阅读说明：本技术 无人飞行体、信息处理方法以及程序 (Unmanned aerial vehicle, information processing method, and program ) 是由 井上和夫 小西一畅 S·约翰 浅井胜彦 久原俊介 于 2019-11-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：无人飞行体(1),具备：两个以上的产生器(20),产生使无人飞行体(1)飞行的力；传感器(30),检测无人飞行体(1)的倾斜度；以及处理器(100),通过控制两个以上的产生器(20),从而控制无人飞行体(1)的飞行,处理器(100),获得两个以上的产生器(20)的输出调整触发,当获得了输出调整触发时,使两个以上的产生器(20)分别单独运转,直到由传感器(30)检测的无人飞行体(1)的倾斜度至少满足规定的条件为止,根据无人飞行体(1)的倾斜度满足规定的条件时的两个以上的产生器(20)的每一个的与输出有关的值、以及两个以上的产生器(20)的每一个的位置关系,决定两个以上的产生器(20)的每一个的与输出有关的基准值,利用决定的基准值的每一个,控制无人飞行体(1)的飞行。(An unmanned aerial vehicle (1) is provided with: two or more generators (20) that generate a force for flying the unmanned flying object (1); a sensor (30) that detects the inclination of the unmanned flying object (1); and a processor (100) for controlling the flight of the unmanned flying object (1) by controlling the two or more generators (20), the processor (100) obtaining the output adjustment triggers of the two or more generators (20), when the output adjustment trigger is obtained, two or more generators (20) are operated individually until the inclination of the unmanned flying object (1) detected by the sensor (30) at least satisfies a predetermined condition, the method includes determining a reference value related to the output of each of the two or more generators (20) based on a value related to the output of each of the two or more generators (20) when the inclination of the unmanned flying object (1) satisfies a predetermined condition and a positional relationship of each of the two or more generators (20), and controlling the flight of the unmanned flying object (1) using each of the determined reference values.)

1. An unmanned flying object is provided, which comprises a flying body,

the unmanned aerial vehicle is provided with:

two or more generators that generate a force for flying the unmanned flying object, each of the two or more generators including a rotor blade that generates an airflow;

a sensor that detects the inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and

a processor for controlling the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle by controlling the two or more generators,

the processor is used for processing the data to be processed,

obtaining output adjustment triggers for the more than two generators,

when the output adjustment trigger is obtained, the two or more generators are individually operated until the inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle detected by the sensor satisfies at least a predetermined condition,

determining a reference value relating to an output of each of the two or more generators based on a value relating to an output of each of the two or more generators when the inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle satisfies the predetermined condition and a positional relationship of each of the two or more generators,

controlling the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle by using each of the determined reference values.

2. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1,

the predetermined condition is that the inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle changes.

3. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1 or 2,

the reference value is an output value at which the unmanned flying object can perform horizontal flight while waiting for flight.

4. The unmanned aerial vehicle of any one of claims 1 to 3,

the processor determines the reference value for each of the two or more generators based on a value relating to an output of each of the two or more generators when the inclination of the unmanned flight vehicle satisfies the predetermined condition and a center of gravity of the unmanned flight vehicle calculated based on a positional relationship of each of the two or more generators.

5. The unmanned aerial vehicle of any one of claims 1 to 4,

the unmanned aerial vehicle further comprises a communication unit,

the output adjustment trigger is an output adjustment instruction or a flight instruction obtained via the communication unit.

6. The unmanned aerial vehicle of any one of claims 1 to 5,

the unmanned flying object is also provided with an operation part,

the output adjustment trigger is an output adjustment instruction obtained via the operation unit.

7. The unmanned aerial vehicle of any one of claims 1 to 6,

the processor also determines whether the reference value is within an allowable range,

when the reference value is not within the allowable range, the display unit displays the reference value via a display unit.

8. The unmanned aerial vehicle of any one of claims 1 to 7,

the processor further determines whether the determination of the reference value is complete,

when it is determined that the determination of the reference value is completed, the determination is presented via a presentation unit.

9. An information processing method for controlling flight of an unmanned flying object, the information processing method being executed by a computer,

the unmanned aerial vehicle includes two or more generators that generate a force for flying the unmanned aerial vehicle and each include a rotor that generates an airflow, and a sensor that detects an inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and the information processing method controls the two or more generators to control the flying of the unmanned aerial vehicle,

in the information processing method, it is preferable that,

obtaining output adjustment triggers for the more than two generators,

when the output adjustment trigger is obtained, the two or more generators are individually operated until the inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle detected by the sensor satisfies at least a predetermined condition,

determining a reference value relating to an output of each of the two or more generators based on a value relating to an output of each of the two or more generators when the inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle satisfies the predetermined condition and a positional relationship of each of the two or more generators,

controlling the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle by using each of the determined reference values.

10. In a program for executing a program,

for causing a computer to execute the information processing method of claim 9.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle on which a load is mounted, and an information processing method and a program for controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Background

In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles such as unmanned aerial vehicles are used for distribution of transported objects. For example, patent document 1 discloses a technique relating to such an unmanned aerial vehicle.

(Prior art document)

(patent document)

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 4222510

However, it may be difficult to stably fly the unmanned flying object having the loaded object mounted thereon. For example, when the center of gravity of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the center of gravity of a load mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle are horizontally displaced, the unmanned aerial vehicle cannot be lifted in a state of maintaining a horizontal posture, and thus it may be difficult to stably fly.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an unmanned aerial vehicle or the like that can stably fly even when loaded with a load.

The disclosed unmanned aerial vehicle is provided with: two or more generators that generate a force for flying the unmanned flying object, each of the two or more generators including a rotor blade that generates an airflow; a sensor that detects the inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and a processor configured to control the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle by controlling the two or more generators, wherein the processor obtains an output adjustment trigger of the two or more generators, and when the output adjustment trigger is obtained, the processor individually operates the two or more generators until an inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle detected by the sensor satisfies at least a predetermined condition, determines a reference value related to an output of each of the two or more generators based on a value related to an output of each of the two or more generators when the inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle satisfies the predetermined condition and a positional relationship of each of the two or more generators, and controls the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle using each of the determined reference values.

The general or specific aspects may be realized by a non-transitory recording medium such as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable CD-ROM, or may be realized by any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

An unmanned flying object according to one aspect of the present disclosure can fly stably even when loaded with a load.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a top view showing an example of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to the embodiment.

Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operations performed until the output adjustment processing of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the embodiment is started.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for calculating the center of gravity, the total weight, and the turning moment of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a top view showing a positional relationship between the generator and the support legs of the unmanned flying object according to the first example.

Fig. 8A is a top view showing an example of the center of gravity region of the loading object mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the first example.

Fig. 8B is a top view showing an example of the center of gravity region of the loading object mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the first example.

Fig. 8C is a top view showing an example of the center of gravity region of the loading object mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the first example.

Fig. 8D is a top view showing an example of the center of gravity region of the loading object mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the first example.

Fig. 9 is a top view for explaining a method of determining a reference output value for each of the generators of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the first example.

Fig. 10 is a top view showing a positional relationship between the generator and the support legs of the unmanned flying object according to the second example.

Fig. 11 is a top view showing an example of the center of gravity region of the loading object mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a top view showing a positional relationship between the generator and the support legs of the unmanned flying object according to the third example.

Fig. 13 is a top view showing an example of the center of gravity region of the loading object mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a top view showing a positional relationship between the generator and the support legs of the unmanned flying object according to the fourth example.

Fig. 15 is a top view showing an example of the center of gravity region of a loading object mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the fourth embodiment.

Detailed Description

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: two or more generators that generate a force for flying the unmanned flying object, each of the two or more generators including a rotor blade that generates an airflow; a sensor that detects the inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and a processor configured to control the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle by controlling the two or more generators, wherein the processor obtains an output adjustment trigger of the two or more generators, and when the output adjustment trigger is obtained, the processor individually operates the two or more generators until an inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle detected by the sensor satisfies at least a predetermined condition, determines a reference value related to an output of each of the two or more generators based on a value related to an output of each of the two or more generators when the inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle satisfies the predetermined condition and a positional relationship of each of the two or more generators, and controls the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle using each of the determined reference values.

When the center of gravity position of the loaded object does not coincide with the center of the unmanned flying object when the unmanned flying object is viewed in plan, and when two or more generators are operated with the same values relating to the output, the unmanned flying object is tilted in the direction of the center of gravity position of the loaded object with respect to the center of the unmanned flying object, and the unmanned flying object moves in this direction. Then, two or more generators are operated individually, and the values relating to the outputs at that time are calculated. The values relating to the output when two or more generators are operated independently are, for example, different values from each other. Specifically, the value of the output of the generator near the center of gravity becomes larger, and the value of the output of the generator far from the center of gravity becomes smaller. Further, the reference value relating to the output of each of the two or more generators can be determined based on the value relating to the output of each of the two or more generators and the positional relationship of each of the two or more generators. The reference values of the two or more generators are, for example, values different from each other, and the unmanned flying object can be flown by using these reference values, thereby preventing the unmanned flying object from tilting. Therefore, the unmanned aerial vehicle can stably fly even when loaded with a load.

Further, the predetermined condition may be that an inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle changes.

Accordingly, since the value relating to the output at the moment when the unmanned flying object starts to ascend changes in inclination, is the value at the moment when the force by which the unmanned flying object ascends balances the weight of the unmanned flying object (the magnitude of the gravity acting on the unmanned flying object), the reference value can be determined more accurately from the value relating to the output at the moment when the inclination of the unmanned flying object changes.

The reference value may be an output value at which the unmanned aerial vehicle can perform horizontal flight while waiting for flight.

In this way, the unmanned aerial vehicle can perform horizontal flight while waiting for flight based on the reference value.

The processor may determine the reference value for each of the two or more generators based on a value relating to an output of each of the two or more generators when the inclination of the unmanned flying object satisfies the predetermined condition and a center of gravity of the unmanned flying object calculated from a positional relationship of each of the two or more generators.

In this way, the center of gravity is calculated, and a reference value for the moment balance can be determined, so that the unmanned flying object can be prevented from tilting during the ascent even when the center of gravity position of the load does not coincide with the center of the unmanned flying object when the unmanned flying object is viewed in plan.

The unmanned aerial vehicle may further include a communication unit, and the output adjustment trigger may be an output adjustment instruction or a flight instruction obtained via the communication unit.

Accordingly, the processing for the unmanned aerial vehicle to stably fly can be started by the communication with the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Further, the unmanned aerial vehicle may further include an operation unit, and the output adjustment trigger may be an output adjustment instruction obtained via the operation unit.

Accordingly, the processing for stably flying the unmanned flying object can be started by operating the unmanned flying object.

The processor may further determine whether or not the reference value is within an allowable range, and when the reference value is not within the allowable range, the processor may present the determination via a presentation unit.

Accordingly, for example, when the center of gravity of the load is greatly deviated from the center of the unmanned flying object in a plan view, the reference value may be out of the allowable range. In such a case, the operator of the unmanned flying object can be notified of the situation, and the operator can change the load or adjust the mounting position, for example.

The processor may further determine whether or not the determination of the reference value is completed, and when determining that the determination of the reference value is completed, the processor may present the determination via a presentation unit.

This makes it possible to present to the operator of the unmanned aerial vehicle that the determination of the reference value has been completed, and the operator can start normal flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle, for example.

An information processing method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method for controlling flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle, the information processing method being executed by a computer, the unmanned aerial vehicle including two or more generators that generate a force for flying the unmanned aerial vehicle and each include a rotor that generates an air flow, and a sensor that detects a tilt of the unmanned aerial vehicle, the information processing method controlling flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle by controlling the two or more generators to obtain an output adjustment trigger of the two or more generators, the two or more generators being operated individually when the output adjustment trigger is obtained, until the tilt of the unmanned aerial vehicle detected by the sensor satisfies at least a predetermined condition, the predetermined condition being satisfied in accordance with the tilt of the unmanned aerial vehicle, each of the two or more generators when the predetermined condition is satisfied The method includes determining a reference value related to an output for each of the two or more generators based on a value related to the output and a positional relationship between each of the two or more generators, and controlling the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on each of the determined reference values.

Thus, it is possible to provide an information processing method capable of stably flying even when a load is loaded on an unmanned flying object.

A program according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method described above.

Thus, a program capable of stably flying even when a load is loaded on an unmanned flying object can be provided.

Further, these general and specific aspects may be realized by a non-transitory recording medium such as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable CD-ROM, or may be realized by any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are intended to show general or specific examples of the present disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection forms of the constituent elements, steps, order of the steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the embodiments. Among the components of the following embodiments, components that are not described in the embodiment showing the highest concept will be described as arbitrary components.

The drawings used in the following description are schematic drawings, and do not necessarily strictly show the arrangement, size, and the like of the constituent elements.

(embodiment mode)

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1A to 15.

Fig. 1A is a top view showing an example of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IB-IB of FIG. 1A. Also, in fig. 1A, the rotary wing is schematically shown in a circle. Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the embodiment.

The unmanned flying object 1, also denoted as drone, drone or uav (unmanned Aerial vehicle). In the present disclosure, the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 carries a load, and is used for purposes such as transportation. The unmanned flying object 1 may not be used for transportation or the like, and in this case, the load is not limited to the transported object, and may be a camera, a microphone, or the like attached to the unmanned flying object 1. For example, if the center of gravity position of the loaded object in a plan view of unmanned flying object 1 coincides with the center of unmanned flying object 1, unmanned flying object can be raised horizontally, but if it does not coincide, unmanned flying object cannot be raised in a state of maintaining a horizontal posture, and unmanned flying object 1 moves in the direction of the center of gravity position of the loaded object with respect to the center of unmanned flying object 1. The present disclosure describes an unmanned aerial vehicle 1 and the like that can stably fly even when loaded with a load.

As shown in fig. 1A, 1B, and 2, the unmanned flying object 1 includes two or more generators 20 that generate a force for flying the unmanned flying object 1, and each of the two or more generators 20 includes a rotor blade that generates an air flow. More than two generators 20, for example, with their shafts connected to each other by a chassis. For example, as shown in fig. 1A, the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 includes four generators 20, and for example, the four generators 20 are arranged on the diagonal line. Moreover, two or more generators 20 may be used instead of four. For example, in the first to third examples described below, two generators 20 are provided as shown in fig. 1A, but in the fourth example, the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 includes six generators 20.

As shown in fig. 1B, the unmanned flying object 1 includes two or more support legs 60 that support the unmanned flying object 1 by contacting the ground when the unmanned flying object 1 is located on the land. For example, two or more support feet 60 are provided to correspond to two or more generators 20. For example, the unmanned flying object 1 includes four support legs 60, and the four support legs 60 are provided on the diagonal line so as to correspond to the four generators 20, respectively. Further, the number of the two or more support legs 60 may be four or less. For example, in the first, second, and fourth examples described below, four support legs 60 are provided, but in the third example, three support legs 60 are provided. Further, two or more support legs 60 may not be provided to correspond to two or more generators 20 if the unmanned flying object 1 can be stably supported on land. For example, as in the second and third examples described below, the generator may be provided on a diagonal line different from a diagonal line formed by two or more generators 20.

The unmanned aerial vehicle 1 includes a container 70 for loading a load. The container 70 is provided, for example, near the center of the unmanned flying object 1 in a plan view. The container 70 is, for example, a box, a bag, a tray, or the like, and is not particularly limited as long as it can store or place the loading object.

Although not shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 includes the sensor 30, the communication unit 40, the presentation unit 50, and the processor 100.

The sensor 30 is a sensor that detects the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1, and is, for example, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like. The unmanned aerial vehicle 1 may include both a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor as the sensor 30, or may include only one of them. The unmanned flying object 1 may further include a rotation sensor for detecting the number of rotations of the rotor blade of the generator 20, in addition to the sensor 30 for detecting the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1.

The communication unit 40 is, for example, a communication interface that performs wireless communication with a controller (a proportional unit or the like) for operating the unmanned aerial vehicle 1. For example, the communication unit 40 receives an output adjustment trigger from the controller. The output adjustment trigger will be described later.

The presentation unit 50 is configured to present specific information to the operator of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1, and the like, and is configured by, for example, a display, an LED, a speaker, and the like. However, the presentation unit 50 presents a case where the reference output value is not within the allowable range or a case where the determination of the reference output value is completed, as will be described later in detail. When the presentation unit 50 is a display, the display unit presents the display with characters or the like, when the LED is illuminated, and when the speaker is activated, the display unit presents the display with sound.

The processor 100 controls two or more generators 20 to control the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1. When the center of gravity of the load mounted on the container 70 does not coincide with the center of the unmanned flying object 1 when the unmanned flying object 1 is viewed in plan, if two or more generators 20 are operated with the same values regarding the output, the unmanned flying object is tilted in the direction of the center of gravity of the load with respect to the center of the unmanned flying object, and the unmanned flying object moves in this direction, making it difficult to fly stably. Then, the processor 100 performs processing for stably flying the unmanned flying object 1. This process is a process of adjusting a value related to an output (hereinafter, also referred to as an output value) of each of the two or more generators 20. Therefore, this process is also referred to as an output adjustment process. The output value of each of the two or more generators 20 is, for example, an output value from the processor 100 to each of the two or more generators 20, specifically, the number of rotations of the rotor of each of the two or more generators 20, or an instruction value indicating the number of rotations. The output value of each of the two or more generators 20 may be, for example, an output value of a rotation sensor that detects the number of rotations of the rotor blade of each of the two or more generators 20. Specifically, the output value may be the number of rotations of the rotor blade of each of the two or more generators 20 as the detection result of the rotation sensor. The processor 100 may be a circuit for performing output adjustment processing of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1, for example, a microprocessor. The unmanned aerial vehicle 1 includes a memory (not shown) such as a ROM or a RAM, and the memory stores a control program and the like to be executed by the processor 100. The processor 100 includes, as functional components, an obtaining unit 10, an operation unit 11, a determination unit 12, a determination unit 13, and a control unit 14. These functional components provided in the processor 100 are realized by executing the control program. The detailed operations of the processor 100, that is, the acquisition unit 10, the operation unit 11, the determination unit 12, the determination unit 13, and the control unit 14 will be described with reference to fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the embodiment.

The obtaining unit 10 obtains the output adjustment triggers of two or more generators 20 (step S11). The output adjustment trigger is a trigger for the processor 100 to start a process for stably flying the unmanned flying object 1, that is, an output adjustment process for adjusting the output value of each of the two or more generators 20. For example, the output adjustment trigger is an output adjustment instruction or flight instruction obtained via the communication unit 40. That is, the obtaining unit 10 obtains, from a controller operated by an operator or the like of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1, an output adjustment instruction to start the output adjustment process or a flight instruction to start the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 via the communication unit 40, and starts the output adjustment process. Then, the output adjustment process is started by the flight instruction for flying the unmanned flying object 1, and thereby it is possible to confirm once whether or not the unmanned flying object 1 can stably fly before the unmanned flying object 1 flies. The processing of step S12 and step S13, which will be described later, is performed by obtaining an output adjustment trigger and outputting the specific processing content of the adjustment processing.

Next, when the output adjustment trigger is obtained, the operation unit 11 operates each of the two or more generators 20 individually until the inclination of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 detected by the sensor 30 satisfies at least a predetermined condition (step S12). That is, an output adjustment trigger is obtained, thereby starting the output adjustment process. The output adjustment processing is processing for operating the generator 20 (that is, processing for rotating the rotary blade) on a per-unit basis, and the output adjustment processing can be started until an output adjustment trigger is obtained without starting the output adjustment processing. Therefore, the rotor blade can be prevented from naturally rotating and becoming a dangerous state. The predetermined condition is, for example, that the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 changes. That is, when one generator 20 is operated alone, if it is detected by the sensor 30 that the portion of the unmanned flying object 1 where the generator 20 is provided is lifted from the ground and the unmanned flying object 1 is inclined, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. When the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 changes, the output value at the moment when the unmanned flying object 1 starts to rise becomes a value at the moment when the force by which the unmanned flying object 1 rises balances the weight of the unmanned flying object 1 (the magnitude of the gravity acting on the unmanned flying object 1), and therefore, the reference output value described later can be determined more accurately from the output value at the moment when the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 changes. The operation of the generator 20 may be stopped at the moment when the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 satisfies the predetermined condition, or may be continued once after the predetermined condition is satisfied. In this manner, each generator 20 is operated until the portion where each generator 20 is installed rises from the ground.

Next, the determination unit 12 determines a reference value (hereinafter, also referred to as a reference output value) related to the output of each of the two or more generators 20 based on the output value of each of the two or more generators 20 when the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 satisfies a predetermined condition and the positional relationship of each of the two or more generators 20 (step S13). Specifically, the determination unit 12 determines the reference output values of the two or more generators based on the output values of the two or more generators 20 when the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 satisfies the predetermined condition and the center of gravity of the unmanned flying object 1 calculated based on the positional relationship between the two or more generators 20. The reference output value is an output value adjusted by the output adjustment processing, and the unmanned flying object 1 can perform horizontal flight while waiting for flight. The center of gravity is calculated to determine a reference output value in the moment balance, and the unmanned flying object 1 can be prevented from tilting when it is lifted even when the center of gravity position of the load does not coincide with the center of the unmanned flying object 1 when the unmanned flying object 1 is viewed in plan. That is, the unmanned flying object 1 can perform horizontal flight while waiting for flight based on the reference output value. The detailed processing of step S13 will be described in the first to fourth examples described later in fig. 6 and 7 and later.

Next, the determination unit 13 determines whether or not the reference output value is within the allowable range and whether or not the determination of the reference output value is completed (step S14). The detailed processing of step S14 will be described later with reference to fig. 5.

Then, the control unit 14 controls the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 using the determined reference output values (step S15). Accordingly, the unmanned flying object 1 can fly horizontally while waiting for flight, and can fly stably even when loaded with a load.

Next, the operation performed until the output adjustment process is started will be described with reference to fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operations performed until the output adjustment process of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the embodiment is started. The operation shown in fig. 4 is performed by, for example, an operator of the unmanned flying object 1.

First, the operator initializes the sensor 30 (step S21). The operator places the unmanned flying object 1 on a horizontal ground surface, recognizes a horizontal state as an initial state by, for example, a gyro sensor as the sensor 30, and recognizes a gravitational acceleration when the unmanned flying object 1 is not moving as 9.8m/s by, for example, an acceleration sensor as the sensor 30²In the manner of (1), initialization is performed.

Next, the operator visually determines whether or not the generator 20 (specifically, the rotor blade) of the unmanned flying object 1 is normal (step S22). For example, the operator determines whether the rotary wing has cracks, or deformations, determines whether the rotary wing is fixed without wobbling, determines whether vibration or noise during rotation of the rotary wing is larger than usual, and determines whether the unmanned flying object 1 flies in the horizontal direction while waiting for flying. Further, the determination as to whether or not the generator 20 is normal may be performed by a strain sensor, a vibration sensor, or the like.

If the generator 20 is abnormal (no in step S22), the operator replaces the generator 20 (specifically, the rotary wing) (step S23) and resumes the operation in step S22.

If the generator 20 is normal (yes in step S22), the operator mounts the loading object on the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 (step S24).

Next, the operator visually determines whether or not the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 having the loading object mounted thereon falls (step S25).

When the unmanned flying object 1 falls (yes in step S25), the operator changes the loading position of the loading object because the center of gravity of the loading object is greatly displaced from the center of the unmanned flying object 1 when looking down the unmanned flying object 1 (step S26). For example, the operator changes the loading position so that the center of gravity of the loaded object is located inside each support leg 60 (i.e., on the center side of the unmanned flying object 1).

Then, the operations of step S25 and step S26 are performed until the unmanned flying object 1 does not fall down, and when the unmanned flying object 1 does not fall down (no in step S25), the operations performed until the output adjustment processing is started are ended. Further, in the case where the unmanned flying object 1 cannot be fallen down even when the loading position of the loading object is changed, the center of gravity of the loading object may be shifted to such an extent that the loading position cannot be changed so that the center of gravity of the loading object is positioned inside each support leg 60, and the loading position may not be changed much because the loading object is large. In such a case, for example, the same operation is performed by another unmanned flying object 1 capable of carrying a large load, or the center of gravity is adjusted if the center of gravity of the load can be adjusted.

Next, a specific example of the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 5 to 15.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the embodiment. In the following, the operation of each functional component of the processor 100 will be described as the operation of the processor 100.

First, the processor 100 determines whether or not an output adjustment instruction or a flight instruction is obtained (step S31).

When the output adjustment instruction or the flight instruction is not obtained (no in step S31), the processor 100 waits for the output adjustment instruction or the flight instruction to be obtained.

When the output adjustment instruction or flight instruction is obtained (yes in step S31), the processor 100 calculates the center of gravity of the loaded object, the total weight of the unmanned flying object 1 on which the loaded object is mounted, and the turning moment (step S32). Since the turning moment can be calculated from the center of gravity of the load and the total weight of the unmanned flying object 1, at least the center of gravity of the load and the total weight of the unmanned flying object 1 are calculated. The detailed processing of step S32 will be described with reference to fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of calculating the center of gravity, the total weight, and the turning moment of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the embodiment.

First, the processor 100 individually increases the number of rotations of the rotor for one generator 20 (step S41).

Next, the processor 100 determines whether the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 has changed (step S42).

If the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 is not changed (no in step S42), the number of rotations of the rotor blade of the one generator 20 is increased until the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 is changed at least.

When the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 changes (yes in step S42), the processor 100 obtains an output value (for example, an instruction value) of the one generator 20 at the moment when the unmanned flying object 1 is inclined (step S43). For example, since it is possible to estimate in advance what degree of the occurrence of the lift value is based on the output value, the processor 100 converts the output value into the lift value based on a predetermined correspondence relationship between the output value and the instruction value. Since the output value corresponds to the lift value, the output value and the reference output value may be referred to as a lift value hereinafter.

Next, the processor 100 determines whether or not the processing of step S41 to step S43 is performed for all the generators 20 (step S44).

If the processing of step S41 to step S43 is not performed for all of the generators 20 (no in step S44), the processor 100 changes the target generator 20 (step S45), and performs the processing of step S41 to step S43 for the target generator 20. In this way, the processor 100 obtains the output values (lift values) of the two or more generators 20 when the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 satisfies the predetermined condition.

When the processing of step S41 to step S43 is performed for all the generators 20 (yes in step S44), the processor 100 calculates the center of gravity area from the positional relationship of the generators 20 and the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 when the generators 20 are operated individually (step S46). The process of step S46 will be described with reference to fig. 7 to 8D, taking as an example the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 in which the positional relationship between the generator 20 and the support legs 60 is the first example of the positional relationship shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 7 is a top view showing a positional relationship between the generator 20 and the support leg 60 of the unmanned flying object 1 according to the first example. Fig. 8A to 8D are top views showing an example of the first embodiment of the present invention mounted in the center of gravity region of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1.

Positions P1 to P4 shown in fig. 7 to 8D show the positions of the respective generators 20 (specifically, the center positions of the respective rotary wings), and positions B1 to B4 show the positions of the respective support feet 60 (specifically, the positions where the support feet 60 are in contact with the ground).

As shown in fig. 7, the position P1 and the position P2 are located on the diagonal, and the position P3 and the position P4 are located on the diagonal. Further, the positions B1 and B2 are located on the diagonal, and the positions B3 and B4 are located on the diagonal. Positions B1 and B2 are located on a straight line connecting positions P1 and P2, and positions B3 and B4 are located on a straight line connecting positions P3 and P4. Further, the position B1 is disposed on the position P1 side, the position B2 is disposed on the position P2 side, the position B3 is disposed on the position P3 side, and the position B4 is disposed on the position P4 side. In the first example, the generator 20 and the support legs 60 are in such a positional relationship and number.

When one generator 20 is operated alone, basically, the other two support legs 60 are lifted from the ground surface in a state where the two support legs 60 are in contact with the ground surface. When the center of gravity of the load is located on the diagonal line of the running generator 20 and the generator 20 opposed to the generator 20, the other three support legs 60 are raised from the ground surface in a state where one support leg 60 is in contact with the ground surface. However, since this is less likely, the following description will be given of a case where two support legs 60 are raised from the ground surface while the two support legs 60 are in contact with the ground surface.

When generator 20 at position P1 is operated alone, it can be calculated that when support leg 60 at positions B1 and B4 starts to ascend from the ground in a state where support leg 60 at positions B2 and B3 is in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P3 side than the straight line connecting positions P1 and P2, and when support leg 60 at positions B1 and B3 starts to ascend from the ground in a state where support leg 60 at positions B2 and B4 is in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P4 side than the straight line connecting positions P1 and P2.

When generator 20 at position P2 is operated alone, it can be calculated that when support leg 60 at positions B2 and B3 starts to ascend from the ground in a state where support leg 60 at positions B1 and B4 is in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P4 side than the straight line connecting positions P1 and P2, and when support leg 60 at positions B2 and B4 starts to ascend from the ground in a state where support leg 60 at positions B1 and B3 is in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P3 side than the straight line connecting positions P1 and P2.

When generator 20 at position P3 is operated alone, it can be calculated that when support leg 60 at positions B2 and B3 starts to ascend from the ground in a state where support leg 60 at positions B1 and B4 is in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P1 side than the straight line connecting positions P3 and P4, and when support leg 60 at positions B1 and B3 starts to ascend from the ground in a state where support leg 60 at positions B2 and B4 is in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P2 side than the straight line connecting positions P3 and P4.

When generator 20 at position P4 is operated alone, it can be calculated that when support leg 60 at positions B1 and B4 starts to ascend from the ground in a state where support leg 60 at positions B2 and B3 is in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P2 side than the straight line connecting positions P3 and P4, and when support leg 60 at positions B2 and B4 starts to ascend from the ground in a state where support leg 60 at positions B1 and B3 is in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P1 side than the straight line connecting positions P3 and P4.

When generator 20 at position P1 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B1 and B4 are raised from the ground, when generator 20 at position P2 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B2 and B4 are raised from the ground, when generator 20 at position P3 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B1 and B3 are raised from the ground, and when generator 20 at position P4 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B1 and B4 are raised from the ground, it can be calculated that the center of gravity of the load is located in the center of gravity region shown in fig. 8A.

Further, when generator 20 at position P1 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B1 and B4 are raised from the ground, when generator 20 at position P2 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B2 and B4 are raised from the ground, when generator 20 at position P3 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B2 and B3 are raised from the ground, and when generator 20 at position P4 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B2 and B4 are raised from the ground, it can be calculated that the center of gravity of the load is located in the center of gravity region shown in fig. 8B.

Further, when generator 20 at position P1 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B1 and B3 are raised from the ground, when generator 20 at position P2 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B2 and B3 are raised from the ground, when generator 20 at position P3 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B2 and B3 are raised from the ground, and when generator 20 at position P4 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B2 and B4 are raised from the ground, it can be calculated that the center of gravity of the load is located in the center of gravity region shown in fig. 8C.

Further, when generator 20 at position P1 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B1 and B3 are raised from the ground, when generator 20 at position P2 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B2 and B3 are raised from the ground, when generator 20 at position P3 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B1 and B3 are raised from the ground, and when generator 20 at position P4 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B1 and B4 are raised from the ground, it can be calculated that the center of gravity of the load is located in the center of gravity region shown in fig. 8D.

Returning to the description of fig. 6, the processor 100 calculates the center of gravity of the loaded object, the total weight of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 having the loaded object, and the turning moment from the output value (lift value) and the calculated center of gravity region (step S47).

Returning to the description of fig. 5, the processor 100 determines the reference output values of the two or more generators 20 based on the center of gravity of the loading object, the total weight of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 on which the loading object is mounted, and the turning moment (step S33). The processing of step S47 and step S33 will be described with reference to fig. 9, taking the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the first example as an example.

Fig. 9 is a top view for explaining a method of determining the reference output value for each generator 20 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the first example.

For example, as shown in fig. 9, it is calculated that the center of gravity of the load exists in the center of gravity region shown in fig. 8A, and the center of gravity position is set as position C1. The intersection of the straight line connecting the position P1 and the position P2 and the straight line connecting the position P3 and the position P4 is defined as the origin O. X is a distance between a perpendicular line passing through the origin O and the position C1 on the P2 side, which is a perpendicular line connecting the position P1 and the position P2, and y is a distance between a perpendicular line passing through the origin O and the position C1 on the P3 side, which is a perpendicular line connecting the position P3 and the position P4. Further, a distance between the origin O and each of the positions B1 to B4 is defined as a, and a distance between the origin O and each of the positions P1 to P4 is defined as B. An angle formed by a straight line connecting the position P1 and the position P2 and a straight line connecting the position P1 and the position P3 is defined as θ.

When it is calculated that the center of gravity of the load is located in the center of gravity area shown in fig. 8B, x is the distance between the perpendicular line passing through the origin O and the position C1 on the position P1 side, which is the perpendicular line connecting the positions P1 and P2, and y is the distance between the perpendicular line passing through the origin O and the position C1 on the position P3 side, which is the perpendicular line connecting the positions P3 and P4. When it is calculated that the center of gravity of the load is located in the center of gravity region shown in fig. 8C, x is the distance between the perpendicular line passing through the origin O and the position C1 on the position P1 side, which is the perpendicular line connecting the positions P1 and P2, and y is the distance between the perpendicular line passing through the origin O and the position C1 on the position P4 side, which is the perpendicular line connecting the positions P3 and P4. When it is calculated that the center of gravity of the load is located in the center of gravity area shown in fig. 8D, x is the distance between the perpendicular line passing through the origin O and the position C1 on the position P2 side, which is the perpendicular line connecting the positions P1 and P2, and y is the distance between the perpendicular line passing through the origin O and the position C1 on the position P4 side, which is the perpendicular line connecting the positions P3 and P4. In this way, the distances x and y are determined to which position among the positions P1 to P4 is located, in accordance with the calculated center of gravity region.

When the unmanned flying object 1 can perform horizontal flight while waiting for flight, the reference output value (lift value) of the generator 20 at the position P1 is set to T_P1The reference output value (lift value) of the generator 20 at the position P2 is T_P2The reference output value (lift value) of the generator 20 at the position P3 is T_P3The reference output value (lift value) of the generator 20 at the position P4 is T_P4. The reference output value T will be explained below_P1To T_P4The method of (3).

The balance of the rotational moment in the direction connecting the position P1 and the position P2 (for example, the rotational moment in the pitch direction) is represented by the following formula 1. The total weight of the unmanned flying object 1 is denoted by F_t。

(number formula 1)

T_P1b+T_P4bcos2θ+F_tx＝T_P2b+T_P3bcos2 theta (formula 1)

The balance of the rotational moments in the direction connecting the position P3 and the position P4 (for example, the rotational moment in the roll direction) is expressed by the following equation 2.

(number formula 2)

T_P3b+T_P2bcos2θ＝T_P4b+T_P1bcos2θ+F_ty (formula 2)

The balance of the forces in the vertical direction (vertical direction) is represented by the following formula 3.

(number type 3)

F_t＝T_P1+T_P2+T_P3+T_P4(formula 3)

The balance of forces in the direction of rotation in the horizontal direction (for example, the yaw direction) due to the reaction force based on the rotation of the rotor blades of the generators 20 is represented by the following formula 4. It is assumed that the rotation directions of the rotary wings of the diagonally opposed generators 20 are different from each other.

(number formula 4)

T_P1+T_P2＝T_P3+T_P4(formula 4)

If the output value (lift value) of the generator 20 at the position P1 when the generator 20 is operated alone is set to F_P1The output value (lift value) of the generator 20 when the generator 20 at the position P2 is operated alone is F_P2The output value (lift value) of the generator 20 when the generator 20 at the position P3 is operated alone is F_P3The output value (lift value) of the generator 20 when the generator 20 at the position P4 is operated alone is F_P4Then, the total weight F of the unmanned flying object 1 can be calculated as follows_tDistance x, and distance y.

(number type 5)

(number 6)

(number type 7)

According to formulas 5 to 7, F in formula 1 is represented by the following formulas 8 and 9_tx and F in formula 2_ty。

(number type 8)

(number type 9)

Formula 1 is represented by formula 10 below, formula 2 is represented by formula 11 below, formula 5 is represented by formula 3 below, according to formula 8, formula 9.

(number type 10)

(number formula 11)

(number type 12)

The following expression 13 is derived from the expression obtained by multiplying cos θ by the left and right sides of expression 10 and expression 11, and the following expression 14 is derived from the expression obtained by multiplying cos θ by the left and right sides of expression 10 and expression 11.

(number formula 13)

(number formula 14)

The following equation 15 is derived from equations 4 and 12.

(number type 15)

From equations 14 and 15, a reference output value (lift value) T of the generator 20 at the position P1 is calculated as the following equation 16_P1。

(number type 16)

Then, from equations 14 and 15, a reference output value (lift value) T of the generator 20 at the position P2 is calculated as the following equation 17_P2。

(number formula 17)

Then, from equations 13 and 15, a reference output value (lift value) T of the generator 20 at the position P3 is calculated as the following equation 18_P3。

(number formula 18)

Then, from equations 13 and 15, a reference output value (lift value) T of the generator 20 at the position P4 is calculated as the following equation 19_P4。

(number type 19)

In this way, the processor 100 determines the output value (for example, F) of each of the two or more generators 20 when the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 satisfies the predetermined condition_P1To F_P4) And the center of gravity (e.g., the distance x and y from the position C1) of the unmanned flying object 1 calculated from the positional relationship (e.g., the positions P1 to P4, B1 to B4) of each of the two or more generators 20, and determines the reference output value (e.g., T) of each of the two or more generators 20_P1To T_P4)。

Returning to the explanation in fig. 5, the processor 100 determines whether or not each reference output value is within the allowable range (step S34). The allowable range is, for example, a range smaller than an upper limit value of the number of rotations (instruction value) in which the rotor of the generator 20 can rotate.

When the reference output value is within the allowable range (yes in step S34), the processor 100 determines whether or not the determination of the reference output value is completed, and when the determination is completed, presents the fact that the determination of the reference output value is completed via the presentation unit 50 (step S35). This can present to the operator of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 that the determination of the reference output value is completed, and for example, the operator can start the normal flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1.

Then, the processor 100 controls the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 using the determined reference output values (step S36).

On the other hand, if the reference output value is not within the allowable range (no in step S34), the processor 100 presents the reference output value not within the allowable range via the presenting unit 50 (step S37). Accordingly, for example, when the center of gravity of the loaded object is greatly deviated from the center of the unmanned flying object 1 in a plan view of the unmanned flying object 1, the reference output value may be out of the allowable range. For example, when the center of gravity position is greatly deviated from the side of any one generator 20 of two or more generators 20, the reference output value of the one generator 20 may become extremely large. In such a case, the operator of the unmanned flying object 1 can be notified of the situation, and for example, the operator can change the loaded object or adjust the loading position.

Although the positional relationship and the number of the generators 20 and the support legs 60 have been described above with reference to the unmanned flying object 1 according to the first example shown in fig. 7, the positional relationship and the number of the generators 20 and the support legs 60 are not limited to this. Second to fourth examples in which the positional relationship and the number of the generators 20 and the support legs 60 are different from those of the first example will be described below.

Fig. 10 is a top view showing a positional relationship between the generator 20 and the support leg 60 of the unmanned flying object 1 according to the second example. Fig. 11 is a top view showing an example of the center of gravity region of the loading object mounted on the unmanned flying object 1 according to the second example.

Positions P1 to P4 shown in fig. 10 and 11 show the positions of the generators 20 (specifically, the center positions of the rotary wings), positions B13, B14, B23, and B24 show the positions of the support legs 60 (specifically, the positions where the support legs 60 contact the ground).

As shown in fig. 10, the position P1 and the position P2 are located on the diagonal, and the position P3 and the position P4 are located on the diagonal. Further, the positions B13 and B24 are located on the diagonal, and the positions B14 and B23 are located on the diagonal. Position B13 and position B24 are located on the bisector of the segment connecting position P1 and position P3 (also on the bisector of the segment connecting position P2 and position P4), and position B14 and position B23 are located on the bisector of the segment connecting position P1 and position P4 (also on the bisector of the segment connecting position P2 and position P3). Position B13 is located on the side of positions P1 and P3, position B14 is located on the side of positions P1 and P4, position B23 is located on the side of positions P2 and P3, and position B24 is located on the side of positions P2 and P4. In the second example, the generator 20 and the support legs 60 are in such a positional relationship and number.

As in the first example, when one generator 20 is operated alone, basically, in a state where two support legs 60 are in contact with the ground surface, the other two support legs 60 are lifted from the ground surface.

When generator 20 at position P1 is operated alone, it can be calculated that when support legs 60 at positions B14 and B24 start to rise from the ground in a state where support legs 60 at positions B13 and B23 are in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P3 side than the straight line connecting positions P1 and P2, and when support legs 60 at positions B13 and B23 start to rise from the ground in a state where support legs 60 at positions B14 and B24 are in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load can be calculated to be located on the position P4 side than the straight line connecting positions P1 and P2.

When generator 20 at position P2 is operated alone, it can be calculated that when support legs 60 at positions B13 and B23 start to rise from the ground in a state where support legs 60 at positions B14 and B24 are in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P4 side than the straight line connecting positions P1 and P2, and when support legs 60 at positions B14 and B24 start to rise from the ground in a state where support legs 60 at positions B13 and B23 are in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load can be calculated to be located on the position P3 side than the straight line connecting positions P1 and P2.

When generator 20 at position P3 is operated alone, it can be calculated that when support legs 60 at positions B23 and B24 start to rise from the ground in a state where support legs 60 at positions B13 and B14 are in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P1 side than the straight line connecting positions P3 and P4, and when support legs 60 at positions B13 and B14 start to rise from the ground in a state where support legs 60 at positions B23 and B24 are in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load can be calculated to be located on the position P2 side than the straight line connecting positions P3 and P4.

When generator 20 at position P4 is operated alone, it can be calculated that when support legs 60 at positions B13 and B14 start to rise from the ground in a state where support legs 60 at positions B23 and B24 are in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P2 side than the straight line connecting positions P3 and P4, and when support legs 60 at positions B23 and B24 start to rise from the ground in a state where support legs 60 at positions B13 and B14 are in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load can be calculated to be located on the position P1 side than the straight line connecting positions P3 and P4.

For example, when generator 20 at position P1 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B13 and B23 are raised from the ground, when generator 20 at position P2 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B13 and B23 are raised from the ground, when generator 20 at position P3 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B13 and B14 are raised from the ground, and when generator 20 at position P4 is operated alone, support legs 60 at positions B13 and B14 are raised from the ground, it can be calculated that the center of gravity of the load is located in the center of gravity region shown in fig. 11. The explanation that can be calculated when the center of gravity of the loaded article exists in another center of gravity region is omitted.

Further, since the reference output value of each generator 20 of the unmanned aircraft 1 according to the second example can be calculated by an equation based on the balance of the moment and the force, as in the first example, a detailed description of the method for calculating the reference output value will be omitted here.

Fig. 12 is a top view showing a positional relationship between the generator 20 and the support leg 60 of the unmanned flying object 1 according to the third example. Fig. 13 is a top view showing an example of the center of gravity region of the loading object mounted on the unmanned flying object 1 according to the third example.

Positions P1 to P4 shown in fig. 12 and 13 show the positions of the generators 20 (specifically, the center positions of the rotary wings), positions B2, B3, and B14 show the positions of the support feet 60 (specifically, the positions where the support feet 60 contact the ground).

As shown in fig. 12, the position P1 and the position P2 are located on the diagonal, and the position P3 and the position P4 are located on the diagonal. The position B2 and the position B3 correspond to the first example, and the position B14 corresponds to the second example. In the third example, the generator 20 and the support legs 60 are in such positional relationship and number.

In the third example, when one generator 20 is operated alone, basically, in a state where two support legs 60 are in contact with the ground, the other support leg 60 is lifted from the ground.

When generator 20 at position P1 is operated alone, in a state where support leg 60 at positions B2 and B3 is in contact with the ground, when support leg 60 at position B14 starts to rise from the ground, it can be calculated that the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P3 side of the straight line connecting positions P1 and P2, and when support leg 60 at positions B14 and B2 is in contact with the ground, when support leg 60 at position B3 starts to rise from the ground, it can be calculated that the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P4 side of the straight line connecting positions P1 and P2.

When generator 20 at position P4 is operated alone, it can be calculated that when support leg 60 at position B14 is lifted from the ground in a state where support legs 60 at positions B2 and B3 are in contact with the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P2 side of the straight line connecting positions P3 and P4, and when support leg 60 at positions B14 and B3 is in contact with the ground in a state where support leg 60 at position B2 is lifted from the ground, the center of gravity of the load is located on the position P1 side of the straight line connecting positions P3 and P4.

When generator 20 at position P2 is operated alone, regardless of the center of gravity position of the load, support leg 60 at position B2 is raised from the ground in a state where support legs 60 at positions B14 and B3 are in contact with the ground, and when generator 20 at position P3 is operated alone, regardless of the center of gravity position of the load, support leg 60 at position B3 is raised from the ground in a state where support legs 60 at positions B14 and B2 are in contact with the ground.

For example, when generator 20 at position P1 is operated alone, it can be calculated that the center of gravity of the load exists in the center of gravity region shown in fig. 13 when support foot 60 at position B14 is raised from the ground, and when generator 20 at position P4 is operated alone, when support foot 60 at position B14 is raised from the ground. The explanation that can be calculated when the center of gravity of the loaded article exists in another center of gravity region is omitted.

Further, since the reference output value of each generator 20 of the unmanned aircraft 1 according to the third example can be calculated by an equation based on the balance of the moment and the force, as in the first example, a detailed description of the method for calculating the reference output value will be omitted here.

Fig. 14 is a top view showing a positional relationship between the generator 20 and the support leg 60 of the unmanned flying object 1 according to the fourth example. Fig. 15 is a top view showing an example of the center of gravity region of the loading object mounted on the unmanned flying object 1 according to the fourth embodiment.

Positions P1 to P6 shown in fig. 14 and 15 show the positions of the generators 20 (specifically, the center positions of the rotary wings), positions B1, B2, B35, and B46 show the positions of the support legs 60 (specifically, the positions where the support legs 60 contact the ground).

As shown in fig. 14, the position P1 and the position P2 are located on the diagonal, the position P3 and the position P4 are located on the diagonal, and the position P5 and the position P6 are located on the diagonal. Further, the positions B1 and B2 are located on the diagonal, and the positions B35 and B36 are located on the diagonal. In the fourth example, the generator 20 and the support legs 60 are in such a positional relationship and number.

As in the first example, when one generator 20 is operated alone, basically, in a state where two support legs 60 are in contact with the ground surface, the other two support legs 60 are lifted from the ground surface.

Further, as in the fourth example, even when the number of generators 20 is increased as compared with the first to third examples, each generator 20 is operated independently, and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

Further, since the reference output value of each generator 20 of the unmanned aircraft 1 according to the fourth example can be calculated by an equation based on the balance of the moment and the force, as in the first example, a detailed description of the method for calculating the reference output value will be omitted here.

As described above, two or more generators 20 are operated individually to calculate the output values at that time. The output values when two or more generators 20 are operated independently are, for example, different values from each other. Specifically, the output value of the generator 20 near the center of gravity position is increased, and the output value of the generator 20 far from the center of gravity position is decreased. Then, the reference output value of each of the two or more generators 20 can be determined based on the positional relationship between the output value of each of the two or more generators 20 and the position of each of the generators (specifically, the center of gravity of the unmanned flying object 1 calculated based on the positional relationship). The reference output values of the two or more generators 20 are, for example, values different from each other, specifically, output values at which the unmanned flying object 1 can perform horizontal flight while waiting for flight, and the unmanned flying object 1 can fly by using these reference output values, thereby preventing the unmanned flying object 1 from tilting. Therefore, the unmanned flying object 1 can stably fly even when loaded with a load. For example, the present disclosure can be implemented by using the sensor 30 such as a gyro sensor originally provided in the unmanned aerial vehicle 1, without using a separate weight or the like.

(other embodiments)

As described above, the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure has been described according to the embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications of the embodiments, or combinations of components of different embodiments, which will occur to those skilled in the art, may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, and may be included in one or more aspects of the disclosure.

For example, in the above embodiment, the output adjustment trigger is an output adjustment instruction or flight instruction obtained via the communication unit 40, but is not limited thereto. For example, the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 may further include an operation unit, and the output adjustment trigger may be an output adjustment instruction obtained via the operation unit. For example, the operation unit is a button or a touch panel provided in the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 to which an operation instruction is physically input by an operator or the like, or a microphone to which a voice of the operator or the like is input. Accordingly, the processing for stably flying the unmanned flying object 1 can be started by the operation of the unmanned flying object 1.

For example, although the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 includes the presentation unit 50 in the above embodiment, it may not be. For example, the processor 100 may present, via a presentation unit provided in a portable terminal or the like provided by an operator or the like, that the reference output value is not within the allowable range or that determination of the reference output value is completed.

For example, in the above embodiment, the processor 100 determines whether or not the reference output value is within the allowable range, but the determination may not be made. For example, the processor 100 determines whether or not the determination of the reference output value is completed, but the determination may not be performed.

For example, the processor 100 starts the output adjustment process when the flight instruction is obtained as the output adjustment trigger, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the processor 100 may control the flight of the unmanned flying object 1 once, and may not perform the output adjustment process when the unmanned flying object 1 can perform the horizontal flight while waiting for the flight. In other words, the processor 100 may control the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 once, and perform the output adjustment process when the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 cannot perform the horizontal flight while waiting for the flight.

For example, the present disclosure can be realized not only as the unmanned aircraft 1 but also as an information processing method including steps (processes) performed by each component constituting the unmanned aircraft 1.

As shown in fig. 3, the information processing method for controlling the flight of the unmanned flying object 1 is executed by a computer, the unmanned flying object 1 includes two or more generators 20 and a sensor 30, the two or more generators 20 generate a force for flying the unmanned flying object 1 and each include a rotor for generating an air current, the sensor 30 detects the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1, the information processing method is for controlling the flight of the unmanned flying object 1 by controlling the two or more generators 20 to obtain output adjustment triggers of the two or more generators 20 (step S11), and when the output adjustment triggers are obtained, the two or more generators 20 are operated individually until the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 detected by the sensor 30 satisfies at least a predetermined condition (step S12), and a value related to an output of each of the two or more generators 20 when the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1 satisfies the predetermined condition is determined based on the inclination of the unmanned flying object 1, And the positional relationship of each of the two or more generators 20, a reference value regarding the output of each of the two or more generators 20 is determined (step S13), and the flight of the unmanned flying object 1 is controlled using each of the determined reference values (step S15).

For example, the steps in the information processing method may be executed by a computer (computer system). For example, the steps in the information processing method may be executed by a device (server device or the like) that can communicate with the unmanned aerial vehicle 1. Also, the present disclosure can be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the steps included in the information processing method. The present disclosure can be realized as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM on which the program is recorded.

For example, in the case of the present disclosure being implemented as a program (software), the respective steps are executed by executing the program using hardware resources such as a CPU, a memory, and an input/output circuit of a computer. That is, the CPU obtains data from the memory, the input-output circuit, or the like and operates, or outputs the operation result to the memory, the input-output circuit, or the like, thereby executing each step.

In the above embodiments, each of the components included in the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 may be implemented by dedicated hardware or by executing a software program suitable for each of the components. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading out and executing a software program recorded in a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

A part or all of the functions of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the above-described embodiments and the like are typically implemented as an LSI which is an integrated circuit. These may be individually singulated, or may be partially or entirely singulated. The integrated circuit is not limited to an LSI, and may be realized as a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. An fpga (field Programmable Gate array) that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure connection and setting of circuit cells inside LSI may be used.

Further, a part or all of the functions of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the above-described embodiments and the like may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program.

The numbers used in the description are examples shown for specifically describing the present disclosure, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the numbers shown.

The execution order of the steps is for specifically describing the example of the present disclosure, and may be an order other than the order described above in which the similar effects are obtained. Further, a part of the steps may be executed simultaneously with (e.g., in parallel with) the other steps.

Furthermore, various modifications of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which are within the scope of modifications that would occur to those skilled in the art, are also included in the present disclosure, as long as they do not depart from the spirit of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an unmanned flying object for transporting a load.

Description of the symbols

1 unmanned flying body

10 acquisition part

11 operating part

12 determination part

13 determination unit

14 control part

20 generators

30 sensor

40 communication unit

50 presentation part

60 supporting foot

70 container

100 processor