Automatic opening / closing-type drone takeoff / landing station device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drone station device which is automatically opened or closed. The drone station device comprises: a main body comprising an accommodation space in which a drone can be stored; a station opening / closing unit positioned above the main body and opened and closed when the drone takes off or lands; a takeoff / landing unit which is positioned inside the main body and from or on which the drone takes off and lands; and a position moving unit configured to move the takeoff / landing unit to any one of a first position and a second position, heights of which are different from each other, wherein whether the position moving unit is to be transformed is determined according to whether the drone is positioned on the takeoff / landing unit, wherein the takeoff / landing unit is operated using the self-weight of the drone.

Description

Automatic opening and closing drone take-off and landing station device

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic opening and closing type drone take-off and landing station device.

[0002] Drones are being utilized in various fields such as aerial photography, surveillance, and delivery, and their scope of application is gradually expanding. For the safe and efficient operation of drones, stations that assist with takeoff and landing are essential.

[0003] However, existing drone stations lacked the capability to accurately correct and secure the drone's landing position, which could lead to unstable landings or the drone detaching due to external impacts. Additionally, a separate electric drive unit is required to open and close the station door, which increases the system's complexity and cost.

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to provide an automatically opening and closing drone take-off and landing station device.

[0005] The present invention relates to a drone station device that automatically opens and closes, comprising: a main body including a receiving space in which a drone can be stored; a station opening / closing part located on the upper part of the main body and which opens / closes upon the take-off and landing of the drone; a take-off / landing part located inside the main body where the drone takes off and lands; and a position moving part that moves the take-off / landing part to either a first position or a second position at different heights, wherein the deformation is determined depending on whether the drone is positioned at the take-off / landing part, and the take-off / landing part operates using the self-weight of the drone.

[0006] The first position is higher than the second position, and the position moving unit can move the landing unit to the second position when the drone is located at the landing unit, and move the landing unit to the first position when the drone is not located at the landing unit.

[0007] The above station opening / closing unit may include a pair of cover door members covering the receiving space; and a link member connected to the position moving unit to open / close the cover door members by deformation of the position moving unit.

[0008] The above cover door member can be closed by being joined together by the operation of the link member when the take-off / landing unit is in the first position, thereby closing the upper part of the receiving space, and can be opened to the left and right by the operation of the link member when the take-off / landing unit is in the second position, thereby opening the upper part of the receiving space.

[0009] The above cover door member is formed of a transparent material so that the storage status of the drone can be checked from the outside.

[0010] The above link member may include a crank.

[0011] When the drone is positioned at the landing / takeoff section, it includes a first magnet having a first polarity toward the landing / takeoff section, and the landing / takeoff section includes a second magnet having a first polarity toward the first magnet for guiding and fixing the landing position of the drone, and when the drone lands, the drone can be fixed to the landing / takeoff section through the combination of the first magnet and the second magnet.

[0012] The above position moving part may include an elastic member that is deformed by the self-weight of the drone; and a guide member that surrounds the elastic member and guides the movement of the take-off and landing part.

[0013] When the take-off and landing unit moves to the second position in conjunction with the compression of the elastic member, the cover door member is closed, and when the compression of the elastic member is released, the take-off and landing unit moves to the first position and the cover door member can be opened.

[0014] The above elastic member may include a coil spring.

[0015] According to the present invention, an automatic opening and closing type drone take-off and landing station device is provided.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic opening and closing type drone take-off and landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a front view of an automatic opening and closing type drone take-off and landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an automatic opening and closing type drone take-off and landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

[0019] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the operation of the station opening / closing part of an automatic opening / closing drone take-off and landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

[0020] FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7 illustrate the operation of a position moving part of an automatic opening and closing type drone take-off and landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

[0021] FIG. 8 shows the fixation of a drone through magnetic coupling in the landing section of an automatic opening and closing type drone landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0023] The attached drawings are merely examples illustrated to further explain the technical concept of the present invention, and therefore the concept of the present invention is not limited to the attached drawings. Additionally, the sizes and spacing, etc., in the attached drawings may be exaggerated from reality to explain the relationships between the components.

[0024] In the present invention, the drone (D) is exemplified as an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of vertical take-off and landing, and more specifically, as an example of an unmanned airplane capable of vertical take-off and landing using a drive system including an electric motor and a propeller rotated by the electric motor.

[0025] An automatic opening and closing type drone take-off and landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the “drone station device”) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic opening and closing type drone take-off and landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of an automatic opening and closing type drone take-off and landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an automatic opening and closing type drone take-off and landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The drone station device (10) includes a main body (100), a station opening / closing part (200), a take-off / landing part (300), and a position moving part (400).

[0028] The main body (100) includes a storage space (U) that can safely protect and store the drone (D) from the external environment.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the main body (100) is depicted as a polygonal box sized to accommodate one drone (D) in the receiving space (U), but is not limited thereto and can be manufactured in various shapes and sizes depending on the size and shape of the drone (D).

[0030] For example, the main body (100) can be manufactured in a size that can accommodate the drone (D) even when the propeller of the drone (D) is not fully folded, and in another embodiment, the main body (100) can be designed as a receiving box to accommodate two or more drones (D) at the same time, and can be manufactured in various shapes such as circular or elliptical depending on the shape of the drone (D).

[0031] The material of the main body (100) is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that has durability capable of protecting the drone (D), and for example, metal, plastic, reinforced glass, fiber-reinforced plastic, and wood may be used.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the station opening / closing part (200) is located on the upper part of the main body (100) and is opened / closed when the drone (D) takes off or lands. The station opening / closing part (200) includes a pair of cover door members (210) and link members (220).

[0033] The cover door member (210) is formed of a transparent material so that the storage status of the drone (D) can be checked from the outside. Here, the transparent material may be selected from tempered glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, transparent ABS, reinforced acrylic, and polyethylene terephthalate.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover door member (210) is shown as being formed integrally and connected to an integral link member (220), but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, individual parts may be connected so that each link member (220) is connected to each cover door member (210).

[0035] The cover door member (210) is closed by being joined together by the operation of the link member (220) when the landing / takeoff unit (300) described later is in the first position (A), thereby closing the upper part of the receiving space (U), and when the landing / takeoff unit (300) is in the second position (B), it is opened and closed to the left and right by the operation of the link member (220) so that the upper part of the receiving space (U) is opened.

[0036] The link member (220) is connected to the position moving part (400) described later, and the cover door member (210) is opened and closed by the deformation of the position moving part (400). In one embodiment of the present invention, the link member (220) includes a crank. In another embodiment, the link member (220) may use a four-bar link mechanism using a hinge, a cam mechanism, a bell crank mechanism, and a rotating device rotatable by a rotary motor, and such a link member (220) may be selectively applied according to the operating characteristics of the position moving part (400) and the required opening and closing method of the cover door member (210).

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover door member (210) is opened and closed simultaneously by the link member (220), but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the cover door member (210) may be operated individually, and the order of opening and closing may also be different.

[0038] The take-off and landing section (300) is located inside the main body (100) and is the part where the drone (D) takes off and lands. The take-off and landing section (300) is moved to a first position and a second position at different heights by the position moving section (400).

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the drone (D) includes a first magnet (M1) having a first polarity facing the landing part (300) when positioned in the landing part. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first magnet (M1) may be attached to a surface that comes into contact with the landing part (300) during landing, such as the lower center or leg part of the drone, but is not limited thereto.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, the take-off and landing unit (300) includes a second magnet (M2) having a first polarity toward a first magnet (M1) for guiding and fixing the landing position of the drone (D). Here, when the drone (D) lands, the drone (D) is fixed to the take-off and landing unit (300) through the combination of the first magnet (M1) and the second magnet (M2).

[0041] When the drone is positioned at the take-off and landing section (300), the take-off and landing section (400) moves to a second position, and when the drone is not positioned at the take-off and landing section (300), the take-off and landing section (300) moves to a first position.

[0042] The landing and takeoff section (300) is made of a durable material capable of withstanding the weight of the drone, and the surface may be separately coated with a material having a high coefficient of friction to prevent the drone from slipping.

[0043] The position shifting part (400) is deformed depending on whether it is positioned on the drone's take-off and landing part (300). That is, when the drone lands on the take-off and landing part (300), the position shifting part (400) is deformed due to the drone's own weight, and when the drone takes off, the position shifting part (400) is restored to its original state. Through this deformation, the take-off and landing part (300) is moved to a first position and a second position at different heights by the position shifting part (400).

[0044] Here, the first position and the second position are defined according to the height of the take-off and landing section (300), the first position is higher than the second position, the first position is the height at which the take-off and landing section (300) is located when the drone is not in the take-off and landing section (300), and the second position is the height at which the take-off and landing section (300) is located when the drone is in the take-off and landing section (300).

[0045] The position moving part (400) includes an elastic member (410) that is deformed by the self-weight of the drone (D) and a guide member (420) that surrounds the elastic member (410) and guides the movement of the take-off and landing part (300).

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member (410) includes a coil spring. The elastic member (410) is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a material that can withstand the weight of the drone and can be restored to its original shape when the drone takes off. For example, the elastic member (410) may be selected from a leaf spring, a rubber spring, an elastomer spring, and an air spring.

[0047] The guide member (420) serves to help the take-off and landing unit (300) move stably in the vertical direction. That is, it prevents the take-off and landing unit (300) from shaking or tilting left and right when the drone (D) lands, and guides it to always ascend and descend along a constant path.

[0048] In another embodiment of the present invention, the position moving unit (400) may include an actuator such as a motor, a hydraulic cylinder, or a pneumatic cylinder. In this case, the take-off and landing of the drone can be detected using a sensor, and the take-off and landing unit (300) can be moved by controlling the actuator.

[0049] The operation of an automatic opening and closing type drone take-off and landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained through FIGS. 4 and 7.

[0050] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the operation of the station opening / closing part of an automatic opening / closing drone take-off and landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the operation of the position moving part of an automatic opening / closing drone take-off and landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, when the drone (D) lands on the landing / takeoff section (300), the elastic member (410) is compressed by the weight of the drone (D). The compression of the elastic member (410) moves the landing / takeoff section (300) downward to position it at a second position (B). At this time, the compression of the elastic member (410) is transmitted to the cover door member (210) through the link member (220), causing the cover door member (210) to close simultaneously with the change in position of the landing / takeoff section (300).

[0052] Specifically, when the drone (D) lands on the landing / takeoff section (300), the weight of the drone (D) is applied to the landing / takeoff section (300), and the elastic member (410) is compressed. This compression of the elastic member (410) causes the landing / takeoff section (300) to move downward (lower) and position itself in a second position. At this time, the compressive force of the elastic member (410) is transmitted to the link member (220), and the cover door member (210) is closed by the operation of the link member (220).

[0053] Conversely, when the compression of the elastic member (410) is released, the elastic member (410) is restored to its original shape and pushes the landing / takeoff section (300) upward to position it in the first position. At this time, the restoring force of the elastic member (410) is transmitted to the cover door member (210) through the link member (220), causing the cover door member (210) to open simultaneously with the change in position of the landing / takeoff section (300).

[0054] Specifically, the restoring force of the elastic member (410), which is generated as the compression of the elastic member (410) is released and restored to its original shape, pushes the take-off and landing part (300) upward (raises it) to position it in the first position. At this time, the compressive force of the elastic member (410) is transmitted to the link member (220), and the cover door member (210) is opened by the operation of the link member (220).

[0055] FIG. 8 shows the fixation of a drone through magnetic coupling in the landing section of an automatic opening and closing type drone landing station device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] When the drone (D) approaches the landing / takeoff section (300), an attractive force acts between the first magnet (M1) and the second magnet (M2), and this attractive force guides the drone (D) to the correct landing position of the landing / takeoff section (300). In other words, through the attractive force of the magnets, it is possible to perform an "automatic alignment" function that helps the drone land in the correct position on its own.

[0057] When the drone (D) completely lands on the take-off and landing unit (300), the first magnet (M1) and the second magnet (M2) strongly combine to secure the drone (D). This magnetic combination prevents the drone (D) from detaching from the take-off and landing unit (300) due to external impact or wind.

[0058] The automatic opening and closing type drone take-off and landing station device according to the present invention maximizes drone operation efficiency through an automated take-off and landing system, enables rapid and accurate take-off and landing, protects the drone from the external environment, and supports safe storage by preventing the drone from coming off due to external impact or wind.

[0059] In addition, the guide component ensures stable movement of the take-off and landing section, enhancing the drone's landing stability, while the automatic opening and closing system and magnetic coupling structure simplify drone operation and improve user convenience.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made to the present invention. Accordingly, the technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a drone station device that opens and closes automatically, A main body including a storage space where a drone can be stored; A station opening / closing part located on the upper part of the main body and opening / closing during the takeoff and landing of the drone; A landing section located inside the main body above, on which the drone takes off and lands; and The deformation is determined based on whether the drone is positioned at the landing / takeoff section, and the position shifting section moves the landing / takeoff section to either a first position or a second position at different heights; The above-mentioned take-off and landing unit is a drone station device that operates using the self-weight of the drone.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above first position is higher than the second position, and The above position moving part is, When the above drone is located at the above landing / takeoff area, the above landing / takeoff area is moved to the above second position, and A drone station device that moves the take-off and landing section to the first position if the drone is not located at the take-off and landing section.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above station opening and closing unit is, A pair of cover door members covering the above-mentioned receiving space; and A drone station device comprising: a link member connected to the position moving part and opening and closing the cover door member by deformation of the position moving part.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above cover door member is, When the above-mentioned landing section is in the first position, the link members are operated to keep them in a closed state by being joined together, thereby closing the upper part of the receiving space, and A drone station device that, when the above-mentioned take-off and landing section is in the above-mentioned second position, opens and closes left and right by the operation of the above-mentioned link member so that the upper part of the above-mentioned receiving space is opened.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above cover door member is formed of a transparent material, allowing the storage status of the drone to be checked from the outside.

6. In Paragraph 3, The above link member is a drone station device including a crank.

7. In Paragraph 1, When the above drone is positioned at the above landing area, it includes a first magnet having a first polarity toward the above landing area, and The above-mentioned takeoff and landing unit is, It includes a second magnet having a first polarity toward the first magnet for guiding and fixing the landing position of the above drone, A drone station device in which the drone is fixed to the take-off and landing section through the combination of the first magnet and the second magnet upon landing of the drone.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above position moving part is, An elastic member that deforms due to the self-weight of the above-mentioned drone; and A drone station device comprising: a guide member surrounding the elastic member and guiding the movement of the take-off and landing unit.

9. In Paragraph 8, When the take-off and landing unit moves to the second position in conjunction with the compression of the elastic member, the cover door member closes, and A drone station device in which, when the compression of the elastic member is released, the take-off and landing unit moves to the first position and the cover door member opens.

10. In Paragraph 9, The above elastic member is a drone station device including a coil spring.

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