KR-20260065069-A - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle charging Station with Automatic Battery Replacement And Its Operating Method

KR20260065069AKR 20260065069 AKR20260065069 AKR 20260065069AKR-20260065069-A

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle charging station capable of automatic battery replacement and a method of operation thereof are disclosed. A method for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a landing step in which the unmanned aerial vehicle lands on the landing device for battery charging; a coupling step in which the unmanned aerial vehicle is moved into the station housing and the battery mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle is coupled to the battery charging device; a charging step in which the battery status of the unmanned aerial vehicle is checked and the battery is charged in a mode set based on the battery status; a separation step in which, when the battery status is adjusted to a fully charged state, the unmanned aerial vehicle is separated from the battery charging device and the unmanned aerial vehicle is moved to the outside of the station housing; and a takeoff step in which the unmanned aerial vehicle takes off from the landing device.

Inventors

성경훈
박승상
김혜인
정현태
정재명
고정환

Assignees

엘아이지디펜스앤에어로스페이스 주식회사

Dates

Publication Date: 20260508
Application Date: 20241031

Claims (12)

A method for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle at an unmanned aerial vehicle charging station comprising a station housing, a landing gear, and a battery charging device, wherein A landing step in which an unmanned aerial vehicle lands on the landing device to charge the battery; A coupling step of moving the unmanned aerial vehicle into the station housing and coupling the battery mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle to the battery charging device; A charging step of checking the battery status of the above unmanned aerial vehicle and charging the battery in a set mode based on the battery status; A separation step in which, when the battery state is adjusted to a fully charged state, the unmanned aerial vehicle is separated from the battery charging device and the unmanned aerial vehicle is moved to the outside of the station housing; and A takeoff stage in which the unmanned aerial vehicle takes off from the above takeoff and landing device A method for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle characterized by including
In paragraph 1, The above landing phase is, After hovering flight of the above unmanned aerial vehicle, the above unmanned aerial vehicle lands on the smart base of the above take-off and landing device, A method for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized in that the smart stand rotates based on the vertical direction to perform directional adjustment so that the rear of the unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with the battery faces the inner direction of the station housing.
In paragraph 2, The above joining step is, Using a smart arm connected to the smart base, the unmanned aerial vehicle is moved into the station housing, A method for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle characterized by connecting the battery to the battery charging device by locking a latch provided in the battery charging device at a moved position.
In paragraph 3, The above charging step is, A method for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle characterized by checking the battery status, comparing the measured remaining battery capacity with a preset threshold to set one of a battery charging mode and a battery replacement mode, and adjusting the battery of the unmanned aerial vehicle to a fully charged state using the set mode.
In paragraph 4, The above charging step is, A method for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle characterized by setting the battery charging mode when the battery level is above the threshold, and supplying power to the battery mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle while combined with the battery charging device to adjust it to the fully charged state.
In paragraph 4, The above charging step is, A method for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle characterized by setting the battery to a battery replacement mode when the battery level is below the threshold, disconnecting the battery mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle while it is connected to the battery charging device, and mounting a new battery on the unmanned aerial vehicle to adjust it to a fully charged state.
In paragraph 6, The above charging step is, A step of separating the unmanned aerial vehicle and the battery by moving the unmanned aerial vehicle outward from inside the station housing using the smart arm of the take-off and landing device while the battery is coupled to the latch of the battery charging device; A step of changing the position of a new battery that has already been fully charged through the rotation of the battery charging device; and A step of moving the unmanned aerial vehicle inwardly by the aforementioned distance within the station housing using the smart arm of the above-mentioned takeoff and landing device to mount the new battery on the unmanned aerial vehicle. A method for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle characterized by including
In paragraph 4, The above separation step is, A method for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized by performing one of the above-mentioned battery charging mode and the above-mentioned battery replacement mode to adjust the battery state to a fully charged state, separating the unmanned aerial vehicle from the battery charging device by unlocking a latch provided in the battery charging device, and moving the unmanned aerial vehicle to the outside of the station housing using a smart arm connected to the smart base.
In an unmanned aerial vehicle charging station for charging unmanned aerial vehicles, A station housing for storing the landed unmanned aerial vehicle inside to charge the unmanned aerial vehicle; A take-off and landing device that, when the unmanned aerial vehicle lands, moves the unmanned aerial vehicle into the station housing, adjusts the position of the unmanned aerial vehicle to charge a battery mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and when the battery status is adjusted to a fully charged state, moves the unmanned aerial vehicle out of the station housing so that the unmanned aerial vehicle takes off; and A battery charging device that performs coupling or disconnection operations with a battery mounted on the above-mentioned unmanned aerial vehicle, and adjusts the battery state of the said unmanned aerial vehicle to a fully charged state by supplying power to the mounted battery or replacing it with a new battery according to a mode set based on the battery state of the said unmanned aerial vehicle. An unmanned aerial vehicle charging station characterized by including
In Paragraph 9, The above station housing is, It is implemented in the form of a cube block and stores the unmanned aerial vehicle inside while performing charging or replacement of the battery mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and An unmanned aerial vehicle charging station characterized by additionally including a housing door on one side of the cube block for the entry and exit of the unmanned aerial vehicle.
In Paragraph 9, The above-mentioned takeoff and landing device is, A smart stand that supports the body of the landed unmanned aerial vehicle and includes protruding or curved guards on the left and right sides to prevent the unmanned aerial vehicle from falling upon landing; and A smart arm composed of multiple arms and a joint connecting the arms, wherein one end is connected to the lower inner surface of the station housing and the other end is connected to the lower outer surface of the smart base. An unmanned aerial vehicle charging station characterized by including
In Paragraph 9, The above battery charging device is, A latch that connects to or separates from the above battery; A battery mounting rotation unit comprising a plurality of mounting brackets formed in different directions and having a structure that rotates around the center of the plurality of mounting brackets, wherein a plurality of latches are each connected to one end of each of the plurality of mounting brackets and the position of the latches is changed through rotation; and A support member connected to the battery mounting rotating part and fixing the battery mounting rotating part to the station housing, with one end connected to the lower inner surface of the station housing and the other end connected to the center of the battery mounting rotating part. An unmanned aerial vehicle charging station characterized by including

Description

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Charging Station with Automatic Battery Replacement and Its Operating Method The present invention relates to an openable and closable charging station for unmanned aerial vehicles capable of automatic battery replacement and a method of operation thereof. The content described in this section merely provides background information regarding embodiments of the present invention and does not constitute prior art. Generally, drone stations that store and manage unmanned aerial vehicles charge drone batteries within the station via wired or wireless connections. As shown in Fig. 1, the conventional drone charging method of a drone station generally involves supplying power to the drone battery via a wired or wireless connection from the drone station. However, this charging method has the problem that it takes a long time to charge even when high-speed charging is applied. Furthermore, among the conventional drone charging methods of drone stations, the battery exchange method has limitations regarding high costs and the requirements for rapid take-off and landing due to the mechanical and electrical complexity involved in installing the station. Therefore, there is a need to develop drone stations for rapidly charging or replacing batteries. Figure 1 is a diagram showing a general method of charging an unmanned aerial vehicle. FIGS. 2 to 4 are drawings showing an unmanned aerial vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts for explaining a method of charging an unmanned aerial vehicle at an unmanned aerial vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7 to 9 are exemplary diagrams for explaining the charging operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle at an unmanned aerial vehicle charging station. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known configurations or functions are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the essence of the present invention. Furthermore, while preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited or restricted thereto and can be modified and implemented in various ways by those skilled in the art. Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the unmanned aerial vehicle charging station capable of automatic battery replacement and the method of operation thereof proposed in the present invention will be described in detail. FIGS. 2 to 4 are drawings showing an unmanned aerial vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an unmanned aerial vehicle charging system, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing detailed components and embodiments of an unmanned aerial vehicle charging station. The unmanned aerial vehicle charging system (10) according to the present embodiment includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (20) and an unmanned aerial vehicle charging station (30). Here, the unmanned aerial vehicle charging station (30) includes a station housing (40), a landing and takeoff device (50), and a battery charging device (60). The unmanned aerial vehicle charging system (10) of FIGS. 2 and 3 is according to one embodiment, and not all blocks shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are essential components, and some blocks included in the unmanned aerial vehicle charging system (10) in other embodiments may be added, changed, or deleted. The aircraft charging system (10) refers to a system for charging the power of an unmanned aircraft (20) for the operation of the unmanned aircraft (20). Here, the aircraft charging system (10) can charge the power of the unmanned aircraft (20) by charging or replacing the battery (22) mounted on the unmanned aircraft (20). An unmanned aerial vehicle (20) refers to an aerial vehicle capable of flying through automatic or manual control. The unmanned aerial vehicle (20) is preferably a drone, but is not necessarily limited to this and may be implemented as a small unmanned aircraft, etc. The unmanned aerial vehicle (20) is equipped with a battery (22) for initial mission execution. Here, the battery (22) can be secured through a magnet provided inside the unmanned aerial vehicle (20). The unmanned aerial vehicle charging station (30) charges the power of the unmanned aerial vehicle (20) when the unmanned aerial vehicle (20) lands. The unmanned aerial vehicle charging station (30) can charge the power of the unmanned aerial vehicle (20) by charging or replacing the battery (22) mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle (20). The unmanned aerial vehicle charging station (30) according to the present embodiment includes a station housing (40), a landing and takeoff device (50), and a battery charging device (60). Below, each component