Battery device

Abstract

It has been difficult to achieve sufficiently reliable flights in terms of flight range and safety using conventional UAVs. [Solution] A battery device that can be mounted on an aircraft 10 equipped with a motor device 20, comprising a first battery electrical connector 31 and a second battery electrical connector 32, wherein the first motor electrical connector 21 is provided on the motor device 20, and both the first battery electrical connector 31 and the second battery electrical connector 32 are electrically connectable to the first motor electrical connector 21, and one of the first battery electrical connector 31 and the second battery electrical connector 32 is selected to be electrically connected to the first motor electrical connector 21, and is a battery device 30.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery device for mounting on a flying object that realizes unmanned long-distance flight in various civilian fields, for example.

Background Art

[0002] UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) such as unmanned exploration helicopters have been studied for military use in the United States and other countries.

[0003] In recent years, lithium-ion battery technology has been rapidly developing, and UAVs equipped with batteries such as LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries have been put into practical use for agricultural applications such as pesticide spraying operations.

[0004] Therefore, UAVs equipped with such batteries are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, the present inventor believes that it is desirable for UAVs equipped with batteries to be more widely put into practical use for transportation applications such as commercial delivery operations.

[0007] However, it has been difficult to realize a highly reliable flight with sufficient reliability regarding flight distance, safety, etc. using conventional UAVs.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a battery device that can realize more reliable unmanned long-distance flight of UAVs, taking into consideration the conventional problems described above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The first aspect of the present invention is a battery device that can be mounted on an aircraft equipped with a motor device, The first battery electrical connector, The second battery electrical connector, Equipped with, The first motor electrical connector is provided on the motor device, Both the first battery electrical connector and the second battery electrical connector are electrically connectable to the first motor electrical connector. The battery device is characterized in that one of the first battery electrical connector and the second battery electrical connector is selected and electrically connected to the first motor electrical connector.

[0010] The second aspect of the present invention is that a second motor electrical connector is provided to the motor device, The first battery device of the present invention is characterized in that the other end of the first battery electrical connector and the second battery electrical connector is electrically connectable to the second motor electrical connector.

[0011] The third aspect of the present invention is a battery device of the second aspect of the present invention, characterized in that both the first battery electrical connector and the second battery electrical connector are electrically connectable to the second motor electrical connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] This invention makes it possible to achieve more reliable unmanned long-distance flight of UAVs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Schematic front view of the aircraft in the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Schematic plan view of the aircraft in the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 3] Schematic perspective view of the motor device and battery device in the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 4] Plan view of the battery unit in the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 5] Schematic perspective view of the battery unit in the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 6] Explanatory diagram (Part 1) of the electrical circuit of the motor unit and battery unit in the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 7] Explanatory diagram (Part 2) of the electrical circuit of the motor unit and battery unit in the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 8] Explanatory diagram (Part 3) of the electrical circuit of the motor unit and battery unit in the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 9] (a) Schematic cross-sectional view (Part 1) of the first motor electrical connector and electrical connector holder in the embodiment of the present invention, (b) Schematic cross-sectional view (Part 2) of the first motor electrical connector and electrical connector holder in the embodiment of the present invention

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] The same applies hereinafter, but some components may not be shown in the drawings, or may be shown perspectively or omitted.

[0016] While explaining the operation of the battery device 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery device operation control method of an invention related to the present invention, which is realized by a controller or the like, will also be explained.

[0017] (1) First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the configuration and operation of the battery device 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described.

[0018] Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the aircraft 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the aircraft 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the motor device 20 and the battery device 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the battery unit 35 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the battery unit 35 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram (part one) of the electrical circuit of the motor unit 25 and the battery unit 35 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The aircraft 10 is a UAV such as a multi-rotor helicopter having four rotors 26, and the motor device 20 has four motor units 25 that drive the four rotors 26 respectively. The payload of the aircraft 10 has increased from 30 kilograms to 70 kilograms, and a flight endurance of approximately 30 kilometers can be achieved.

[0020] The battery device 30 has four battery units 35 that supply power to the four motor units 25 respectively.

[0021] As the flight performance of the aircraft 10 described above is improved, a need for higher current arises, requiring a capacity of approximately 33,000 milliampere-hours and a nominal voltage of 51.8 volts (=3.7 × 14) for the battery unit 35. The battery device 30 not only satisfies these requirements but also achieves a weight reduction of 15 to 20 percent by connecting batteries 36, such as semi-solid batteries, in series, so the total weight of the battery device 30 is only about 50 kilograms.

[0022] The battery device 30 is a battery device that can be mounted on an aircraft 10 equipped with a motor device 20, and has a first battery electrical connector 31 and a second battery electrical connector 32.

[0023] Typically, the first battery electrical connector 31 and the second battery electrical connector 32 are plugs.

[0024] The specifications of the second battery electrical connector 32 do not necessarily have to be exactly the same as those of the first battery electrical connector 31. For example, the first battery electrical connector 31 may be a discharge terminal connector for battery discharge, and the second battery electrical connector 32 may be a charge terminal connector for battery charging.

[0025] The first motor electrical connector 21 is provided on the motor device 20.

[0026] Typically, the first motor electrical connector 21 is a socket that enables power supply from the battery device 30 to the motor device 20 by inserting a battery electrical connector in the direction of arrow A.

[0027] Both the first battery electrical connector 31 and the second battery electrical connector 32 can be electrically connected to the first motor electrical connector 21.

[0028] In other words, the first battery electrical connector 31 and the second battery electrical connector 32 are both battery electrical connectors of a type that can be electrically connected to the first motor electrical connector 21.

[0029] One of the first battery electrical connector 31 and the second battery electrical connector 32 is selected and electrically connected to the first motor electrical connector 21.

[0030] For example, the second battery electrical connector 32 may function as an alternative battery electrical connector to be used in place of the first battery electrical connector 31.

[0031] In the embodiment described above, where the second battery electrical connector 32 is used in place of the first battery electrical connector 31, when the first battery electrical connector 31 is selected and electrically connected to the first motor electrical connector 21, the second battery electrical connector 32 is not electrically connected to the first motor electrical connector 21. Therefore, oil application or cover installation may be performed on the second battery electrical connector 32 to protect it from the formation of verdigris caused by the intrusion of rainwater. That is, if a malfunction such as an increase in the resistance value of the first battery electrical connector 31 due to aging is recognized, the first battery electrical connector 31, which is electrically connected to the first motor electrical connector 21, is disconnected from the first motor electrical connector 21, and the second battery electrical connector 32 is plugged into the first motor electrical connector 21 instead. With the adoption of such a dual connector specification, the reliability of the battery device 30, and therefore the reliability of the aircraft 10, is dramatically improved.

[0032] (2) Next, the configuration and operation of the battery device 30 of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail, mainly with reference to Figure 7.

[0033] Here, Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram (part two) of the electrical circuits of the motor unit 25 and battery unit 35 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] A second motor electrical connector 22 is provided on the motor device 20.

[0035] The specifications of the second motor electrical connector 22 do not necessarily have to be exactly the same as the specifications of the first motor electrical connector 21.

[0036] For example, the second motor electrical connector 22 may function as an alternative motor electrical connector to be used in place of the first motor electrical connector 21, or it may function as a combined motor electrical connector to be used in conjunction with the first motor electrical connector 21.

[0037] The remaining ends of the first battery electrical connector 31 and the second battery electrical connector 32 are electrically connectable to the second motor electrical connector 22.

[0038] In other words, at least one of the first battery electrical connector 31 and the second battery electrical connector 32 is a battery electrical connector of a type that can be electrically connected to the second motor electrical connector 22.

[0039] In the embodiment described above, the second motor electrical connector 22 is used in place of the first motor electrical connector 21. In this embodiment, the first battery electrical connector 31 is a type of battery electrical connector that can be electrically connected to the second motor electrical connector 22, but the second battery electrical connector 32 is not a type of battery electrical connector that can be electrically connected to the second motor electrical connector 22. If a low-cost specification is adopted, the method of first selecting the battery electrical connector 31 and electrically connecting it to the first motor electrical connector 21 is undesirable. This is because if damage occurs to both the first motor electrical connector 21 and the first battery electrical connector 31 at the same time, it will not be possible to electrically connect the second battery electrical connector 32 to the second motor electrical connector 22.

[0040] Furthermore, both the first battery electrical connector 31 and the second battery electrical connector 32 may be electrically connectable to the second motor electrical connector 22.

[0041] In other words, the first battery electrical connector 31 and the second battery electrical connector 32 may be battery electrical connectors of a type that can be electrically connected to the second motor electrical connector 22.

[0042] (3) Next, the configuration and operation of the battery device 30 of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail, mainly with reference to Figures 8 and 9(a) and 9(b).

[0043] Here, Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram (part three) of the electrical circuits of the motor unit 25 and battery unit 35 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 9(a) and 9(b) are schematic cross-sectional views (parts one and two) of the first motor electrical connector 21 and electrical connector holder 34 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] When batteries 36 are connected in series, a problem may occur where only some of the batteries 36 deteriorate. To identify which of the batteries 36 has deteriorated, it is desirable to provide a so-called balance electrical connector 33 that can individually measure the voltage value of each battery 36. Of course, it is also conceivable that the balance electrical connector 33 may be used to perform additional supplemental charging of the deteriorated battery 36. Not only the supplemental charging operation of the deteriorated battery 36, but also the operation of individually measuring the voltage value of each battery 36 is performed as part of the battery device operation control.

[0045] When the battery unit 30 is mounted on the aircraft 10, the first motor electrical connector 21 and the second motor electrical connector 22, the first battery electrical connector 31 and the second battery electrical connector 32, and the balance electrical connector 33 may oscillate in the airflow and interfere with surrounding components, causing problems. To suppress such electrical connector oscillation, it is desirable to provide, for example, an electrical connector holder 34 as a resin holder of a garage-type housing attached to the upper surface of the battery unit 35 for holding the electrical connectors, into which the first motor electrical connector 21 can be inserted and removed in the direction of arrow B. Of course, it is also conceivable that the electrical connector holder 34 may be used to further perform electrical connector sealing by so-called forced fitting to reduce the intrusion of rainwater, etc., as described above, regardless of whether the battery unit 30 is mounted on the aircraft 10 or not.

[0046] Furthermore, the program of the invention related to the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute all or part of the steps (or processes, operations, and actions, etc.) of the battery device operation control method of the invention related to the present invention described above, and is a program that operates in cooperation with the computer.

[0047] Furthermore, the recording medium of the invention related to the present invention is a recording medium that records a program for causing a computer to execute all or part of the steps (or processes, operations, and actions, etc.) of the battery device operation control method of the invention related to the present invention described above, and is a computer-readable recording medium in which the read program is used in cooperation with the computer.

[0048] Furthermore, the "some steps (or processes, actions, and functions, etc.)" mentioned above refers to one or more of those steps.

[0049] Furthermore, the "actions of the steps (or processes, movements, and actions, etc.)" mentioned above refer to all or part of the actions of the steps mentioned above.

[0050] Furthermore, one form of use of the program of the invention related to the present invention may be that it is transmitted through a transmission medium such as the internet, light, radio waves, or sound waves, read by a computer, and operates in cooperation with the computer.

[0051] Furthermore, recording media include ROM (Read Only Memory), among others.

[0052] Furthermore, a computer is not limited to pure hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may also include firmware, an OS (Operating System), and even peripheral devices.

[0053] As mentioned above, the configuration of the present invention may be implemented in software or in hardware. [Industrial applicability]

[0054] The battery device of the present invention can enable more reliable unmanned long-distance flight of UAVs, and is useful, for example, for use as a battery device mounted on aircraft that will put unmanned long-distance flight into practical use in various civilian fields. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 10 flying objects 20 Motor device 21 First motor electrical connector 22 Second motor electrical connector 25 Motor Unit 26 rotors 30 Battery device 31 First battery electrical connector 32 Second battery electrical connector 33 Balanced electrical connectors 34 Electrical connector holder 35 Battery Units 36 batteries A, B arrows

Claims

1. A battery device that can be mounted on an aircraft equipped with a motor device, The first battery electrical connector, The second battery electrical connector, Equipped with, The first motor electrical connector is provided on the motor device, Both the first battery electrical connector and the second battery electrical connector are electrically connectable to the first motor electrical connector. A battery device characterized in that one of the first battery electrical connector and the second battery electrical connector is selected and electrically connected to the first motor electrical connector.

2. A second motor electrical connector is provided to the motor device, The battery device according to claim 1, characterized in that the remaining end of the first battery electrical connector and the second battery electrical connector is electrically connectable to the second motor electrical connector.

3. The battery device according to claim 2, characterized in that both the first battery electrical connector and the second battery electrical connector are electrically connectable to the second motor electrical connector.

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