Payload release apparatus

A payload apparatus for selectively releasing a payload is disclosed. The payload apparatus may be used to deliver payloads from an aircraft such as an unmanned aerial vehicle. Embodiments of the payload apparatus include a payload container and a matching lid. The payload container may include one or more latches configured to engage the lid, and the lid may include one or more actuators to selectively disengage the one or more latches, thus releasing the payload container.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to drone delivery systems, and more specifically to an apparatus for releasing a payload from a drone aircraft.

BACKGROUND

An unmanned vehicle, which may also be referred to as an autonomous vehicle, is a vehicle capable of travel without a physically-present human operator. An unmanned vehicle may operate in a remote-control mode, in an autonomous mode, or in a partially autonomous mode. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as drones, are used in a wide variety of applications. For example, drones may be used to transport materials or goods from one location to another.

SUMMARY

Described herein are embodiments of a payload apparatus for selectively releasing a payload. The payload apparatus described may be used to release a payload from an aircraft as part of a drone-based delivery system, for example.

Embodiments of the payload apparatus include a payload container and a matching lid. The lid may be fixedly attached to a device from which the payload container is to be released from. The payload container includes one or more latches configured to engage the lid, and the lid include one or more actuators to disengage the latches, thus releasing the payload container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments may relate to and/or be implemented in a system in which unmanned vehicles, and in particular, “unmanned aerial vehicles” (UAVs), are configured to deliver payloads at delivery locations. UAVs in such a system may operate in an autonomous or semi-autonomous delivery system in which the UAV carries a payload from a first location, such as a distribution center, to a delivery location, such as a residence or business. At the distribution center, the UAV can be loaded with the payload to be delivered, and then the UAV can navigate to the delivery location. The UAV can then land or hover at the delivery location to deliver the payload.

FIGS. 1-3illustrate an example payload apparatus progressing through three configurations.FIG. 1illustrates an example payload apparatus in a latched configuration,FIG. 2illustrates the example payload apparatus in an unlatching configuration, andFIG. 3illustrates the example payload apparatus in an unlatched configuration. The payload apparatus progresses through these three configurations during the release of a payload.

The payload apparatus includes payload container101and lid102. Lid102is dimensioned to cover a top side of payload container101. In this example, the payload container and lid are rectangular in shape, however other embodiments may have different shaped and sized payload containers and lids. For example, some embodiments may have a circular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, or triangular shaped payload container and lid. In an embodiment, payload container101may be approximately 10 inches in width, 6.5 inches in height, and 20 inches in length. In another embodiment, payload container101may be approximately 10 inches in width, 8.5 inches in height, and 20 inches in length. In an embodiment, the width of the payload container is approximately 1-20 inches, 1-10 inches, 5-20 inches, 5-15 inches, 5-10 inches, 8-20 inches, 8-12 inches, or 10-50 inches. In an embodiment, the height of the payload container is approximately 1-20 inches, 1-10 inches, 2-10 inches, 2-8 inches, 4-8 inches, 4-7 inches, 5-15 inches, or 5-20 inches. In an embodiment, the length of the payload container is approximately 1-100 inches, 1-50 inches, 10-30 inches, 15-25 inches, 18-22 inches, 5-15 inches, or 25-50 inches. In other embodiments, payload container101may be sized to accommodate any sized payload for a particular application.

The payload apparatus may be used to drop or release a payload in the payload contained from an aircraft to which the lid is attached. For example, the lid may be fixedly attached to the underside of an aircraft such as an unmanned aerial vehicle or a drone aircraft. The aircraft may land or hover at a low altitude, and then release the payload container as described below. The payload container is then released from the aircraft and the aircraft is free to take-off and fly away having delivered the payload container to its destination. After it is released, the payload container is open on its top as the lid remains with the aircraft. If the cargo within the payload container requires shelter or cover, it may be enclosed in a secondary container within the payload container.

Payload container101is selectively attached to lid102by way of two latches103aand103b. In the example payload apparatus, latches103a-bare pivotally attached to payload container101and pivot from a latched position to an unlatched position. Latches103a-bare shaped to engage the edge of lid102when in the latched configuration illustrated inFIG. 1and disengage the edge of lid102when in the unlatches configuration illustrated inFIG. 3. In this example, latches103a-bare biased to remain in the latched configuration by a mechanical force such as a spring or other such restoring force. The latches103a-bcan include features (e.g., depressions, grooves) that are shaped or sized relative to lid102(e.g., relative to edges of lid102), in order to engage the lid102and pull the lid102toward container101when in latched position. In one embodiment, to engage the lid102, the features (e.g., grooves) can wrap around portions of the lid102and/or its edges, reaching a top surface of the lid102to engage it and pull it toward container101.

Actuators104a-bare fastened to lid102and, when actuated, push on latches103a-bto move them from the latched configuration to an unlatched configuration. In this process, actuators104a-bpush against the restoring force acting to keep latches103a-bin the latched configuration. In an embodiment, actuators104a-bare electrically-powered linear actuators comprising three telescoping sections. In other embodiments, actuators104a-bmay be any kind of actuator such as, but not limited to, pneumatic actuators, magnetic actuators such as solenoids, or radial actuators. The actuators are selected to be able to generate enough force to overcome the restoring force biasing latches103a-bin the latched position as well as any static friction that exists between latches103a-band lid102.

Two latches and two actuators are illustrated in this example, but any number of latches and actuators may be included in various embodiments of the payload apparatus. For example, an embodiment may include four latches and four actuators, positioned on the four sides of a rectangular payload container and lid. Another embodiment may include three actuator and latch pairs placed equidistantly around a circular payload container and lid. Some embodiments may include disparate numbers of actuators and latches. For example, an actuator may be positioned and configured to actuate two opposing latches, and embodiments using such an actuator may only include half as many actuators as latches. As another example, a latch may require two actuators to effectively latch and unlatch a payload container from a lid in a two-step process, and embodiments using such a latch and actuator arrangement may include twice as many actuators as latches.

FIG. 1illustrates an example payload apparatus in a latched configuration.FIG. 1Aillustrates a top view of the example payload apparatus andFIG. 1Billustrates a side view of the example payload apparatus. In the configuration illustrated inFIG. 1, payload container101is securely attached to lid102by way of latches103aand103b. As illustrated inFIG. 1A, latches103a-bengage a substantial portion of two opposing sides of the rectangular-shaped lid102. In this configuration, actuators104a-bare in a fully-retracted position in which they do not engage latches103a-b.

FIG. 2illustrates the example payload apparatus in an unlatching configuration.FIG. 2Aillustrates a top view of the example payload apparatus andFIG. 2Billustrates a side view of the example payload apparatus. The example payload apparatus ofFIG. 2is the same example payload apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1, but in an unlatching configuration. In the unlatching configuration, the example payload apparatus is in the process of releasing payload container101from lid101. In this configuration, actuators104a-bare partially extended and are engaging latches103a-b, pivoting latches103a-baway from lid102, thereby disengaging latches103a-bfrom lid102.

As actuators104a-bcontinue to expand and pivot latches103a-bfurther away from lid102, payload container101eventually becomes fully disengaged from lid102.FIG. 3illustrates the example payload apparatus in an unlatched configuration.FIG. 3Aillustrates a top view of the example payload apparatus andFIG. 3Billustrates a side view of the example payload apparatus. The example payload apparatus ofFIG. 3is the same example payload apparatus illustrated inFIGS. 1-2, but in an unlatched configuration. In this unlatched configuration, payload container101is fully disengaged from lid102, latches103a-bare fully pivoted outward from payload container101, and actuators104a-bare in their fully extended position.

FIG. 4illustrates an actuator configuration according to an embodiment. The actuator illustrated inFIG. 4may be used to actuate one or more latches in a payload apparatus such as described above. In the example illustrated inFIG. 4, an actuator comprises three telescoping portions402,403, and404. Other embodiments may include more or fewer telescoping portions. In this example, first telescoping actuator portion402is fixedly attached to a payload container lid401by fastener405. First telescoping actuator portion402receives second telescoping actuator portion403, and second telescoping actuator portion403receives third telescoping actuator portion404.

All three telescoping actuator portions402-404are slidable along an axis such that the actuator may extend along the axis. A mechanical driver enclosed within the actuator pushes along the axis to expand the actuator and pulls along the axis to contract the actuator. The mechanical driver may be, for example, a screw-driven, electrically operated linear actuator. In another embodiment, the mechanical driver may be a pneumatic piston, for example. Bearings or bushings may be dispensed between the three telescoping actuator portions to maintain rigidity throughout the entire range of motion of the actuator.

At the end of the actuator, third telescoping actuator portion404includes a hole through which a latch engagement portion406is mounted. In this example, latch engagement portion406comprises a threaded screw and nut configured such that the distance the screw extends downward from the actuator is configurable by adjusting the screw. This adjustment allows for setting the engagement the actuator has with a latch. If the latch engagement portion406is not extended far enough, it may not engage with a latch as desired. Thus, by adjusting the latch engagement portion406, one skilled in the art may configure the actuator to effectively engage payload container latches.

The use of certain terms in various places in the specification is for illustration and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, it shall be noted that: (1) certain steps may optionally be performed; (2) steps may not be limited to the specific order set forth herein; (3) certain steps may be performed in different orders; and (4) certain steps may be done concurrently.