Charging piles, drones, drone charging system and drone charging method using the same

Abstract

The drone charging system includes a charging station and a drone. The charging station includes a wireless communication module and a control module. The wireless communication module of the charging station is used to: detect the presence of a drone within a communication range. The control module of the charging station is electrically connected to the wireless communication module and is used to: if a drone is present within the communication range, control the wireless communication module to send a battery level report signal to the drone; and if the drone's battery level is lower than a preset value, control the wireless communication module of the charging station to send a suggested charging signal to the drone. The drone includes a battery and a control module. The battery has a battery level. The drone's control module is electrically connected to the battery and is used to: respond to the battery level report signal from the charging station, read the battery level; and report the battery level to the charging station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a charging pile, a drone, a drone charging system using the same, and a drone charging method. Prior Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of drone technology, drones are being used more and more widely. However, the endurance of drones has always been a major factor limiting their application. Conventional wired charging methods are not only inefficient but also restrict the flexibility of drones. Therefore, improving the aforementioned wired charging methods is one of the goals that developers in this field are striving to achieve. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One embodiment of the present invention provides a charging station. The charging station includes a wireless communication module and a control module. The wireless communication module is used to detect whether a drone exists within a communication range. The control module is electrically connected to the wireless communication module and is used to: if a drone exists within the communication range, control the wireless communication module to send a battery level report signal to the drone; and if the drone's battery level is lower than a preset value, control the wireless communication module to send a charging suggestion signal to the drone.

[0004] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a drone. The drone includes a battery and a control module. The battery has a charge level. The control module is electrically connected to the battery and is used to: respond to a charge level reporting signal from a charging station, read the charge level, and report the charge level to the charging station.

[0005] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a drone charging system. The drone charging system includes a charging station and a drone. The charging station includes a wireless communication module and a control module. The wireless communication module of the charging station is used to: detect whether a drone exists within a communication range. The control module of the charging station is electrically connected to the wireless communication module and is used to: if a drone exists within the communication range, control the wireless communication module to send a battery level report signal to the drone; and if the drone's battery level is lower than a preset value, control the wireless communication module of the charging station to send a suggested charging signal to the drone. The drone includes a battery and a control module. The battery has a battery level. The drone's control module is electrically connected to the battery and is used to: respond to a battery level report signal from the charging station, read the battery level; and report the battery level to the charging station.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for charging a drone. The drone charging method includes the following steps: a charging station detects whether a drone exists within a communication range; if a drone exists within the communication range, the charging station sends a battery level report signal to the drone; in response to the battery level report signal, the drone reads its battery level; the drone reports its battery level to the charging station; and if the drone's battery level is lower than a preset value, the charging station sends a suggested charging signal to the drone.

[0007] To provide a better understanding of the above and other aspects of the present invention, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0008] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a drone charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows the charging station and functional block diagram of the drone charging system in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a flowchart of the drone charging method of the drone charging system in Figure 1. Implementation

[0009] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a drone charging system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 shows a functional block diagram of the charging pile 100 and the drone 200 of the drone charging system 10 in Figure 1.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the drone charging system 10 includes multiple charging stations 100 and a drone 200. These charging stations 100 can detect the presence of the drone 200 within a communication range. If at least one of the charging stations 100 detects the drone 200 within the communication range, it notifies the drone 200 to report its battery level. Furthermore, when the drone 200's battery level is insufficient, it notifies the drone 200 that it can fly to a charging station 100 to recharge. Thus, the drone charging system of this disclosed embodiment, combining charging stations and wireless charging technology, can effectively improve the drone's endurance and flexibility.

[0011] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, charging stations 100' and 100'' of the charging stations 100 detect the drone 200 within their communication range. Charging stations 100' and 100'' can establish a communication connection L1 with the drone 200. Charging stations 100' and 100'' can each notify the drone 200 to report its battery level and determine whether the drone 200's battery level is sufficient. If the drone 200's battery level is insufficient, charging station 100' can notify the drone 200 to return to charging station 100' for charging, and charging station 100'' can also notify the drone 200 to return to charging station 100'' for charging. The drone 200 can fly to one of the charging stations 100' and 100'' for charging. The selected charging station may be, for example, the charging station that first established a communication connection L1 with the drone 200, the charging station closest to the drone 200, or the charging station with the highest priority.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, the charging station 100 includes a wireless communication module 110, a control module 120, a wireless charging module 130, and a battery 140. The control module 120 is electrically connected to the wireless communication module 110 and the wireless charging module 130, while the battery 140 is electrically connected to the wireless charging module 130. The wireless communication module 110 is used to detect whether a drone 200 exists within a communication range. The control module 120 is used to: if a drone 200 exists, control the wireless communication module 110 to send a battery level report signal S1 to the drone 200; and if the battery level E1 of the drone 200 is lower than a preset value, control the wireless communication module 110 to send a suggested charging signal S2 to the drone. The drone 200 also includes a wireless communication module 210, a control module 220, a wireless charging module 230, and a battery 240. The control module 220 is electrically connected to the wireless communication module 210 and the wireless charging module 230, while the battery 240 is electrically connected to the wireless charging module 230. The battery 240 has a power reserve E1. The control module 220 is used to: respond to the power reserve report signal S1, read the power reserve E1; and report the power reserve E1 to the charging pile 100.

[0013] The term "module" as used herein refers to, for example, a physical circuit formed using at least one semiconductor manufacturing process, such as a semiconductor wafer or semiconductor package. In one embodiment, at least two of the wireless communication module 110, control module 120, and wireless charging module 130 may be integrated into a single module. Similarly, at least two of the wireless communication module 210, control module 220, and wireless charging module 230 may be integrated into a single module.

[0014] Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention do not limit the numerical range of the aforementioned preset values, which can be determined according to the specifications and type of the drone 200. The preset values ​​can be pre-stored in the charging pile 100. Alternatively, after the communication connection L1 between the charging pile 100 and the drone 200 is established, the drone 200 can transmit the preset values ​​to the charging pile 100 through the communication connection L1.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the power source 20 is electrically connected to the wireless charging module 130 to provide current to the battery 140 for storage. The power source 20 is, for example, mains power. The wireless charging module 130 includes, for example, an induction coil (not shown), through which current from the battery 140 or the power source 20 can be transmitted to generate a magnetic field. The wireless charging module 230 of the drone 200 includes, for example, an induction coil (not shown) that can sense the aforementioned magnetic field and generate a charging current I. When the drone 200 approaches the charging station 100, the charging current I generated by the wireless charging module 230 can be stored in the battery 240 (i.e., the charging station 100 charges the drone 200).

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the wireless communication module 110 can support various suitable communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G, and Bluetooth. The wireless communication module 210 is of the same type as the wireless communication module 110, establishing a communication connection L1 between them. In one embodiment, the wireless communication module 110 of the charging pile 100 is further used to: establish a communication connection L1 with the drone 200 if the drone 200 is within communication range.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the control module 220 of the drone 200 is further used to: respond to the suggested charging signal S2 from each charging station 100, and send a confirmed charging signal S3 to the selected charging station 100. This selected station may be, for example, the charging station that first established a communication connection L1 with the drone 200, or the charging station closest to the drone 200. Furthermore, the aforementioned suggested charging signal S2 is a signal agreeing to the drone 200 charging. Specifically, after sending the suggested charging signal S2, the charging station 100 does not need to communicate with the drone 200 separately; it can simply wait for the drone 200 to arrive before charging. In another embodiment, if the drone 200 does not respond to the charging station, the wireless communication module 110 of the charging station 100 can repeatedly send the aforementioned power reserve report signal S1 to the drone 200 at regular intervals.

[0018] The foregoing embodiment uses the charging station 100 notifying the drone 200 to charge as an example. However, in another embodiment, the drone 200 may also actively send a charging signal to the charging station 100. For example, after establishing a communication connection L1 between the charging station 100 and the drone 200, the charging station 100 does not need to send a suggested charging signal S2 to the drone 200. Instead, the drone 200 actively (e.g., without waiting for notification from the charging station 100) sends a confirmed charging signal S3 to the selected charging stations 100.

[0019] Please refer to Figure 3, which shows a flowchart of the drone charging method of the drone charging system 10 in Figure 1.

[0020] In step S110, the wireless communication module 110 of the charging pile 100 detects whether the drone 200 exists within the communication range. If yes, the process proceeds to step S120; otherwise, the wireless communication module 110 continues to detect whether the drone 200 exists within the communication range.

[0021] Before proceeding to step S120, the charging pile 100 establishes a communication connection L1 with the drone 200.

[0022] In step S120, the wireless communication module 110 of the control module 120 of the charging pile 100 sends a power reserve report signal S1 to the drone 200.

[0023] In step S130, the control module 220 of the drone 200 responds to the power reserve report signal S1 and reads the power reserve E1 of the battery 240.

[0024] In step S140, the control module 220 of the drone 200 reports the battery level E1 to the charging station 100. For example, the control module 220 of the drone 200 controls the wireless communication module 210 to transmit the battery level E1 to the charging station 100 via communication line L1. After receiving the battery level E1, the wireless communication module 110 of the charging station 100 transmits it to the control module 120.

[0025] In step S150, the control module 120 of the charging pile 100 determines whether the battery level E1 is lower than a preset value. If yes, the process proceeds to step S160; if no, the process returns to step S160. The process can return to step S110 or repeat steps S120 to S160 for the same drone 200 at regular intervals.

[0026] In step S160, the control module 120 of the charging pile 100 sends a suggested charging signal S2 to the drone 200.

[0027] Then, the control module 220 of the drone 200 can respond to the charging suggestion signal S2 from the charging station 100 and send a confirm charging signal S3 to the selected charging station 100. This selected station may be the charging station that first established a communication connection L1 with the drone 200, or the charging station closest to the drone 200. Then, the drone 200 can fly to the selected station to charge.

[0028] In one embodiment, multiple charging stations 100 can perform the aforementioned drone charging method on the same drone 200. In another embodiment, one charging station 100 can perform the aforementioned drone charging method on multiple drones 200.

[0029] In summary, this invention provides a charging pile, a drone, a drone charging system using the same, and a drone charging method. In one embodiment, if the drone's battery is low, the charging pile proactively notifies the drone to return to the charging pile for charging. The drone may fly to the nearest charging pile or to the charging pile it first communicated with. In another embodiment, if the drone's battery is low, the drone proactively sends a charging request to the charging pile. After the charging pile agrees, the drone flies to the charging pile to charge.

[0030] In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0031] 10: Drone charging system 20: Power Supply 100, 100', 100'': Charging station 110, 210: Wireless communication modules 120, 220: Control Module 130, 230: Wireless charging module 140, 240: Battery 200: Drones E1: Energy Storage I: Charging current L1: Communication connection S1: Energy Inventory Return Signal S2: Charging signal S3: Confirm charging signal

Claims

1. A charging pile, comprising: A wireless communication module for: detecting the presence of a drone within a communication range, wherein the drone is in flight; A control module is electrically connected to the wireless communication module and is used to: if the drone is present within the communication range, control the wireless communication module to send a battery level report signal to the drone; and if the drone's battery level is lower than a preset value, control the wireless communication module to send a charging suggestion signal to the drone; wherein, when the drone approaches the charging station, the charging station charges the drone.

2. The charging station as described in claim 1 further includes: A wireless charging module is electrically connected to the control module and is used to generate a magnetic field.

3. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising: One battery has one charge capacity; And a control module electrically connected to the battery and used to: respond to a charge level report signal from a charging station, read the charge level; and report the charge level to the charging station; wherein, when the drone is in flight and is close to the charging station, the charging station charges the drone.

4. The drone as described in claim 3, wherein the wireless communication module is further configured to: establish a communication connection with the drone if the drone is present within a communication range.

5. The drone as described in claim 3, including several of the charging stations; the control module of the drone is further configured to: respond to a suggested charging signal from one of the charging stations and send a confirmed charging signal to one of the selected charging stations.

6. The drone as described in claim 3, wherein the control module is further configured to: send a confirmed charging signal to the charging station without waiting for notification from the charging station.

7. The drone as described in claim 5, wherein the selected charging station is the charging station closest to the drone among the charging stations.

8. The drone as described in claim 5, wherein the selected charging station is the charging station that first communicates with the drone among the charging stations.

9. The drone as described in claim 3 further includes: A wireless charging module is electrically connected to the control module and is used to: sense a magnetic field and generate a charging current.

10. A drone charging system, comprising: A charging station includes: a wireless communication module for: detecting the presence of a drone within a communication range, wherein the drone is in flight; and a control module electrically connected to the wireless communication module for: if the drone is present within the communication range, controlling the wireless communication module to send a battery level report signal to the drone; and if the drone's battery level is lower than a preset value, controlling the wireless communication module to send a suggested charging signal to the drone; and the drone includes: a battery having a battery level; and a control module electrically connected to the battery for: responding to the battery level report signal, reading the battery level; and reporting the battery level to the charging station; wherein, when the drone approaches the charging station, the charging station charges the drone.

11. The drone charging system as described in claim 10, wherein the wireless communication module is further configured to: establish a communication connection with the drone if the drone is present within the communication range.

12. The drone charging system as described in claim 10, comprising a plurality of the charging stations; the control module of the drone is further configured to: respond to the suggested charging signal from each of the charging stations and send a confirmed charging signal to one of the selected charging stations.

13. The drone charging system as described in claim 12, wherein the selected charging station is the charging station closest to the drone among the charging stations.

14. The drone charging system as described in claim 12, wherein the selected one of the charging stations is the charging station that first communicates with the drone.

15. The drone charging system as described in claim 10, wherein the charging station further includes a wireless charging module electrically connected to the control module of the charging station and used to generate a magnetic field; the drone further includes a wireless charging module electrically connected to the control module of the drone and used to sense the magnetic field and generate a charging current.

16. A method for charging a drone, comprising: A charging station detects whether a drone exists within a communication range, wherein the drone is in a flight state; If the drone is within the communication range, the charging station sends a battery level report signal to the drone; in response to the battery level report signal, the drone reads its battery level; the drone reports its battery level to the charging station; and if the drone's battery level is lower than a preset value, the charging station sends a charging suggestion signal to the drone; wherein, when the drone approaches the charging station, the charging station charges the drone.

17. The drone charging method as described in claim 16 further includes: If the drone is within the communication range, the charging station establishes a communication connection with the drone.

18. The drone charging method as described in claim 16 further includes: In response to the suggested charging signal from each of the multiple charging stations, a confirmed charging signal is sent to one of the selected charging stations.

19. The drone charging method as described in claim 18, wherein the selected charging station is the charging station closest to the drone among the charging stations.

20. The drone charging method as described in claim 18, wherein the selected charging station is the charging station that first communicates with the drone among the charging stations.

Images