Automated Drone Charging Hub with a Locking Arm

This patent describes a special charging station for drones that can move out to meet the drone, connect to it, and then lock it in place while it charges.

What it covers

This patent describes a charging hub designed for a drone base station. When a drone needs to charge, this hub can move, or 'reposition,' from a hidden 'retracted position' to an 'extended position' to meet the drone during docking. The hub includes a 'charger subassembly' which makes an electrical connection to the drone. Crucially, it also has a 'locking mechanism' that can pivot. This mechanism moves between a 'passive position' (when not in use) and an 'active position' where it engages with the drone to securely hold the charging hub to the drone while it charges. For example, a delivery drone could land on a base station, and this hub would extend, connect to the drone's charging port, and then a pivoting arm would swing into place to hold the drone firmly during charging.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover charging hubs that are fixed and do not move between a retracted and an extended position.
• —Does not cover locking mechanisms that secure the drone without pivoting, such as those that slide, clamp, or use magnetic force.
• —Does not cover systems where the drone itself repositions the charging hub, rather than the hub being repositionable.
• —Does not cover charging systems that do not include a separate locking mechanism to secure the drone during charging.
• —Does not cover manual drone charging or docking processes that require human intervention.

The clever bit

The novelty lies in combining a charging hub that can reposition itself (extend and retract) with a specifically pivotable locking mechanism. This allows for flexible docking, accommodating slight variations in a drone's landing, while ensuring a secure, stable electrical connection through a mechanical lock during charging.

Why it matters

Automated drone operations, such as package delivery, infrastructure inspection, or security surveillance, rely heavily on efficient and reliable charging. This technology aims to make drone charging fully autonomous, allowing drones to operate for longer periods without human intervention. By providing a secure and repositionable charging connection, it helps ensure drones can reliably recharge and continue their missions.

Real-world examples

• 1.Drone delivery services like Zipline or Wing
• 2.Autonomous inspection drones for industrial sites
• 3.Security and surveillance drones with automated patrol routes
• 4.Agricultural drones used for crop monitoring and spraying
• 5.Drone-in-a-box solutions for remote monitoring