Wind direction conversion member and unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

To provide a wind direction changing member capable of changing the wind direction of a downwash to a direction according to a service using the downwash, and an unmanned aerial vehicle on which the wind direction changing member is arranged. [Solution] A wind direction conversion member that can be placed at a predetermined position on an unmanned aerial vehicle that can fly by generating downwash in an approximately vertically downward direction, and is equipped with a conversion part that receives the downwash and converts the wind direction to a direction that intersects with the vertically downward direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind direction changing member that changes the wind direction of downwash, for example, from an unmanned aerial vehicle, and to an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a wind direction changing member. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, drones, an example of unmanned aerial vehicles, have been used to provide a variety of services, including facility inspection, intruder detection and tracking, product delivery, and pesticide spraying. In addition, services that utilize the downwash generated below the drone, such as promoting the pollination of plant flowers, have also been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special table number 2023-554240 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, downwash occurs vertically downward from the drone. Therefore, for example, in a service to promote flower pollination, it would be necessary to fly the drone vertically above each plant, which would be inefficient. It also could limit the scope of use by preventing improvements in convenience in situations where plants are placed on multi-tiered shelves or in indoor environments where ceilings tend to be low. It is also conceivable to fly the drone in an arc or tilted position so that the downwash direction is slightly diagonally downward, but this requires skilled operation and is dangerous due to unstable flight.

[0005] The object of the present invention, which was devised in consideration of the above situation, is to provide a wind direction conversion element that can change the wind direction of the downwash to a direction that corresponds to the service that uses the downwash, and an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a wind direction conversion element. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A device that can be placed at a predetermined position on an unmanned aerial vehicle that can fly by generating a downwash in a substantially vertical downward direction, and that changes the wind direction from a substantially vertical downward direction to a direction that intersects at a predetermined angle in response to the downwash. and send it out from an opening with a predetermined width in the horizontal direction. A wind direction conversion member having a conversion part formed as above.

[0007] With this configuration, the wind direction of the downwash can be easily changed from a vertical downward direction to a direction intersecting the vertical downward direction depending on the service in which the downwash is used.

[0008] (2) The surface of the conversion section that receives the downwash has a flat surface or a curved surface that is convex in a generally vertically downward direction on the opposite side of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0009] This configuration can reduce losses in air volume and speed during conversion.

[0010] (3) The surface of the converter that receives the downwash has a flat surface or a curved surface that is convex toward the unmanned aerial vehicle and faces approximately vertically upward.

[0011] With this configuration, the amount of air that flows around to the upper side can be reduced.

[0012] (4) The predetermined angle is an angle that causes the wind direction of the downwash to be 30 degrees or more from a substantially vertical downward direction, The conversion unit converts the wind direction of the downwash omitted At least vertically downward The predetermined angle Convert to an orientation that includes intersecting orientations It is formed as .

[0013] With this configuration, convenience can be improved depending on the service that uses the downwash.

[0014] (5) The unmanned aerial vehicle is provided with a plurality of downwash generating units for generating downwash, The conversion unit is disposed so as to correspond to a substantially vertically downward position of one or more of the downwash generating units among the plurality of downwash generating units.

[0015] With this configuration, the conversion unit can be arranged depending on the service that uses the downwash and the cost.

[0016] (6) The downwash generating units provided on the unmanned aerial vehicle are arranged symmetrically around the main body of the unmanned aerial vehicle, The converters are arranged so as to correspond to the substantially vertically downward positions of two or more downwash generating portions that are symmetrical on the left and right among the plurality of downwash generating portions.

[0017] This configuration reduces the impact on the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0018] (7) The conversion unit receives a part of the downwash generated by the corresponding downwash generation unit and converts the wind direction. and send it out through the opening .

[0019] With this configuration, the amount of airflow that flows around to the upper side can be reduced depending on the service that uses the downwash.

[0020] (8) The unmanned aerial vehicle is provided with a plurality of downwash generating units for generating downwash, and the plurality of downwash generating units are arranged to surround the main body of the unmanned aerial vehicle; The conversion portion is disposed so as to correspond to a position of the main body portion that faces substantially vertically downward.

[0021] This configuration reduces the impact on the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0022] (9) The conversion unit converts the wind direction by receiving a part of the downwash generated by the plurality of downwash generating units. and send it out through the opening .

[0023] With this configuration, the amount of airflow that flows around to the upper side can be reduced depending on the service that uses the downwash.

[0024] (10) An unmanned aerial vehicle in which the wind direction deflecting member according to any one of (1) to (9) above is disposed at a predetermined position.

[0025] With this configuration, the wind direction of the downwash can be easily changed from a vertical downward direction to a direction intersecting the vertical downward direction depending on the service in which the downwash is used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a drone. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of mounting a wind direction conversion member. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a wind direction conversion member. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the airflow direction changing member in more detail. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram for explaining the size relationship between the propeller and the wind direction changing member 40. FIG. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining examples of shapes of the storage section. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the airflow direction changing member. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the airflow direction changing member. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the airflow direction changing member. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the magnitude relationship between the range of downwash and modified examples of the airflow direction changing member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] A wind direction deflector and an unmanned aerial vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a drone is used as an example of an unmanned aerial vehicle. FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration example of a drone 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view from slightly rearward and diagonally above the right, FIG. 1(b) is a top view from above, and FIG. 1(c) is a front view from the front. As shown in FIG. 1, the drone 1 includes propeller units 10a-10d (hereinafter simply referred to as 10) that rotate propellers serving as rotors; a main body 20 that incorporates a control device for controlling the propeller units 10, a wireless communication device, a battery, and an imaging element for capturing images of the drone 1; and frames 30a-30d for integrating the propeller units 10a-10d with the main body 20. The drone 1 is also equipped with multiple sensors (not shown).

[0028] 1 shows a quadcopter equipped with four propeller units as an example of a multicopter, but the drone is not limited to one equipped with four propeller units, and may be one equipped with two, three, five or more propeller units, or even one. The propeller units 10 are arranged on all four sides in a roughly circular shape with the main body 20 at the center.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, each propeller unit 10 includes a propeller, a motor that rotates the propeller, and a driver circuit that drives and controls the motor. The rotation of the propeller causes the drone 1 to fly. Both the motor and the driver circuit are electrically connected to a battery and operate by receiving power from the battery.

[0030] The control device of the drone 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is an arithmetic processing device with a microprocessor, a storage device with memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), an input / output interface device, and the like, constituting a single computer system and a single control unit. The control device of the drone 1 controls the operation of the motor and, through control of the motor operation, controls the rotational operation of the propeller, causing the propeller unit 10 to execute various operations for flying the drone 1. That is, the control device of the drone 1 performs arithmetic processing according to a computer program stored in the storage device and outputs control signals for controlling the propeller unit 10 to the motor (driver circuit) via the included input / output interface device. In this way, the propeller unit 10 enables the drone 1 to fly autonomously under the control of the control device (CPU).

[0031] Furthermore, the control device of the drone 1 wirelessly communicates information with an operation reception unit (so-called transmitter) operated by the operator (pilot) of the drone 1 via a wireless communication device. When the control device of the drone 1 receives operation information for the drone 1 in response to an operation from the operator via the wireless communication device, which is an operation command for the drone 1, the control device controls the operation of each part of the drone 1 in accordance with the information of the operation command. When the control device of the drone 1 receives a flight command from the operation reception unit, which includes information about the flight of the drone 1, such as the flight trajectory and flight time, the control device controls various operations of the propeller unit in accordance with the information about the flight, thereby realizing the flight of the drone 1 in accordance with the flight command. The wireless communication device communicates information with the operation reception unit using, for example, telephone communication networks such as 5G (5th Generation), 4G (4th Generation), 3G (3rd Generation), and LTE (Long Term Evolution, registered trademark), as well as wireless communication technologies such as infrared, far-infrared, and Bluetooth (registered trademark) and WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the frames 30a-30d connects the corresponding propeller units 10a-10d to the main body 20, fixing the position and relative positions of the propeller units 10a-10d on the drone 1. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the frames 30a-30d are formed diagonally symmetrically about the main body 20 in a top view, with the intersection (main body 20) roughly in the center, and the four propeller units 10a-10d are arranged at four ends on the outer periphery of the center, toward the tip. The arrangement of the frames and propeller units is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate depending on the number of propeller units, and may be symmetrical or asymmetrical.

[0033] The sensors provided in the drone 1 include, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver that acquires position information of the drone 1, a gyro sensor that acquires angular velocity information of the drone 1, an acceleration sensor that acquires acceleration information of the drone 1, and an azimuth sensor that acquires azimuth information of the drone 1. All of these sensors are disposed, for example, in the central region of the main body 20, and acquire the position information, angular velocity information, acceleration information, azimuth information, etc. of the drone 1 at predetermined intervals (for example, one second in this embodiment).

[0034] Furthermore, all of the sensors equipped in the drone 1 are electrically connected to a battery and operate by receiving power from the battery. Furthermore, all of these sensors are connected so as to be able to communicate with all of the propeller units 10a to 10d arranged in the drone 1. Furthermore, the propeller units 10a to 10d acquire position information, angular velocity information, acceleration information, azimuth angle information, etc. of the propeller units 10a to 10d acquired by the sensors equipped in the drone 1 from the sensors equipped in the drone 1, and use the information acquired from the sensors equipped in the drone 1 to control the rotational operation of the propellers by controlling the operation of the motors of each propeller unit, thereby controlling the flight of the drone 1.

[0035] The drone 1 of this embodiment, which has the above-described configuration, can ascend and descend vertically by generating lift by rotating the propellers of the propeller units 10a to 10d, and can also move forward and backward, left and right, and turn horizontally by changing the rotation speed of the propellers of each of the propeller units 10a to 10d.

[0036] Furthermore, by rotating the propellers of the propeller units 10a to 10d, the drone 1 generates a strong downward air current (so-called downwash) in the vertical direction of the propellers. The drone 1 in this embodiment is equipped with a wind direction conversion member that has a conversion unit that converts the wind direction from the vertical downward direction (which is also the original wind direction of the downwash) to a direction that intersects with the downwash, and can send wind in various directions while flying. Note that, in this embodiment, the drone 1 is illustrated as an example of an unmanned aerial vehicle, but is not limited to this as long as it generates downwash.

[0037] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of mounting an airflow direction changing member, and Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the airflow direction changing member. Fig. 2 shows an example in which airflow direction changing members 40a to 40d (hereinafter simply referred to as 40) are attached to propeller units 10a to 10d, respectively.

[0038] 3(a) to 3(f) respectively show a top view, a front view, a right side view, a rear view, a bottom view, and a perspective view from above the front of the wind direction deflector 40. The wind direction deflector 40 includes a mounting shaft 41 and a wind receiving portion 42. One end of the mounting shaft 41 is connected to a base end 42a of the wind receiving portion 42, and the mounting shaft 41 is formed integrally with the mounting shaft 41. The other end of the mounting shaft 41 is connected to the underside of each of the propeller units 10a to 10d as shown in FIG. 2, and is attached to the drone 1. The mounting shaft 41 is connected so that its central axis is positioned vertically below the center position (center position of rotation) of the propeller. As a result, the wind direction deflector 40 is attached below each of the propeller units 10a to 10d. Such a wind direction conversion member 40 may be made of any material that is lightweight and has a predetermined strength, and may be made of, for example, a resin such as plastic, or aluminum.

[0039] The wind receiving portion 42 of the wind direction conversion member 40 has a half-bowl shape, like a bowl with a roughly oval opening, split in half, and has a curved surface that convexly faces roughly vertically downward when attached to the drone 1 (a curved surface that is rounded toward the roughly vertically downward side (the side opposite the attachment shaft 41)). The wind receiving portion 42 receives wind sent in through the opening on the base end 42a side with the curved surface and sends it out from the opening on the tip end 42b side. Therefore, when the wind direction conversion member 40 is attached to the drone 1 as shown in FIG. 2, the wind that is part of the downwash and sent in through the opening on the base end 42a side is received by the curved surface and sent out from the opening on the tip end 42b side. As a result, the wind direction can be changed in response to the downwash to a roughly horizontal direction that intersects with the vertically downward direction and sent out.

[0040] In the drone 1 of this embodiment, the opening on the tip 42b side of the wind direction changing member 40 shown in Fig. 3 is disposed so as to face the extension direction of each of the frames 30a to 30d extending from the main body 20 on a diagonal line of the main body 20 in a top view as shown in Fig. 2(c). This allows wind to be blown in a substantially horizontal direction diagonally forward and diagonally backward and forward of the drone 1. Note that the orientation of the opening on the tip 42b side of the wind direction changing member 40 may be in front or behind the main body 20, directly to the left or right of the main body 20, or may be oriented differently for each wind direction changing member 40, depending on the service that uses the downwash.

[0041] Furthermore, since the wind direction changing member 40 of this embodiment has the shape shown in Figure 3, as shown in the right side view of Figure 3(g), an example is shown in which the wind direction is changed in response to downwash to a direction that intersects with the vertical downward direction (which is also the original wind direction of the downwash) and is approximately horizontal (a direction that intersects with the vertical downward direction by approximately 90 degrees, the direction of the circled number 1 in Figure 3(g)), but it is sufficient that the wind direction is changed in response to downwash to a direction that intersects with the vertical downward direction, and for example, it may be changed to a direction that intersects with the vertical downward direction at a predetermined angle of at least 30 degrees (the direction of the circled number 2 in Figure 3(g)) depending on the service using the downwash, for example, it may be changed to a direction that intersects with the vertical downward direction at, for example, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, or 90 degrees. While the predetermined angle is adjusted and set to an appropriate angle depending on the service that uses the downwash, if the angle is too large, the effect of the downwash wrapping around the upper side of the propeller will be significant, so it is desirable to adjust and set it to a value in the range of 30 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less from the downward vertical direction (the direction of the circled number 1 in Figure 3(g)).In addition, the predetermined angle may be adjusted by the angle near the opening on the tip 42b side of the wind receiving part 42, the strength of the curve of the curved surface of the wind receiving part 42 (the size of R), etc.

[0042] 4 is a diagram illustrating the airflow direction changing member in more detail. As shown in the right side view of FIG. 4(a), the airflow direction changing member 40 in this embodiment has an extending surface 43 (the surface shown by the thick line in FIG. 4(a)) that extends in a straight line (approximately horizontally) from the curved surface toward the tip 42b on the underside of the airflow receiving portion 42. This makes it possible to prevent the airflow sent out from the opening on the tip 42b side from diverging downward and to make it easier to converge, compared to an airflow changing member that does not have a portion corresponding to the extending surface 43 (for example, an airflow changing member in which the corresponding portion continues to curve as shown by the dotted line).

[0043] As shown in the front view of FIG. 4(b), the airflow direction changing member 40 is formed so that the central angle (the angle indicated by the dotted line) of the end of the arc that forms the opening on the tip end 42b side is 180 degrees or more, and an enclosing surface 44 (the hatched portion in FIG. 4(b)) that encloses (narrows) the opening on the tip end 42b side to the center (inside) is formed at the upper left and right sides that form the opening on the tip end 42b side. Note that the enclosing surface 44 is also shown with hatched lines in the top view of FIG. 4(c). This makes it possible to prevent the direction of the airflow sent out from the opening on the tip end 42b side from diverging upward and to make it easier to converge, compared to a member that does not have a portion corresponding to the enclosing surface 44 (a member that does not have a surface that encloses (narrows) the opening to the center (inside)).

[0044] 3(a), the surface of the airflow direction changing member 40 that forms the leftmost edge of the opening on the tip 42b side is formed so as to widen leftward as it approaches the opening, and the surface that forms the rightmost edge of the opening on the tip 42b side is formed so as to widen rightward as it approaches the opening. This makes it easier to diverge the direction of the airflow sent out from the opening on the tip 42b side in the left-right direction (horizontal direction), and it is possible to send out air over a wide range in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the wind direction changing member 40 is formed so that the surfaces forming the leftmost and rightmost ends of the opening on the tip 42b side widen outward as they approach the opening, but since the width of the opening on the tip 42b side itself is relatively narrow (for example, shorter than the length of the propeller as shown in FIG. 5), the horizontal width of the blown wind can be converged to a relatively narrow range. However, the width of the opening on the tip 42b side may be widened (for example, longer than the radius of the propeller (one wing), longer than the propeller, etc.) depending on the service that uses downwash, thereby causing the blown wind to diverge over a relatively wide range.

[0045] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the size relationship between the propeller and the wind direction changing member 40. In Figure 5, the propeller is indicated by a black bar, Figure 5(a) is a view of the wind direction changing member 40 as seen from the front, and Figure 5(b) is a view of the wind direction changing member 40 as seen from the right side. Also, in Figure 5, the dotted line below the propeller indicates the range in which downwash occurs.

[0046] In this embodiment, the wind direction deflecting member 40 is configured so that the size (left-right and front-to-back length) of the opening on the base end 42a side is smaller than the radius (one wing, half) of the propeller of the drone 1. Therefore, a portion of the downwash generated by the propeller is sent into the opening on the base end 42a side of the wind direction deflecting member 40 and is sent out in a substantially horizontal direction from the opening on the tip end 42b side. Because the size (left-right and front-to-back length) of the opening on the base end 42a side is smaller than the radius of the propeller of the drone 1, for example, the wind sent out in a substantially horizontal direction from the opening on the tip end 42b side may collide with the downwash corresponding to the tip portion of the propeller (the portion longer than the wind direction deflecting member 40), causing a phenomenon in which the downwash flows slightly around the top of the propeller. However, because the wind deflecting member 40 deflects a portion of the downwash generated by the propeller, it is possible to prevent the lift from becoming too small. In addition, as long as the wind direction conversion member 40 is capable of receiving a portion of the wind from the downwash generated by the propeller, the size of the opening on the base end 42a side (left-right and front-to-back length) may be the same as the radius of the propeller of the drone 1 depending on the service that uses the downwash, or the size of the opening on the base end 42a side may be larger than the radius of the propeller of the drone 1, or the left-right length (or front-to-back length) of the opening on the base end 42a side may be larger than the radius of the propeller of the drone 1, but the front-to-back length (or left-to-right length) of the opening on the base end 42a side may be smaller than the radius of the propeller of the drone 1.

[0047] For example, when using downwash in a service to promote pollination of plant flowers, the drone 1 can be flown next to the plants to be pollinated, thereby blowing air in a substantially horizontal direction. This improves convenience in situations where plants are placed on shelves stacked in multiple tiers or in indoor environments where ceilings tend to be low. Furthermore, when plants are grown in multiple rows, flying the drone between the rows can blow air to the plants in multiple rows, improving work efficiency.

[0048] Further, services that utilize downwash may include, for example, spraying liquid for pest control onto plants downstream of the propeller, or flying at low altitude to collect fallen leaves, dust, garbage, etc.

[0049] According to the wind direction conversion member 40 and drone 1 in the above-described embodiment, the wind direction of the downwash can be easily converted to a direction that intersects with the vertical downward direction (the original wind direction of the downwash) depending on the service that uses the downwash.

[0050] Furthermore, the wind receiving portion 42 of the wind direction changing member 40 that receives the downwash has a curved surface that is convex in a substantially vertically downward direction. This reduces the loss (loss, attenuation) of the wind volume and wind speed when the wind direction is changed. The shape of the wind receiving portion 42 is not limited to having a curved surface, but may also have a flat portion in addition to the curved surface, or may be composed only of a flat portion without a curved surface. In this case, the angle of the flat portion may be adjusted depending on the service that uses the downwash.

[0051] In addition, the wind receiving portion 42 that receives the downwash of the wind direction conversion member 40 may have a curved surface that is convex on the approximately vertically upward side (towards the main body of the drone 1) (a curved surface that is rounded towards the approximately vertically upward side (towards the mounting shaft 41)).In this case, compared to a curved surface that is convex on the approximately vertically downward side, the amount of wind that passes vertically downward increases, and therefore the amount of wind that flows around above the propeller can be reduced, for example.

[0052] Furthermore, the wind direction conversion member 40 converts the wind direction of the downwash into a direction that includes a direction that intersects at an angle of at least 30 degrees from a vertical downward direction (a direction that makes the original wind direction of the downwash 30 degrees or more), thereby improving convenience depending on the service in which the downwash is used.

[0053] Furthermore, the wind direction changing members 40 are arranged so as to correspond to the approximately vertically downward positions of all four symmetrical propellers mounted on the drone 1. This reduces the impact on the flight of the drone 1 (for example, the drone 1 turning to one side or the other) compared to when different numbers of wind direction changing members 40 are arranged on the left and right, rather than being symmetrical.

[0054] Depending on the service that uses downwash, the wind direction changing member 40 may be positioned so as to correspond to the substantially vertically downward position of one or more of the multiple propellers equipped on the drone 1. This allows the wind direction changing member 40 to be positioned according to the service that uses downwash and the cost, improving convenience and flexibility.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the wind direction changing members 40 change the wind direction by receiving a portion of the downwash generated by the corresponding propeller, thereby reducing the amount of wind that flows around above the propeller depending on the service using the downwash. While FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which the wind direction changing members 40 provided for each propeller change the wind direction by receiving a portion of the downwash, they may also change the wind direction by receiving all of the downwash depending on the service using the downwash. For example, the wind direction changing members 40 may be configured so that the size of the opening on the base end 42a side (length from side to side and front to back) is larger than the length of both wings (total length) of the propeller of the drone 1. Some of the wind direction changing members 40 corresponding to multiple propellers (e.g., the two on the front side) may be wind direction changing members whose opening on the base end 42a side is larger than the wings of the propeller, while the remaining members (e.g., the two on the rear side) may be wind direction changing members whose opening on the base end 42a side is smaller than the half wings of the propeller.

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the wind direction changing member 40 was arranged to correspond to the propellers, which are the downwash generating units for generating downwash in the drone 1. However, this is not limiting. For example, if multiple propellers are arranged to surround the main body 20 of the drone 1 and downwash can occur approximately vertically below the main body 20, the wind direction changing member 40 may be arranged to correspond to a position of the main body 20 that faces approximately vertically downward. For example, the wind direction changing member may be configured in an approximately conical shape, with the apex suspended from the main body 20. This also reduces the impact on the flight of the drone 1. Even in this case, the wind direction changing member 40 receives and changes the wind direction of some of the downwash generated by the multiple propellers, thereby reducing the amount of wind that flows around the propellers depending on the service that uses downwash. When a conical airflow deflector receives part of the downwash and deflects the airflow direction, the diameter of the circle forming the bottom surface of the airflow deflector may be shorter than the diameter of a circle passing through the center points of the diagonally opposite propeller units 10a-10d. When a conical airflow deflector receives all of the downwash and deflects the airflow direction, the diameter of the circle forming the bottom surface of the airflow deflector may be longer than the diameter of a circle passing through the outermost points that the ends of the diagonally opposite propellers can pass through. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the wind direction conversion members 40a-40d were directly attached to the drone 1 via the respective propeller units 10a-10d of the drone 1, but this is not limiting, and the wind direction conversion members 40a-40d may be indirectly attached to the drone 1 via other members attached to the drone 1. Examples of other members include propeller covers that prevent the propellers from directly hitting other objects such as walls and being damaged, and cushion members that protect the main body 20 and frames 30a-30d, and are not limited to these, as long as they are attached to the drone 1.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, a technology for changing the direction of downwash wind depending on the service using the downwash was described. However, the technology for changing the direction of downwash wind is not limited to applications for services using downwash, but may also be applied to stabilize drone flight. For example, when flying in a confined space, there is a risk that the drone itself may be blown around by the wind caused by downwash bouncing off the ground or side walls. Focusing on this issue, by changing the direction of downwash wind, the downwash can be diffused and dispersed over a wide area, thereby reducing the amount of wind bouncing off the ground or side walls (diffusing and dispersing), thereby facilitating stable drone flight even in a confined space. Furthermore, when a drone with a floater lands on the sea surface or flies close to the sea surface, the downwash can be diffused and dispersed over a wide area, facilitating stable drone flight. That is, it may be a wind direction changing member that can be placed at a predetermined position on an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of flying by generating downwash in a substantially vertically downward direction, and that has a dispersion part that receives the downwash and disperses the wind direction in a direction intersecting the vertically downward direction. In this case, since it is sufficient to diffuse and disperse the downwash over a wide range, the wind direction changing member is not limited to one in which the wind receiving part 42 is formed as a surface as shown in Figure 3, but may also be one that is formed in a mesh shape, etc.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, a technology for changing the wind direction of downwash to a direction according to the service using the downwash has been described. Below, a technology for stabilizing a storage unit that stores items when transporting the items using an unmanned aerial vehicle using downwash will be described. In recent years, attempts have been made to transport items using unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones 1, but no consideration has been given to the storage unit that stores the items, and the items are simply suspended from the unmanned aerial vehicle. This raises the risk of the storage unit becoming unstable, damaging the stored items, or colliding with an adjacent building or the like, or of flight becoming unstable due to the instability of the storage unit.

[0059] In order to avoid such a situation, we propose that the shape of the storage section be the shape shown in Figure 6. Figure 6(a) shows an example of a spherical storage section. The storage section shown in Figure 6(a) has the spherical shape shown in Figure 6(a) when viewed from the front, rear, above, below, left side, or right side. Although not shown, the storage section shown in Figure 6(a) is equipped with a hook for hanging at the top shown in Figure 6(a) so that it can be hung from an unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0060] Figure 6(b) illustrates an example of a storage unit having an elongated spheroid shape, like a sphere stretched lengthwise (vertically). The storage unit shown in Figure 6(b) has the spherical shape shown in Figure 6(a) when viewed from above or below, but has the elongated spheroid shape shown in Figure 6(b) when viewed from above, below, left, or right. Although not shown, the storage unit shown in Figure 6(b) is equipped with a hanging hook at the top shown in Figure 6(b) so that it can be hung from an unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0061] If the storage unit is shaped as shown in Fig. 6 and is suspended from an unmanned aerial vehicle that generates downwash while flying, the Coanda effect caused by the downwash (air flows downward as if drawn along the curved surface of the storage unit shown in Fig. 6) allows the storage unit to be stably transported to a predetermined position approximately vertically below the unmanned aerial vehicle. This makes it possible to stabilize the storage unit even when suspended from the unmanned aerial vehicle (preventing the storage unit from swinging unsteadily relative to the unmanned aerial vehicle), reducing the risk of damaging stored items, the risk of the storage unit itself colliding with an adjacent building, or the risk of flight becoming unstable due to the instability of the storage unit.

[0062] While FIG. 6 illustrates the shape of the storage compartment, each has a space inside that can store items. For example, it may be two upper and lower hemispherical (semi-spherical) components that are combined to form a storage space inside, or it may be a component with a storage opening through which items can be stored. Whether it is a combination of two upper and lower hemispherical (semi-spherical) components or a component with a storage opening, it is preferable to design the joints and the storage opening so that they do not become surfaces that receive downwash when suspended from the drone 1. That is, it may be a towing storage component that can be suspended from an unmanned aerial vehicle that can fly by generating downwash in a substantially vertically downward direction, has a spherical or prolate spheroid shape that can generate the Coanda effect due to the downwash, and has an internal storage component. Furthermore, it is preferable for the towing storage component to be configured so that it can be suspended so that the surface that receives downwash is a continuous spherical or prolate spheroid (designed so that the joints and the storage opening do not become surfaces that receive downwash).

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the drone 1 is shown equipped with sensors and the like. However, it may also be equipped with a camera capable of capturing images of the drone's surroundings (e.g., forward, or front, rear, left, right, bottom, and top). Image information for identifying the image captured by the camera may be transmitted to an operation reception unit (so-called transmitter), and the image may be displayed on the operation reception unit. In this case, a sensor device may be attached to the drone 1 (directly or indirectly) instead of or in addition to the sensor mounted on the drone 1. The sensor device is separate from the drone 1 and includes multiple sensors and measurement units, a battery, an LED capable of emitting light toward the imaging unit of the drone 1's camera, and a control unit for controlling the sensor device. The sensor device controls the LED to light up when a predetermined condition is met based on the detection and measurement results of the multiple sensors and measurement units. The predetermined condition is set in advance by the operator, etc. As a result, the operator can recognize that the predetermined condition has been met by the surroundings of the image captured by the camera displayed on the operation reception unit being illuminated. That is, the auxiliary device may be an auxiliary device that can be arranged at a predetermined position relative to an unmanned aerial vehicle having an imaging unit, includes an illumination unit capable of irradiating light within a range that can be imaged by the imaging unit, and a determination unit for determining whether predetermined conditions are met, and controls the illumination of the illumination unit in a predetermined manner when the determination unit determines that the predetermined conditions are met. Furthermore, multiple types of predetermined conditions may be defined, and the sensor device may vary the light emission mode of the LED (e.g., lighting time, lighting and blinking pattern, light color, etc.) depending on the type of condition that is met. That is, the auxiliary device may be an auxiliary device that controls the illumination of the illumination unit in a first manner when the determination unit determines that a first condition of the predetermined conditions is met, and controls the illumination of the illumination unit in a second manner when the determination unit determines that a second condition of the predetermined conditions is met. This allows the operator to understand not only whether the predetermined conditions are met but also the type of condition that is met from the light emission mode of the image captured by the camera displayed on the operation reception unit.In addition, the operation reception unit may perform image analysis of the image captured by the camera to determine whether or not a specified condition is met and the type of condition, and may notify the operator in a manner according to the determination result, or may output a control signal for operating the drone 1.

[0064] An example of the wind direction changing member 40 has been shown with reference to Figures 3 and 4, but the wind direction changing member is not limited to the shape shown in Figure 3, etc., as long as it can change the wind direction of the downwash. Other examples of the wind direction changing member will be described below with reference to Figures 7 to 10.

[0065] 7 to 9 are diagrams illustrating other examples of wind direction deflection members. FIGS. 7 to 9 show a top view, a front view, a right side view, a rear view, a bottom view, and a perspective view from above the front of wind direction deflection members 140, 240, and 340, respectively, as Alternative Examples 1 to 3. Each of the wind direction deflection members 140, 240, and 340, as Alternative Examples 1 to 3, includes a mounting shaft 141 and a wind receiving portion 142. One end of the mounting shaft 141 is connected to a base end 142a (or a portion closer to the base end 142a) of the wind receiving portion 142, and the wind receiving portion 142 is formed integrally with the mounting shaft 141. Similarly to FIG. 2, the other end of the mounting shaft 141 is connected to the bottom surface of each of the propeller units 10a to 10d and attached to the drone 1. Mounting shaft 141 is connected so that its central axis is positioned vertically below the center position (center position of rotation) of the propeller, thereby attaching wind direction changing member 140 below each of propeller units 10a to 10d.

[0066] First, the wind direction conversion member 140 shown in FIG. 7 has a mounting shaft 141 attached to the distal end 42b of the wind receiving portion 42 shown in FIG. 3 as the proximal end. The curved surface receives wind sent through the opening on the proximal end, and the distal end corresponds to the proximal end 42a of the wind receiving portion 42 shown in FIG. 3, and the wind is sent out from the opening on the distal end. In the example of FIG. 7, an enclosing surface 44 that encloses (narrows) the opening on the distal end 42b side shown in FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c) is located on the distal end opening side from which the converted wind is sent out. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 7, the opening area (receiving area) on the mounting shaft 141 side is widened, allowing for a larger amount of wind to be received. Furthermore, the positioning of the enclosing surface 44 at the distal end opening narrows the opening area on the sending side. Therefore, a large amount of wind received from the mounting shaft 141 side can be converged and sent out from the distal end opening where the enclosing surface 44 is located, thereby increasing the wind speed and directivity. The wind speed can also be adjusted by adjusting the degree of enclosure (degree of inward penetration) by the enclosure surface 44.

[0067] Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, wind direction deflection members 240 and 340 according to Alternative Example 2 will be described. The wind direction deflection members 240 and 340 according to Alternative Example 2 and Alternative Example 3 have a recessed portion 50 that protrudes inward (inner surface, mounting shaft side) in the wind receiving portion 142. To clearly show the recessed portion 50, photographs are used in FIGS. 8 and 9. Note that the white patterned portions in FIGS. 8 and 9 appear shiny due to the relationship between the shape of the wind direction deflection member and the amount of light hitting it. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 8(b) and 9(b), compared to FIG. 7(b), the wind direction deflection member is designed to be enclosed to a greater extent by the portion corresponding to the enclosing surface 44 (hereinafter referred to as the enclosing surface 51). By providing such recessed portion 50 and enclosing surface 51, wind speed and directivity can be further increased. The recessed portion 50 also corresponds to a curved surface (a curved surface that is rounded toward the approximately vertically upward side (the body side of the drone 1)) that is convex toward the approximately vertically upward side (the mounting shaft side). In this way, the wind receiving portion that receives the downwash of the wind direction changing member may be formed with both a curved surface that is convex toward the approximately vertically downward side and a curved surface that is convex toward the approximately vertically upward side, or may be formed with only a curved surface that is convex toward the approximately vertically downward side, or conversely, may be formed with only a curved surface that is convex toward the approximately vertically upward side.

[0068] 9(a) and 9(f), the wind direction conversion member 340 shown in Fig. 9 is not one in which the mounting shaft is directly attached to the wind receiving part, but is provided with a rod-shaped bridging member 52 that bridges a predetermined portion above the opening of the wind receiving part, and the mounting shaft is attached to the bridging member 52. For this reason, wind can be received not only from the opening in front of the mounting shaft but also from the opening behind it.

[0069] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating the magnitude relationship between the range of downwash and the wind direction changing member 340 shown in Fig. 9. In Fig. 10, the range where downwash occurs is indicated by a dotted line. Fig. 10(a) is a diagram of the wind direction changing member 340 viewed from above, and Fig. 10(b) is a diagram of the wind direction changing member 340 viewed from the right side.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 10(a), because the mounting shaft is attached to the bridging member 52, it is possible to receive wind from behind the center of the downwash (behind the mounting shaft). Also, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the tip of the wind direction changing member 340 (the tip on the wind sending out side) is located outside the range where downwash occurs. This prevents the wind sent out from the tip of the wind direction changing member 340 from being affected by downwash. Note that the wind direction changing members shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 may also be arranged and designed so that the tip of each wind direction changing member (the tip on the wind sending out side) is located outside the range where downwash occurs, as in FIG. 10(b).

[0071] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 drone, 10 propeller unit, 20 main body, 30 frame, 40 wind direction conversion member, 41 mounting shaft, 42 wind receiving portion

Claims

1. A wind direction conversion member that can be placed at a predetermined position on an unmanned aerial vehicle that can fly by generating downwash in an approximately vertically downward direction, and that has a conversion section that is formed to receive the downwash and convert the wind direction from an approximately vertically downward direction to a direction that intersects at a predetermined angle, and send it out from an opening with a predetermined width in the horizontal direction.

2. The wind direction conversion unit according to claim 1 , wherein the surface of the conversion unit that receives the downwash has a flat surface or a curved surface that is convex in a substantially vertically downward direction on the opposite side of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

3. The wind direction conversion unit according to claim 1 , wherein the surface of the conversion unit that receives the downwash has a flat surface or a curved surface that is convex in a substantially vertically upward direction on the unmanned aerial vehicle side.

4. 2. The wind direction conversion member according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle is an angle that changes the wind direction of the downwash from approximately vertical downward to an angle of 30 degrees or more, and the conversion section is formed to convert the wind direction of the downwash from approximately vertical downward to an angle that includes a direction that intersects at least at the predetermined angle.

5. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a plurality of downwash generating units for generating downwash, The airflow direction changing member according to claim 1 , wherein the changing portion is disposed so as to correspond to a position of one or more of the downwash generating portions that faces substantially vertically downward.

6. The downwash generating units provided on the unmanned aerial vehicle are arranged symmetrically around a main body of the unmanned aerial vehicle, The wind direction changing member according to claim 1 , wherein the changing portions are arranged to correspond to positions that face substantially vertically downward of two or more of the downwash generating portions that are symmetrical to each other among the plurality of downwash generating portions.

7. The wind direction changing member according to claim 6 , wherein the changing portion receives a part of the downwash generated by the corresponding downwash generating portion, changes the wind direction, and sends it out through the opening.

8. the unmanned aerial vehicle is provided with a plurality of downwash generating units for generating downwash, and the plurality of downwash generating units are arranged so as to surround a main body of the unmanned aerial vehicle; The airflow direction changing member according to claim 1 , wherein the changing portion is disposed so as to correspond to a position of the main body portion that faces substantially vertically downward.

9. The wind direction changing member according to claim 8 , wherein the changing section receives a part of the downwash generated by the plurality of downwash generating sections, changes the wind direction, and sends the part out through the opening.

10. An unmanned aerial vehicle having the wind direction deflecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 9 disposed at a predetermined position.

Images