Drones with fluid wide spray function

Abstract

A drone having a fluid wide spray function comprises: a drone body including a propeller unit that generates thrust for flight; a fluid storage tank mounted on the drone body and containing fluid; a discharge unit for applying pressure to the fluid to discharge the fluid; a fluid spray unit mounted on the drone body and spraying the fluid onto a work surface; and a spray range adjustment unit for adjusting the spray range of the fluid by folding or unfolding a pair of the fluid spray units.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drone having a fluid wide spray function, and more specifically, to a drone having a fluid wide spray function that can clean the exterior walls of a building with a fluid or apply various functional fluids to the exterior walls, and can spray the fluid over a wide area simultaneously to improve spraying efficiency. Background Technology

[0002] In general, drones are used for various purposes such as observation, transportation, detection, search, pesticide spraying, and parcel delivery, and various technologies are rapidly developing along with the recent development of highly efficient secondary batteries.

[0003] Registered Patent 10-1818195, Drone and Cleaning Drone Aircraft Including the Same (Registration Date January 08, 2018), discloses a drone aircraft for cleaning places that are difficult to clean easily by human manual labor, for example, the interior walls of a tunnel building or the exterior walls of a building, a building exterior wall cleaning system equipped with the same, and a drone used therein.

[0004] The above-described drone and cleaning drone aircraft including the same are disclosed, and a system for cleaning the exterior walls of a building using such a drone aircraft is disclosed, wherein the drone aircraft is equipped with cleaning equipment to fly and clean the exterior walls of a high-rise building while regenerating energy by utilizing the downward flow of air (hereinafter referred to as 'downward flow') generated by the propeller during the flight of the drone.

[0005] However, cleaning drones used to clean the exterior walls of buildings include brushes and the like for cleaning, but they have a problem in that the cleaning time required for cleaning increases significantly because the cleaning range of the brushes is very small. Prior art literature

[0006] Registered Patent 10-1818195, Drone and cleaning drone aircraft including the same (Registration date January 8, 2018) The problem to be solved

[0007] The present invention provides a drone having a fluid wide spray function that can spray water or a functional fluid for cleaning over a wide range and has a minimum size when not spraying fluid, thereby making it easy to move and store. means of solving the problem

[0008] As an embodiment, a drone having a fluid wide spray function comprises: a drone body including a propeller unit that generates thrust for flight; a fluid storage tank mounted on the drone body and storing fluid; a discharge unit for applying pressure to the fluid to discharge the fluid; a fluid spray unit mounted on the drone body and spraying the fluid onto a work surface; and a spray range adjustment unit for adjusting the spray range of the fluid by folding or unfolding a pair of the fluid spray units.

[0009] The fluid injection unit of a drone having a fluid wide spray function comprises: a discharge body having a hollow pipe shape; a first fluid injection unit comprising a plurality of first fluid injection nozzles arranged along the length of the discharge body and connected to the discharge unit for discharging the fluid; an expansion body arranged inside the discharge body and moving in and out of the discharge body; a plurality of second fluid injection nozzles arranged along the length of the expansion body and connected to the discharge unit for discharging the fluid; and a driving unit for driving the expansion body.

[0010] The spray range adjustment unit of a drone having a fluid wide spray function comprises a first spur gear mounted on one of a pair of fluid spray units, a second spur gear arranged parallel to the first spur gear and meshed with the first spur gear on the other of the fluid spray units, a third spur gear meshed with the first spur gear, and a forward / reverse motor for rotating the third spur gear in forward and reverse directions.

[0011] It includes a first splash prevention member disposed between a pair of fluid injection units of a drone having a fluid wide spray function, with both ends respectively connected to a pair of fluid injection units, having a plurality of folds, and preventing splashing of fluid sprayed from a first fluid injection nozzle when a pair of fluid injection units are unfolded.

[0012] It includes a second splash prevention member, one end of which is connected to the extension body of the drone having a fluid wide spray function and the other end of which is connected to the discharge body, so as to prevent splashing of fluid dispersed from the second fluid injection nozzle while the extension body protrudes from the discharge body.

[0013] The drive unit of the drone having a fluid wide spray function comprises a rack gear formed in the extension body, a pinion gear meshed to the rack gear through an opening formed in the discharge body, and a drive motor coupled to the discharge body to rotate the pinion gear.

[0014] The drone body of the drone having a fluid wide spray function is equipped with a first spacing member to maintain a constant distance between the work target surface and the fluid spray unit, and the fluid spray unit is equipped with a second spacing member to narrow or widen the distance formed between the work target surface and the drone body. Effects of the invention

[0015] A drone having a fluid wide spray function according to the present invention can spray water or a functional fluid for cleaning over a wide area at once from the drone, and has the effect of being easy to move and store by having a minimum size when not spraying fluid. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a drone having a fluid wide spray function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view illustrating a fluid injection unit viewed from direction 'A'. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of Figure 2. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a drone having a fluid wide-display function with the fluid injection unit in an unfolded state. Fig. 5 is a side view illustrating the injection range adjustment unit shown in Fig. 1. FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a drone having a fluid wide spray function according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the fluid injection unit of FIG. 6 in an unfolded state. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0017] The present invention described below is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description.

[0018] However, this is not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. In describing the invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the essence of the invention.

[0019] The terms used in this patent are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this patent, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the existence 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.

[0020] Additionally, terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to distinguish and describe various components, but said components shall not be limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0021] In addition, if at least two different embodiments are described in this patent, each embodiment may use all or part of its components in combination and mixed with one another without further description, as long as it does not deviate from the technical concept of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a drone having a fluid wide spray function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, a drone (800) having a fluid wide spray function includes a drone body (100), a fluid storage tank (200), a discharge unit (300), a fluid spray unit (400), and a spray range adjustment unit (500).

[0024] The drone body (100) includes a propeller unit (110) that generates thrust for flight. The propeller unit (110) includes a plurality of propellers (112) and a motor (114) that rotates each propeller (112). In addition, the drone body (100) may include a battery (116) that provides power for flight, a control unit for controlling flight and operations, and a communication unit (118) for communicating with a user terminal, a server, etc.

[0025] The fluid storage tank (200) is mounted on the lower part of the drone body (100), and the fluid storage tank (200) provides at least one storage space capable of storing various fluids.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fluid storage tank (200) may include a cleaning liquid containing water for cleaning the exterior wall of a building, a waterproofing liquid for waterproofing the exterior wall of a building, or a functional liquid applied to the exterior wall of a building to produce various functions.

[0027] The fluid storage tank (200) can store a first fluid containing water or a second fluid not containing water separately.

[0028] The discharge unit (400) is built into the drone body (100), and the discharge unit (400) functions to discharge fluid by applying pressure to the fluid contained in the fluid storage tank (200).

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the discharge unit (400) may include a pump for discharging fluid from a fluid storage tank (200) or a pressure application unit for discharging fluid by applying pressure to the fluid.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a fluid injection unit viewed from direction 'A'. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the interior of FIG. 2.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a fluid injection unit (400) is mounted on the drone body (100). The fluid injection unit (400) is mounted on the drone body (100) facing the work surface.

[0032] The fluid injection unit (400) injects fluid provided from the fluid storage tank (200) by the discharge unit (400) onto the work surface.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fluid injection unit (400) is composed of a pair. Each of the pair of fluid injection units (400) includes a first fluid injection unit (410) and a second fluid injection unit (440).

[0034] The first fluid injection unit (410) includes a discharge body (412) and a first fluid injection nozzle (414).

[0035] The discharge body (412) is formed, for example, in the shape of a rectangular block having a hollow space.

[0036] A plurality of first fluid injection nozzles (414) are formed in the discharge body (410), and the first fluid injection nozzles (414) are connected to the discharge unit (300) to spray the first fluid stored in the fluid storage tank (200) onto the work surface.

[0037] For example, a plurality of first fluid injection nozzles (414) may be formed intermittently along the longitudinal direction of the discharge body (410).

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, since the first fluid injection nozzle (414) is formed in a discharge body (412) having a limited length, the first fluid injected by the first fluid injection nozzle (414) is also selectively injected only in a relatively narrow section.

[0039] The second fluid injection unit (440) can further improve fluid injection efficiency by expanding the fluid injected into a relatively narrow section of the work surface.

[0040] The second fluid injection unit (440) includes an extension body (442), a second fluid injection nozzle (446), and a driving unit (448).

[0041] The expansion body (442) is placed inside the discharge body (412) of the first fluid injection unit (410). The expansion body (442) is inserted into the discharge body (412) and is formed in the shape of a rectangular block with a hollow interior.

[0042] On one side of the expansion body (442), a rack gear (448c) in the shape of teeth is formed as part of the drive unit (448) to be described later, and an opening is formed in the discharge body (410) facing the rack gear (448c) to expose a part of the rack gear (448c).

[0043] A guide rail (444) is formed inside the discharge body (412) in which the expansion body (442) is placed to limit the position of the expansion body (442) and to allow the expansion body (442) to move along a designated path. A portion of the guide rail (444) is bent to come into contact with the end of the expansion body (442), so that the expansion body (442) is moved along the designated path without deviating from the designated path of the discharge body (412) by the guide rail (444).

[0044] A plurality of second fluid injection nozzles (446) are formed intermittently along the longitudinal direction of the extended body (442), and the first fluid stored in the fluid storage tank (200) can be supplied to the second fluid injection nozzles (446). Alternatively, the second fluid stored in the fluid storage tank (200) can be supplied to the second fluid injection nozzles (446).

[0045] The drive unit (448) includes a rack gear (448c), a pinion gear (448b), and a drive motor (448a).

[0046] The rack gear (448c) is formed along the side of the extended body (442) as previously described, and the rack gear (448c) includes a number of teeth.

[0047] The pinion gear (448b) is formed in the shape of a spur gear that meshes with the rack gear (448c), and the rack gear (448c) moves forward or backward by the rotation of the pinion gear (448b).

[0048] The rotation axis of the drive motor (448a) is coupled to the rotation center of the pinion gear (448b) to rotate the pinion gear (448b) in the forward or reverse direction. Due to the forward or reverse rotation of the drive motor (448a), the expansion body (442) protrudes outward from the discharge body (412) or is housed inside the discharge body (412).

[0049] Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, by configuring the fluid injection unit (400) as a pair, the fluid injection unit (400) can maintain a folded state as shown in FIG. 2, as well as an unfolded state as shown in FIG. 4. When the fluid injection unit (400) is unfolded as shown in FIG. 4, the fluid injection range can be expanded twofold.

[0050] Fig. 5 is a side view illustrating the injection range adjustment unit shown in Fig. 1.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 5, the injection range adjustment unit (500) can adjust the injection range of the fluid by folding or unfolding a pair of fluid injection units (400).

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the spray range adjustment unit (500) can be unfolded up to 180° from a folded state as shown in FIG. 2. Of course, the spray range adjustment unit (500) can adjust the spray range in various ways by unfolding at angles of 60°, 90°, and 120° relative to each other.

[0053] The injection range adjustment unit (500) includes a first spur gear (510), a second spur gear (520), a third spur gear (530), and a forward / reverse motor (540).

[0054] The first spur gear (510) is rotatably coupled to the shaft (512), and one end of the shaft (512) is fixed to the drone body (100).

[0055] The first spur gear (510) is fixed to one of the pair of fluid injection units (400), and the fluid injection unit (400) is also rotated together by the rotation of the first spur gear (510).

[0056] The second spur gear (520) is rotatably coupled to a shaft (522) spaced apart from the shaft (512), and one end of the shaft (522) is fixed to the drone body (100).

[0057] The second spur gear (520) is fixed to the other of the pair of fluid injection units (400), and the fluid injection unit (400) is also rotated together by the rotation of the second spur gear (520).

[0058] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second spur gear (520) has the same size and same rotation ratio as the first spur gear (510), and the second spur gear (520) is gear-coupled to the first spur gear (510).

[0059] The third spur gear (530) is geared to the first spur gear (510) or the second spur gear (520), and in one embodiment of the present invention, the third spur gear (530) is geared to the first spur gear (510).

[0060] The first spur gear (510) and the second spur gear (520) are rotated in opposite directions by the rotation of the third spur gear (530). That is, by the rotation of the third spur gear (530), a pair of fluid injection units (400) are folded or unfolded relative to each other.

[0061] The rotation axis (542) of the drive motor (540) is coupled to the rotation center of the third spur gear (530), and the third spur gear (530) is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by the rotation of the drive motor (540), and as a result, the fluid injection unit (400) spreads out in a V-shape or spreads out in a straight line at a specified angle.

[0062] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 2, when a pair of fluid injection units (400) are folded or unfolded using the injection range adjustment unit (500), the pair of fluid injection units (400) must be spaced apart from each other so that the pair of fluid injection units (400) can rotate.

[0063] In particular, when a pair of fluid injection units (400) are spread out in a straight line by the injection range adjustment unit (500), a gap is formed between the pair of fluid injection units (400), and a problem arises in that fluid is not injected into this gap.

[0064] To prevent this, the fluid injection unit (400) may further include an additional fluid injection unit (450). The additional fluid injection unit (450) is placed in the empty space between the fluid injection units (400) when the pair of fluid injection units (400) are unfolded. The additional fluid injection unit (450) includes a nozzle, is connected to the fluid storage tank (200), and can protrude from the drone body (100).

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, in order for the fluid sprayed from the fluid spray unit (400) to be uniformly applied to the work target surface, the gap between the fluid spray unit (400) and the work target surface must be constant. If the gap between the fluid spray unit (400) and the work target surface is uneven, the range and amount of fluid sprayed from the fluid spray unit (400) to the work target surface may be uneven, and work defects may occur.

[0066] In order to maintain a constant distance between the fluid injection unit (400) and the work target surface, a first spacing member (140) is formed in the drone body (100) to maintain a constant distance between the work target surface and the fluid injection unit.

[0067] The first spacing member (140) includes a rod-shaped mounting rod mounted on the drone body (100) and a plurality of radially mounted support pins that are rotatably mounted on the end of the mounting rod.

[0068] The end of the support pin is formed to be pointed so that the contact area with the applied fluid is small, thereby preventing scratches or abrasions from occurring on the coated fluid.

[0069] Meanwhile, a second spacing member (160) is mounted on the extended body (442) of the fluid injection unit (400), and the second spacing member (160) has substantially the same configuration as the first spacing member (140).

[0070] One first spacing member (140) and two second spacing members (160) are arranged in a triangular shape, and the fluid injection unit (400) can always maintain a constant spacing with respect to the work surface by means of the first and second spacing members (140, 160).

[0071] FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a drone having a fluid wide spray function according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the fluid spray unit of FIG. 6 in an deployed state. The drone having a fluid wide spray function illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is substantially identical to the drone having a fluid wide spray function illustrated and described in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, except for the first and second anti-splashing members. Accordingly, the same names and reference numerals are assigned to identical components.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when a second fluid that does not contain water, such as a volatile fluid, waterproofing liquid, coating liquid, etc., is sprayed from a fluid injection unit (400) onto a work surface, some of the second fluid is coated onto the work surface, but some of the second fluid is not coated onto the work surface and is scattered, adhering to structures adjacent to the work surface, such as windows, which may result in work defects and additional work.

[0073] To prevent this, a first scattering prevention member (610) is coupled between the discharge bodies (412) of the first fluid injection unit (410) of a pair of fluid injection units (400).

[0074] The first scattering prevention member (610) is positioned between the discharge bodies (412) of a pair of fluid injection units (400), and has both ends connected to the discharge bodies (412) respectively, and has a shape having a plurality of folds.

[0075] The first scattering prevention member (610) prevents scattering of the second fluid sprayed from the first fluid spray nozzle (414) when the pair of fluid spray units (400) are unfolded.

[0076] Meanwhile, in order to prevent scattering of the second fluid sprayed from the second fluid spray nozzle (446) of the extension body (442) of the second fluid spray unit (440) of the fluid spray unit (400), a second scattering prevention member (620) is coupled between the discharge body (412) and the extension body (442).

[0077] The second scatter prevention member (620) has a band shape with a plurality of folds formed therein, and one end of the second scatter prevention member (620) is connected to the expansion body (442) and the other end of the second scatter prevention member (620) is connected to the discharge body (412).

[0078] The second scattering prevention member (620) is housed inside the discharge body (412) when the expansion body (442) is positioned inside the discharge body (412).

[0079] As explained in detail above, the drone can spray water or a functional fluid for cleaning over a wide area, and has the advantage of being easy to move and store by having a minimum size when not spraying fluid.

[0080] Meanwhile, the embodiments disclosed in this drawing are merely specific examples provided to aid understanding and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that other variations based on the technical concept of the invention are possible in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein. Explanation of the symbols

[0081] 100...Drone body 200...Fluid storage tank 300...Discharge unit 400...Fluid injection unit 500...Adverb range adjustment unit

Claims

Claim 1 A drone having a fluid wide spray function, comprising: a drone body including a propeller unit that generates thrust for flight; a fluid storage tank mounted on the drone body and containing fluid; a discharge unit for applying pressure to the fluid to discharge the fluid; a fluid spray unit mounted on the drone body and spraying the fluid onto a work surface; and a spray range adjustment unit for adjusting the spray range of the fluid by folding or unfolding a pair of the fluid spray units, wherein the fluid spray unit comprises a discharge body having a hollow pipe shape, a first fluid spray unit including a plurality of first fluid spray nozzles arranged in the longitudinal direction of the discharge body and connected to the discharge unit to discharge the fluid, and a second fluid spray unit including an expansion body arranged inside the discharge body and entering and exiting the discharge body, a plurality of second fluid spray nozzles arranged in the longitudinal direction of the expansion body and connected to the discharge unit to discharge the fluid, and a driving unit for driving the expansion body. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A drone having a fluid wide spray function, wherein the spray range adjustment unit comprises a first spur gear mounted on one of a pair of fluid spray units, a second spur gear arranged parallel to the first spur gear and meshed with the first spur gear on the other of the fluid spray units, a third spur gear meshed with the first spur gear, and a forward / reverse motor for rotating the third spur gear in forward / reverse directions. Claim 4 A drone having a fluid wide spray function according to claim 1, comprising a first splash prevention member disposed between a pair of fluid spray units, with both ends connected to a pair of fluid spray units respectively, having a plurality of folds, and preventing splashing of fluid sprayed from a first fluid spray nozzle when a pair of fluid spray units are unfolded. Claim 5 A drone having a fluid wide spray function according to claim 4, comprising a second splash prevention member having one end connected to the extension body and the other end connected to the discharge body, which prevents splashing of fluid dispersed from the second fluid injection nozzle while the extension body protrudes from the discharge body. Claim 6 A drone having a fluid wide spray function according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit comprises a rack gear formed in the expansion body, a pinion gear meshed to the rack gear through an opening formed in the discharge body, and a driving motor coupled to the discharge body to rotate the pinion gear. Claim 7 A drone having a fluid wide spray function, wherein, in claim 1, the drone body is equipped with a first spacing member for maintaining a constant spacing between the work target surface and the fluid spray unit, and the fluid spray unit is equipped with a second spacing member for narrowing or widening the spacing formed between the work target surface and the drone body.

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