Patent Description:
A drone includes a holding mechanism configured to hold a package, and is capable of dropping the package after landing. In order to stably convey a large package, it is preferred that rotary wings be increased in size or that a plurality of rotary wings be significantly separated apart from each other in a horizontal direction, with the result that the drone is increased in size.

<CIT>, according to its abstract, states a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft system and a system and method for configuring a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft system, wherein the aircraft is selectively reconfigurable to modify flight characteristics, wherein the aircraft comprises a set of rotors and the position of at least one rotor relative to the base can be modified by at least one of translation of the rotor relative to the boom, pivoting of the boom relative to the base, and translation of the boom relative to the base; so that flight characteristics can be modified by configuration of at least one rotor relative to the base.

<CIT>, according to its abstract, states a system and method for determining the center of gravity of a payload engaged by an automated aerial vehicle and adjusting components of the automated aerial vehicle and/or the engagement location with the payload so that the center of gravity of the payload is within a defined position with respect to the center of gravity of the automated aerial vehicle.

<CIT>, according to its abstract, states systems and methods including UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process, wherein a UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift for the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis.

<CIT>, according to its abstract, states a fixing device for an unmanned aerial vehicle, which includes a first cargo contact unit and a second cargo contact unit, coming into contact with a box-shaped cargo; an elasticity applying unit applying elasticity between the first cargo contact unit and a second cargo contact unit and coming into contact with the first cargo contact unit and the second cargo contact unit; a magnetic force applying unit installed in at least one among the first cargo contact unit and the second cargo contact unit and applying a magnetic force between the first cargo contact unit and the second cargo contact unit; a control unit controlling a motion of the magnetic force applying unit; and a main body, wherein the fixing device for an unmanned aerial vehicle can stably fix and release various sizes of the box-shaped cargos to and from an unmanned aerial vehicle by using the elasticity generated by a spring and the magnetic force generated by an electromagnet.

A large drone is excellent in stability of flying. However, the large drone cannot easily turn in a compact space and requires a larger space for flying or takeoff and landing, that is, has low maneuverability. Therefore, the large drone is not suitable for conveyance of a small package.

The present invention has an object to achieve both stability and maneuverability of flying.

Now, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. The present invention can be implemented by various modes insofar as they fall within the scope of the appended claims, and is not to be construed as being limited to the contents of exemplary embodiments described below.

<FIG> is a side view for illustrating an unmanned aerial vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a plan view for illustrating the unmanned aerial vehicle illustrated in <FIG>. The unmanned aerial vehicle is an aerial vehicle on which a person is not on board. For example, the unmanned aerial vehicle may be a drone driven by a battery or driven by an engine.

The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a plurality of rotary wings <NUM> (for example, propellers), which are configured to generate a downward airstream. The rotary wings <NUM> are driven by a motor and a battery (not shown). The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a control unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, and a sensor unit (not shown).

The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a package carrier <NUM>. The package carrier <NUM> includes a plurality of vertical members <NUM>. The plurality of vertical members <NUM> surround a package <NUM> in a horizontal direction so as to prevent falling of the package <NUM>. A load of the package <NUM> is supported at a plurality of positions by a plurality of support members <NUM> (for example, arms or claws). The plurality of support members <NUM> are each fixed to a corresponding one of the plurality of vertical members <NUM>. For example, the support members <NUM> extend from the vertical members <NUM> (for example, at lower ends thereof) in a direction toward the space surrounded by the plurality of vertical members <NUM>. One pair of support members <NUM> extending in a direction of opposing each other is fixed to one pair of opposing vertical members <NUM>. The one pair of opposing support members <NUM> are apart from each other. The vertical members <NUM> having the support members <NUM> fixed thereto are configured to support the load of the package <NUM>. For example, the support members <NUM> support only end portions of the package <NUM>.

The plurality of vertical members <NUM> are each held by a corresponding one of the plurality of arms <NUM>. The plurality of vertical members <NUM> are each held by a corresponding one of the plurality of arms <NUM>. The plurality of arms <NUM> are each configured to hold both at least a corresponding one of the plurality of vertical members <NUM> and at least a corresponding one of the plurality of rotary wings <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view for illustrating a state in which the arms <NUM> of the unmanned aerial vehicle illustrated in <FIG> are extended. <FIG> is a plan view for illustrating the state in which the arms <NUM> of the unmanned aerial vehicle illustrated in <FIG> are extended.

The plurality of arms <NUM> extend in the horizontal direction and are extendable and contractible. Thus, the plurality of rotary wings <NUM> are changeable in relative positions in the horizontal direction. Moreover, the package carrier <NUM> is changeable in relative positions in the horizontal direction. A length of each of the support members <NUM> in the horizontal direction is shorter than a length of horizontal movement of each of the vertical members <NUM>. Through the horizontal movement of the vertical members <NUM> (separation of the opposing vertical members <NUM> from each other), the package <NUM> can be dropped off from the support members <NUM> (the package <NUM> supported by the support members <NUM> can be dropped).

The plurality of arms <NUM> are moved by the actuator <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> is configured to extend and contract the plurality of arms <NUM>. The plurality of rotary wings <NUM> can be changed in relative positions by the actuator <NUM>. The plurality of vertical members <NUM> can be changed in relative positions by the actuator <NUM>. The shape of the package carrier <NUM> is changed in accordance with the relative positions of the plurality of vertical members <NUM>. The package carrier <NUM> is changed in shape in the horizontal direction.

The plurality of rotary wings <NUM> and the plurality of vertical members <NUM> are all mounted to the plurality of arms <NUM>. Thus, a change in relative positions of the plurality of rotary wings <NUM> by the actuator <NUM> is in conjunction with a shape of the package carrier <NUM>. A change amount of the relative positions of the plurality of rotary wings <NUM> is proportional to a change amount of the relative positions of the plurality of vertical members <NUM>. With this, both the stability and maneuverability of flying can be achieved. For example, when a small package <NUM> is conveyed, a clearance among the plurality of rotary wings <NUM> becomes smaller. Thus, the size is reduced, and air resistance can be reduced. Meanwhile, when a large package <NUM> is conveyed, a clearance among the plurality of rotary wings <NUM> becomes larger. However, a posture during flying can easily be adjusted, and the air resistance may be reduced in some cases.

As an example not forming part of the presently claimed invention, the actuator <NUM> may be omitted, and the relative positions of the vertical members <NUM> and the relative positions of the plurality of rotary wings <NUM> may be manually changed.

<FIG> is a side view for illustrating an unmanned aerial vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a side view for illustrating a state in which arms of the unmanned aerial vehicle illustrated in <FIG> are extended.

A plurality of vertical members <NUM> are each held by a corresponding one of first arms 220A. The first arms 220A extend in the horizontal direction and are extendable and contractible. A first actuator 222A is configured to extend and contract the first arms 220A. The plurality of vertical members <NUM> can be changed so that a maximum inscribed rectangle thereamong is formed into a similar shape or a non-similar shape.

A plurality of rotary wings <NUM> are each held by a corresponding one of second arms 220B. The second arms 220B extend in the horizontal direction and are extendable and contractible. A second actuator 222B is configured to extend and contract the second arms 220B. The second group of arms 220B each vertically overlap with a corresponding one of the first group of arms 220A and extend in the same direction.

The plurality of rotary wings <NUM> are arranged on an outer side of a shape of the package carrier <NUM> (vertical members <NUM>) by a distance DA, DB. With this, the downward airstream of the rotary wings <NUM> is prevented from hitting the package <NUM>. A size of the distance DA, DB is proportional to a size (width WA, WB) of the shape of the package carrier <NUM>. For example, when the width WB of the large package <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is n times larger than the width WA of the small package <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the distance DB may be n times larger than the distance DA. With regard to other contents, the contents described in the first embodiment are applied.

<FIG> is a plan view for illustrating an unmanned aerial vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of vertical members <NUM> are each held by a corresponding one of first arms 320A. The first arms 320A extend in the horizontal direction and are extendable and contractible. The first arms 320A are moved by a first actuator 322A. The first actuator 322A is configured to extend and contract the first arms 320A. The plurality of vertical members <NUM> can be changed so that a maximum inscribed rectangle thereamong is formed into a similar shape or a non-similar shape. A package 316A illustrated in <FIG> has a square shape in plan view.

A plurality of rotary wings <NUM> are each held by a corresponding one of second arms 320B. The second arms 320B extend in directions different from those of the first arms 320A. The second arms 320B are moved by a second actuator 322B. The second actuator 322B is configured to swing each of the second group of arms 320B at least at one position. The second actuator 322B is configured to swing each of the second group of arms 320B in a horizontal direction.

<FIG> is a plan view for illustrating a state in which the arms of the unmanned aerial vehicle illustrated in <FIG> are extended and contracted. The plurality of rotary wings <NUM> include a first pair of rotary wings 310A which are adjacent to each other along a first direction D1. The plurality of rotary wings <NUM> include a second pair of rotary wings 310B which are adjacent to each other along a second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1. When a maximum inscribed rectangle among the plurality of vertical members <NUM> is formed into a rectangle elongated in the first direction D1, a clearance C<NUM> of the first pair of rotary wings 310A is set larger than a clearance C<NUM> of the second pair of rotary wings 310B. A package 316B illustrated in <FIG> has a rectangular shape in plan view. With regard to other contents, the contents described in the first and second embodiments are applied.

<FIG> is a side view for illustrating an unmanned aerial vehicle according to a fourth example not forming part of the presently claimed invention. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes landing gears <NUM>, which are configured to support a vehicle body, and a package carrier <NUM>. The package carrier <NUM> includes a plurality of vertical members <NUM>. The plurality of vertical members <NUM> surround the package <NUM> in the horizontal direction to prevent falling of the package <NUM>. The plurality of vertical members <NUM> are changeable in relative positions.

The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a plurality of rotary wings <NUM>. The plurality of rotary wings <NUM> are each held by a corresponding one of a plurality of arms <NUM>. The plurality of arms <NUM> are moved by an actuator <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> is configured to swing each of the arms <NUM> in a perpendicular direction. The swing of the arms <NUM> in the perpendicular direction causes the rotary wings <NUM> to change in the horizontal direction from a first position P<NUM> to a second position P<NUM>. That is, the plurality of rotary wings <NUM> are changeable in relative positions in the horizontal direction.

For example, at the first position P<NUM>, the plurality of rotary wings <NUM> are most apart from each other, and the plurality of vertical members <NUM> are most apart from each other so that the package carrier <NUM> becomes largest. At the second position P<NUM>, the plurality of rotary wings <NUM> are close to each other, and the plurality of vertical members <NUM> are close to each other so that the package carrier <NUM> becomes smaller. With regard to the rotary wings <NUM>, rotation shafts thereof are moved in parallel by a link mechanism (not shown) even when the arms <NUM> swing. With regard to other contents, the contents described in the first to third embodiments are applied.

Claim 1:
An unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:
a package carrier (<NUM>) including a plurality of vertical members (<NUM>), the plurality of vertical members (<NUM>) being changeable in relative positions in a horizontal direction and surrounding a package (<NUM>) in the horizontal direction to prevent falling of the package (<NUM>);
a plurality of rotary wings (<NUM>) which are changeable in relative positions in the horizontal direction;
an actuator (<NUM>) configured to change the relative positions of the plurality of vertical members (<NUM>) and the relative positions of the plurality of rotary wings (<NUM>); and
a plurality of arms (<NUM>) moveable by the actuator (<NUM>),
wherein the package carrier (<NUM>) is changed in shape in the horizontal direction in accordance with the relative positions of the plurality of vertical members (<NUM>),
wherein the change in the relative positions of the plurality of rotary wings (<NUM>) is in conjunction with the shape of the package carrier (<NUM>),
wherein each of the plurality of vertical members (<NUM>) is held by a corresponding one of the plurality of arms (<NUM>), and
wherein each of the plurality of rotary wings (<NUM>) is held by a corresponding one of the plurality of arms (<NUM>).