to at least one first base station 321, where it is then provided for the subsequent winter sports person 45. The passenger drone 1 may also wait for the winter sports person 45 who has just been transported to the landing site 33, and the first base station 321 may be located at the end of the downhill route 43, as shown in FIG.

[0138] The autonomous return of the passenger drone 1 to at least one first base station 321 or at least one second base station 322 may be initiated by the recording of the dispatch of at least one winter sports person 45.

[0139] 9 shows another embodiment of a method for transporting at least one winter sports person 45 wearing, in particular, buckled winter sports gear 46. In this embodiment, the flight corridor 37 is extended.

[0140] 8, a first downhill route 43 leads from the first landing point 33 to the first base station 32. Furthermore, the winter sports person 45 may descend from the first landing point 33 via a second downhill route 43 to a second base station 322. From this second base station 322, the winter sports person 45 may be transported to a second landing point 33, for example on another mountain peak. From there, the winter sports person 45 may descend again via a third downhill route 43 to the second base station 322.

[0141] Like the first base station 321, the second base station 322 may be configured as a hut, but may also be a possibly predefined location where the winter sports person 45 is accommodated by the passenger drone 1.

[0142] 9 is not possible because a cliff 42 blocks the route. This means that the route 43 to the second base station 322 can only be reached by having the passenger drone 1 take the winter sports person 45 away from the second base station 322.

[0143] As is clear from Figure 9, the use of passenger drones 1 can provide a type of winter sports area that is flexible and easily changeable. The descent routes, landing points and flight routes can be changed daily depending on avalanche and weather conditions.

[0144] 10 shows a connection to a traditional ski resort with a chairlift. In this case, the accommodation of at least one winter sports person 45 can already take place at the valet station 34. In this case, the hanger 3 can initially be attached to the rope 36 of the chairlift 35. By means of the chairlift 35, the at least one winter sports person 45 is transported to at least one first base station 321, which is preferably located higher than the valet station 34.

[0145] At the first base station 321, formed as a lift station in the illustrated configuration, the hanger 3 is detached from the tether 36 of the chairlift 35. This may be achieved by means of a clamp 16, as in a conventional chairlift 35. Instead of reconnecting the hanger 3 to the tether 36 of the chairlift after one cycle, the hanger 3 is connected to a connecting member 10 of the transport drone 2. In this case, this connecting member 10 preferably has a tether section 12, as shown in Figures 6a and 6b. In this way, the passenger drone 1 can transport at least one winter sports person 45 to the landing point 33, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, for example.

[0146] This allows only the final part of the uneven, windswept slope to be covered by passenger drone 1, while the majority of the section is covered by chairlift. This allows passenger drone 1 to be used for only short sections and then recharged at base station 321. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 1 Passenger Drone 2. Transport drones 3 Hanger 4 chairs 5 Safety Bar 6 footrests 7. Take-off and landing gear 8 Skid 10. Connecting member 11 Joint 12 Search category 14 Weight detection device 15 Mounting device 16 Clamp 17 Spring 18 Operating lever 19 Rotor 20 Arm 21 Electric motor 22 Battery 23 Sensors 24 Position Sensor 25 Motion Sensor 26 Surrounding environment sensor 27 Control Unit 28 Communication Unit 281 First Communication Unit 282 Second Communication Unit 29 Antenna 30 Operation Unit 31 Intercom 32 Base Station 321 First Base Station 322 Second Base Station 33 Landing point 34 Valley Station 35 Chairlift 36 ropes 37 Flight Corridor 38 Chair Frame 39 Backrest 40 seating surface 41 Base 42 Cliff 43 Downhill Route 44 Flight Routes 45 Winter sports person 46 Winter Sports Gear 47 Cover 48 Protective Hood

Claims

1. A passenger drone (1) for transporting a winter sports person (45) wearing buckled winter sports gear (46), comprising a transport drone (2), to which a hanger (3) is preferably releasably attachable, Passenger drone (1), characterized in that at least one chair (4), preferably at least one lift chair, for at least one winter sports person can be attached, in particular directly, to said hanger (3).

2. 2. The passenger drone (1) according to claim 1, wherein a safety bar (5) is arranged and / or attached to the at least one chair (4) and / or the hanger (3).

3. 3. The passenger drone (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a footrest (6) is arranged and / or attached to the at least one chair (4), preferably a safety bar (5) arranged on the at least one chair (4) and / or the hanger (3).

4. 4. The passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hanger (3) has an at least partially curved shape.

5. 5. The passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the chair (4) and / or the hanger (3) are at least partially, preferably predominantly, made of fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic.

6. 6. A passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the seating area of ​​the at least one chair (4) is at least partially open outward and / or at least partially surrounded by a frame.

7. 7. A passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one chair (4) is partially closable by at least one openable, preferably pivotable and / or partially transparent protective hood (48), and preferably the seating area of ​​the at least one chair (4) is at least partially open outward when the protective hood (48) is closed and when it is open.

8. At least one cover (47) for protecting the winter sports person (45) seated in the at least one chair (4) is arranged between the at least one chair (4) and at least one, preferably all, rotors (19) of the transport drone (2), and preferably the at least one cover (47) comprises: - at least partially transparent, and / or - curved towards said at least one chair (4), particularly preferably part-spherically shaped, and / or - downwards opening and / or - formed as an openable protective hood (48), A passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. 9. A passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a take-off and landing gear (7) is arranged on the chair (4) and / or the hanger (3), the take-off and landing gear (7) extending into an area below the at least one chair (4) and / or the hanger (3), and preferably the take-off and landing gear (7) has at least one skid (8) and / or at least one wheel.

10. 10. The passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the transport drone (2) has a connecting member (10) by means of which the hanger (3) can be attached to the transport drone (2).

11. 11. The passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the hanger (3) has, at an end opposite the at least one chair (4), a mounting device (15) for connecting to the transport drone (2).

12. 12. The passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a preferably lockable joint (11) is arranged between the transport drone (2) and the hanger (3), the joint (11) being preferably formed as a hinge, a pivot bearing, a cardan joint or a ball joint.

13. 13. The passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a weight detection device (14) is arranged between the transport drone (2) and the hanger (3), and preferably the weight detection device (14) comprises a strain gauge.

14. 14. The passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the hanger (3) is attachable to the transport drone (2) via a rope section (12) and / or a rail.

15. 15. The passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the hanger (3) can be attached to the transport drone (2) via a clamp (16), preferably the clamp (16) being held in a closed position by a spring (17) and / or being movable from the closed position to an open position by an operating lever (18).

16. 16. The passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the transport drone (2) has at least one, preferably four, six, eight or sixteen rotors (19), which are preferably attachable to at least one arm (20), and particularly preferably, exactly one and / or exactly two rotors (19) are attachable to each arm (20).

17. 17. The passenger drone (1) according to claim 16, wherein the transport drone (2) has at least one electric motor (21), preferably one electric motor (21) per rotor (19), and the at least one electric motor (21) can be supplied with electrical energy from at least one battery (22).

18. The transport drone (2) has at least one sensor (23), and preferably the transport drone (2) at least one position sensor (24), in particular at least one pressure sensor, and / or at least one motion sensor (25), in particular at least one gyro sensor and / or acceleration sensor, and / or at least one environmental sensor (26), in particular at least one camera, at least one LIDAR system and / or at least one radar system; 18. A passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising:

19. 19. The passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the transport drone (2) comprises a control unit (27) for controlling at least one electric motor (21), the control unit (27) being connectable to a sensor (23).

20. The passenger drone (1) has at least one communication unit (28), preferably the communication unit (28) has an antenna (29) for communication, and the electromagnetic signal is - from satellites, in particular navigation satellites, and / or in and from mobile and / or fixed transmission units, in particular via a mobile communication network; 20. A passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, capable of transmitting and / or receiving.

21. 21. The passenger drone (1) of claim 20, wherein the transport drone (2) is provided with a first communication unit (281) and the hanger (3) and / or at least one chair (4) is provided with a second communication unit (282).

22. The at least one chair (4) and / or the hanger (3) - an operating unit (30) is arranged, which has a display and / or operating elements, and preferably the transport drone (2) is controllable by said operating unit; and / or - an intercom (31) is installed; A passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. 23. Passenger drone (1) according to claim 20 or 21 and 22, wherein signals can be transmitted between the communication unit (28) and the operating unit (30), preferably wirelessly.

24. 24. A method for transporting a winter sports person (45), in particular wearing buckled winter sports gear (46), by at least one passenger drone (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

25. - accommodating at least one winter sports person (45) in said at least one chair (4), - transporting said at least one winter sports person (45) from at least one first base station (321) to a landing location (33) preferably located higher than said at least one first base station (321) by means of a preferably autonomous flight of said passenger drone (1), a method step of sending said at least one winter sportsperson (45) off at said landing point (33), - a method step of returning said passenger drone (1) to said at least one first base station (321) or to at least one second base station (322).

25. The method of claim 24, comprising at least one method step of:

26. 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the accommodation of at least one winter sports person (45) in said at least one chair (4) is performed at said at least one first base station (321).

27. 27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein when accommodating at least one winter sportsperson (45), the hanger (3) with the at least one chair (4) is separated from the transport drone (2), and the transport drone (2) is only connected to the hanger (3) before transporting the at least one winter sportsperson (45).

28. - a method step of accommodating at least one winter sports person (45) in at least one valet station (34), said hanger (3) being attached to a rope (36) of a chairlift (35); - transporting said at least one winter sports person (45) by means of said chairlift (35) to at least one first base station (321), preferably located higher than said valet station (34); - the method step of detaching said hanger (3) from said rope (36) of said chairlift (35); - method step of attaching said hanger (3) to said transport drone (2); 28. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein at least one method step of

29. 29. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 28, further comprising preparing the hanger (3) with the at least one chair (4) in a suspended state at the at least one first base station (321) and / or in a stationary state on the floor for accommodating at least one winter sports person (45).

30. 30. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the passenger drone (1) remains within a predefined flight corridor (37) during the transport and / or return of the at least one winter sports person (45).

31. The passenger drone (1) is at least partially used during the transport and / or return of the at least one winter sports person (45). - be flown autonomously, and / or controlled from a base station (32), and / or controlled by said at least one winter sportsperson, 31. The method of any one of claims 25 to 30.

32. When the at least one winter sports person (45) is sent out at the landing point (33), whether or not the at least one winter sports person (45) has been sent out is recorded, and preferably the record is automatically, in particular by measurement of a weight detection device (14), and / or by manual instruction of said at least one winter sportsperson (45), and / or - by remote command from the base station (32) 32. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 31, wherein

33. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the autonomous return of the passenger drone (1) to the at least one first base station (321) or the at least one second base station (322) is initiated by recording the dispatch of the at least one winter sports person (45).

34. 34. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 33, further comprising tracking the at least one winter sports person (45) by the passenger drone (1) before or during the return, and preferably transmitting a warning signal to the base station (32) by the passenger drone (1) in the event of an emergency.

35. 35. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 34, wherein the at least one winter sports person (45) can summon the passenger drone (1) remotely from at least one base station (32), preferably by means of a handheld transmitting unit, and preferably the pickup of the at least one winter sports person (45) is performed remotely from the at least one base station (32).

Images