URBAN AIR MOBILITY POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND METHOD ACCORDING THERETO

An urban air mobility (UAM) power supply system includes a UAM power supply mobility device physically connected to or disconnected from an UAM device, and a charging station including a power cable for supplying power to the UAM device. The UAM power supply mobility device is equipped with the power cable to supply the power from the charging station to the UAM device through the power cable while flying along with the UAM device until the UAM device separated from the charging station reaches an overhead position in a preset space from the charging station.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0147866, filed on Nov. 1, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a power supply system for urban air mobility (UAM) and a method according thereto which can supply power to a UAM device by being connected to the UAM device during takeoff and stably return the UAM device to the ground by separating a power cable from the UAM device after completion of takeoff.

BACKGROUND

Urban air mobility (UAM), a short-distance urban mobility system, is a flying means that vertically takes off from a city center, moves to a destination, and then vertically lands at the destination.

If a UAM device is powered by a battery without using a conventional fossil fuel, a large number of batteries needs to be loaded in the UAM device for taking off, landing, and operating for a long time, but battery capacity increase causes the weight of the UAM device to increase and thus more batteries need to be mounted for the heavy UAM device.

A UAM device, an electric airplane with vertical take-off and landing features that can accommodate multiple people, requires a method for increasing energy density while reducing a battery weight for efficient operation.

The UAM device consumes more energy during takeoff than during flight. When the UAM device includes a fuselage and a battery that supplies power to the UAM device, it has a considerable weight and requires tremendous energy to take off to an operational altitude (500 to 600 m).

Since the UAM device consumes a great amount of energy only to gain height in place, as described above, there is a problem that the overall flight distance is shortened.

In addition, the prior art (Korea Patent No. 10-2150856) proposes a method of supplying power to an aircraft from the ground by connecting an external cable to the aircraft. However, the technology of the prior art is not suitable for application to an aircraft that needs to be used for long-distance operation, such as a UAM device, because it relates to a device that continuously supplies power to an aircraft from the ground because the aircraft does not have its own energy source.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an external power supply system capable of supplying power by being connected to a UAM device during takeoff and stably returning the UAM device to the ground by removing a power cable from the UAM device after completion of takeoff, and a method according thereto.

The technical problems to be achieved in the present disclosure are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, an urban air mobility (UAM) power supply system includes a UAM power supply mobility device physically connected to or disconnected from a UAM device, and a charging station including a power cable for supplying power to the UAM device. The UAM power supply mobility device is equipped with the power cable to supply the power from the charging station to the UAM device through the power cable while flying along with the UAM device until the UAM device separated from the charging station reaches an overhead position in a preset space from the charging station.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for supplying power to an urban air mobility (UAM) device while the UAM device is separated from a charging station and takes off includes electrically connecting a UAM power supply mobility device to the UAM device, causing the UAM power supply mobility device to fly along with the UAM device flying away from the charging station, and supplying the power to the UAM device using a power cable mounted on the UAM power supply mobility device while the UAM power supply mobility device ascends along with the UAM device until the UAM device reaches an overhead position in a preset space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the same. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In order to clearly describe the present disclosure in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted and similar reference numerals are attached to similar parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part “includes” a certain component, it means that other components may be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated. In addition, parts indicated by the same reference numerals throughout the specification mean the same components.

In addition, a unit or a control unit included in terms such as a mobility control unit (MCU) is only a term widely used in the naming of a controller that controls a specific function of an air mobility device and does not imply a generic functional unit. For example, each controller may include a communication device that communicates with other controllers or sensors to control the function of the controller, a memory that stores an operating system or logic commands, input/output information, and the like, and one or more processors that perform determination, operation, and decision necessary for controlling the function.

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating a UAM power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure andFIG.2andFIG.3are diagrams illustrating an operation of the UAM power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1toFIG.3, the UAM power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first urban air mobility (UAM) device200, a UAM power supply mobility device300, and a charging station100.

The first UAM device200may be an aircraft that can fly freely in the sky and can take off and land vertically even in a narrow space. The UAM device200is an urban air mobility device and can be defined as an aircraft in which an individual or a large number of passengers can freely fly in the sky in the city center. The UAM device200may be a concept including various manned/unmanned aerial vehicles that require vertical takeoff and landing, such as drones. The UAM device200may refer to a vertical takeoff and landing multicopter.

The first UAM device200may include one or more rotors because boarding/deboarding in the city center should be fast and comfortable. When one of the rotors provided in the first UAM device200malfunctions, flight balance can be controlled through the remaining rotors. That is, distributed electric propulsion (DEP) for independently driving multiple rotors may be applied to the first UAM device200for noise reduction and accident prevention.

DEP allows multiple rotors to be driven independently with power or electrical energy generated by a single battery. Even if an individual rotor has a problem, other rotors are continuously driven because DEP is applied to the first UAM device200and thus the UAM device200can safely fly. In addition, the first UAM device200uses smaller rotors than a helicopter and operates only necessary rotors depending on flight conditions such as takeoff, landing, and flying, and thus noise generation can be minimized.

In addition, distributed electric propulsion (DEP) applied to the first UAM device200may also be applied to the UAM power supply mobility device300.

The above-described first UAM device200may be provided with a connection terminal270(refer toFIG.7) on the bottom surface thereof. The first UAM device200may receive power or electrical energy through the connection terminal270(refer toFIG.7), store the power or electrical energy in a battery230(refer toFIG.8), individually provide the power or electrical energy stored in the battery230(refer toFIG.8) to each rotor, and provide the same to various components mounted in the first UAM device200.

The UAM power supply mobility device300includes at least one rotor320(refer toFIG.4) and can fly in the sky using the rotor. The UAM power supply mobility device300may supply power to the first UAM device200that is grounded or is flying using a supply terminal370(refer toFIG.5) electrically and physically connected to the power cable110. For example, the UAM power supply mobility device300may be disposed between the charging station100and the first UAM device200mounted or anchored in the charging station100and supply power to the first UAM device200. The UAM power supply mobility device300may be referred to as an auxiliary power drone (APD).

Referring toFIG.2, the UAM power supply mobility device300may be mounted on the first UAM device200flying in a preset space and supply power to the first UAM device200while flying with the first UAM device200. That is, the UAM power supply mobility device300may be mounted on the first UAM device200and ascend to supply power to the first UAM device200until the first UAM device200removed from the charging station100reaches a position in a preset space a in the air.

Referring toFIG.3, the UAM power supply mobility device300may be separated from the first UAM device200and descend to be mounted on the charging station100when the first UAM device200flies into a space b outside the preset space a.

The UAM power supply mobility device300may include the supply terminal370(refer toFIG.5) electrically connected to or separated from the connection terminal270(refer toFIG.7) of the first UAM device200. The supply terminal370(refer toFIG.5) may be electrically connected to the power cable110. The UAM power supply mobility device300may include a fixing part (not shown) that can firmly fix the power cable110in order to prevent the power cable110from being arbitrarily detached or separated from the UAM power supply mobility device300.

The charging station100is disposed on the ground and may include the power cable110having a predetermined length. The power cable110may be used to supply power to the first UAM device200through the supply terminal370(refer toFIG.5) of the UAM power supply mobility device300electrically connected thereto under the control of the charging station100.

Although not shown, the charging station100may include a communication module and a charging processor. The communication module may transmit information to a communication module of the UAM power supply mobility device300under the control of the charging processor. For example, the charging station100may unwind or wind a power cable110on the basis of position information of the UAM power supply mobility device300received from the UAM power supply mobility device300.

As shown inFIG.2, the charging station100may control the power cable110such that the power cable110continues to be unwound on the basis of position information and flight information of the UAM power supply mobility device300received from the UAM power supply mobility device300until the first UAM device200is removed from the charging station100and reaches a position in the preset space a in the air. Accordingly, the UAM power supply mobility device300may stably supply power to the first UAM device200.

In addition, the charging station100may receive position information and flight information of the UAM power supply mobility device300in real time from the UAM power supply mobility device300that has been separated from the first UAM device200flying in the space b out of the preset space a and control the power cable110such that it is gradually wound on the basis of the position information and the flight information, as shown inFIG.3. Accordingly, the UAM power supply mobility device300can prevent the power cable110from deviating from the preset space a during descending under the control of the charging station100.

FIG.4is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the UAM power supply mobility device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.4, the UAM power supply mobility device300according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a processor310, a body390, a propulsion unit320, a camera340, a communication module350, and a sensing unit360. The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and components may be omitted or added as necessary.

The body390has a predetermined internal space and may be formed to a predetermined thickness. For example, the body401may be formed so as to have an upper surface, a lower surface, and four sides (or lateral surfaces). The present disclosure is not limited thereto and the body401may have any shape as long as it can firmly fasten or mount a plurality of propulsion units320, which will be described later.

The body390may have the supply terminal370(refer toFIG.5) disposed at a part of the upper surface. Further, the body390may have guide pins380ato380d(refer toFIG.5) and the camera340(refer toFIG.5) disposed to be spaced apart from the supply terminal370(refer toFIG.5) on the upper surface. Details will be described later with reference toFIG.5.

The propulsion unit320is disposed on the circumferential surface of the body390and may operate to cause the UAM power supply mobility device300to fly. The propulsion unit320may be referred to as a rotor. The propulsion unit320may operate by receiving electric energy.

A plurality of propulsion units320may be provided. For example, the propulsion unit320includes a first rotor320a(refer toFIG.5), a second rotor320b(refer toFIG.5), a third rotor320c(refer toFIG.5), and a fourth rotor320d(refer toFIG.5). The first rotor320a(refer toFIG.5) to the fourth rotor320d(refer toFIG.5) may fly the UAM power supply mobility device300in the ascending or descending direction or in the forward, backward, left, and right directions under the control of the processor310. Details will be described later with reference toFIG.5andFIG.6.

The processor310may be disposed in the internal space of the body390to be electrically connected to a plurality of components mounted on the UAM power supply mobility device300. That is, the processor310may control a plurality of hardware or software components electrically connected to the processor310by executing an operating system or an application program and perform processing/operations of various types of data including data related to the propulsion unit320. The processor310may be referred to as a mobility controller (MCU) or a controller.

The processor310may be configured as a single integrated circuit (IC). For example, the processor410may include a system on chip (SoC), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like.

The processor310controls the communication module350to execute functions of managing data links and converting communication protocols in communication between the UAM power supply mobility device300and the first UAM device200, a second UAM device UAM2(refer toFIG.11), the charging station100, or another UAM power supply mobility device300connected through a network. The processor310may control data transmission/reception of the communication module350.

The processor310may load a command or data received from at least one of a non-volatile memory or other components connected thereto into a volatile memory and process the same. In addition, the processor310may store data received from or generated by at least one of the other components in the nonvolatile memory.

The processor310having the above-described functions may control the propulsion unit320such that the UAM power supply mobility device300is mounted on the first UAM device200or the charging station100or separated therefrom. The processor310may operate by receiving power from the power cable110and control a plurality of components.

The camera340may be disposed on the upper surface of the body390and may capture an image of a marker240(refer toFIG.7) while mounted on the first UAM device200under the control of the processor310. The camera340may capture an image of the UAM power supply mobility device300and the first UAM device200or a second UAM device UAM2(refer toFIG.11) while the UAM power supply mobility device300is mounted on or docked with the first UAM device200or the second UAM device UAM2and provide the captured image to the processor310. The processor310may calculate a distance between the UAM power supply mobility device300and the first UAM device200on the basis of the captured image.

The communication module350may transmit flight information and position information of the UAM power supply mobility device300to the first UAM device200or the charging station100under the control of the processor310. The communication module350may receive flight information and position information of the first UAM device200from the first UAM device200or receive position information of the charging station100from the charging station100. The communication module350may include a wireless communication module350or an RF module.

The wireless communication module350may include Wi-Fi, BT, GPS or NFC. For example, the wireless communication module350may provide a wireless communication function using a radio frequency. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless communication module350may include a network interface, a modem, or the like for connecting the UAM power supply mobility device300to a network (e.g., the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, a telecommunication network, a cellular network, a satellite network, POTS, 5G network, or the like).

The RF module may serve to transmit/receive data, for example, transmit/receive RF signals or called electronic signals. For example, the RF module may include a transceiver, a power amplifier module (PAM), a frequency filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA), or the like.

The sensing unit360may be disposed on the body390to sense a position state of the UAM power supply mobility device300. The sensing unit360may include at least one sensor. For example, the sensing unit360may include at least one of a gyro sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a proximity sensor, a temperature/humidity sensor, and an illuminance sensor. The sensing unit360may sense a position or operating state of the UAM power supply mobility device300under the control of the processor310and convert measured or sensed information into an electrical signal. The sensing unit360may be referred to as a sensor module or a sensing module.

Although not shown inFIG.4, the UAM power supply mobility device300may include a memory. The memory may include a built-in memory or an external memory. The built-in memory may include at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc.) and a non-volatile memory (e.g., one-time programmable ROM (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, NAND flash memory, NOR flash memory, etc.).

According to an embodiment, the built-in memory may take the form of a solid state drive (SSD). The external memory may include a flash drive, for example, compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital (micro-SD), mini secure digital (mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), a memory stick, etc.

FIG.5is a plan view of the UAM power supply mobility device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure andFIG.6is a cross-sectional view of the UAM power supply mobility device ofFIG.5.

Referring toFIG.5andFIG.6, the UAM power supply mobility device300may include the propulsion unit320, the supply terminal370, guide pins380ato380d, the camera340, and a terminal protector375.

A plurality of propulsion units320may be disposed on the circumferential surface or the sides of the body390. AlthoughFIG.5illustrates that the propulsion units320are disposed at corners between neighboring sides, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The propulsion unit320may be referred to as a propulsion device or a rotor.

The propulsion unit320may include the first rotor320a, the second rotor320b, the third rotor320c, and the fourth rotor320d.

The first rotor320amay be disposed on the left front side of the upper surface of the body390. The second rotor320bmay be disposed on the right front side of the upper surface of the body390. The third rotor320cmay be disposed on the right rear side of the upper surface of the body390. The fourth rotor320dmay be disposed on the left rear side of the upper surface of the body390.

The first rotor320ato the fourth rotor320dmay operate individually or together under the control of the processor310to allow the UAM power supply mobility device300to fly in the ascending or descending direction or in the forward, backward, left, and right directions. For example, the first to fourth rotors320ato320dcan push the air downward to create lift or propulsion and use the lift or propulsion to allow the UAM power supply mobility device300to fly.

The supply terminal370may be disposed at the center of the upper surface of the body390and may be electrically connected to or separated from the connection terminal270(refer toFIG.7) which will be described later. The supply terminal370may be electrically connected to the power cable110connected to the charging station100.

The supply terminal370may be formed in a bar shape having a predetermined thickness and length. The supply terminal370may be formed of a metal material to supply power or electrical energy to the connection terminal270(refer toFIG.7).

The terminal protector375may be embedded in the body390and may be disposed on the upper surface of the body390such that a part thereof surrounds the supply terminal370. The terminal protector375may serve to protect the supply terminal370from the outside. The terminal protector375may be formed to cover the supply terminal370disposed on the upper surface of the body390. That is, the terminal protector375may be formed to be flexible.

The terminal protector375may perform an opening operation to expose the supply terminal370to the outside or a closing operation to protect the supply terminal370from the outside under the control of the processor310. The terminal protector375may be referred to as a supply terminal door. A detailed description thereof will be provided later.

The guide pins380ato380dmay be disposed on the upper surface of the body390and may protrude in a direction in which the UAM power supply mobility device300is mounted on the first UAM device200such that the guide pins380ato380dare inserted into guide pin insertion portions280ato280d(refer toFIG.7) which will be described later. The guide pins380ato380dmay be formed to protrude upward.

The guide pins380ato380dmay be disposed on the upper surface of the body390such that they are not superposed on the supply terminal370or the terminal protector375.

The guide pins380ato380dmay include the first guide pin380ato the fourth guide pin380d.

The first guide pin380amay be disposed on the left front side of the upper surface of the body390. The second guide pin380bmay be disposed on the right front side of the upper surface of the body390. The third guide pin380cmay be disposed on the right rear side of the upper surface of the body390. The fourth guide pin380dmay be disposed on the left rear side of the upper surface of the body390.

As described above, in the present disclosure, the first guide pin380ato the fourth guide pin380dare disposed on the upper surface of the body390, and thus the UAM power supply mobility device300can be aligned with the first UAM device200or the second UAM device UAM2(refer toFIG.11) at a more correct position.

AlthoughFIG.5illustrates four guide pins380ato380d, the number of guide pins380ato380dis not limited thereto.

The camera340may be disposed on the upper surface of the body390between the first guide pin380aand the second guide pin380b. The processor310may induce the UAM power supply mobility device300to be aligned with the first UAM device200or the second UAM device UAM2(refer toFIG.11) at a correct position by receiving a captured image from the camera340.

FIG.7is a plan view of the first UAM device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.7, the first UAM device200according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the connection terminal270, the guide pin insertion portions280ato280d, and the marker240on the lower surface thereof facing the upper surface of the UAM power supply mobility device300.

The connection terminal270may be disposed at the center of the lower surface at a position corresponding to the supply terminal370and electrically connected to or separated from the supply terminal370of the UAM power supply mobility device300. The connection terminal270may be connected to the supply terminal370in such a manner that the supply terminal370is inserted thereinto.

The connection terminal270may be electrically connected to the battery230(refer toFIG.8) built into the first UAM device200. The connection terminal270may provide electric energy or power provided from the supply terminal370to the battery230(refer toFIG.8) of the first UAM device200. The connection terminal270may contain a metal material to smoothly provide electrical energy or power.

The guide pin insertion portions280ato280dmay be disposed on the lower surface in an area other than the central region. That is, the guide pin insertion portions280ato280dmay be disposed to be spaced apart from the connection terminal by a predetermined distance.

The guide pin insertion portions280ato280dmay be positioned to correspond to the guide pins of the UAM power supply mobility device300. The guide pin insertion portions280ato280dmay include the first guide pin insertion portion280ato the fourth guide pin insertion portion280d. For example, the first guide pin insertion portion280ato the fourth guide pin insertion portion280dmay be positioned to correspond to the first guide pin380ato the fourth guide pin380d.

The first guide pin insertion portion280amay be disposed on the left front side of the lower surfaces of the first UAM device200. The second guide pin insertion portion280bmay be disposed on the right front side of the lower surface of the first UAM device200. The third guide pin insertion portion280cmay be disposed on the right rear side of the lower surface of the first UAM device200. The fourth guide pin insertion portion280dmay be disposed on the left rear side of the lower surface of the first UAM device200.

The marker240may be provided in an area other than the central region and disposed to be spaced apart from the guide pin insertion portions208ato280d. The marker240may be positioned to correspond to the camera340of the UAM power supply mobility device300.

The marker240may be provided to be biased toward one side from the central region. Accordingly, when the marker240is controlled to be positioned at the center of an image captured by the camera340of the UAM power supply mobility device300, the UAM power supply mobility device300can be caused to accurately approach the first UAM device200.

In addition, the connection terminal protector275may be built into the first UAM device200such that a part thereof is disposed on the lower surface of the first UAM device200to surround the connection terminal. The connection terminal protector275may serve to protect the connection terminal from the outside. The connection terminal protector275may be formed to cover the connection terminal disposed on the lower surface of the first UAM device200. The connection terminal protector275may perform an opening operation to expose the connection terminal to the outside or a closing operation to protect the supply terminal370from the outside under the control of the processor310of the first UAM device200. A detailed description thereof will be provided later.

FIG.8andFIG.9are diagrams illustrating an operation in which the UAM power supply mobility device and the first UAM device are physically connected to each other according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.8, the UAM power supply mobility device300and the first UAM device200may approach each other to be physically connected to each other according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, the UAM power supply mobility device300may gradually approach the first UAM device200to be mounted thereon. Alternatively, the first UAM device200may gradually approach the UAM power supply mobility device300to be mounted thereon.

The UAM power supply mobility device300and the first UAM device200may gradually approach each other while the communication module350of the UAM power supply mobility device300and the communication module of the first UAM device200transmit and receive position information and flight information of the UAM power supply mobility device300and the first UAM device200.

The UAM power supply mobility device300may capture an image of the marker240of the first UAM device200using the camera340. The UAM power supply mobility device300may approach the first UAM device200by controlling the propulsion unit320while controlling the processor310such that the marker240is disposed at the center of the captured image.

While the UAM power supply mobility device300and the first UAM device200approach each other, the terminal protector375of the UAM power supply mobility device300is gradually opened under the control of the processor310to expose the supply terminal370to the outside. In this case, the terminal protector375may be embedded in the UAM power supply mobility device300in a rollable state.

In addition, the connection terminal protector275of the first UAM device200may be gradually opened under the control of the processor310to expose the connection terminal to the outside.

Referring toFIG.9, the UAM power supply mobility device300and the first UAM device200may be physically connected to each other according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the guide pins380ato380dof the UAM power supply mobility device300may be inserted into the guide pin insertion portions280ato280dof the first UAM device200and the supply terminal370of the UAM power supply mobility device300may be inserted into the connection terminal270of the first UAM device200.

Upon determining that the connection terminal270is physically connected to the supply terminal370of the UAM power supply mobility device300, the first UAM device200may turn on a switch231to be provided with electric energy or power and to charge the battery330of the first UAM device200.

Although not shown inFIG.8andFIG.9, the UAM power supply mobility device300may control the supply terminal370to be exposed to the outside such that a part or all of the supply terminal370is exposed from the upper surface while the terminal protector375is opened. That is, the supply terminal370is positioned to protrude from the upper surface like the guide pins and thus can be stably inserted into the connection terminal of the first UAM device200. Accordingly, power and electrical energy can be smoothly supplied.

FIG.10is a diagram illustrating the operation of the UAM power supply mobility device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.10, the UAM power supply mobility device300according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may ascend or descend while controlling the propulsion unit320such that the power cable110does not deviate from a preset space on the basis of a position state of the UAM power supply mobility device300provided by the sensing unit360. The preset space may be a ground area where the charging station100is installed and an area above the charging station100.

The processor310of the UAM power supply mobility device300may collect information about a position or operating state of the UAM power supply mobility device300provided by the sensing unit360in real time and calculate or predict a wind direction in the preset space on the basis of the collected information.

When there is no wind over the charging station100or the platform, the power cable110may be positioned vertically with respect to the charging station100and the UAM power supply mobility device300. Accordingly, when the wind hardly blows, the propulsion unit320may generate the propulsion in the upward direction such that the UAM power supply mobility device300flies down under the control of the processor310.

On the other hand, when the wind blows over the charging station100or the platform, the power cable110and the UAM power supply mobility device300are moved in the opposite direction to the wind. In this case, they may collide with other facilities and may interfere with a route of another UAM in a nearby charging station100. Accordingly, when the wind blows in a first direction, the propulsion unit320may generate the propulsion in the upward direction and at the same time in a second direction opposite to the first direction such that the UAM power supply mobility device300can descend.

As described above, when the wind blows, the UAM power supply mobility device300may control the propulsion unit320such that the propulsion acts in the opposite direction to the wind to prevent the power cable110from deviating by a predetermined range or more.

Accordingly, the UAM power supply mobility device300disconnected from the first UAM device200can slowly descend to the charging station100with the power cable110remaining in a preset space even if the wind blows.

FIG.11is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the UAM power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.11, the UAM power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may operate as follows.

First, the UAM power supply mobility device300may be electrically connected to the first UAM device200in the charging station100(S101) and may provide power or electrical energy necessary for the first UAM device200on the ground while charging the battery330built into the first UAM device200(S102).

Then, when the first UAM device200starts to take off (YES in S103), the UAM power supply mobility device300may operate the propulsion unit320to take off along with the first UAM200(S104). That is, the UAM power supply mobility device300may ascend while being mounted on the first UAM device200to provide power to the first UAM200until the first UAM device200separated from the charging station100reaches an overhead position in a preset space.

Upon completion of takeoff of the first UAM device200(YES in S105), the UAM power supply mobility device300may release docking with the first UAM device200(S106).

Thereafter, the disconnected UAM powered mobility device300may slowly land on the charging station100from the undocked position by its own propulsion. The charging station100may be referred to as a helipad.

That is, when the first UAM device200flies out of a preset space, the UAM power supply mobility device300may be separated from the first UAM device200and descend to be mounted on the charging station100.

If there is the second UAM device UAM2that intends to land on the same charging station100when the UAM power supply mobility device300is about to land thereon (YES in S107), the UAM power supply mobility device300may attempt to dock with the second UAM device UAM2(S109).

If there is no second UAM device UAM2that intends to land on the same charging station100when the UAM power supply mobility device300is about to land thereon (NO in S107), the UAM power supply mobility device300may land alone while controlling the vertical propulsion and the horizontal propulsion such that the power cable connected to the ground does not deviate beyond a predetermined range during landing (S108).

Upon completion of docking with the second UAM device UAM2(YES in S110), the UAM power supply mobility device300may land along with the second UAM device UAM2on the charging station100(S112) while supplying power or electrical energy to the second UAM device UAM2(S111).

That is, when the second UAM device UAM2enters a preset space to be mounted on the charging station100after the UAM power supply mobility device300is separated from the first UAM device200, the UAM power supply mobility device300may receive flight information and position information of the second UAM device UAM2from the second UAM device UAM2and fly to dock with the second UAM device UAM2on the basis of the information. Here, the second UAM device UAM2may receive flight information and position information of the UAM power supply mobility device300and fly to dock with the UAM power supply mobility device300on the basis of the information.

At this time, the camera340mounted on the UAM power supply mobility device300is provided to be biased to one side from the center of the UAM power supply mobility device300and the marker240disposed on the second UAM device UAM2is also provided to be biased to one side like the camera340, and thus the UAM power supply mobility device300and the second UAM device UAM2can approach each other at a correct position while controlling the marker240to be positioned at the center of a camera image.

Upon docking with the second UAM device UAM2, the UAM power supply mobility device300may land along with the second UAM device UAM2on the charging station100while supplying power to the second UAM device UAM2.

Although the first UAM device200and the second UAM device UAM2have been separately described in order to clarify the description of the present disclosure inFIG.11, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the first UAM device200and the second UAM device UAM2may be the same UAM device.

As described above, when a UAM device is anchored at the charging station100or the platform, the UAM power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can control the battery300of the anchored UAM device to be charged using the UAM power supply mobility device300electrically and physically connected to the UAM device.

In addition, in the UAM power supply system, the UAM power supply mobility device300takes off along with the UAM device to supply power to the UAM device when the UAM device takes off such that energy necessary for takeoff of the UAM device can be supplied from the outside.

The UAM device is provided with power from the outside through the UAM power supply mobility device300instead of using the power stored in the battery330during takeoff, and thus the capacity of the battery330mounted on the UAM device can be reduced.

Since the weight of UAM device can also decrease as the capacity of the battery330is reduced, the range of the UAM device can be relatively increased.

The present disclosure described above can be implemented as computer-readable code on a medium in which a program is recorded. A computer-readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data readable by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer-readable medium include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a silicon disk drive (SDD), a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, etc. When a corresponding processor (or processors) executes the program, the corresponding processor (or processors) may be configured to perform the above-described operations.

Therefore, the above detailed description should not be construed as restrictive in all respects but as exemplary. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present disclosure are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

The UAM power supply system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure configured as described above can receive energy necessary for takeoff of a UAM device from the outside, and thus the capacity of a battery mounted on the UAM device can be reduced and the weight of the UAM device can also be reduced, thereby maximizing the range of the UAM device.

In addition, the UAM power supply system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure can achieve stable system operation by preventing a power cable separated from a UAM device after completion of takeoff of the UAM device from freely falling to the ground using the UAM power supply mobility device equipped with the propulsion unit.

Furthermore, when the second UAM device attempts to land on the same charging station or platform after completion of takeoff of the first UAM device, the UAM power supply system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure can perform power supply and battery charging while the UAM power supply mobility device in the air docks with the second UAM device that intends to land and lands along with the second UAM device, and thus a time taken for the second UAM device to wait to charge the battery on the ground can be shortened.

Effects which may be obtained by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and various other effects may be evidently understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the following description.