WO2023169086A1

WO2023169086A1 - Charging base station network system

Info

Publication number: WO2023169086A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/072297
Authority: WO
Inventors: 邹德春; 简蓉
Original assignee: 北京大学; 南京宏沛光电科技有限公司
Priority date: 2022-03-08
Filing date: 2023-01-16
Publication date: 2023-09-14
Also published as: CN114834292A

Abstract

A charging base station network system, comprising: a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicle base stations and a central command center (U0); the unmanned aerial vehicle base stations are distributed in a preset area according to a preset distance, the preset distance being the distance between any two adjacent unmanned aerial vehicle base stations; and the central command center (U0) and the unmanned aerial vehicle base stations perform signal communication. Each unmanned aerial vehicle base station comprises: a power generation and storage platform, an unmanned aerial vehicle group (U3), a charging platform (U5), and a base station console (U6). The power generation and storage platforms are configured to supply power to the unmanned aerial vehicle base stations, the power supply amount of the power generation and storage platforms being regulated on the basis of the power consumption requirements of the charging base station network system; the base station consoles (U6) transmit signals to and receive signals from the central command center (U0) and the unmanned aerial vehicle base stations, and acquire information such as the location, environment and working conditions of the unmanned aerial vehicle base stations; each unmanned aerial vehicle group (U3) comprises at least two unmanned aerial vehicles which leave the unmanned aerial vehicle base station to execute a flight task; and the charging platforms (U5) are electrically connected to the unmanned aerial vehicles to charge the unmanned aerial vehicles. The charging base station network system solves the problem of on-site charging of unmanned aerial vehicles which are sent to an area far away from a populated area to carry out investigation work.

Description

Charging base station network system

Technical field

The present disclosure belongs to the field of drones and power generation and energy storage, and specifically relates to a charging base station network system.

Background technique

In recent years, the application fields of drones have become more and more extensive, from simple toys, to aerial array pattern performances, aerial photography, to aerial reconnaissance, remote sensing, and even participation in combat. In sharp contrast to the controllability and stability of UAVs, which are getting better and better, the continuous flight time of UAVs in the air is still far from actual application requirements, especially the long-range flight capability is still seriously insufficient. . This problem mainly comes from the fact that the energy density of the rechargeable battery that the drone can carry is not high enough, and the non-working flight distance is long for the round trip. In response to these problems, the most important solution at present is to extend the sustainable flight time by increasing the energy density of the battery, reducing the weight of the drone itself, optimizing the power consumption mode, etc. However, the effects of these methods are very limited. On the other hand, our country has a vast territory with vast uninhabited land and sea areas. Exploration, reconnaissance, mapping, and defense of these land and sea areas can only be done selectively by manual operations, and the only way to reach them is on foot and large aircraft. , where conditions permit, land vehicles, ships, etc. can be used for short-term operations. Even so, the cost of the round trip and operation process is huge, the safety risk is high, the area that can be covered is limited, the number of areas that can be involved is small, and the process time is long; almost It is impossible to achieve high-density, full coverage, and normalized exploration, reconnaissance, mapping, and defense.

Contents of the invention

(1) Technical problems to be solved

The present disclosure provides a charging base station network system to solve the above-mentioned technical problem of on-site power supply for drones.

(2) Technical solutions

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a charging base station network system is provided, including:

A plurality of UAV base stations are distributed in a preset area according to the preset distance; wherein the preset distance is characterized by the distance between any two adjacent UAV base stations. distance; and

A central command center receives communication signals sent by the UAV base station and sends command signals to the UAV base station to control the working status of the UAV base station;

The UAV base station includes:

A power generation and storage platform configured to supply power to each of the UAV base stations and adjust the power supply of the power generation and storage platform according to the power demand of the charging base station network system;

A base station console is configured to receive or transmit communication signals with the central command center and each of the UAV base stations, and to obtain the positioning information, environmental information, and charging base station network system of the UAV base station. status information;

A drone swarm including at least two drones configured to leave the drone base station to perform a flight mission; and

A charging platform is electrically connected to the drone and configured to charge the drone.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the power generation and storage platform includes:

A power generation unit, the power supply output by the power generation unit is configured to power the UAV base station; and

The energy storage unit is configured to store excess electricity and replenish insufficient electricity based on the actual power generation output capacity of the power generation unit and the power demand of the charging base station network system.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the UAV base station further includes:

UAV garage. An entrance or exit is provided on the top or side of the UAV garage. The UAV enters or flies out of the UAV garage through the entrance or exit. The charging platform is provided in the UAV garage. Inside.

A monitoring unit collects internal and external monitoring information of the UAV base station, collects working status information of the UAV inside or around the UAV base station, and combines the monitoring information and the working status information of the UAV. Status information is sent to the base station console.

The base station environment sensing unit collects internal and external environmental information of the UAV base station and sends the environmental information to the base station console.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the output power of the power generation unit is 0.1 to 10KW.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the power generation unit includes one or more of a photovoltaic power generation module, a wind power generation module, a self-storage fuel-assisted power generation module, a rainwater power generation module, and a wave power generation module.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the power generation unit includes a photovoltaic power generation module, and the photovoltaic power generation module includes:

Photovoltaic panels configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy when exposed to sunlight; and

The photovoltaic panel cleaning part is configured to clean the surface of the photovoltaic panel.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the base station environment sensing unit includes: one or more of a temperature and humidity sensor, a wind direction sensor, a rain sensor, and an ambient light sensor.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the preset distance is d, where 1km<d<100km.

(3) Beneficial effects

It can be seen from the above technical solutions that the charging base station network system of the present disclosure has at least one or part of the following beneficial effects:

(1) This disclosure comprehensively solves the problem of on-site charging of UAVs sent to carry out investigation work far away from inhabited areas.

(2) This disclosure enables UAVs to be permanently stationed in offshore island areas for a long time and perform normalized, full-coverage regional observation and guarding tasks by building a distributed charging base station network system based on natural energy.

(3) The drone in this disclosure can continue flying after being charged at a nearby drone base station, making it easy to return to manned areas such as a central command center and receive maintenance.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a charging base station network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 is a structural block diagram of a UAV base station in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the power consumption relationship between the power generation unit, power storage unit, charging platform and drone in any base station in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the communication relationship between each base station console and the relationship between the base station console, the drone group, the monitoring unit, and the base station environment sensing unit in any base station in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Reference signs:

U0-Central command center;

U1-power generation unit;

U2-energy storage unit;

U3-UAV swarm;

U4-drone library;

U5-charging platform;

U6-base station console;

U7-monitoring unit;

U8-base station environment sensing unit.

Detailed ways

The present disclosure provides a charging base station network system, including: multiple UAV base stations and a central command center. The multiple UAV base stations are distributed in a preset area according to a preset distance; wherein the preset distance is represented by any two The distance between adjacent UAV base stations; the central command center receives the communication signals sent by the UAV base station and sends command signals to the UAV base station to control the working status of the UAV group. The UAV base station includes: power generation and storage platform, UAV group and charging platform. The power generation and storage platform is configured to supply power to each UAV base station, and adjust the power supply of the power generation and storage platform according to the power demand of the charging base station network system; the UAV group includes at least one UAV, and the UAV is configured to leave UAV base station to perform flight to perform tasks; the charging platform is electrically connected to the drone and configured to charge the drone.

In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure more clear, the present disclosure will be further described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, some, but not all, of which are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.

In a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a charging base station network system is provided, as shown in Figure 1 , including: multiple UAV base stations and a central command center U0. As shown in Figure 1, for example, multiple UAV base stations S0, S1, Si-2, Si-1, Ski-1, Ski-i, etc. are distributed in an array according to a preset distance d in a preset area. Among them, the preset distance d is characterized by the distance between any two adjacent UAV base stations, where 1km<d<100km. The central command center U0 receives the communication signals sent by the UAV base station and sends command signals to the UAV base station to control the working status of the UAV group in the UAV base station.

Please refer to Figures 2 to 4. The drone base station includes: power generation and storage platform, base station console U6, drone group U3 and charging platform U5. The power generation and storage platform is configured to supply power to each UAV base station, and adjust the power supply of the power generation and storage platform according to the power demand of the charging base station network system. The base station console U6 is configured to collect, monitor and communicate with the central command center U0 about the environment and working conditions of the UAV base station, ensuring that the central command center U0 controls and correctly commands the status of the base station. The UAV group U3 includes at least two UAVs, and the UAVs are configured to leave the UAV base station to perform flight tasks; the charging platform U5 is electrically connected to the UAVs and configured to charge the UAVs.

A detailed introduction to UAV group U3 is as follows. The UAV group U3 is configured to perform various tasks such as surveying and system maintenance. The UAV group U3 includes at least two UAVs, at least one of which can perform aerial reconnaissance missions. There can also be special drones that are specialized in carrying objects within the base station system, cleaning photovoltaic panels, and patrolling the surrounding environment. There are even robots that can only move on the ground and perform operations such as moving objects. The drone in non-mission status stays in the drone library U4 or on the charging platform U5.

A detailed introduction to the charging platform U5 is as follows. The charging platform U5 is configured to charge any drone in the drone group U3 to replenish power. The charging mode of the charging platform U5 can be wireless charging or wired charging, and wireless charging is preferred. The charging platform U5 can be partially integrated on the parking platform in the drone hangar U4, or an open-air charging platform can be built outside the hangar. The preferred charging method for the open-air charging platform is wireless charging. The charging platform U5 can use position sensors, electromagnetic force, translation and rotation and other motion mechanisms to achieve accurate docking of the charging electrodes with the drone charging interface during charging.

When the power consumption of the operating drone reaches the warning level, the drone will terminate the mission, return to its corresponding drone base station, select the charging platform U5 available for charging, land and replenish power, and fully charge The remaining drones continue to perform tasks or fly back to the drone library U4 to wait for the next order.

The power generation and storage platform includes: power generation unit U1 and energy storage unit U2. Among them, the power generation unit U1 and the following are respectively responsible for power generation. Unit U1 and energy storage unit U2 are introduced in detail.

The power supply output by the power generation unit U1 is configured to power the UAV base station. The size of the power generation capacity can be designed according to the overall power demand of the machine station, which is generally in the range of hundreds of watts to tens of kilowatts. The power station is the core component of the machine station, and the nearest power generation conditions can be selected with the best conditions, that is, solar energy, wind energy Construction in areas with the most abundant natural energy such as , wave energy, etc.; it can be land or water surface (river surface, river surface, lake surface, sea surface). The ground or water surface closest to the center of the mission airspace is preferred. The preferred power generation mode of power generation unit U1 is a composite power generation mode that combines photovoltaic power generation modules and wind power generation modules. It can also be the power generation mode of one of the modules, or even other types of power generation, such as self-storage fuel-assisted power generation modules and rainwater power generation. Modules, wave power modules, etc. Depending on the power consumption mode, the output of electric energy can be in two modes: AC and DC, and can even be output in the form of rechargeable microwaves.

If a photovoltaic power generation module is used, it can specifically include photovoltaic panels and a photovoltaic panel cleaning department. Photovoltaic panels convert solar energy into electricity when exposed to sunlight. The photovoltaic panel cleaning department analyzes the changes in sensor parameters corresponding to the cleanliness of the photovoltaic panel through external instructions or the base station console U6, and then issues instructions to clean the light-receiving surface of the photovoltaic panel to ensure that external light enters the photovoltaic power generation panel to the maximum extent. The specific operations of the photovoltaic panel cleaning department can be completed by robots or drones with cleaning functions.

The energy storage unit U2 is configured to adjust the power supply of the power generation unit U1 according to the power demand of the charging base station network system, specifically to store excess power or to use the power that has been stored previously to replenish the insufficient power at that time.

Storing the electric energy that cannot be consumed in time by the power generation unit U1 plays a role in regulating the power supply and demand of the entire power system of the UAV base station. For example, the stored power in the energy storage unit U2 can provide power for the charging platform U5. The energy storage unit U2 can be constructed independently of the power generation unit U1 and be connected to the power generation unit U1 through wires, or it can be integrated with the power generation unit U1 to form an integrated structure. The energy storage unit U2 may specifically be an energy storage battery.

Energy storage batteries can be lead-acid batteries or lithium-ion batteries. In principle, there are no restrictions on battery types, and the results are subject to a comprehensive evaluation of capacity requirements, safety, long-term stability, and cost. Depending on the type and mode of power consumption of the charging base station network system, there may also be transformers, inverters, power conversion units, etc. attached to the power generation unit U1 and energy storage unit U2 to meet the needs of direct lighting, direct contact charging, and wireless charging. , AC power, DC power and other different power consumption modes.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the construction of the base station console U6 follows the principles of convenient communication, anti-interference, and minimal impact from harsh external environments. The base station console U6 is connected to various sensors, audio and video units in the drone base station through wired, wireless, Bluetooth and other communication methods to obtain relevant information in real time and send relevant information to the central command center U0 in real time.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the drone base station further includes: a drone library U4. The drone library U4 is configured to park drones to avoid long-term exposure of drones to unfavorable environments such as wind, rain, sun, frost, snow, etc. After the hangar doors and windows are completely closed, a relatively closed parking space should be formed that can withstand adverse external environmental conditions, such as strong wind, heavy rain, sand, dust, ice and snow, etc. In principle, the parking platform in the hangar should have a charging function.

The roof of the drone garage U4 can be opened and closed. When the drone needs to enter or exit, the roof of the drone garage U4 can be opened automatically, making it convenient for the drone to take off and land vertically on the spot.

The UAV hangar U4 can also be opened from the side of the UAV hangar U4. The parking platform inside the hangar can be rotated or translated to the outside of the hangar to facilitate vertical take-off and landing of the UAV.

The drone hangar U4 can also transport the drone from the parking platform of the drone hangar U4 to the take-off platform outside the hangar through the drone transport movement platform, or the reverse process.

For UAV base stations with photovoltaic panels, if the height conditions permit, the preferred location for constructing the UAV garage U4 is the space under the photovoltaic panel, so that the UAV can obtain a double protection effect.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the UAV base station also includes: a monitoring unit U7, which collects various environmental monitoring information inside and outside the UAV base station, and collects the information of UAVs inside or around the UAV base station. motion status information, and sends monitoring information and motion status information to the base station console U6.

In a specific embodiment, the monitoring unit U7 uses an on-site audio and video monitoring system to monitor key parts inside and outside the UAV base station in real time through sound and image sensors; it can also observe the conditions inside and around the UAV base station. The action execution process of the UAV after receiving the instruction, and the obtained audio and video information is transmitted to the base station console U6 in real time. The base station console U6 can transmit the relevant audio and video information back to the central command according to needs or instructions from the central command center U0. Center U0.

In a specific embodiment, the UAV base station also includes: a base station environment sensing unit U8, which collects internal and external environmental information of the UAV base station and sends the environmental information to the base station console U6.

In a specific embodiment, the base station environment sensing unit U8 uses a base station environment sensing and management system. The base station environment sensing and management system obtains environmental information inside and around the base station in real time through temperature and humidity sensors, wind direction sensors, rain sensors, ambient light sensors, photovoltaic panel lighting sensors, etc., and transmits this environmental information to anyone in real time. One base station console U6, any base station console U6 can transmit it back to the central command center U0 according to needs or instructions from the central command center U0. Based on the collected environmental information, the base station console U6 or the central command center U0 determines whether to issue specific instructions. For example, if the weather is no longer suitable for flying, flight activities will be stopped immediately. If there is going to be strong winds and heavy rain, , order the drone to return to the warehouse. If the temperature of important spaces or parts, such as the drone warehouse U4, base station console U6, battery, etc., is abnormal (too low or too high), order the air conditioning system to perform relevant heating and cooling tasks; If the lighting of the photovoltaic panels is poor, direct the cleaning operations of the photovoltaic panels. In short, it plays a real-time monitoring and protection role for UAV base stations.

So far, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that implementation methods not shown or described in the drawings or the text of the specification are all forms known to those of ordinary skill in the technical field and have not been described in detail. In addition, the above definitions of each element and method are not limited to the various specific structures and methods mentioned in the embodiments. Shape or manner, those skilled in the art can simply change or replace it.

Based on the above description, those skilled in the art should have a clear understanding of the disclosed charging base station network system.

To sum up, this disclosure establishes a permanent power station and a permanent drone base station in areas where long-term and normalized drone operations are to be carried out; the drone base station can be used to charge drones that need charging on-site. , ensuring that drones operating in this area have long-term endurance.

It should also be noted that the directional terms mentioned in the embodiments, such as "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", etc., are only for reference to the directions of the drawings, not used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, the same elements are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. Conventional structures or constructions will be omitted where they may obscure the understanding of the present disclosure.

Moreover, the shapes and sizes of the components in the figures do not reflect the actual sizes and proportions, but only illustrate the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

Unless expressly stated to the contrary, the numerical parameters in this specification and the appended claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired characteristics derived from the teachings of this disclosure. Specifically, all numbers used in the specification and claims to express compositional contents, reaction conditions, etc. should be understood to be modified by the word "about" in all cases. In general, the meaning of the expression is to include a variation of ±10% in some embodiments, ±5% in some embodiments, ±1% in some embodiments, and ±1% in some embodiments. ±0.5% variation in the example.

Furthermore, the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in a claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

The ordinal numbers used in the description and claims, such as "first", "second", "third", etc., are used to modify the corresponding elements. They themselves do not mean that the element has any ordinal number, nor do they mean that the element has any ordinal number. Represents the order of a certain component with another component, or the order in the manufacturing method. The use of these serial numbers is only used to clearly distinguish one component with a certain name from another component with the same name.

Similarly, it should be understood that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, various features of the disclosure are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment in order to streamline the disclosure and assist in understanding one or more of the various disclosed aspects. figure, or its description. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, disclosed aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this disclosure.

The above-mentioned specific embodiments further describe the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present disclosure in detail. It should be understood that the above-mentioned are only specific embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of this disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

A charging base station network system, including:

A plurality of UAV base stations are distributed in a preset area according to the preset distance; wherein the preset distance is characterized by the distance between any two adjacent UAV base stations. distance; and

The central command center (U0) receives the communication signal sent by the UAV base station and sends an instruction signal to the UAV base station to control the working status of the UAV base station;

The UAV base station includes:

A power generation and storage platform configured to supply power to each of the UAV base stations and adjust the power supply of the power generation and storage platform according to the power demand of the charging base station network system;

The base station console (U6) is configured to receive or transmit communication signals with the central command center (U0) and each of the UAV base stations, and obtain the positioning information, environmental information of the UAV base station, Working condition information of the charging base station network system;

A UAV group (U3), including at least two UAVs configured to leave the UAV base station to perform flight missions; and

A charging platform (U5) is electrically connected to the drone and configured to charge the drone.
The charging base station network system according to claim 1, wherein the power generation and storage platform includes:

A power generation unit (U1), the power supply output by the power generation unit (U1) is configured to power the UAV base station; and

The energy storage unit (U2) is configured to store excess electricity and replenish insufficient electricity based on the actual power generation output capacity of the power generation unit (U1) and the power demand of the charging base station network system.
The charging base station network system according to claim 1, wherein the UAV base station further includes:

UAV garage (U4), the top or side of the UAV garage (U4) is provided with an entrance and exit, and the UAV enters or flies out of the UAV garage (U4) through the entrance and exit, and the charging The platform (U5) is arranged in the drone library (U4).
The charging base station network system according to claim 1, wherein the UAV base station further includes:

The monitoring unit (U7) collects the internal and external monitoring information of the UAV base station, collects the working status information of the UAV inside or around the UAV base station, and combines the monitoring information with The working status information is sent to the base station console (U6).
The charging base station network system according to claim 1, wherein the UAV base station further includes:

The base station environment sensing unit (U8) collects internal and external environmental information of the UAV base station and sends the environmental information to the base station console (U6).
The charging base station network system according to claim 2, wherein the output power of the power generation unit (U1) is 0.1~10KW.
The charging base station network system according to claim 2, wherein the power generation unit (U1) includes one or more of a photovoltaic power generation module, a wind power generation module, a self-storage fuel-assisted power generation module, a rainwater power generation module, and a wave power generation module. kind.
The charging base station network system according to claim 2, wherein the power generation unit (U1) includes a photovoltaic power generation module, and the photovoltaic power generation module includes:

Photovoltaic panels configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy when exposed to sunlight; and

The photovoltaic panel cleaning part is configured to clean the surface of the photovoltaic panel.
The charging base station network system according to claim 6, wherein the base station environment sensing unit (U8) includes: one or more of a temperature and humidity sensor, a wind direction sensor, a rain sensor and an ambient light sensor.
The charging base station network system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the preset distance is d, where 1km<d<100km.