Method for logistics delivery using vtol

Abstract

A logistics delivery method using a Vtol comprises the Vtol including a goods loading unit and a destination setting module, the steps of the goods loading unit securing goods, the destination setting module setting a delivery destination, the Vtol operating to the delivery destination, and the goods loading unit releasing goods at the delivery destination, wherein the delivery destination is a village hall in an island or mountainous area.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a logistics delivery method, and more specifically, to a logistics delivery method using vtol. Background Technology

[0002] Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world and is moving beyond an aging society into a super-aging society. This is also related to the extinction of rural areas, as most regions outside the capital area are facing depopulation and hollowing out. Most of the regions facing these phenomena are rural and fishing villages. The rate of population decline in rural and fishing villages is expected to accelerate in the future.

[0003] As this phenomenon accelerates, welfare issues for the elderly, who constitute the majority of the rural population, are emerging. Rural extinction refers to the disappearance of local infrastructure such as medical facilities, transportation facilities, cultural facilities, and shopping facilities.

[0004] Most regions experiencing regional decline are island and mountainous areas. These areas have particularly weak purchasing facilities. This is because goods are difficult to distribute due to long distances from logistics warehouses or poor road conditions, and even when distributed, product prices increase due to transportation costs.

[0005] The use of VTOs is gaining attention as a way to resolve the geographical challenges of island and mountainous regions. Since VTOs are a means of air transport, they can overcome the geographical difficulties of these areas. Therefore, there is an urgent need for research on logistics delivery methods utilizing VTOs. The problem to be solved

[0006] A logistics delivery method that overcomes geographical difficulties using Vtol is provided.

[0007] A logistics delivery method using a vtol controlled manned or unmanned is provided.

[0008] A logistics delivery method is provided that sets village halls in remote island and mountainous areas as delivery destinations. means of solving the problem

[0009] A logistics delivery method using a Vtol comprises the Vtol including a goods loading unit and a destination setting module, the steps of the goods loading unit securing goods, the destination setting module setting a delivery destination, the Vtol operating to the delivery destination, and the goods loading unit releasing goods at the delivery destination, wherein the delivery destination is a village hall in an island or mountainous area.

[0010] The above vtol is controlled either manned or unmanned.

[0011] The above fixation is achieved by one or more operations of clamping, loading, holding, and inserting, and the above release is achieved by one or more operations of unclamping, unloading, release, and remove.

[0012] The above vtol further includes a sensing unit, and the sensing unit outputs an overload alarm when the loaded item exceeds a critical weight.

[0013] The above delivery destination is set based on at least one of the following information: population, age, item stock quantity, item depletion rate, presence or absence of item purchasing facilities, distance from item purchasing facilities, and weather. Effects of the invention

[0014] By using Vtol, geographical difficulties in island and mountainous regions can be overcome during logistics delivery.

[0015] By controlling the vtols used for logistics delivery as either manned or unmanned, it is possible to respond to various situations.

[0016] By setting village halls in remote island and mountainous areas as delivery destinations, recipients can conveniently receive goods. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of vtol according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates a logistics delivery method according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a logistics delivery method according to one embodiment. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical reference numerals in each drawing indicate identical components.

[0019] Various modifications may be made to the embodiments described below. The embodiments described below are not intended to limit the forms of practice and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions thereof.

[0020] The terms used in the embodiments are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of vtol according to one embodiment.

[0023] Vtol (100) (vertical take-off and landing) includes an item loading section (110) and a destination setting module (120), and may further include a sensing section (130).

[0024] Vtol (100) refers to an aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing, and may be referred to as a drone, a vertical take-off and landing aircraft, etc. Vertical take-off and landing can be performed by a lift jet engine method, a lift fan method, a thrust vectoring nozzle method, a tilt-rotor method, etc.

[0025] The above vtol (100) can be controlled as manned or unmanned.

[0026] Manned control means control by a pilot aboard the vtol (100) and / or a user of a user terminal (not shown) capable of wireless communication with the vtol (100).

[0027] Unmanned control refers to control by program.

[0028] The item loading section (110) secures and releases the item.

[0029] The above fixation can be achieved by one or more of clamping, loading, holding, and inserting operations.

[0030] The above release can be achieved by one or more of unclamping, unloading, release, and remove.

[0031] The destination setting module (120) sets the delivery destination.

[0032] The detection unit (130) can output an overload alarm if the loaded item exceeds a critical weight. When Vtol (100) is connected to a user terminal for remote control, Vtol (100) can transmit an overload alarm signal to the user terminal. When the user terminal receives the overload alarm signal, it can output an overload alarm through auditory or visual means.

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a logistics delivery method according to one embodiment.

[0035] When the destination setting module (120) sets the delivery destination, vtol (100) operates to the delivery destination.

[0036] Delivery destinations are primarily set to locations where land transportation is difficult, and preferably, village halls in island and mountainous areas can be set as delivery destinations.

[0037] The delivery destination may be determined based on at least one of the following information: the population, age, inventory levels, depletion rate, presence of purchasing facilities, distance from purchasing facilities, and weather of the target area. This information may be collected from national statistical databases operated by the government.

[0038] For example, delivery destinations may be set to a higher priority as the population decreases, the average age increases, the inventory of goods decreases, the rate of depletion of goods decreases, there are no purchasing facilities, the distance from purchasing facilities increases, and the weather is clear (or cloudy).

[0039] Traveling to a delivery destination means that vtol (100) moves to a point that is perpendicular to the delivery destination (or within a predetermined distance from the delivery destination).

[0040] Vtol (100) can release the item after landing at the delivery destination based on the item information. This configuration prevents fragile items from being damaged during the delivery process. It includes information such as whether the item contains fragile items, which can be obtained by scanning the fixed item.

[0041] Vtol (100) may include additional landing gear, which supports the ground during landing. The landing gear may be fixed or adaptive.

[0042] The fixed type may include at least one fixed and flat edge. This structure is suitable for landing on a flat landing spot.

[0043] The adaptive type may include at least one leg that employs a telescope structure adaptive to the ground. This structure is suitable for landing on a curved landing site. For example, among the multiple legs, the leg located on the convex surface may contract, and the leg located on the concave surface may extend. To this end, vtol (100) may include a camera (not shown) on one side of the bottom that can determine the degree of curvature of the ground.

[0044] Vtol (100) can release the goods from above a point perpendicular to the delivery destination after arriving at the delivery destination. With this configuration, Vtol (100) does not require the action of taking off and landing at the delivery destination, thus reducing power consumption and shortening delivery time.

[0045] The item loading section (110) may be configured to release the item only when the distance (i.e., height) from the delivery destination to the item is less than or equal to a critical distance. This configuration minimizes the impact received by the item as it falls to the delivery destination.

[0046] Vtol (100) may further include a distance sensor and a lifting unit.

[0047] A distance sensor is used to measure the distance between vtol (100) and the ground (or between a fixed object and the ground). Here, the ground refers to the surface vertically below vtol (100), and if there is a building vertically below vtol (100), the ground refers to the rooftop of the building.

[0048] The lifting unit performs the function of raising or lowering an item from vtol (100). The lifting unit may be composed of at least one combination of a rope, a hook, a clamp, a fixed arm, etc.

[0049] Vtol (100) can lower the item through the lifting unit until the distance from the delivery destination to the item becomes less than the threshold distance when the distance exceeds the threshold distance.

[0050] If the distance still exceeds the threshold distance even after lowering the item to the maximum length that can be lowered to the lifting section, vtol (100) may send a query regarding whether to release the item to a user terminal or server connected via wireless communication. Vtol (100) may determine whether to release the item based on the reply information received in response to the query.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a logistics delivery method according to one embodiment.

[0053] The item loading section secures the item (S10).

[0054] The destination setting module sets the delivery destination (S20).

[0055] Vtol operates to the delivery destination (S30).

[0056] The item loading unit releases the item to the delivery destination (S40).

[0058] Vtol (100) can be connected to a user terminal via wireless communication. At this time, Vtol (100) can transmit flight information to the user terminal. The flight information may include at least the ID and status information of Vtol (100). The status information may include normal, abnormal, non-operation, etc. The user terminal can output the received flight information. Through this configuration, the user can easily determine the status of Vtol (100).

[0059] Vtol (100) can operate in a manual control mode controlled by a user terminal or an automatic control mode controlled by a program, and the manual control mode and the automatic control mode can be switched between each other according to a switching signal received from the user terminal.

[0060] Wireless communication between Vtol (100) and the user terminal can be performed through multiple base stations. Vtol (100) may further include a GPS module (not shown) and can perform handover with multiple base stations based on location information determined by the GPS module.

[0061] Vtol (100) can switch to an emergency control mode and transmit an alarm signal to a user terminal when Vtol (100) approaches within a predetermined distance from a no-fly zone based on location information. Vtol (100) can block manual control signals received from the user terminal or ignore them even if received until the emergency control mode is deactivated.

[0062] The above user terminal can output an alarm based on the above alarm signal.

[0063] When Vtol (100) is in emergency control mode, it moves in a direction separated from the no-fly zone, and the emergency control mode is deactivated when Vtol (100) is separated from the no-fly zone by more than a predetermined distance.

[0064] In one example, when the vtol (100) is in emergency control mode, it can travel along the shortest path to exit the no-fly zone, exit the no-fly zone, and then fly toward the delivery destination. With this configuration, the vtol (100) can exit the no-fly zone as quickly as possible.

[0065] In another example, when the vtol (100) is in emergency control mode, it can travel along the shortest path toward the delivery destination. With this configuration, the vtol (100) can continue to fly toward the destination while exiting the no-fly zone.

[0067] Vtol (100) may be configured to return to the nearest delivery destination or return point when it is determined that the status information is abnormal in automatic control mode. The return may be determined by the judgment of the vtol (100) itself, or it may be performed by a return control signal received from a user terminal or server connected via wireless communication.

[0069] A person skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations from the description above. For example, suitable results may be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than described, and / or the components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or assembled in a form different from described, or are replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents. Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims below fall within the scope of the claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0070] 100: Vtol 110: Item Loading Unit 120: Destination setting module 130: Detector

Claims

Claim 1 A logistics delivery method using a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft comprises: a goods loading unit, a destination setting module, a distance sensor, an elevator unit, and a GPS module; a step of the goods loading unit securing goods; a step of the destination setting module setting a delivery destination; a step of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft flying to the delivery destination; and a step of the goods loading unit releasing goods at the delivery destination. The step of flying comprises: a step of switching to an emergency control mode when the vertical take-off and landing aircraft approaches within a predetermined distance from a no-fly zone based on location information determined by the GPS module; and a step of moving in a direction separated from the no-fly zone, moving along the shortest path to escape the no-fly zone, escaping the no-fly zone, and then flying again toward the delivery destination. The method includes a step of releasing the emergency control mode when the vertical take-off and landing aircraft moves away from the aforementioned no-fly zone by more than a predetermined distance, and the release step comprises: a step of measuring the distance from the delivery destination to the item using a distance sensor; a step of releasing the item only if the measured distance is less than or equal to a threshold distance, and if it exceeds the threshold distance, a step of lowering the item through a lifting unit until it becomes less than or equal to the threshold distance; and a step of transmitting a query regarding whether to release the item to a user terminal or server connected via wireless communication if, after lowering the item by the maximum length that can be lowered through the lifting unit, the measured distance still exceeds the threshold distance.and includes a step of determining whether to release the goods based on reply information received regarding the above inquiry, wherein the delivery destination is a village hall in an island or mountainous area, the vertical take-off and landing aircraft further includes landing gear to support the ground upon landing, said landing gear is adaptive and includes a plurality of legs employing a telescope structure adaptive to the ground, wherein among the plurality of legs, the leg located on the convex surface retracts and the leg located on the concave surface extends, and the degree of curvature of the ground is determined by a camera device included on one side of the lower part of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the vertical take-off and landing aircraft can operate in a manual control mode controlled by a user terminal or an automatic control mode controlled by a program, said manual control mode and said automatic control mode can be switched between each other according to a switching signal received from said user terminal, and when the vertical take-off and landing aircraft is connected to the user terminal via wireless communication, it transmits flight information to said user terminal, said flight information includes at least the ID and status information of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft, said status information includes normal, abnormal, non-operation, etc., and the vertical take-off and landing aircraft in automatic control mode if the status information is abnormal A logistics delivery method using a vertical take-off and landing aircraft, configured to return to the nearest delivery destination or return point when determined, wherein the return is determined by the judgment of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft itself or is performed by a return control signal received from a user terminal or server connected via wireless communication. Claim 2 A logistics delivery method using a vertical take-off and landing aircraft, wherein the vertical take-off and landing aircraft is controlled by a manned or unmanned person in claim 1. Claim 3 A logistics delivery method using a vertical take-off and landing aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the fixation is achieved by one or more operations of clamping, loading, holding, and inserting, and the release is achieved by one or more operations of unclamping, unloading, release, and remove. Claim 4 A logistics delivery method using a vertical take-off and landing aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the vertical take-off and landing aircraft further includes a sensing unit, and the sensing unit outputs an overload alarm when the loaded goods exceed a critical weight. Claim 5 A logistics delivery method using a vertical take-off and landing aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the delivery destination is further set based on at least one of the following information: population, age, stock quantity of goods, rate of depletion of goods, presence or absence of goods purchasing facilities, distance from goods purchasing facilities, and weather.

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