Transport equipment, transport devices, and methods for transporting goods

Abstract

To provide a transport device, transport apparatus, and method for transporting heavy loads that can be transported stably. [Solution] The transport device 10 comprises a first flying body 12a, a second flying body 12b, and a transport device 14. The transport device 14 comprises a suspension part 32, one end 32a of which is supported by the first flying body 12a and the other end 32b of which is supported by the second flying body 12b; a movable part 34 that is movably attached to the suspension part 32; and a connected part 36 that is integrally provided with the movable part 34 and to which the load W is connected. The movable part 34 has a pulley 60 that is hooked onto the suspension part 32 from above. Furthermore, the transport device 14 includes a first hanging part 68 that hangs down from the first flying body 12a and is connected to one end 32a of the suspension part 32, a second hanging part 72 that hangs down from the second flying body 12b and is connected to the other end 32b of the suspension part 32, and a rod-shaped access prevention part 38 that connects the first hanging part 68 and the second hanging part 72 with a gap in the horizontal direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a carrier, a carrier device, and a method for carrying luggage using a plurality of flying objects.

Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a luggage transportation system (transportation device) that transports one piece of luggage using a plurality of flying objects. This luggage transportation system includes an electric hoist for suspending luggage, a plurality of flying objects, and a plurality of linear suspension parts for suspending the electric hoist with the plurality of flying objects. The upper end of each suspension part is connected to the corresponding flying object, and the lower end of each suspension part is connected to the electric hoist.

[0003] When transporting luggage using this luggage transportation system, the luggage is connected to the lower end of a wire rope pulled out from the drum of the electric hoist. Subsequently, the electric hoist and the luggage are lifted into the air by the plurality of flying objects. Thereafter, the plurality of flying objects fly in the same direction, and the luggage is transported in that direction.

[0004] According to this luggage transportation system, heavy luggage can be transported by a plurality of flying objects. However, when a height difference occurs between the plurality of flying objects, the ratio of the load borne by each flying object fluctuates, so there is a risk that the luggage will swing greatly. Therefore, there was a problem that it was difficult to stably transport heavy luggage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention was made to address the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a transport device, a transport apparatus, and a method for transporting heavy loads that can be transported stably.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the features of the transport device according to the present invention are that it is used when transporting cargo by a plurality of aircraft, including a first aircraft and a second aircraft, and comprises a flexible, elongated linear suspension part, one end of which is supported by the first aircraft and the other end of which is supported by the second aircraft; a movable part that is attached to the suspension part so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction; and a connected part that is integrally provided with the movable part and to which the cargo is connected.

[0008] With this configuration, the load of the cargo acts on the movable part via the connected part, so even if a height difference occurs between the first and second aircraft and the suspension part is pulled in the longitudinal direction, the movable part will try to remain in a fixed position. Therefore, large changes in the ratio of the load shared by the first and second aircraft are suppressed, and heavy loads can be transported stably without shaking.

[0009] Another feature of the transport device according to the present invention is that the movable part has a pulley that is hooked onto the suspension part from above.

[0010] With this configuration, the frictional resistance between the movable part and the suspended part can be reduced by the pulley, allowing for smooth relative movement of the suspended part relative to the movable part, and effectively suppressing the swaying of the load.

[0011] To achieve the above objective, the features of the transport device according to the present invention are that it is used when transporting cargo by a plurality of aircraft, including a first aircraft and a second aircraft, and comprises a rod-shaped access prevention part for horizontally connecting a long, slender linear first hanging part hanging from the first aircraft and a long, slender linear second hanging part hanging from the second aircraft at a distance from each other, a first connected part provided at one end of the access prevention part to which the lower end of the first hanging part is connected, a second connected part provided at the other end of the access prevention part to which the lower end of the second hanging part is connected, and a suspension connected part provided at the access prevention part to which a long, slender linear suspension part for suspending cargo is connected.

[0012] With this configuration, the entire load of the anti-access section, suspension section, and cargo can be shared between the first and second aircraft. Furthermore, the anti-access section prevents the first and second aircraft from getting too close to each other. Therefore, heavy cargo can be transported stably while preventing accidents where one of the aircraft contacts or collides with the other or the suspension section.

[0013] Another feature of the transport device according to the present invention is that it comprises a slender linear suspension portion which is flexible and has one end supported by the first flying body via the first hanging portion and the other end supported by the second flying body via the second hanging portion; a movable portion which is attached to the suspension portion so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction; and a connecting portion which is integrally provided with the movable portion and to which the load is connected, wherein the suspension connecting portion has a third connecting portion which is provided at one end of the access prevention portion and to which the one end of the suspension portion is connected, and a fourth connecting portion which is provided at the other end of the access prevention portion and to which the other end of the suspension portion is connected.

[0014] In this configuration, if a height difference occurs between the first and second aircraft, causing the rod-shaped anti-access section to tilt, the suspension section will be pulled in the longitudinal direction. However, since the load of the cargo acts on the movable section via the connected section, the movable section tends to remain in a fixed position. Therefore, the ratio of the load shared by the first and second aircraft is suppressed to the point where it cannot change significantly, allowing heavy loads to be transported stably without shaking.

[0015] Another feature of the transport device according to the present invention is that the first connected portion, the second connected portion, the third connected portion, and the fourth connected portion are formed in an annular shape.

[0016] With this configuration, each connected part is formed in a simple ring shape, allowing the transport device to be manufactured inexpensively.

[0017] To achieve the above objective, the transport device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising one of the transport devices having the above-mentioned movable parts, and a plurality of aircraft, including the first aircraft and the second aircraft.

[0018] This configuration allows the same effects as those achieved by a transport device equipped with the aforementioned movable parts to be realized.

[0019] To achieve the above objective, the transport device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising one of the transport devices equipped with the above-mentioned approach prevention section, and a plurality of aircraft, including the first aircraft and the second aircraft.

[0020] This configuration allows the same effects as those achieved by a transport device equipped with the aforementioned access prevention mechanism to be realized.

[0021] In order to achieve the above object, a method for transporting a load according to the present invention is a method for transporting a load using a transport device provided with the above movable part, wherein the load is connected to the connected part, and the first flying body and the second flying body are controlled to lift the load into the air, and the first flying body and the second flying body are made to fly in a direction in which a virtual straight line extending through the one end part and the other end part of the suspension part extends in plan view.

[0022] According to this configuration, since the first flying body and the second flying body are made to fly in a direction in which a virtual straight line extending through the one end part and the other end part of the suspension part extends in plan view, the load is likely to sway in the direction in which the virtual straight line extends. However, since the movable part tries to stay at a fixed position, a heavy load can be stably transported without swaying.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a figure which shows the use state of the transport device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a figure which shows the structure of the transport device which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (A) is a plan view, (B) is a front view. [Figure 3] (A) is a partial front view which shows the structure of a 1st flying body, (B) is a partial front view which shows the structure of an approach prevention part, (C) is a partial front view which shows the structure of a movable part and a connected part. [Figure 4] It is a figure which shows the other use state of the transport device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a partial front view which shows the structure of the transport tool which concerns on 1st modification. [Figure 6] (A) is a partial front view which shows the structure of the transport tool which concerns on 2nd modification, (B) is a partial front view which shows the structure of the transport tool which concerns on 3rd modification. [Figure 7] It is a front view which shows the structure of the transport device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a front view which shows the structure of the transport device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. [Figure 9](A) is a front view showing the configuration of the transport device according to the fourth embodiment, (B) is a partial front view showing the configuration of the transport device according to the fourth modified example, and (C) is a partial front view showing the configuration of the transport device according to the fifth modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] The following describes the transport device, transport apparatus, and method for transporting cargo according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0025] (Configuration of the transport device according to the first embodiment) Figure 1 is a diagram showing the usage state of the transport device 10 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the transport device 10, where Figure 2(A) is a plan view and Figure 2(B) is a front view. Figure 3(A) is a partial front view showing the configuration of the first flying body 12a, Figure 3(B) is a partial front view showing the configuration of the approach prevention unit 38, and Figure 3(C) is a partial front view showing the configuration of the movable part 34 and the connected part 36.

[0026] The transport device 10 shown in Figure 1 is a device for lifting and transporting cargo W in the air, and comprises a first aircraft 12a, a second aircraft 12b, and a transport device 14. The first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b in this embodiment are unmanned aerial vehicles commonly referred to as "drones," and commercially available general-purpose drones can be appropriately selected and used.

[0027] (Configuration of the flying object) As shown in Figures 2(A) and (B), the first aircraft 12a of this embodiment comprises a body 16, four arms 18, propellers 20 provided at the tips of each arm 18, a camera 22, legs 24, an annular connecting portion 26 provided at the lower part of the body 16, and a communication unit 28. The communication unit 28 is configured to communicate with the control terminal 30a shown in Figure 1, and the pilot X1 shown in Figure 1 can remotely control the first aircraft 12a using the control terminal 30a.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), the second aircraft 12b of this embodiment is configured in the same way as the first aircraft 12a. The communication unit 28 of the second aircraft 12b is configured to communicate with the control terminal 30b shown in Figure 1, and the pilot X2 shown in Figure 1 can remotely control the second aircraft 12b using the control terminal 30b.

[0029] The first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b of this embodiment are configured to be able to suspend a load of up to 40 kg. Therefore, the transport device 10 equipped with these has the capacity to suspend a load W of up to 80 kg. The first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b may be remotely controlled by a single pilot, or at least one of them may be automatically controlled.

[0030] (Structure of the transport device) As shown in Figure 2(B), the transport device 14 comprises a suspension part 32, a movable part 34, a connected part 36, and an access prevention part 38. The transport device 14 also comprises a first connected part 40, a second connected part 42, a third connected part 44, and a fourth connected part 46 attached to the access prevention part 38, and corresponding first connecting part 48, a second connecting part 50, a third connecting part 52, and a fourth connecting part 54. Furthermore, the transport device 14 comprises a first connecting body 56 that connects one end 32a of the suspension part 32 to the first flying body 12a, and a second connecting body 58 that connects the other end 32b of the suspension part 32 to the second flying body 12b.

[0031] The suspension portion 32 shown in Figure 2(B) is the part that suspends the load W via the movable portion 34 and the connected portion 36, and is made of a flexible, elongated linear member. One end 32a of the suspension portion 32 is provided with a third connecting portion 52 which is detachably connected to the third connected portion 44, and the other end 32b of the suspension portion 32 is provided with a fourth connecting portion 54 which is detachably connected to the fourth connected portion 46. The third connecting portion 52 and the fourth connecting portion 54 in this embodiment are made of carabiners with a detachment prevention mechanism and are hooked onto the third connected portion 44 and the fourth connected portion 46.

[0032] In the usage state shown in Figure 1, one end 32a of the suspension part 32 is supported by the first flying body 12a via the access prevention part 38 and the first connecting body 56, etc., and the other end 32b of the suspension part 32 is supported by the second flying body 12b via the access prevention part 38 and the second connecting body 58, etc.

[0033] The suspension section 32 in this embodiment is a climbing rope with a circular cross-section and has sufficient strength to withstand the load of the luggage W. The length of the suspension section 32 is set to be sufficiently longer than the distance between the third connected section 44 and the fourth connected section 46 so that it forms a V-shape when the luggage W is suspended from it. Therefore, the movable section 34 is easily stabilized at the apex of the V-shape. The symbol P in Figure 2(B) indicates the center point of the suspension section 32. The type and cross-sectional shape of the suspension section 32 are not particularly limited, but a circular cross-section is desirable in order to allow the pulley 60, which will be described later, to rotate smoothly.

[0034] The movable part 34 shown in Figure 2(B) is a part that is attached to the suspension part 32 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. As shown in Figure 3(C), the movable part 34 has a pulley 60 that is hooked onto the suspension part 32 from above, and a support body 62 that rotatably supports the pulley 60. The pulley 60 is a circular member having a concave groove on its outer circumference into which the suspension part 32 fits, and the rotation axis of the pulley 60 is supported by the support body 62.

[0035] The connecting portion 36 shown in Figure 2(B) is the part to which the luggage W is connected and is provided integrally with the movable portion 34. As shown in Figure 3(C), the connecting portion 36 is formed in an annular shape and is rotatably connected to the lower part of the support 62 that constitutes the movable portion 34. A linear member M, such as a wire, is wrapped around the luggage W, and when connecting the luggage W to the connecting portion 36, a connecting member N, such as a carabiner, is hooked onto both the connecting portion 36 and the linear member M. In other words, the luggage W is connected to the connecting portion 36 via the linear member M and the connecting member N.

[0036] The anti-access section 38 shown in Figure 2(B) is a part that connects the first hanging section 68, described later, which hangs down from the first flying body 12a, and the second hanging section 72, described later, which hangs down from the second flying body 12b, with a gap in the horizontal direction, and is composed of a long, slender rod-shaped member made of wood and synthetic resin. The length of the anti-access section 38 is determined so that the first flying body 12a and the second flying body 12b fly at a sufficient distance from each other, and in this embodiment, it is set to about 3 to 6 m. The cross-sectional shape of the anti-access section 38 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is formed as a rectangle.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3(B), the first connected portion 40 is an eyebolt-shaped component having an annular portion provided on the upper part of one end 38a of the access prevention portion 38, and the second connected portion 42 is an eyebolt-shaped component having an annular portion provided on the upper part of the other end 38b of the access prevention portion 38. The third connected portion 44 is an annular portion provided on the lower part of one end 38a of the access prevention portion 38, and the fourth connected portion 46 is an annular portion provided on the lower part of the other end 38b of the access prevention portion 38. The third connected portion 44 and the fourth connected portion 46 function as a suspension connected portion 64 to which the suspension portion 32 is connected.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first connected portion 40 has a male threaded portion (not shown), and the third connected portion 44 has a female threaded portion (not shown). The male threaded portion is inserted through a through hole 66a formed in one end 38a of the access prevention portion 38 and screwed into the female threaded portion. The second connected portion 42 also has a male threaded portion (not shown), and the fourth connected portion 46 has a female threaded portion (not shown). The male threaded portion is inserted through a through hole 66b formed in the other end 38b of the access prevention portion 38 and screwed into the female threaded portion. In other words, the first connected portion 40 and the third connected portion 44 are firmly screwed together, and the second connected portion 42 and the fourth connected portion 46 are firmly screwed together.

[0039] Conversely to this embodiment, the first connected portion 40 and the second connected portion 42 may have female threads (not shown), and the third connected portion 44 and the fourth connected portion 46 may have male threads (not shown). In other words, it is sufficient that the first connected portion 40 and the third connected portion 44 are screw-connected to each other, and the second connected portion 42 and the fourth connected portion 46 are screw-connected to each other.

[0040] The first connecting body 56 shown in Figure 2(B) is a part that detachably connects one end 32a of the suspension part 32 to the first flying body 12a, and is flexible and has a long, slender linear first hanging part 68 that hangs down from the first flying body 12a, and a connecting part 70 provided at the upper end of the first hanging part 68 and detachably connected to the connected part 26 of the first flying body 12a shown in Figure 3(A).

[0041] The lower end of the first hanging portion 68 is provided with a first connecting portion 48 that is detachably connected to the first connected portion 40. In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 48 and the connecting portion 70 are made of a carabiner having a detachment prevention mechanism, with the first connecting portion 48 hooked onto the first connected portion 40 and the connecting portion 70 hooked onto the connected portion 26 of the first flying body 12a.

[0042] The lower end of the first hanging portion 68 is connected to the first connected portion 40 via the first connecting portion 48, and further connected to one end 32a of the suspension portion 32 via the third connected portion 44 and the third connecting portion 52. Therefore, in the usage state shown in Figure 1, one end 32a of the suspension portion 32 is supported by the first flying body 12a via the first hanging portion 68 and the like.

[0043] The second connecting body 58 shown in Figure 2(B) is a part that detachably connects the other end 32b of the suspension part 32 to the second flying body 12b, and is flexible and has a slender, linear second hanging part 72 that hangs down from the second flying body 12b, and a connecting part 74 provided at the upper end of the second hanging part 72 that is detachably connected to the connected part 26 of the second flying body 12b.

[0044] The lower end of the second hanging portion 72 is provided with a second connecting portion 50 that is detachably connected to the second connected portion 42. In this embodiment, the second connecting portion 50 and the connecting portion 74 are made of a carabiner with a detachment prevention mechanism, with the second connecting portion 50 hooked onto the second connected portion 42 and the connecting portion 74 hooked onto the connected portion 26 of the second flying body 12b.

[0045] The lower end of the second hanging portion 72 is connected to the second connected portion 42 via the second connecting portion 50, and further connected to the other end 32b of the suspension portion 32 via the fourth connected portion 46 and the fourth connecting portion 54. Therefore, in the usage state shown in Figure 1, the other end 32b of the suspension portion 32 is supported by the second flying body 12b via the second hanging portion 72 and the like.

[0046] The first hanging section 68 and the second hanging section 72 in this embodiment are crane sling belts and have sufficient strength to withstand the load of the cargo W and the access prevention section 38. The lengths of the first hanging section 68 and the second hanging section 72 are set to about 1 to 2 m in order to suppress the transmission of horizontal movement of the first flying body 12a and the second flying body 12b to the access prevention section 38. The type and cross-sectional shape of the first hanging section 68 and the second hanging section 72 are not particularly limited, and for example, climbing ropes with a circular cross-section may be used.

[0047] (Method of transporting luggage) When transporting cargo W using the transport device 10, the worker first connects the cargo W shown in Figure 2(B) to the connecting part 36. In other words, the worker hooks a connecting member N, such as a carabiner, onto both the connecting part 36 and the linear member M.

[0048] Next, pilots X1 and X2, as shown in Figure 1, control the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b to lift the cargo W into the air, and then fly the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b in the direction of a virtual straight line L (Figure 2(A)) that passes through one end 32a and the other end 32b of the suspension section 32 in a plan view. In Figures 1 and 2(A), the direction in which the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b fly is indicated by white arrows.

[0049] Figure 4 shows another usage state of the transport device 10. As shown in Figure 4, when the rod-shaped anti-access section 38 tilts due to a height difference between the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b, the suspension section 32 is pulled in the longitudinal direction accordingly. In other words, when the height of the second aircraft 12b becomes higher than the height of the first aircraft 12a, the suspension section 32 is pulled in the longitudinal direction so that the center point P moves towards the second aircraft 12b side from the movable section 34. However, since the load of the cargo W acts on the movable section 34 via the connected section 36, the movable section 34 tries to remain in a fixed position, and as a result, the ratio of the loads borne by the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b is suppressed to change significantly and tries to maintain equality.

[0050] (Effects of the first embodiment) According to the first embodiment, the above configuration can achieve the following effects. Specifically, since the ratio of the load shared by the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b is always maintained to be equal or nearly equal, the swaying of the load can be suppressed, and heavy loads can be transported stably.

[0051] The frictional resistance between the movable part 34 and the suspension part 32 can be reduced by the pulley 60 (Figure 3(C)), allowing the relative movement of the suspension part 32 with respect to the movable part 34 to be smooth, and effectively suppressing the swaying of the load W.

[0052] The entire load of the anti-access section 38, the suspension section 32, and the load W can be shared between the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b. Furthermore, the anti-access section 38 can prevent the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b from getting too close to each other. Therefore, heavy loads W can be transported stably while preventing accidents in which one of the first aircraft 12a or the second aircraft 12b comes into contact with or collides with the other or the suspension section 32.

[0053] Since the first connected portion 40, the second connected portion 42, the third connected portion 44, and the fourth connected portion 46 are formed in a simple annular shape, the transport device 14 and the transport apparatus 10 can be manufactured at low cost.

[0054] By detaching the connecting portion 70 from the connected portion 26 of the first aircraft 12a and detaching the connecting portion 74 from the connected portion 26 of the second aircraft 12b, the entire transport device 14 can be detached from the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b, allowing the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b to be used for other purposes.

[0055] In the method of transporting cargo, the first flying body 12a and the second flying body 12b are flown in the direction in which a virtual straight line L (Figure 2(A)) extends, passing through one end 32a and the other end 32b of the suspension part 32 in a plan view. Therefore, the cargo W is prone to swaying in the direction in which the virtual straight line L extends. However, since the movable part 34 tries to stay in a fixed position, the heavy cargo W can be transported stably without swaying.

[0056] (modified version) In carrying out the present invention, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible as long as they do not depart from the object of the present invention. That is, in the above embodiments, the first connecting part 48, the second connecting part 50, the third connecting part 52, the fourth connecting part 54, and the connecting parts 70 and 74 are composed of carabiners having a detachment prevention mechanism, but these connecting parts are not limited to carabiners and may be changed to other configurations having a hooking function or fastening function to the target part. Furthermore, the detachment prevention mechanism may be omitted.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the third connecting portion 52 and the fourth connecting portion 54 are configured to be detachable from the third connected portion 44 and the fourth connected portion 46, but they may also be configured not to be detachable. In this case, the third connecting portion 52 and the fourth connecting portion 54 may be configured by passing both ends of the suspension portion 32 through the third connected portion 44 and the fourth connected portion 46 and bending them into an annular shape.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the first connecting portion 48 and the second connecting portion 50 are configured to be detachable from the first connected portion 40 and the second connected portion 42, but they may also be configured not to be detachable. In this case, the first connecting portion 48 may be configured by passing the lower end of the first hanging portion 68 through the first connected portion 40 and bending it into an annular shape. The second connecting portion 50 may also be configured by passing the lower end of the second hanging portion 72 through the second connected portion 42 and bending it into an annular shape.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the connecting portion 70 and the connecting portion 74 are configured to be detachable from the connected portion 26 of the first flying body 12a and the connected portion 26 of the second flying body 12b, but they may also be configured not to be detachable. In this case, the connecting portion 70 may be configured by passing the upper end of the first hanging portion 68 through the connected portion 26 of the first flying body 12a and bending it into an annular shape. The connecting portion 74 may also be configured by passing the upper end of the second hanging portion 72 through the connected portion 26 of the second flying body 12b and bending it into an annular shape.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the first connected portion 40 and the second connected portion 42 are screw-connected to the third connected portion 44 and the fourth connected portion 46. However, the first connected portion 40 and the second connected portion 42 may be welded to the third connected portion 44 and the fourth connected portion 46, or they may be formed integrally with the third connected portion 44 and the fourth connected portion 46.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the first hanging portion 68 and the second hanging portion 72 are formed in a flexible, elongated linear shape, but they may also be formed in a non-flexible, elongated linear shape or a rod shape.

[0062] Figure 5 is a partial front view showing the configuration of a transport device 76 according to the first modified example. In the above embodiment, the annular connected portion 36 is connected to the linear member M via a connecting member N, but as shown in the transport device 76 in Figure 5, the connected portion 36 may also be connected to the linear member M via a twist return 78 and a connecting member N.

[0063] The swivel 78 shown in Figure 5 has a first annular portion 78a and a second annular portion 78b that are rotatably connected to each other, with the first annular portion 78a connected to the connected portion 36 via a connecting body 80 such as a wire. When connecting the load W to the second annular portion 78b, the worker hooks the connecting member N onto both the second annular portion 78b and the linear member M.

[0064] According to the transport device 76 shown in Figure 5, the first annular portion 78a and the second annular portion 78b rotate relative to each other in the swivel 78, so the rotation of the load W can be effectively suppressed.

[0065] Figure 6(A) is a partial front view showing the configuration of a transport device 82 according to a second modified example. In the above embodiment, the movable part 34 has a pulley 60, but the pulley 60 may be omitted, as shown in the transport device 82 in Figure 6(A).

[0066] The transport device 82 shown in Figure 6(A) has an annular member 84 that has the functions of both a movable part 34 and a connected part 36, and when suspending a load W, the suspension part 32 and the linear member M are connected by the annular member 84. The annular member 84 shown in Figure 6(A) is a carabiner with a detachment prevention mechanism, but it may be changed to another annular configuration. In other words, the movable part 34 only needs to be provided so that the suspension part 32 can move freely in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the movable part can also be configured such that the pulley 60 in the above embodiment is supported by the support 62 in a non-rotatable state, and the suspension part 32 slides on the groove portion of the pulley 60. The part of the pulley 60 on which the suspension part 32 is attached may have a shape other than a groove, for example, a flat surface that curves in an arc. In this case, the suspension part 32 may also be formed in the shape of a flat belt with a cross-sectional shape other than a circle.

[0067] The transport device 82 shown in Figure 6(A) has a simpler structure compared to the transport device 14 shown in Figure 3(B), which can reduce manufacturing costs.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the first connected portion 40 and the third connected portion 44 are provided separately, and the second connected portion 42 and the fourth connected portion 46 are provided separately. However, as shown in the transport device 86 in Figure 6(B), the first connected portion 40 and the third connected portion 44 may be used interchangeably, and the second connected portion 42 and the fourth connected portion 46 may also be used interchangeably. The transport device 86 has an annular connected portion 88 that has the functions of the first connected portion 40 and the third connected portion 44, and an annular connected portion 90 that has the functions of the second connected portion 42 and the fourth connected portion 46. The connected portion 88 is provided on one end face of the access prevention portion 38, and the connected portion 90 is provided on the other end face of the access prevention portion 38.

[0069] The transport device 86 shown in Figure 6(B) has a simpler structure compared to the transport device 14 shown in Figure 3(B), which can reduce manufacturing costs.

[0070] Figure 7 is a front view showing the configuration of the transport device 92 according to the second embodiment. In the above embodiment, the transport device 10 is configured to transport the cargo W with the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b, but the number of aircraft is not limited to two, and may be multiple (three or more) including the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b.

[0071] The transport device 92 shown in Figure 7 is a transport device 10 with a third flying body 12c added to it, and the approach prevention unit 38 and the third flying body 12c are connected via a third connecting body 94. The third connecting body 94 is flexible and has a slender, linear third hanging part 96 that hangs down from the third flying body 12c, and a connecting part 98 provided at the upper end of the third hanging part 96 that is detachably connected to the connected part 26 of the third flying body 12c. The lower end of the third hanging part 96 is provided with a fifth connecting part 102 that is detachably connected to an eyebolt-shaped fifth connected part 100 having an annular part provided at the upper part of the central portion of the approach prevention unit 38. When the fifth connecting part 102 is connected to the fifth connected part 100, the lower end of the third hanging part 96 is connected to the approach prevention unit 38.

[0072] According to the transport device 92 shown in Figure 7, the three flying bodies 12a, 12b, and 12c can stably transport the heavy load W.

[0073] Figure 8 is a front view showing the configuration of the transport device 104 according to the third embodiment. In the transport device 10 of the first embodiment, the transporter 14 has an access prevention section 38, but as shown in the transport device 104 in Figure 8, the transporter 106 does not have to have an access prevention section 38. In other words, the access prevention section 38 may be omitted.

[0074] The transport device 106 shown in Figure 8, like the transport device 14 shown in Figure 2(B), includes a suspension part 32, a movable part 34, and a connected part 36. A connecting part 108 is provided at one end 32a of the suspension part 32, and a connecting part 110 is provided at the other end 32b of the suspension part 32. The connecting part 108 is hooked onto the connected part 26 of the first flying body 12a, and the connecting part 110 is hooked onto the connected part 26 of the second flying body 12b.

[0075] According to the transport device 104 shown in Figure 8, similar to the transport device 10, the ratio of the load shared by the first aircraft 12a and the second aircraft 12b is suppressed to maintain an even or nearly even state at all times. Therefore, the swaying of the load can be suppressed, and heavy loads can be transported stably.

[0076] Figure 9(A) is a front view showing the configuration of the transport device 112 according to the fourth embodiment. In the transport device 10 of the first embodiment, the transport device 14 has a movable part 34 and a connected part 36, but as shown in the transport device 112 in Figure 9(A), the transport device 114 does not have to have a movable part 34 and a connected part 36. In other words, the load W may be connected to an eyebolt-shaped suspension connected part 122 having an annular part provided at the lower part of the central part of the access prevention part 38 via a flexible, elongated linear suspension part 116, a connecting part 120 provided at the lower end of the suspension part 116, and a connecting part 124 provided at the upper end of the suspension part 116. With this configuration, a heavy load W can be transported stably while preventing accidents in which one of the first flying body 12a and the second flying body 12b comes into contact with or collides with the other or the suspension part 116.

[0077] Figure 9(B) is a partial front view showing the configuration of the transport device 126 according to the fourth modified example. Figure 9(C) is a partial front view showing the configuration of the transport device 128 according to the fifth modified example. In the transport device 114 of the transport device 112 shown in Figure 9(A), the load W is suspended by one suspension part 116, but the number of suspension parts 116 is not limited to one and may be multiple.

[0078] The transport device 126 shown in Figure 9(B) has two suspension parts 116. The lower end of one suspension part 116 is connected via a connecting part 120 to one of two linear members M wrapped around the load W, and the lower end of the other suspension part 116 is connected via the connecting part 120 to the other of the two linear members M wrapped around the load W. The upper end of one suspension part 116 is connected via a connecting part 124 (not shown) to the third connected part 44 shown in Figure 9(A), and the upper end of the other suspension part 116 is connected via a connecting part 124 (not shown) to the fourth connected part 46 shown in Figure 9(A).

[0079] The transport device 128 shown in Figure 9(C) has an annular section 130, a first suspension section 132 that connects the annular section 130 to the third connected section 44 shown in Figure 9(A), and a second suspension section 134 that connects the annular section 130 to the fourth connected section 46 shown in Figure 9(A). When suspending a load W, the annular section 130 and the linear member M are connected by a connecting member N such as a carabiner.

[0080] According to the transport device 126 shown in Figure 9(B), the swaying of the load W can be suppressed by the two suspension parts 116. According to the transport device 128 shown in Figure 9(C), the swaying of the load W can be suppressed by the first suspension part 132 and the second suspension part 134. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] M... Linear member, N... Connecting member, P... Center point of suspension part, W... Luggage, X1, X2... Pilot, 10... Transport device, 12a... First aircraft, 12b... Second aircraft, 12c... Third aircraft, 14... Transport device, 16... Body, 18... Arm, 20... Propeller, 22... Camera, 24... Legs, 26... Connected part, 28... Communication unit, 30a, 30b... Control terminal, 32... Suspension part, 32 a... One end, 32b... Other end, 34... Movable part, 36... Connected part, 38... Access prevention part, 38a... One end, 38b... Other end, 40... First connected part, 42... Second connected part, 4 4... Third connected part, 46... Fourth connected part, 48... First connecting part, 50... Second connecting part, 52... Third connecting part, 54... Fourth connecting part, 56... First connecting body, 58... Second connecting body, 60... Pulley, 6 2... Support body, 64... Connected part for hanging, 66a, 66b... Through hole, 68... First hanging part, 70... Connecting part, 72... Second hanging part, 74... Connecting part, 76... Carrying tool, 78a... First annular part, 78b...Second annular part, 78...Return from, 80...Connection body, 82...Carrier, 84...Annular member, 86...Carrier, 88,90...Connected part, 92...Transportation device, 94...Third connection body, 96...No. 3 Hanging section, 98... Connecting section, 100... Fifth connected section, 102... Fifth connecting section, 104... Transport device, 106... Transport tool, 108, 110... Connecting section, 112... Transport device, 114... Transport tool, 116... Suspension section, 120... Connecting section, 122... Suspension connected section, 124... Connecting section, 126, 128... Transport tool, 130... Ring section, 132... First suspension section, 134... Second suspension section.

Claims

1. A transport device used when transporting cargo by multiple aircraft, including a first aircraft and a second aircraft, A slender, linear suspension portion having flexibility, with one end supported by the first flying body and the other end supported by the second flying body, A movable part is attached to the aforementioned suspension part so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, A transport device comprising a movable part and a connecting part to which the load is connected.

2. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the movable part has a pulley that can be hooked onto the suspension part from above.

3. A transport device used when transporting cargo by multiple aircraft, including a first aircraft and a second aircraft, A rod-shaped anti-access section for horizontally connecting a slender, linear first hanging section hanging from the first flying body and a slender, linear second hanging section hanging from the second flying body, A first connected portion is provided at one end of the access prevention portion, to which the lower end of the first hanging portion is connected, A second connecting portion is provided at the other end of the aforementioned access prevention portion, to which the lower end of the second hanging portion is connected, A transport device comprising a suspension connecting part provided in the aforementioned access prevention part, to which a long, slender linear suspension part for suspending a load is connected.

4. The suspension portion is a slender, linear shape having flexibility, with one end supported by the first flying body via the first hanging portion and the other end supported by the second flying body via the second hanging portion, A movable part is attached to the aforementioned suspension part so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, The movable part is integrally provided with a connecting part to which the load is connected, The transport device according to claim 3, wherein the suspension connecting portion has a third connecting portion provided at one end of the access prevention portion to which the one end of the suspension portion is connected, and a fourth connecting portion provided at the other end of the access prevention portion to which the other end of the suspension portion is connected.

5. The transport device according to claim 4, wherein the first connected portion, the second connected portion, the third connected portion, and the fourth connected portion are formed in an annular shape.

6. A transport device according to claim 1 or 2, A transport device comprising a plurality of flying bodies, including the first flying body and the second flying body.

7. A transport device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, A transport device comprising a plurality of flying bodies, including the first flying body and the second flying body.

8. A method for transporting cargo using the transport device described in claim 6, The aforementioned cargo is connected to the connected part, The first and second aircraft are operated to lift the cargo into the air. A method for transporting cargo, wherein the first and second aircraft are flown in a direction in which a virtual straight line extends through one end and the other end of the suspension portion in a plan view.

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