BR102020016568A2 - Structure for landing unmanned aircraft, receiving, sending and storing products - Google Patents

Abstract

The present technology, which is part of the technical field of express delivery systems, is configured as an automated management platform for sending and receiving objects through unmanned aircraft, called drones. The structure has a helipad (H1), storage compartments and an elevator for transporting products. The entire structure is controlled through a programmable logic controller (PLC) that controls the platform's sensors and actuators. The microcontroller (PLC) receives requests for sending or receiving loads via the internet. Analyzing the availability of storage compartments, the controller authorizes the drone to land and sends a command for the merchandise to be removed or taken to it. The integration of the system only allows the authorized person, through an individual password, to have access to the goods. The system also previously analyzes the characteristics of the cargo, such as its dimensions and weight, and will only authorize the loading/unloading of the container if it meets the pre-established conditions to guarantee the safety of the flight and delivery, facilitating possible regulations and eliminating dependence of human operators.

Description

STRUCTURE FOR LANDING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT, RECEIPT, SHIPPING AND STORAGE OF PRODUCTS Application field:

[001] The present invention patent refers to an automated management structure for sending and receiving objects by means of unmanned aircraft, called drones. Inserted in the technical field of express delivery systems, the invention consists of a platform with a helipad, storage compartments and an elevator for transporting objects. The entire structure is controlled through a programmable logic controller (PLC) that controls the platform's sensors and actuators.

Description of the state of the art:

[002] In recent years, the exponential development of technologies in the field of control and automation, in addition to software, hardware, batteries, location systems, among others; allowed the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to become a reality.

[003] Initially conceived as a military instrument, for monitoring the airspace and attacks on targets on the ground, the drones gradually reduced their dimensions, until they became suitable for carrying or attaching objects.

[004] As they do not depend on dedicated pilots, their operation is relatively cheap. At the same time, they are not impacted by factors such as traffic in cities and can carry out different types of delivery. As with traditional deliveries, there is no need to reroute a vehicle, with a delay in one delivery affecting all subsequent deliveries. For the creators of drone deliveries, the great advantages of their use are in cost and flexibility.

[005] In addition, delivery by drones facilitates the daily life of people who cannot leave the house due to some motor limitation, as in the case of the elderly and/or people with disabilities.

[006] At the beginning of the last decade, the use of drones for large-scale deliveries was already speculated. In 2013, the then president of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, signaled that he would make deliveries via drones available until 2018. The company carried out some tests, but failed to overcome specific obstacles, such as battery life and especially the lack of authorization from the agencies. regulators.

[007] Despite these barriers, other companies from all over the world have also entered this market, with high investments, developing new technologies and improving the delivery system. In the United States, for example, some department stores, pharmacies and fast-food chains are already using these devices to make deliveries.

[008] Emerging countries like Brazil were not left behind either, the establishment of partnerships between delivery companies, especially those of meals, and those of technology, allowed the first tests to be carried out and a regulatory panorama began to be discussed.

[009] At the beginning of the second half of 2020, ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency) issued the first Experimental Flight Authorization Certificate (CAVE) for a company to start the experimental delivery of products using unmanned aircraft in Brazil. The authorization granted by the agency brings significant importance to the sector and to the commercial development of new market opportunities. The drone developed and authorized for cargo transport operations weighs approximately 9 kg and can transport products up to 2 kg at a speed of 32 km/h.

[0010] With the increase in demand for deliveries combined with investments and the opening to create new legislation on the subject, several technologies were developed to improve the delivery system by drones, the patent applications described below are a reflection of this scenario.

[0011] BR 102016007081-3 discloses a logistics system for the delivery of goods by means of unmanned and controlled motorized devices from the ground, a system that comprises a telescopic platform of variable size according to the region's demand, so that this platform telescopic will be supported by tubes or channels fixed from the ground, which may vary, and will support the platform that will have a base fixed to the ground

[0012] WO2017034278 provides a delivery system using a drone, which is designed so that a user can receive or send a delivered product, using a platform installed on the edge of a window without leaving a building to receive the product. To this end, the present invention proposes a drone delivery system comprising: a drone with a first docking device for docking with a standard delivery box; the standard box having a second docking device corresponding to the first docking device of the drone and a third docking device for docking with a platform on which the standard box is placed

[0013] US20170203857 presents a system and device for a drone docking station for depositing delivered items. Items may include, but are not limited to, food items, groceries, and parcels. A secure porch, roof, window or box mounted on another building can be attached through an existing building or it can be configured to mount to an existing mailbox and actually take the place of the mailbox.

[0014] US201862731562 reveals a delivery management center for drones. The facility is arranged to determine whether the load matches a delivery based on a comparison of one or more determined physical characteristics, such as payload.

[0015] CN108163199 discloses an automatic express receiving device for drones that aims to solve the problem of securing the device during landing.

State of the art analysis:

[0016] Despite the large amount of technologies involving new methods and delivery systems, it is possible to observe a series of distinctions between the state of the art and the present invention. The proposals found involve, in general, the capture of the merchandise by the drone in a specific location and the delivery made in gardens or structures fixed on the roofs or windows of the houses or establishments.

[0017] Another significant difference is that the matter claimed has a system similar to that of cargo control present at airports, respecting the proper proportions, in which goods and objects will only be transported to unmanned aerial vehicles if they respect the weight conditions and pre-set size. This system avoids possible risks and accidents resulting from the negligence of human operators.

[0018] Geolocation, control mechanisms and obstacle avoidance by drones are objects of other technologies and patents that are not part of the scope of the claims of the present invention. Furthermore, the aforementioned patents do not refer to structures that allow the automated management of several objects at the same time, being able to store them and make them available for deliveries without the need for direct human interference.

Brief description of the objective:

[0019] In order to develop a new structure for landing unmanned aircraft, with a system for receiving, sending and storing objects in a fully automated way, the present invention was proposed. Its functionalities can be better understood by the following detailed description in line with the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 depicts an isometric view of the solid landing structure with no components installed.
Figure 2 presents a top view, identifying the landing site (H1) of unmanned aircraft.
Figure 3 represents a schematic internal front view of the landing and management platform, identifying all the components present; such as sensors, actuators, motors, elevator and antenna, in addition to storage containers.
Figure 4 represents the schematic external front view, in which the individual can remove the goods belonging to him, in the drawer (G1), by means of a previously granted access code.
Figure 5 depicts the schematic side view of the platform with access doors for equipment maintenance.
Figure 6 refers to a front view of the container (CC1), for moving simple loads.
Figure 7 refers to a front view of the container (CC2), for moving loads with a movable bottom.
Figure 8 shows a schematic top view of the helipad, landing site for unmanned aircraft.

Detailed description of the invention:

[0020] The microcontroller (PLC) receives requests for sending or receiving loads via the internet. Analyzing the availability of storage compartments, the controller authorizes the drone to land and sends a command for the merchandise to be removed or taken to it.

[0021] The product to be delivered/received must be in a standardized packaging that will be removed/inserted into the transport compartment of the unmanned aerial vehicle in a fully automated way. The system will make a prior analysis of the characteristics of the load, such as its dimensions and weight, and will only authorize the loading/unloading of the container if it meets the pre-established conditions to guarantee the safety of the flight and delivery.

[0022] Due to the large number of components such as sensors, actuators, motors, among others, these will be presented in the form of a table in order to give clarity to the claimed matter:

[0023] The integration of the system allows the merchandise to be placed or removed only by the authorized person, who will receive a password to perform this procedure.

[0024] The components described in the table above are part of the main constructive configuration of the platform, which may undergo variations, but which will always have the automated management system.

[0025] Initially designed to have three storage floors (A1, A2 and A3), a floor for loading or removing goods (A0) and a drawer (G1) for receiving letters and generic orders, the structure can be adapted and manufactured with any variation in the number of floors, notably with different heights, according to the customer's needs. The materials for the construction of the structure and the fixation/position of the components may also vary.

[0026] The helipad (H1) has dimensions that allow the landing of several models of unmanned aircraft, which will perform the landing and take-off procedure through its own positioning and geolocation system.

Application Examples:

• 1. O PLC recebe através da rede de internet uma solicitação para recebimento de uma carga;
• 2. O PLC verificar se existe algum compartimento disponível para recebimento. Essa leitura é feita através da leitura dos sensores (S3, S4, S5 e S6);
• 3. O PLC envia através da internet o status em que se encontra os compartimentos;
• 4. Se o compartimento se encontra disponível o PLC fica aguardando a chegada da aeronave.

RECEBIMENTO E ENVIO DA CARGA

• 1. A aeronave faz o pouso no heliponto (H1);
• 2. O PLC faz a identificação da aeronave através do transmissor de rádio;
• 3. O PLC gira o heliponto (H1) através do motor (M3), até que o container anexado na aeronave consiga fechar os dois feixes eletromagnéticos (S1) e (S2) de forma a deixar o container alinhado para o transporte da carga dentro da estrutura;
• 4. O PLC aciona o motor de elevação de carga (M1) que comanda a correia (C1) através da torre de elevação (F3) deslocando a plataforma de carregamento (B1) até o andar em que se encontra o container. A identificação do andar em que se encontra a plataforma de carregamento é feita através dos sensores (S7, S8, S9, S10 e S11). O motor (M2) é acionado movimentando para frente o garfo (B2) através da correia (C2) até que o mesmo se encaixe na estrutura do container;
• 5. O garfo faz o movimento de retorno da carga para o corpo da plataforma de carregamento;
• 6. O elevador desloca o container até o andar de destino;
• 7. O container é alocado no Armazém (A1, A2 ou A3) de destino.

ENTREGA DA CARGA TIPO ENCOMENDA

• 1. A pessoa acessa a opção de retirada da carga com a senha de acesso no teclado na frente (I2) na frente da estrutura;
• 2. O PLC faz a validação da senha de acesso através da internet;
• 3. Se aprovado o PLC recebe a informação sobre qual container deve entregar e em qual andar ele se encontra;
• 4. O elevador se desloca até o andar solicitado;
• 5. Recolhe o container do armazém e desloca ela até o andar de desembarque (A0);
• 6. A trava eletromagnética (T0) faz o processo de abertura;
• 7. Uma mensagem para retirada da carga é enviada para o monitor (I1);
• 8. O cliente retira a carga;
• 9. Após a retirada da carga e fechamento da porta;
• 10. O PLC válida através do sensor (S11) se a porta foi fechada;
• 11. O elevador recolhe o container vazio do andar de desembarque e o recoloca no andar em que se encontrava inicialmente;
• 12. O PLC envia para a central através da internet a informação de conclusão do processo.

ENVIO DA CARGA TIPO ENCOMENDA

• 1. O cliente acessa a opção de envio de carga com a senha de acesso no teclado (I2) na frente da estrutura;
• 2. O PLC faz a validação da senha de acesso através da internet;
• 3. Se aprovado o PLC faz o deslocamento do elevador até o andar em que se encontra o container disponível, faz o recolhimento do container, desloca até o andar de embarque e aloca o container;
• 4. O processo de abertura da porta é feito;
• 5. O cliente deposita a carga no container;
• 6. Após o fechamento da porta o PLC faz a validação do peso da carga através da célula de carga (S12);
• 7. Se o peso for reprovado uma mensagem é enviada para o monitor (I1) e a porta do terminal é aberta novamente;
• 8. Se o peso for aprovado, o elevador recolhe o container e o armazena no andar disponível até a chegada da aeronave para recolhimento;
• 9. O PLC envia uma mensagem para a central através da internet informando sobre o recebimento da carga e solicitando o recolhimento da carga por uma aeronave;
• 10. Após a chegada da aeronave o processo de envio do container é feito como no descritivo do processo recebimento e envio de carga.

RECEBIMENTO DE CARGA TIPO CARTA

• 1. Após a identificação da aeronave com a carga do tipo cartas ou cargas genéricas;
• 2. O elevador recebe o container (CC2) do drone e o desloca até o terminal de desembarque (A0);
• 3. Após a acoplagem do container no terminal o contato elétrico (E1) da estrutura é conectado com o contato elétrico do container E2;
• 4. O PLC envia o comando de abertura do fundo do container através do contato elétrico;
• 5. O motor (M4) é acionado fazendo com que a estrutura física do container (CC2) se abra de forma que a carga se desloca para a gaveta (G1) que se encontra abaixo do terminal de desembarque;
• 6. O PLC envia o comando para fechamento do fundo do container;
• 7. O Elevador faz o recolhimento do container e o desloca até o andar da aeronave;
• 8. O Elevador faz o processo de entrega do container a aeronave;
• 9. O PLC faz a notificação para a central de conclusão do processo.

[0027] The equipment can be used in companies or homes to receive or send objects, the steps of the possible applications of the structure are put in the topics below:
REQUEST TO RECEIVE GOODS

• 1. The PLC receives a request through the internet network to receive a load;
• 2. The PLC checks if there is any compartment available for receiving. This reading is done by reading the sensors (S3, S4, S5 and S6);
• 3. The PLC sends the status of the compartments via the internet;
• 4. If the compartment is available, the PLC is waiting for the arrival of the aircraft.

RECEIPT AND SHIPMENT OF CARGO

• 1. The aircraft lands on the helipad (H1);
• 2. The PLC makes the identification of the aircraft through the radio transmitter;
• 3. The PLC rotates the helipad (H1) through the engine (M3), until the container attached to the aircraft is able to close the two electromagnetic beams (S1) and (S2) in order to leave the container aligned for the transport of the cargo inside. of the structure;
• 4. The PLC activates the load lifting motor (M1) which controls the belt (C1) through the lifting tower (F3) moving the loading platform (B1) to the floor where the container is located. The identification of the floor where the loading platform is located is done through the sensors (S7, S8, S9, S10 and S11). The motor (M2) is activated by moving the fork (B2) forward through the belt (C2) until it fits into the container structure;
• 5. The fork returns the load to the body of the loading platform;
• 6. The elevator moves the container to the destination floor;
• 7. The container is allocated at the destination Warehouse (A1, A2 or A3).

ORDER TYPE CARGO DELIVERY

• 1. The person accesses the load removal option with the access password on the keyboard on the front (I2) on the front of the structure;
• 2. The PLC validates the access password via the internet;
• 3. If approved, the PLC receives information about which container it should deliver and on which floor it is located;
• 4. The elevator moves to the requested floor;
• 5. Collects the container from the warehouse and moves it to the unloading floor (A0);
• 6. Electromagnetic lock (T0) does the opening process;
• 7. A message to remove the load is sent to the monitor (I1);
• 8. The customer removes the load;
• 9. After removing the load and closing the door;
• 10. The PLC validates through the sensor (S11) if the door has been closed;
• 11. The elevator picks up the empty container from the unloading floor and puts it back on the floor where it was originally located;
• 12. The PLC sends the process completion information to the central via the internet.

SHIPMENT OF ORDER TYPE CARGO

• 1. The customer accesses the cargo shipping option with the access password on the keyboard (I2) on the front of the structure;
• 2. The PLC validates the access password via the internet;
• 3. If approved, the PLC moves the elevator to the floor where the container is available, collects the container, moves it to the boarding floor and allocates the container;
• 4. The door opening process is done;
• 5. The customer deposits the cargo in the container;
• 6. After closing the door, the PLC validates the load weight through the load cell (S12);
• 7. If the weight fails, a message is sent to the monitor (I1) and the terminal door is opened again;
• 8. If the weight is approved, the elevator collects the container and stores it on the available floor until the aircraft arrives for collection;
• 9. The PLC sends a message to the central via the internet informing about the receipt of the cargo and requesting the collection of the cargo by an aircraft;
• 10. After the arrival of the aircraft, the process of sending the container is done as described in the process of receiving and sending cargo.

LETTER-TYPE CARGO RECEIPT

• 1. After the identification of the aircraft with the cargo type letters or generic cargo;
• 2. The elevator receives the container (CC2) from the drone and moves it to the unloading terminal (A0);
• 3. After coupling the container to the terminal, the electrical contact (E1) of the structure is connected to the electrical contact of the E2 container;
• 4. The PLC sends the command to open the bottom of the container through the electrical contact;
• 5. The motor (M4) is activated causing the physical structure of the container (CC2) to open so that the load moves to the drawer (G1) which is located below the unloading terminal;
• 6. The PLC sends the command to close the bottom of the container;
• 7. The Elevator collects the container and moves it to the aircraft floor;
• 8. The Elevator makes the process of delivering the container to the aircraft;
• 9. The PLC notifies the process completion center.

Claims (6)

STRUCTURE FOR LANDING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT, RECEIVING, SHIPPING AND STORAGE OF PRODUCTS, manufactured from any type of material and size, according to customer needs, having an automated system controlled by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC) connected to the internet, in which objects will only be transported to unmanned aerial vehicles if they meet the pre-established weight and size conditions, characterized by the structure having a helipad (H1) for landing and take-off of unmanned aircraft, storage compartments (A0, A1, A2 and A3), elevator for transporting products (F1), sensors, antennas, actuators and a command center, not limited to them. STRUCTURE FOR LANDING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT, RECEIVING, SENDING AND STORAGE OF PRODUCTS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the command center has a monitor (l1) and a keyboard (l2) for the user to enter a password previously made available for boarding or unload goods on the platform. STRUCTURE FOR LANDING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT, RECEIVING, SHIPPING AND STORAGE OF PRODUCTS, according to claim 1, characterized by the platform having side access to the internal structure for repairs and maintenance. STRUCTURE FOR LANDING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT, RECEIVING, SENDING AND STORAGE OF PRODUCTS, according to claim 1, characterized by the sensors (S1 and S2) aligning the received cargo, (S3, S4, S5 and S6) monitoring the cargo compartments , (S7, S8, S9 and S10) synchronize with the central the floor where the freight elevator is (F1), closing contact when the elevator passes through that floor, (S11) check the state of the door access to cargo and (S12) monitor the weight of the cargo, sending information to the command center. STRUCTURE FOR LANDING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT, RECEIVING, SHIPPING AND STORAGE OF PRODUCTS, according to claim 1, characterized by the actuator (TO) being a lock to manage the access door of the main compartment, (M1) an engine that to control the lifting of the load to the floor requested by the central, (M2) a motor that drives the grip that connects to the load structure, (M3) a motor that makes the helipad move on the same axis to align the load and (M4 ) another engine that makes the bottom of the container open and close. STRUCTURE FOR LANDING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT, RECEIVING, SENDING AND STORAGE OF PRODUCTS, according to claims 1 to 6, characterized by the platform removing or placing containers on the drones in an automated way, with or without goods.

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