Patent Application
20240076144
This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-139375 filed Sep. 1, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a package receiving and storage apparatus that receives a package from an unmanned aircraft.
Drone ports that receive packages from unmanned aircraft are known. Patent Document 1 (JP 2021-046111A) discloses a drone port that includes a takeoff and landing section on an upper surface of a framework of a building, and receives a package released from an unmanned aircraft that has landed on the takeoff and landing section.
The takeoff and landing section of the drone port described in Patent Document 1 is open to the outside, and therefore foreign matter such as water droplets and dust may adhere to a package when the package is released and transported at the takeoff and landing section. Depending on the structure of the unmanned aircraft, foreign matter such as water droplets and dust may also adhere to the package during flight. In the case where a package that has been released from the unmanned aircraft is stored in a storage section, the foreign matter such as water droplets and dust adhering to the package may separate from the package inside the storage section and accumulate as waste matter, dirtiness, or the like.
Therefore, in view of the foregoing, there is a desire to realize a technique that makes it possible to easily avoid the case where foreign matter adhering to a package accumulates as waste matter, dirtiness, or the like in a storage section.
A package receiving and storage apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a takeoff and landing section at which an unmanned aircraft is capable of taking off and landing; a package receiving section configured to receive a first package from the unmanned aircraft; a storage section configured to store a plurality of packages including the first package; a retrieval section at which the first package stored in the storage section is retrievable; a transport device configured to transport the first package between the package receiving section, the storage section, and the retrieval section; and a gas spray device installed at the package receiving section or in a package transport path extending from the package receiving section to the storage section, and configured to spray a gas onto the first package to remove foreign matter adhering to the first package.
With this configuration, it is possible to remove foreign matter adhering to the package received from the unmanned aircraft before storing the package in the storage section. Accordingly, it is possible to easily avoid, for example, a situation where foreign matter separated from the package inside the storage section accumulates as waste matter, dirtiness, or the like inside the storage section. Note that such foreign matter is assumed to be, for example, water droplets resulting from rain and snow, dust, fallen leaves, and the like. Also, this configuration can reduce the possibility that a package having foreign matter adhering thereto arrives at the retrieval section.
Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of illustrative and non-limiting embodiments with reference to the drawings.
A package receiving and storage apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, the package receiving and storage apparatus 10 is provided in one building.
Each unmanned aircraft 90 is, for example, a fixed-wing aircraft or a rotary-wing aircraft that is remotely operable or capable of autonomous flight, for example. In the present embodiment, the unmanned aircraft 90 is an electrically powered rotary-wing aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing. In the example shown in
In the present embodiment, the transport device 15 includes an external transport device 20 that is disposed above the storage section 40 and transports the package M at least in the horizontal direction, and a lifter 30 that transports the package M at least in a vertical direction Z. In the present embodiment, the external transport device 20 transports the unmanned aircraft 90 between the takeoff and landing section 21 and the lifter 30. Also, a first entrance 35 is disposed between the external transport device 20 and the lifter 30. Here, the vertical direction Z is a direction extending in a vertical direction. A specific direction X is a specific direction extending in the horizontal direction, a first side Xa in the specific direction X is one side in the specific direction, and a second side Xb in the specific direction X is the other side in the specific direction. As shown in
In the present embodiment, the lifter 30 transports both the package M and the unmanned aircraft 90 at least in the vertical direction Z. The storage section 40 is adjacent to the lifter 30 on the first side Xa in the specific direction. The replenishment housing section 50 is adjacent to the lifter 30 on the second side Xb in the specific direction. In the example shown in
In the present embodiment, the takeoff and landing section 21 includes support stands 27 that support the unmanned aircraft 90 from below. The support stands 27 are disposed above the storage section 40 and the replenishment housing section 50. In the illustrated example, the takeoff and landing section 21 is provided on the roof R3 of the building. Also, the takeoff and landing section 21 is intended for vertical takeoff and landing. Preferably, the package receiving and storage apparatus 10 includes an opening/closing roof that covers the takeoff and landing section 21. Preferably, the takeoff and landing section 21 includes a heater for melting frozen water on the takeoff and landing section 21.
In the present embodiment, the takeoff and landing section 21 overlaps the storage section 40 in a vertical view. In the example shown in
In the present embodiment, the storage section 40 is disposed below the support stands 27. Also, the storage section 40 is disposed inside the building. The replenishment housing section 50 is disposed inside the building. The package receiving section 22 and the package delivery section 23 are disposed on the roof R3 of the building. In the example shown in
In the present embodiment, the package delivery section 23 includes a package delivery device 24 that delivers the package M to the unmanned aircraft 90. In the present embodiment, the package delivery section 23 also serves as the package receiving section 22, and the package delivery device 24 also serves as a package receiving device that separates the package M from the unmanned aircraft 90. Examples of the package delivery device 24 include a package receiving robot and an elevator. In the present embodiment, the external transport device 20 also serves as the package receiving section 22. In the present embodiment, the external transport device 20 also serves as the package delivery section 23.
In the present embodiment, the external transport device 20 is disposed higher than the storage section 40 and the replenishment housing section 50 in the vertical direction Z. Also, the external transport device 20 overlaps the storage section 40 in a vertical view taken in the vertical direction Z. The external transport device 20 also serves as the package receiving section 22, and transports the package M to the lifter 30 from a position directly below the unmanned aircraft 90 supported by the support stands 27. The external transport device 20 is configured to execute a package transport operation S10 of transporting a package M separated from an unmanned aircraft 90 to the lifter 30 in the horizontal direction, and an aircraft transport operation S20 of transporting the unmanned aircraft 90 that released the package M and landed on the external transport device 20 to the lifter 30 in the horizontal direction.
In the present embodiment, as shown in
In the present embodiment, the external transport device 20 includes aircraft transport surfaces 20B that support and transport the ground contact parts 96 of the unmanned aircraft 90, and a package transport surface 20A that supports and transports the package M, and the transport speeds of the aircraft transport surface 20B and the package transport surface 20A can be set different from each other. In the present embodiment, the package transport surface 20A and the aircraft transport surfaces 20B function as the distribution transport device 26. In the present embodiment, the aircraft transport surfaces 20B function as the support stands 27. In the illustrated example, the aircraft transport surfaces 20B are provided on both outer sides of the package transport surface 20A in the transport width direction W1.
The package receiving and storage apparatus 10 includes a package transport device 60 that transports the package M between the package receiving section 22 and the storage section 40, and between the package delivery section 23 and the storage section 40. Also, the package receiving and storage apparatus 10 includes an aircraft transport device 70 that transports the unmanned aircraft 90 between the takeoff and landing section 21 and the replenishment housing section 50. In the present embodiment, the package transport device 60 and the aircraft transport device 70 include a shared external transport device 20. In the present embodiment, the package transport device 60 and the aircraft transport device 70 include a shared lifter 30.
In the present embodiment, as shown in
In the present embodiment, the storage section 40 is installed spanning a plurality of floors of the building. In the present embodiment, second entrances that function as the above-described retrieval sections 45 are disposed between the storage section 40 and the lifter 30. The storage section 40 includes, inside the storage section 40, the storage transport device 61 capable of storing and transporting the package M, and thus functions as an automatic warehouse of for packages M.
In the present embodiment, as shown in
In the present embodiment, the replenishment housing section 50 is installed spanning a plurality of floors of the building. In the illustrated example, third entrances 55 are disposed between the replenishment housing section 50 and the lifter 30. The replenishment housing section 50 includes the housing transport device 71 capable of transporting the unmanned aircraft 90 inside the replenishment housing section 50, and thus functions as an automatic warehouse of the unmanned aircraft 90.
In the present embodiment, the replenishment housing section 50 includes a plurality of hangars 52. The hangars 52 each include a wireless charging device 53. Each charging device 53 includes a power feeding coil 54 and supplies power to the storage battery 92 via the power receiving coil 94 of an unmanned aircraft 90 housed in the hangar 52. This enables the replenishment housing section 50 to wirelessly charge the unmanned aircraft 90 housed therein. In this manner, in the present embodiment, the replenishment of energy to the unmanned aircraft 90 by the replenishment housing section 50 is performed by charging the storage battery 92. In the illustrated example, a floor portion of the hangar 52 can transport the unmanned aircraft 90 to and from the branch transport device 73.
Referring back to
In the present embodiment, the gas spray device 80 is configured to spray the gas at a target position along the transport path realized by the external transport device 20, and spray the gas over a range wider than a dimension Wm of the package M in the transport width direction W1. Also, in the present embodiment, the gas spray device 80 is configured to spray the gas at a target position along the transport path of the external transport device 20, and spray the gap over a range wider than a dimension Wd of the unmanned aircraft 90 in the transport width direction W1. In the illustrated example, the gas spray device 80 includes an upper spray part 82, and a dimension Wb of the upper spray part 82 in the transport width direction W1 is larger than the dimension Wm of the package M and the dimension Wd of the unmanned aircraft 90.
In the present embodiment, the gas spray device 80 is configured to also spray the gas onto an unmanned aircraft 90 landed on the takeoff and landing section 21. In the illustrated example, the gas spray device 80 is disposed on the roof R3 of the building. Preferably, the gas spray device 80 emits the gas only during passage of the package M and the unmanned aircraft 90 therethrough. Furthermore, preferably, the package M and the unmanned aircraft 90 are transported separately, and the gas is sprayed onto both the package M and the unmanned aircraft 90 by the gas spray device 80. The gas may be sprayed onto the unmanned aircraft 90 in a storage mode in which the blades of the unmanned aircraft 90 are folded, or in a flight mode in which the blades the unmanned aircraft 90 are unfolded. In the illustrated example, the dimension Wd of the unmanned aircraft 90 in the transport width direction W1, and a dimension Ld of the unmanned aircraft 90 in the transport direction L1 are dimensions when the unmanned aircraft 90 is in the storage mode.
Hereinafter, a package receiving and storage apparatus 10 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment differs from the above first embodiment in that the package receiving and storage apparatus 10 does not include the package delivery section 23, the inclined section 25, the distribution transport device 26, the replenishment housing section 50, and the aircraft transport device 70, and that the external transport device 20 and the lifter 30 do not transport the unmanned aircraft 90. The following description focuses on differences from the above first embodiment. Aspects that are not specifically described are the same as those of the above first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, a landing platform that is C-shaped in a vertical view is used as the support stand 27 that supports the unmanned aircraft 90 from below. One end of the external transport device 20 in the transport direction L1 is located at a central portion of the support stand 27 in a vertical view. The one end of the external transport device 20 also serves as the package receiving section 22. Accordingly, the package receiving section 22, which is one end of the external transport device 20, is located directly below the unmanned aircraft 90 that has landed on the support stand 27, which is a C-shaped landing platform. Also, the external transport device 20 is configured to transport the package M to the lifter 30 located on the other end side.
In the present embodiment, the gas spray device 80 is installed in such a manner as to spray the gas onto the package M located on the external transport device 20. Also, in the present embodiment, the gas spray device 80 emits the gas only during passage of the package M therethrough. In the illustrated example, the gas spray device 80 is shaped like a gate and includes the upper spray part 82, and the dimension Wb of the upper spray part 82 in the transport width direction W1 is larger than the dimension Wm of the package M, but is smaller than the dimension Wd of the unmanned aircraft 90.
Hereinafter, a package receiving and storage apparatus 10 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment differs from the above second embodiment in that the gas spray device 80 moves in the transport direction L1. The following description focuses on differences from the above second embodiment. Aspects that are not specifically described are the same as those of the above second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the package receiving section 22 also serves as the package delivery section 23.
In the present embodiment, the gas spray device 80 is installed on the package receiving section 22, and is configured to move in the transport direction L1, thereby spraying the gas onto the package M on the package receiving section 22 and the unmanned aircraft 90 that has landed on takeoff and landing section 21. In the present embodiment, the gas spray device 80 is configured to spray the gas at the support stand 27, which is the C-shaped landing platform, and the package receiving section 22 located at a central portion of the support stand 27, and spray the gas over a range wider than the dimension Wd of the unmanned aircraft 90 in the transport width direction W1. In the illustrated example, the gas spray device 80 is shaped like a gate and includes the upper spray part 82, and the dimension Wb of the upper spray part 82 in the transport width direction W1 is larger than the dimension Wm of the package M and the dimension Wd of the unmanned aircraft 90. Also, the gas spray device 80 includes, at column portions thereof, column spray parts 84 capable of spraying the gas onto side surfaces of the package M.
Hereinafter, a package receiving and storage apparatus 10 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment differs from the above first embodiment in that the gas spray device 80 moves in the vertical direction Z. The following description focuses on differences from the above first embodiment. Aspects that are not specifically described are the same as those of the above first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the gas spray device 80 is installed on the package receiving section 22, and moves in the vertical direction Z, thereby spraying the gas onto the package M on the package receiving section 22 and the unmanned aircraft 90 that has landed on the takeoff and landing section 21. In the present embodiment, the gas spray device 80 is included in the package receiving section 22, and is configured to spray the gas over a range wider than the dimension Wm of the package M in the transport width direction W1 and a dimension Lm of the package M in the transport direction L1. In the present embodiment, the gas spray device 80 is provided in the package receiving section 22 also serving as the takeoff and landing section 21, and is configured to spray the gas over a range wider than the dimension Wd of the unmanned aircraft 90 in the transport width direction W1 and the dimension Ld of the unmanned aircraft 90 in the transport direction L1. In the present embodiment, the gas spray device 80 includes upper spray parts 82 capable of moving in the vertical direction Z. In the illustrated example, the upper spray parts 82 each have a substantially rectangular shape in a vertical view. Preferably, the upper spray parts 82 are located below the upper spray parts 82 in the vertical direction Z during takeoff and landing of the unmanned aircraft 90, and the upper spray parts 82 are located above the unmanned aircraft 90 or the package M in the vertical direction Z when the unmanned aircraft 90 or the package M is transported toward the lifter 30.
Next, other embodiments of the package receiving and storage apparatus 10 will be described.
(1) The above embodiments have each described an example in which the unmanned aircraft 90 is a rechargeable rotary-wing aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example, and the unmanned aircraft 90 may be an electrically powered rotary-wing aircraft or fixed-wing aircraft including a fuel cell.
(2) The above embodiments have described, as an example, a configuration in which the transport device 15 includes the external transport device 20 that transports the package M at least in the horizontal direction, and the lifter 30 that transports the package M at least in the vertical direction Z, and the gas spray device 80 is configured to spray the gas onto the package M located on the external transport device 20. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the transport device 15 does not include the external transport device 20 and the lifter 30, and the gas spray device 80 is installed in such a manner as to spray the gas onto the package M located on the package receiving section 22. Also, the gas spray device 80 may be installed in such a manner as to spray the gas onto the package M passing through the first entrance 35 provided on the roof R3, or the second entrances (retrieval sections 45) provided on each floor. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the transport device 15 includes an external transport device 20 that functions as the first transporter that transports the package M at least in the horizontal direction, and does not include the second transporter. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the transport device 15 includes a lifter 30 or a stacker crane that functions as the second transporter that transports the package M at least in the vertical direction Z, and does not include the first transporter.
(3) The above embodiments have described, as an example, a configuration in which the gas spray device 80 is disposed on the roof R3 of a building. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, the gas spray device 80 may be provided on the lifter 30 or a stacker crane that functions as the second transporter disposed inside the building. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a plurality of gas spray devices 80 are provided. Also, the gas spray device 80 may be configured to constantly emit the gas. Also, the column spray parts 84 may be provided in the gas spray devices 80 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment.
(4) The above embodiments have described, as an example, a configuration in which the replenishment housing section 50 includes the wireless charging devices 53. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, the replenishment housing section 50 may include wired charging devices 53. Also, the replenishment housing section 50 may replenish the fuel cell of the unmanned aircraft 90, for example. In this case, the replenishment of energy to the unmanned aircraft 90 by the replenishment housing section 50 is performed through replenishment of a fuel serving as energy source (e.g., filling of a hydrogen storage container with hydrogen).
(5) The above embodiments have described, as an example, in which the package receiving and storage apparatus 10 is included in the building with two above-ground floors. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, the package receiving and storage apparatus 10 may be included in a multi-floor building that has a basement, or a plurality of buildings that share the package transport device 60 and the aircraft transport device 70. Also, a basement floor or a floor higher than the first above-ground floor may be the first floor R1 including the package entrance/exit port 41 and the unmanned aircraft entrance/exit port 51. Also, the package entrance/exit port 41 and the unmanned aircraft entrance/exit port 51 may be provided on floors different from each other.
(6) The above embodiments have described, as an example, a configuration in which, in the transport device 15, the package transport device 60 and the aircraft transport device 70 include the lifter 30, which is a shared second transporter. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, the package transport device 60 and the aircraft transport device 70 may each include a separate lifter 30. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the package receiving and storage apparatus 10 is included in a building with only one above-ground floor, and the package transport device 60 is a stacker crane that transports the package M to each of a plurality of rows of a storage rack that functions as the storage section 40. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the aircraft transport device 70 is a stacker crane that transports the unmanned aircraft 90 to each of a plurality of rows of a housing rack that functions as the replenishment housing section 50. The package transport device 60 and the aircraft transport device 70 may each include a separate stacker crane, or may include a shared stacker crane. The retrieval sections 45 may be retrieval ports for a stacker crane, including, for example, retrieval racks and retrieval conveyors.
(7) The above embodiments have described, as an example, a configuration in which the storage section 40 is adjacent to the lifter 30 on the first side Xa in the specific direction, and the replenishment housing section 50 is adjacent to the lifter 30 on the second side X13 in the specific direction. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, both the storage section 40 and the replenishment housing section 50 may be spaced away from the lifter 30 on the second side X13 in the specific direction relative to the lifter 30. Also, the storage transport device 61 and the housing transport device 71 may be automated guided vehicles that travel between the storage section 40, the replenishment housing section 50, and the lifter 30.
(8) The above embodiments have described, as an example, a configuration in which the external transport device 20 is provided on the roof R3, and also serves as the takeoff and landing section 21. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, the external transport device 20 may be disposed downstream of the takeoff and landing section 21. For example, the external transport device 20 need not overlap the storage section 40 in a vertical view. For example, the takeoff and landing section 21 may be in the form of a platform, or may be in the form of a hanger in which the unmanned aircraft 90 is hooked and hung. For example, a takeoff portion and a landing portion of the takeoff and landing section 21 may be provided in separate locations, or may each be provided in a plurality of locations.
(9) The above embodiments have described, as an example, a configuration in which the external transport device 20 is provided on the roof R3, and also serves as the package receiving section 22 and the package delivery section 23. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, the package receiving section 22 and the package delivery section 23 may be provided in separate locations. For example, the package receiving section 22 may be provided on the first floor R1 rather than the roof R3. As another example, the package receiving section 22 and the package delivery section 23 may each be provided in a plurality of locations. As another example, the external transport device 20 also serving as the takeoff and landing section 21 may be provided indoors.
(10) The above embodiments have described, as an example, a configuration in which the external transport device 20 includes the package delivery device 24 also serving as the package receiving device. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, a configuration is possible in which the package receiving section 22 and the package delivery section 23 are not provided with the package delivery device 24, and an operator performs a package receiving operation and a package delivery operation. Also, the package receiving section 22 may be a placement table or a chute that does not include any package receiving device.
(11) The above embodiments have described, as an example, a configuration in which the gas spray device 80 sprays the gas over a range wider than the dimension Wm of the package M in the transport width direction W1. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the gas spray device 80 sprays the gas over a range wider than the dimension Lm of the package M in the transport direction L1.
(12) Note that the configurations disclosed in the embodiments described above are applicable in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no inconsistency arises. With regard to the other configurations as well, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects. Therefore, various modifications and alterations may be made as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.
Hereinafter, the package receiving and storage apparatus described above will be described.
A package receiving and storage apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a takeoff and landing section at which an unmanned aircraft is capable of taking off and landing; a package receiving section configured to receive a first package from the unmanned aircraft; a storage section configured to store a plurality of packages including the first package; a retrieval section at which the first package stored in the storage section is retrievable; a transport device configured to transport the first package between the package receiving section, the storage section, and the retrieval section; and a gas spray device installed at the package receiving section or in a package transport path extending from the package receiving section to the storage section, and configured to spray a gas onto the first package to remove foreign matter adhering to the first package.
With this configuration, it is possible to remove foreign matter adhering to the package received from the unmanned aircraft before storing the package in the storage section. Accordingly, it is possible to easily avoid, for example, a situation where foreign matter separated from the package inside the storage section accumulates as waste matter, dirtiness, or the like inside the storage section. Note that such foreign matter is assumed to be, for example, water droplets resulting from rain and snow, dust, fallen leaves, and the like. Also, this configuration can reduce the possibility that a package having foreign matter adhering thereto arrives at the retrieval section.
As an aspect, it is preferable that the transport device includes a first transporter configured to transport the first package at least in a horizontal direction, and the gas spray device is installed in such a manner as to spray the gas onto the first package located on the first transporter.
With this configuration, the gas spray device sprays the gas onto the package located on the first transporter, and it is thus possible to simplify the gas spray device, and also to quickly transport the package received from the unmanned aircraft.
As an aspect, it is preferable that the takeoff and landing section includes a support stand configured to support the unmanned aircraft from below, the storage section is disposed lower than the support stand, the transport device includes: the first transporter disposed higher than the storage section; and a second transporter configured to transport the first package at least in a vertical direction, and the first transporter also serves as the package receiving section, and transports the first package to the second transporter from a position directly below the unmanned aircraft supported by the support stand.
With this configuration, it is possible to utilize a space located below the takeoff and landing section to store a plurality of packages. With this configuration, the first transporter also serves as the package receiving section, and it is thus possible to simplify the configuration of the apparatus, and also to quickly transport the package received from the unmanned aircraft.
As an aspect, it is preferable that the gas spray device sprays the gas at a target position on a transport path of the first transporter, and sprays the gas over a range wider than a dimension of the first package in a transport width direction extending orthogonal, in a vertical view, to a transport direction extending along the transport path of the first transporter.
With this configuration, it is possible to utilize movement of the package by the first transporter to spray the gas onto the entire package.
As an aspect, it is preferable that the takeoff and landing section and the first transporter overlap the storage section in the vertical view.
This configuration makes it possible to easily minimize the placement area of the package receiving and storage apparatus in a plan view, while ensuring that a sufficient number of packages can be stored.
As an aspect, it is preferable that the gas spray device further sprays the gas onto the unmanned aircraft landed on the takeoff and landing section.
With this configuration, it is also possible to remove foreign matter adhering to the unmanned aircraft.
As an aspect, it is preferable that the storage section is disposed inside a building, and the takeoff and landing section, the package receiving section, and the gas spray device are disposed on a roof of the building.
With this configuration, it is possible to provide a configuration that can facilitate takeoff and landing of the unmanned aircraft. Also, it is possible to easily provide a configuration in which foreign matter that has been blown away by the gas spray device are less likely to enter the inside of the building. cm 1. A package receiving and storage apparatus comprising:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-139375 | Sep 2022 | JP | national |
