DE102021000137A1 - Net carrier for multicopter - Google Patents

Abstract

A net support for a capture drone is presented, having a connection device for the capture drone, a mechanical device and a capture net, characterized in that it can be moved from a transport position into a position ready for use. the safety net is folded up in a transport position and spread out in a position ready for use and the safety net can be detached from the mechanical device in the position ready for use.

Description

The invention describes a net support for multicopters for countering drones.

Network carriers are known in a variety of embodiments. The Taurus Sicherheitstechnik company presents a NETGUN net thrower system on its website www://alarm.de. The hand-held system has a funnel-shaped net container and a net located in the net container. The net is connected to four weights that are shot out of the funnel. The funnel shape deflects the weights outward from the line of fire and the net tightens to encircle the target.

Such a pneumatic net catching weapon is from the Chinese utility model specification CN 201715932 U known.

From the US patent specification U.S. 10,005,556 B2 a drone is known, on which at least one net launcher is arranged and can eject a net in the direction of a target object. A controller is responsive to a signal indicative of a detected target, and in response to such a signal, the controller may aim the net launcher at the target and cast the net toward the target.

Next is from the US disclosure document US 2017/0355461 A1 discloses a capture drone that includes a capture net that captures another object in the air. A weight detection determination unit detects that the capture net has captured the object, and an autonomous flight controller controls a flight state of the capture drone to be an autonomous flight state that does not depend on an operation signal from the outside when the weight detection determination unit detects detection of the object .

The disadvantage of these known solutions is that the nets are not opened until the shot is fired, and this results in a minimum distance from the target. Another disadvantage arises from the net weights, which can lead to injuries if the trajectory is unfavorable. On the other hand, stretched nets impede the maneuverability of capture drones and make it easier to evade targets.

The object of the invention is therefore to present a net support for multicopters which allows the capture drone to be maneuvered to a high degree and at the same time increases the chances of success by reducing the minimum attack distance.

This object is solved by the characterizing features of the main claim. Advantageous configurations are described in the dependent claims.

The advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the net support for capture drones is connected to the capture drone below it. A certain flexibility is provided in order to ensure the vertical position of the net carrier during flight maneuvers of the capture drone. Due to the rotationally symmetrical structure of the net carrier, an aligned attachment to the capture drone is not necessary.

A further advantage of the capture drone according to the invention is that the capture net is brought from a transport position into an operational position before it is used. In the transport position, the safety net is initially collapsed in order to require only a small amount of installation space and to affect the flight characteristics of the safety drone only slightly. In the operational position, the safety net is spread out under the safety drone. This means that no distance is required between the capture drone and the target in order to open the capture net to attack the target. Net weights for stretching the safety net using kinetic energy can also be dispensed with. The net carrier for capture drones is designed to attack targets from above, so the device works with potential energy.

For the movement of the safety net from a transport position into an operational position, the net support for safety drones has a mechanical device. In principle, any device would be suitable, but pyrotechnically operated devices are deliberately avoided in order to make handling safer and easier. Likewise, hydraulically or pneumatically operated devices are not the subject of the invention, since energy storage is heavier, more expensive and unnecessarily complex. In principle, the use of the potential energy by attaching the net carrier to the underside of the capture drone is sufficient to move the mechanical device from the transport position to the operational position.

The movement can be supported by spring-loaded elements to run faster or more precisely. This advantageous embodiment is described in claim 2. The spring-loaded elements can support the mechanical device in a translational or rotational movement. For example, but not exclusively, the movement of telescopic arms directed downwards and outwards can be supported. Likewise, the rotational movement of a be accelerated and/or supported by arms supported on one side of a column. By supporting it is meant that the corresponding movements of the elements reach an end position in any case.

In order to increase the effectiveness of the safety net at the target, it is intended to impregnate the safety net with adhesives or irritants. Adhesives can prevent a net from being thrown off moving targets, and irritants, in addition to impeding movement, also have a disruptive effect on the sensory organs or sensors of the targets. Close-meshed nets that impair visibility, for example, are also disruptive in addition to their property of restricting movement. This advantageous embodiment is described in dependent claim 3.

For a better understanding, the following functional sequence is described: The net carrier for capture drones is flexibly attached below a capture drone so that its vertical position is maintained during all flight maneuvers of the capture drone and vice versa the flight maneuverability of the capture drone is not or only very slightly influenced by the attachment of the net carrier. A flexible, cushioned attachment is particularly advantageous. The capture drone is launched and guided to the target by radio remote control. The firing position for capturing a target is vertically above the target. The position can be assumed autonomously or controlled by the drone, with the sensors not being part of the invention. Before assuming the position above the target, the safety net is moved from a collapsed or suspended transport position to an operational, spread position using the mechanical device. The movement of the mechanical device can possibly be supported by spring-loaded elements to ensure that the end positions are reached safely. To capture the target, the net is released from the mechanical device and falls onto the target from above. Targets can be other drones, facilities such as buildings, vehicles, animals or people. Possibly the effect of the net at the finish line is increased by close-meshed nets, adhesives or irritants.

It shows 1 a net carrier according to the invention for capture drones in the transport position in the side view.

It shows 2 a net carrier according to the invention for capture drones in the operational position in the side view.

It shows 1 a net support for capture drones 1. The connecting device 2 is a clamped wire cable which has sufficient flexibility with appropriate damping due to internal friction. The mechanical device consists of a first octagon 3 and a second octagon 4 . The second octagon 4 is larger and placed below the first octagon 3 . The corners 5 of the octagons are connected to telescopic arms 6, the free ends 7 of which point downwards and outwards due to the differently sized design and arrangement of the octagons. The safety net 8 is connected to the free ends 7 of the telescopic arms 6 . In the transport position, the safety net 8 is still suspended in the space spanned by the first 3 and second octagon 4 .

It shows 2 a net support for capture drones 1. The connecting device 2 is a clamped wire cable which has sufficient flexibility with appropriate damping due to internal friction. The mechanical device consists of a first octagon 3 and a second octagon 4 . The second octagon 4 is larger and placed below the first octagon 3 . The corners of the octagons 5 are connected to telescopic arms 6, the free ends 7 of which point downwards and outwards due to the differently sized design and arrangement of the octagons. The safety net 8 is connected to the free ends 7 of the telescopic arms 6 . In the operational position, the telescopic arms 6 are extended using the spring-loaded elements 9 located within the telescopic arms 6 . The fishing net 8 is spread out between the free ends 7 of the telescopic arms 6 . In a next step, the safety net 8 is detached from all free ends 7 of the telescopic arms 6 at the same time.

Reference List

1

Net carrier for capture drones

2

connecting device

3

first octagon

4

second octagon

5

corners of the octagons

6

telescopic arms

7

free ends

8th

fishing net

9

spring-loaded elements

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• CN201715932U[0003]
• US10005556B2 [0004]
• US 2017/0355461 A1 [0005]

Claims (3)

Net carrier for capture drone having a connection device for capture drone, a mechanical device and a capture net, characterized in that - can be moved from a transport position into an operational position. - the safety net is collapsed in a transport position and spread out in an operational position and - the safety net can be detached from the mechanical device in the operational position. Net support for catch drone claim 1 characterized in that the mechanical device comprises spring-loaded elements. Net support for catch drone according to one of the Claims 1 and 2 , characterized in that the fishing net is impregnated.

Images