Winch hanging hook for aircraft

Abstract

In recent years, the number of jobs using drones to transport goods has increased, and there have been more cases of drones being fitted with winches to lift and lower shipping boxes, creating a need for efficient lifting and unloading of cargo. [Solution] The shape of the lifting hook is approximately elliptical when viewed from three sides, and its shape and structure make it easy to detach the lifting hook from the lifting hardware when unloading the load, and easy to store in the lifting hook storage port of the drone when lifting the load.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device for cargo that is equipped with a winch for lifting and lowering cargo on a multicopter or a fixed-wing aircraft (hereinafter referred to as a drone) that flies by attaching three or more propellers facing upward or downward, or that has added the functions of a multicopter. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional drones were equipped with winches that allowed them to fly with a load dangling from them, then reeled the load in and lowered it at designated locations to allow the drone to unload it. [Prior art documents]

[0003] [Patent documents] [Patent documents] US11,794,901 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, the number of jobs using drones to transport goods has increased, and drones are increasingly being equipped with winches to lower the cargo without landing. This has the advantage that the drone can maintain its altitude, making it easier for control radio signals to reach, making long-distance deliveries possible, and even on rough ground. However, there is a problem in that flying a drone while hanging from a winch causes the cargo to swing from side to side, causing the drone's center of gravity to constantly change, making the flight unstable and making it impossible to fly at high speeds. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the invention of claim 1 provides an object transport device using an aircraft, comprising a winch attached to the bottom of the aircraft, a control unit built into the winch, a lifting hook for hooking an object to be transported having a lifting device attached, and a storage case for storing the lifting hook provided in the winch case, wherein the top, front, and both side surfaces of the lifting hook have an approximately elliptical shape, and the opening of the storage section entrance for the lifting hook in the storage case is approximately larger than the approximately elliptical shape of the top surface of the lifting hook, so that the lifting hook with the object hooked can be easily stored in the storage case through the opening of the storage section entrance. By providing alternately left and right downward grooves at a constant angle having starting points straddling the major axis line of the approximate elliptical shape on both sides of the hanging hook, when the hanging hook is stored, the major axis of the approximate elliptical shape of the hanging hook and the minor axis of the opening of the approximate elliptical shape of the storage opening are particularly perpendicular to each other, To By encouraging rotation and reducing the frictional force at that time, the device can be smoothly stored in the storage case through the approximately elliptical opening. In the invention of claim 2, To make it easier for the hanging hook to rotate and store, the approximate ellipse shape of the storage entrance is divided into four equal parts by the straight and short axes of the opening, and each quarter of the approximate ellipse has a different ratio of the short axis to the long axis. When the hanging hook enters the storage entrance opening at a right angle, it comes into contact with the slight step that occurs at the point of contact with the shape where the ratio of the short axis to the long axis has been changed, which encourages rotation and makes it easier to enter the storage entrance opening, while also allowing the approximate elliptical shape of the storage entrance opening to be maintained without being significantly distorted. In the invention of claim 3, The opening at the entrance to the storage section of the storage case for the hanging hook has a mountain-like protruding shape centered on the short axis of the approximately elliptical shape, so that when the hanging hook enters the opening at a right angle, the arc around the opening is inclined in the direction of the long axis, which encourages the hanging hook to rotate. The sling is composed of a pair of plate-like members, each of which has an opening for hooking with a sling hook, and which is L-shaped at the end of the plate that is attached to the transport box and at a predetermined length from the end, ensuring the position of the transport box during transport. If the lifting hook gets stuck at the closing of the storage compartment entrance, the control unit will loosen the winch and lift it again repeatedly, controlling the operation so that the lifting hook can enter the opening of the storage compartment entrance. By doing this, the position of the lifting hook will change slightly when the winch is loosened, making it easier to enter the opening of the storage compartment entrance. Similarly, in claim 4, By providing grooves alternately on the left and right, starting across the short axis of the approximately elliptical storage section entrance opening of the storage case provided on the winch, and at a certain angle from the short axis side to the long axis side toward the inside of the winch case storage case, the rotation of the hanging hook is promoted and the frictional force at that time is reduced, making it easier for the hanging hook to enter the opening of the storage section entrance. In Figure 4, The wire of the hoisting hook is attached slightly off-center from the center. This off-center position causes the hoisting hook to come into contact with the opening of the storage compartment entrance, and when further pulling force is applied, the hoisting hook tilts, changing the position of the contact point with the opening of the storage compartment entrance and encouraging rotation, making it easier to insert into the approximately elliptical opening of the storage compartment. In the invention of claim 5, Convex portions centered on the approximate major axis of the approximate elliptical shape on both sides of the hanging hook are provided on the left and right sides of the center of the upper part of the hanging hook. The convex portions may be provided around the entire circumference, or only around the upper half circumference. The convex portions reduce the frictional force of the hanging hook when the major axis of the approximate elliptical shape of the hanging hook and the minor axis of the approximately elliptical opening of the storage port are at right angles when the hanging hook is stored, thereby allowing the hanging hook to be stored smoothly into the storage case through the approximately elliptical opening. In the invention of claim 6, The above Storage The hanging hook is attached to the edge of the approximately elliptical opening of the storage section entrance of the case, straddling the minor axis of the approximately elliptical opening. ofA pair of position regulating members are provided symmetrically about the center of the approximately elliptical opening. The position regulating member for the hanging hook has a slightly curved surface that is higher on one side and lower toward the other side. The inclined surface of the convex portion and the opposite side centered on the apex are also inclined. When the hanging hook is stored, when the long axis of the approximately elliptical shape of the hanging hook and the short axis of the approximately elliptical opening of the storage port are particularly perpendicular, the hanging hook rides up onto the inclined surface of the position regulating member, encouraging the hanging hook to rotate, so that the hanging hook can be smoothly stored in the storage case through the approximately elliptical opening. Effect of the Invention

[0006] As described above, in the device for transporting objects using an aircraft according to the present invention, the hanging hook which hooks the object to be transported is stored in a stable state in the storage case through the opening at the entrance to the storage section, and the posture of the object to be transported during transportation is stabilized, stabilizing the center of gravity of the multicopter and enabling high-speed flight. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Lifting hook Top view [Diagram 2] Lifting hook Front view [Diagram 3] Lifting hook Side view [Figure 4] Lifting hook Diagram of lifting wire installed off-center [Diagram 5] Hanging bracket front view [Figure 6] Hanging bracket side view [Figure 7] Winch case hanging hook storage section mouth plate plan view (viewed from C direction) [Figure 8] Plan view of an example of a winch case hanging hook storage opening plate protruding in a mountain shape at part AA (viewed from direction C) [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view of the winch case with the hanging hook storage plate protruding in a mountain shape at the AA part. [Figure 10] Plan view of the winch case hanging hook storage plate (viewed from direction C) (when the ratio of the 1 / 4 ellipse is changed) [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view of the winch case's hanging hook storage case opening (AA cross-section) [Figure 12] Side view of the grooved lifting hook [Figure 13] Plan view of the winch case hanging hook storage plate with grooved storage opening (viewed from C direction) [Figure 14] Top view of the hanging hook with a protrusion [Figure 15] Front view of the hanging hook with a protrusion [Figure 16] Side view of the hanging hook with a protrusion [Figure 17] Winch case hanging hook storage section mouth plate plan view (viewed from C direction) [Figure 18] Winch case hanging hook storage opening BB view [Figure 19] An example of attaching a winch to a drone (storing the hanging hook in the winch case) [Figure 20] Example of attaching a winch to a drone (hanging the hanging hook) [Figure 21] The transport box is on the ground and the lifting hook is released. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] 1 to 16 show examples of an object transport system using an aircraft according to the present invention. 1, 2 and 3 are diagrams showing the shape of the hanging hook. The hanging hook has an approximately elliptical shape or a shape that is an elongated horizontal center line of an ellipse when viewed from any direction. The shape of the lifting hook 1 attached to the end of the winch wire is approximately elliptical when viewed from above, the front, and both sides. The lower part of this lifting hook 1 is hollowed out to hook onto a lifting bracket 4 made of a pair of plate-like members attached to a transport box (such as a cardboard box) to be used for lifting. The lower part of the hanging hook is shaped like a recessed hook so that when the hook 1 is stored, it does not interfere with the hanging hook storage case. The wire attachment part of the hanging hook in Figure 4 is offset from the center to encourage rotation when storing. When it comes off the hanging metal fitting, it tilts so that it does not get caught on the hanging metal fitting when it is wound up.

[0009] Figures 5 and 6 show the shape of the hanging fittings attached to a cardboard box (transport box). The hanging hardware is made of a pair of plate-like members (e.g., aluminum), with an opening at one end of each plate-like member for hooking with a hanging hook, and the tip of the other end and a certain length from the tip are bent twice into an L shape and attached by penetrating the top lid of a cardboard box (transport box). The L-shaped bent part at the tip penetrates the top lid of the cardboard box (transport box) to prevent it from falling off. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 show shapes of the winch case hanging hook storage plate. This shape diagram shows the winch lifting hook storage plate when viewed from below (in the direction C) as shown in FIG. 19. The winch case lifting hook storage plate shown in Figure 7 has an opening of the same shape as the approximate ellipse of the lifting hook as viewed from above, but slightly larger than it, and has a radius or taper around it. When the lifting hook comes into contact with the radius or taper, it rotates in the direction in which the major axis diameter of the opening, which has the same shape as the major axis diameter of the approximate ellipse as viewed from above, matches. FIG. 8 shows a plan view of an example in which the opening of the winch case hanging hook storage plate is protruded in a mountain shape at the portion AA. Figure 9 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of part BB of an example in which the opening of the winch case lifting hook storage plate is protruded in a mountain shape at part AA. The radius around the opening is inclined in the direction of the long axis, which serves to encourage the long axis of the lifting hook to rotate in the direction of the long axis of the opening. Figure 10 shows an opening with an approximately elliptical shape, but it is divided into four equal parts by its center line, and each of these 1 / 4 ellipses has a different ratio of the minor axis diameter to the major axis diameter. When the major axis diameter of the approximately elliptical shape seen from above the hanging hook enters from a direction perpendicular to the straight axis diameter of the opening, it comes into contact with the step that occurs at the contact point where the ratio of the minor axis diameter to the major axis diameter is changed, promoting rotation. FIG. 11 shows a cross section taken along line AA in FIGS. In Figure 12, grooves 10 are carved into the side of the long side of the hanging hook at a certain angle, starting from the major axis line of an approximately elliptical shape and facing downwards alternately to the left and right. The grooves reduce friction with the opening of the winch case hanging hook storage plate, and serve to encourage rotation in the direction in which the major axis diameter matches at that angle. Figure 13 shows an approximately elliptical opening in a winch case hanging hook storage plate. The periphery of the opening is rounded or tapered, and an example is shown in which grooves 10 are carved alternately on the left and right, starting across the short axis of the approximately elliptical opening, toward the inside of the winch storage case, and at a certain angle from the short axis side to the long axis side. The grooves reduce friction with the opening of the winch case hanging hook storage plate, and at that angle they serve to encourage rotation in the direction in which the long axis diameter matches. Figure 19 shows the state where the winch is attached to the drone and the transport box is lifted to the upper limit. The direction of the transport box is determined by storing the lifting hook to the upper limit in the lifting hook storage case. It can also be semi-fixed by the spring attached to the winch case.

[0010] FIG. 20 shows the state in which the transport box is in the middle of being suspended, and FIG. 21 shows the state after it has been suspended and has landed on the ground. After the transport box touches the ground, the lifting hook is further lowered so that the top of the lifting hardware comes into contact with the central inclined section of the lifting hook, slides down along the inclined section and automatically detaches. After detachment, the lifting hook tilts due to the eccentricity of the lifting wire attachment section, so that it does not get caught on the lifting hardware again when lifted. As shown in Figure 20, when a transport box (such as a cardboard box) is lifted, the lifting hook 1 is structured to be stored in the lifting hook storage case section 22 at the bottom of the multicopter as shown in Figure 19, but as shown in Figures 7 and 8, an opening for the winch case lifting hook storage opening 7, which is slightly larger and has the same shape as the approximate ellipse of the lifting hook 1 when viewed from above, is opened at the entrance to the storage section of the winch case lifting hook storage plate 6. When the lifting hook is stored in this opening, the direction of the load can be determined from the difference in the shape of the major axis diameter and minor axis diameter of the approximately elliptical shape of the lifting hook. When the hanging hook 1 is hung by a wire and attempts to enter from the center of the winch case hanging hook storage opening 7 opened in the winch case hanging hook storage plate 6 on the underside of the winch case 14, the long axis portion of the approximately elliptical shape of the upper part of the hanging hook 1 comes into contact with the rounded portion around the opening of the winch case hanging hook storage opening 7. If the hanging hook 1 is not located on the long axis of the opening of the winch case hanging hook storage opening 7, it will not enter the opening, so it will rotate to the side closer to the long axis and attempt to enter the opening. If the hanging hook 1 is pulled up as it is, the approximately elliptical shape of the hanging hook 1 will be stored in the approximately elliptical opening. At this time, it is the frictional force of the contact part that prevents the rotation, and if the frictional force is strong, it will get caught at the entrance of the opening. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the side of the long axis of the approximately elliptical shaped hanging hook 1 is characterized in that grooves 10 are carved at a certain angle downward alternately on the left and right sides, with their starting points straddling the long axis line of the approximately elliptical shape. This has the function of promoting rotation so that the lifting hook 1 can easily enter the opening and also of reducing the frictional force at that time, since when the lifting hook 1 is stored, the long axis of the approximately elliptical shape of the lifting hook 1 and the short axis of the opening of the winch case lifting hook storage port 7 become perpendicular to each other, making it difficult for the lifting hook 1 to enter the opening. In this embodiment, the approximately elliptical opening of the winch case hanging hook storage opening 7 is divided into four equal parts by its center line so that the hanging hook 1 can be easily rotated and stored, and each of the quarter elliptical shapes has a shape with a different ratio of the minor axis to the major axis. When the hanging hook 1 enters the opening at a right angle, it comes into contact with a slight step that occurs at the contact point with the shape with the changed ratio of the minor axis to the major axis, which promotes rotation and makes it easier to enter the opening, and also allows the approximately elliptical shape of the opening to be maintained without being significantly distorted. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, the winch case hanging hook storage entrance 7 of the winch case hanging hook storage plate 6 of the storage case 22 has a mountain-shaped protruding shape centered on the center line in the long axis direction, and when the hanging hook 1 enters the opening of the winch case hanging hook storage entrance 7 with the minor axis diameter of the hole and the major axis diameter of the hanging hook at right angles to each other, the arc around the opening is inclined in the long diameter direction, which encourages the hanging hook 1 to rotate in the long diameter direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the hanging hardware (4, 5) is made of a pair of plate-like members, and one end of the hanging hardware has an opening (4b, 5b) for hooking the hanging hook 1. Tabs extend to the left and right of the ring, and the lower side of the tab is the other end of the hanging hardware opening (4b, 5b) that penetrates the top plate of the transport box (cardboard box, etc.), and is bent horizontally to the left and right in an L shape at a certain distance from the other end, and this part is secured with tape to support the load of the transport box (cardboard box, etc.). In addition, the tip of the other end is bent again in an L shape, and is turned up to penetrate the lid of the transport box (cardboard box, etc.) as a safety measure to prevent it from falling off. The hanging hardware can also be made of a different material such as plastic, and 4 and 5 can be made into one unit. If the hoisting hook 1 gets stuck at the entrance to the opening, in this embodiment, the control unit built into the winch operates by loosening the hoisting wire once and then lifting it again, repeatedly operating to control the hoisting hook 1 to enter the opening. By doing this, the position of the hoisting hook 1 changes slightly when the hoisting wire is loosened, making it easier to enter the opening. Similarly, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, with the winch case hanging hook storage plate attached alternately to the left and right with its starting point straddling the short axis of the approximately elliptical opening of the winch case hanging hook storage inlet 7 of the winch case hanging hook storage plate 6, grooves 10 are carved at a certain angle from the short axis side to the long axis side toward the inside of the winch storage case in the rounded portion around the opening, as shown in Figure 13. The effect is that when the hanging hook 1 is stored, if the long axis of the approximately elliptical shape of the hanging hook 1 and the short axis of the opening of the winch case hanging hook storage inlet 7 are particularly perpendicular, the hanging hook 1 will not be able to enter said opening, so this groove has the role of promoting rotation so that it can easily enter said opening and the role of reducing friction at that time. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the position of the hanging wire attachment part 11 of the hanging hook 1 is slightly eccentric from the center. If it is eccentric, when the hanging hook 1 is stored in the opening of the winch case hanging hook storage entrance 7, the major axis diameter of the hanging hook 1 first hits the round part around the opening, but if it hits and is pulled up and gets caught and does not move, if the hanging hook 1 is pulled up with a load applied, a force is applied to tilt the hanging hook 1, and the tilt changes the position of the contact part, promoting rotation and making it easier to enter the approximately elliptical opening. Also, when the transport box (cardboard box, etc.) is grounded during hanging, when the hanging wire of the hanging hook 1 is loosened, the hanging hook inclined part 1a in the center of the hanging hook 1 hits the upper part (4a, 5a) of the hanging hardware due to the weight of the hanging hook 1, and slides off from the opening (4b, 5b) of the hanging hardware of the hanging hardware (4, 5), and the hanging hook 1 automatically tilts so that the hanging hook 1 does not get caught on the hanging hardware (4, 5) again. In a second embodiment, In Figures 14, 15, and 16, the protrusions on both sides of the hoisting hook are provided from the upper center to the left and right near the central axis, centered on the approximately long axis of the approximately elliptical shape. When the hoisting hook enters the storage opening, the protrusions come into contact with the periphery of the opening first, so friction is small and it is easy to encourage rotation. As shown in Figures 17 and 18, a pair of position control members for the hoisting hook are provided at the edge of the approximately elliptical opening at the entrance to the storage section of the winch case, straddling the short axis of the approximately elliptical opening, in point symmetry with the center of the approximately elliptical opening. One side of the position control members for the hoisting hook is higher and inclined toward the other side, and the inclined surface is slightly curved. The inclined surface of the protrusion and the opposite side centered on the top are also inclined. When the hanging hook is stored, and the long axis of the approximately elliptical shape of the hanging hook and the short axis of the approximately elliptical opening of the storage port are particularly perpendicular, the hanging hook rides up onto the inclined surface of the position regulating member, encouraging the hanging hook to rotate, so that the hanging hook can be smoothly stored in the storage case through the approximately elliptical opening. [Explanation of symbols]

[0011] 1 Hanging hook 1a Lifting hook inclined part 2 Hook part of the hanging hook 4 Hanging bracket 1 (right) 5 Hanging bracket 2 (left) 4a, 5a Top of the hanging bracket 4b, 5b Opening for hanging fitting 6 Winch case hanging hook storage plate 7 Winch case hanging hook storage opening 8 Suspension Wire 9. Transport boxes (cardboard boxes, etc.) 10 grooves 11 Suspension wire attachment part 12 Winch 14 Winch case 16 Drone body 17 Motor 18 Propeller 19 Box retention spring 20 Drone Legs 21 Slit for storing the winch case hanging hook 22 Hanging hook storage case 23 Suspension hook protrusion 24 Winch case lifting hook storage opening position control member protrusion 25 Inclined surface of position control member for winch case hanging hook storage opening 26 The inclined surface opposite to the curved inclined surface of the winch case hanging hook storage opening

Claims

1. An object transport device using an aircraft comprising: a winch attached to the bottom of the aircraft, a control unit built into the winch, a lifting hook for hooking an object to be transported having a lifting device attached, and a storage case for housing the lifting hook provided on the winch, wherein the lifting hook has an approximately elliptical shape on its top, front, and both side surfaces, the opening of the storage section entrance for the lifting hook of the storage case is approximately larger than the approximately elliptical shape of the top surface so as to accommodate the lifting hook in an approximately vertical position, and grooves are provided alternately on the left and right sides of the lifting hook, each groove having a constant angle and starting across approximately the major axis of the approximately elliptical shape.

2. 1. An object transport device using an aircraft with a lifting hook storage opening, comprising: a winch attached to the bottom of the aircraft, a control unit built into the winch, a lifting hook for hooking an object to be transported having a lifting device attached, and a storage case for storing the lifting hook provided on the winch, wherein the lifting hook has an approximately elliptical shape on its top, front and both sides, the opening of the storage section entrance for the lifting hook of the storage case is approximately larger than the approximately elliptical shape of the top surface for storing the lifting hook in an approximately vertical position, the approximately elliptical opening of the storage section entrance of the storage case is divided into four equal parts by its straight axis and short axis, and each of the approximately elliptical shapes has a shape with a different ratio of the short axis to the long axis.

3. An object transport device using an aircraft comprising a winch attached to the bottom of the aircraft, a control unit built into the winch, a lifting hook for hooking an object to be transported having a lifting device attached, and a storage case for storing the lifting hook provided on the winch, wherein the lifting hook has an approximately elliptical shape on its top, front, and both sides, the opening of the storage case's storage section entrance for the lifting hook is approximately larger than the approximately elliptical shape of the top surface for storing the lifting hook in an approximately vertical position, and the opening of the storage case's storage section entrance for the lifting hook has a mountain-shaped protruding shape centered on the short axis of the approximately elliptical shape.

4. 1. An object transport device using an aircraft comprising: a winch attached to the bottom of the aircraft, a control unit built into the winch, a lifting hook for hooking an object to be transported having a lifting device attached, and a storage case for storing the lifting hook provided on the winch, wherein the lifting hook has an approximately elliptical shape on its top, front and both sides, the opening of the storage case's storage section entrance for the lifting hook is approximately larger than the approximately elliptical shape of the top surface for storing the lifting hook in an approximately vertical position, and grooves are carved alternately on the left and right having their starting point straddling the short axis of the approximately elliptical shape of the opening of the storage section entrance for the approximately elliptical shape of the lifting hook, running toward the inside of the winch case storage case and at a certain angle from the short axis side to the long axis side.

5. An object transport device using an aircraft, comprising: a winch attached to the bottom of the aircraft, a control unit built into the winch, a lifting hook for hooking an object to be transported having a lifting device attached, and a storage case for storing the lifting hook on the winch, wherein the lifting hook has an approximately elliptical shape on its top, front, and both side surfaces, the opening of the storage case's storage section entrance for the lifting hook is approximately larger than the approximately elliptical shape of the top surface so as to store the lifting hook in an approximately vertical position, and convex portions centered on approximately the major axis of the approximately elliptical shape on both sides of the lifting hook are provided on both left and right sides of the upper center of the lifting hook.

6. 1. An object transport device using an aircraft comprising: a winch attached to the bottom of the aircraft; a control unit built into the winch; a lifting hook for hooking an object to be transported having a lifting device attached; and a storage case for housing the lifting hook provided on the winch, wherein the lifting hook has an approximately elliptical shape on its top, front and both sides; the opening of the storage case at the entrance to the storage section for the lifting hook is approximately larger than the approximately elliptical shape of the top surface so as to accommodate the lifting hook in a substantially vertical position; and a pair of position control members for the lifting hook are provided at the edge of the approximately elliptical opening of the storage section entrance of the storage case, straddling the minor axis of the approximately elliptical opening, in point symmetry with respect to the center of the approximately elliptical opening.

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