Take-off and landing station

Abstract

Disclosed is a take-off and landing station (1) for a flying vehicle (2) for transporting people and/or loads, which flying vehicle takes off and lands vertically and comprises a flight module (3), having a plurality of drive units (17) arranged on a supporting framework structure (16) of the flight module (3), and a transportation module (4), which can be coupled to the flight module (3). The take-off and landing station (1) comprises a holding apparatus (21) having a plurality of gripper elements and support elements (11) for supporting, fixing and/or orienting the supporting framework structure (16) during take-off and landing of the flying vehicle (2) or the flight module (3).

Claims

1. A take-off and landing station for a flying vehicle which takes off and lands vertically for transporting people and/or loads, wherein the station comprises (i) a flight module having several drive units arranged on a supporting framework structure of the flight module, (ii) a transportation module that can be coupled to the flight module, and (iii) a holding apparatus comprising several gripper or support elements for supporting, fixing and/or orienting the supporting framework structure during take-off and landing of the flying vehicle or the flight module.

2. The take-off and landing station of claim 1, wherein the holding apparatus comprises several column-shaped or arched pillars.

3. The take-off and landing station of claim 2, wherein the pillars have an adjustable length.

4. The take-off and landing station of claim 2, wherein the pillars and/or the gripper and support elements are designed as springs.

5. The take-off and landing station of claim 1, wherein the station comprises a first section constructed for arranging the transportation module for attachment to and disconnection from the flight module.

6. The take-off and landing station of claim 5, wherein the first section comprises at least one receiving device for receiving and positioning a transportation module.

7. The take-off and landing station of claim 5, wherein the first section comprises a lifting device for lifting and lowering the flying vehicle and/or the transportation module and/or a transportation capsule of the transportation module.

8. The take-off and landing station of claim 1, wherein the station further comprises a shielding device for shielding a transportation capsule located in the station from the flight module.

9. The take-off and landing station of claim 8, wherein the shielding device has an adjustable opening.

10. The take-off and landing station of claim 8, wherein the shielding device comprises wind-deflecting fins.

11. The take-off and landing station of claim 5, wherein the station further comprises a second section designed for storing one or more transportation modules and/or one or more transportation capsules.

12. The take-off and landing station of claim 11, wherein the first and second sections are directly adjacent to each other.

13. The take-off and landing station of claim 12, wherein the second section partially or fully encloses the first section.

14. The take-off and landing station of claim 11, wherein the first section can be separated from the second section by a closable separating device.

15. The take-off and landing station of claim 11, wherein the first section is vertically adjustable with respect to the second section and/or the second section is horizontally adjustable with respect to the first section.

16. The take-off and landing station of claim 11, wherein the station further comprises a logistics system for organizing transportation modules and/or transportation capsules in the first and second sections.

17. The take-off and landing station of claim 16, wherein the logistics system comprises a conveyor belt or a conveyor rail for transporting the transportation modules or transportation capsules.

18. The take-off and landing station of claim 16, wherein the logistics system comprises several receiving devices for receiving and positioning transportation modules and/or transportation capsules.

19. The take-off and landing station of claim 18, wherein the receiving devices in the second section are capable of being arranged and conveyed concentrically around a central point or a central axis of the first section and/or being transported between the first section and the second section.

20. The take-off and landing station of claim 1, wherein the station further comprises one or more charging modules.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other benefits of the present invention are apparent from the drawings and from the associated description. They show the following:

(2) FIG. 1 exemplary illustration of a take-off and landing station with flying vehicle;

(3) FIG. 2 exemplary illustration of another take-off and landing station with flying vehicle;

(4) FIG. 3 schematic illustration of the side view of a take-off and landing station; and

(5) FIG. 4 schematic illustration of the plan view of a take-off and landing station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(6) In the examples explained in more detail below, reference is made to the attached drawings, which form part of the examples and in which, by way of visualisation, specific embodiments are shown in which the invention can be executed. In this respect, direction terminology such as “above”, “below”, “at the front”, “at the rear”, “front”, “rear” etc. are used with reference to the orientation of the Figures described. Since components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the direction terminology is by way of visualisation and is in no way restrictive.

(7) It goes without saying that other embodiments can be used and structural or logical changes can be performed without deviating from the scope of protection of the present invention. It goes without saying that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein can be combined with one another unless something specifically to the contrary is stated. The following detailed description is therefore not to be understood in a restrictive sense, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims.

(8) Within the context of this description, the terms “connected”, “attached” and “coupled” are used to describe both a direct and an indirect connection, a direct or indirect attachment and a direct or indirect coupling. In the Figures, identical or similar elements are given identical reference symbols, insofar as this is appropriate.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a take-off and landing station 1 with a flying vehicle 2 arranged therein which takes off and lands vertically.

(10) The flying vehicle 2 arranged in the take-off and landing station 1 has a flight module 3 and a transportation module 4 coupled to flight module 3.

(11) The take-off and landing station 1 has a first, inner section 5, which is schematically represented in FIG. 1 in the form of a circle. The first, inner section is designed for the take-off and landing of flying vehicle 2. In the section the transportation module 4 is arranged for attachment to or disconnection from the flight module 3, for the boarding and disembarking of people or for loading and unloading loads.

(12) The transportation module 4 has a teardrop-shaped transportation capsule 19 and a detachable connecting device 20. The connecting device 20 comprises an elongated shaft and a coupling device, in order to connect the transportation capsule 19 at a safe distance to the flight module 3.

(13) The flight module 3 has several drive units 17 arranged on a main structure 16 in one plane, wherein each drive unit 17 can have an electric motor and a propeller that has an operative connection to the electric motor. At the centre of the flight module 3 a central unit 18 with a coupling device is present to which the transportation module 4 can be attached.

(14) The take-off and landing station 1 also comprises a holding apparatus 21 for holding the flight module 3 during take-off and landing of the flying vehicle 2. The holding apparatus 21 has four pillars 13, which are arranged around the first, inner section 5 of the take-off and landing station and are anchored in the ground below the site. At the upper end of each of the pillars 13, a fork-shaped gripper and support element 11 is arranged.

(15) By means of the four gripper and support elements 11 of the holding apparatus 21, the flight module 3 can—with or without attached transportation module 4—be held, positioned and fixed on its main structure 16. A different number of pillars 13 and gripper and support elements 11 may also be provided.

(16) The gripper and support elements 11 are rubber-coated and designed inherently springy in order to absorb hard landings when the flying vehicle 2 or the flight module lands. The main structure 16 of the flight module 3 lies on the support element 11.

(17) The flight module 3, when the flying vehicle 2 is not in operation, lies with the underside of the main structure 16 on the fork-shaped support elements 11 that are open at the top, so that these are at a sufficient distance from the drive elements 17 of the flight module 3.

(18) The pillars 13 are designed adjustable in length (indicated by the inverted/change directed arrows), whereby the flying vehicle 2 held by the gripper and support arms 11 is raised by a platform 15 of the first section 5 or can be lowered onto the platform 15. Integrated into platform 15 of the first section is a vertically adjustable lifting device 15 (indicated by the inverted arrows), in order to be able to lift or lower the flying vehicle or the uncoupled transportation module 4 or only the transportation capsule 19 and, in particular, to be able to position the transportation module 4 for attachment or disconnection in relation to flight module 3.

(19) Furthermore, the take-off and landing station has a shielding device 9 which for example as shown in FIG. 1 may be constructed in the manner of an umbrella, flat or slightly curved and circularly limited, and covers at least the first section 5. The shielding device 9 may be designed self-supporting or, as provided for in the example in accordance with FIG. 1, attached to the holding apparatus 21.

(20) The shielding device 9 has a closable opening 22 arranged centrally above the first section 5 that takes the form of an iris diaphragm, which in the presence of the flying vehicle 1 or a transportation module 4 in the first, inner section 5 may be partially closed by the connecting device 20 of the transportation module 4 surrounding it, and in the absence of the flying vehicle 1 or a transportation module 4 or a connecting device 20 of the transportation module 4 can be completed closed. I.e. even in the presence of just one flight module 3, which is held above the first, inner section 5 of the holding device 21, the opening 22 can be completely closed.

(21) The first, inner section can have devices for supplying electricity to the take-off and landing station 1, optionally for supplying electricity to an integrated charging module and optionally for directly or indirectly supplying electricity to the flying vehicle 2 or its modules (flight module 3, transportation module 4).

(22) In addition, a communication device for internal and external communication may be provided. In addition, a monitoring device may be present by means of which at least the inner section 5 can be monitored, so that a take-off or landing cannot be performed until the integrity of the inner section 5 has been confirmed.

(23) In addition, the first section 5 may have a mechanical and/or electronic system for orienting and/or guiding the flight module 3 or flying vehicle 2 during take-off and landing.

(24) FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the take-off and landing station 1 with a flying vehicle 2 that takes off and lands vertically, which has a flight module 3 and a transportation module 4 coupled to the flight module 3.

(25) FIGS. 3 and 4 show schematically and in different views the take-off and landing station 1 depicted in FIG. 2.

(26) Below, only the differences from the design of the take-off and landing station 1 in accordance with FIG. 1 are described.

(27) The take-off and landing station 1 in accordance with FIG. 2 has, in addition to the first, inner section 5, a second, outer section 6 which encloses the first section 5 completely and in a circular manner. The second section 6 is designed for storing a plurality of transportation modules 4 (not shown). Thereby the first section 5 of the take-off and landing station 1 in accordance with FIG. 2 is designed, by way of an expansion of functions, for the temporary arrangement of a transportation module 4 with regard to flight module 3.

(28) In constructional terms, the second section of the take-off and landing station 1 in accordance with FIG. 2 comprises a base slab 12 on which the pillars 13 of the holding apparatus 21 are arranged. The pillars 13 are designed curved in order to support a shielding device 9 designed as a roof structure which covers the first and second section 5, 6. The roof structure 9 has wind-deflecting fins 10, which in the embodiment are designed as glass plates circular in shape that curve outwards, in order to keep at bay the downdraught of the drive units 17 of the flight module 3 and weathering effects.

(29) An upper edge of the closable opening 22 in the shielding device 9 above the first section 5 is lined with several beam-shaped, hexagonally arranged support elements 11 that are connected to each other (for more details see FIGS. 3 and 4). The beam-shaped elements 11 are designed rubber-coated and springy, in order to absorb hard landings of the flight module 3 during landing. When the flying vehicle 2 is at a standstill, the underside of the main structure 16 of the flight module 3 lies on top of the beam-shaped support elements 11, whereby these are at a sufficient distance from the drive elements 17 of the flight module 3.

(30) The base slab 12 may have the facilities for supplying electricity to the take-off and landing station 1, optionally for supplying electricity to an integrated charging module and also optionally for directly or indirectly supplying electricity to the flying vehicle 2 and/or its modules (flight module 3, transportation module 4).

(31) In addition, the technical facilities for the communication device and the monitoring device may be provided in the base slab 12.

(32) The first and second sections 5, 6 are spatially separated from each other by means of a separating device 14. The separating device 14 is, in the embodiment, designed as a glass wall which has a closable entry or exit to the inner section 5. By contrast, the second section 6 is freely accessible from outside.

(33) The first and second sections 5, 6 contain a logistics system 7, which comprises one or more conveyor belts and several shell-shaped receiving devices 8 (holding shells 8), which can be moved by means of the conveyor belts.

(34) The holding shells 8 of the logistics system 7 are provided for receiving and positioning the transportation module 4 and additional transportation modules that are not shown.

(35) The holding shells 8 and the received transportation modules 4 can be moved using the conveyor belt of the logistics system 7 via differently constructed conveyor lines (FIGS. 2, 3) within the second section 6 or from the first section 5 into the second section 6 or vice versa.

(36) In the first section 5 a holding shell 8 can be temporarily arranged for receiving and positioning the transportation capsule 19 of the transportation module 4 of the flying vehicle 2—taking off or landing—that is to be attached or disconnected, wherein this holding shell 8 is positioned centrally in relation to the first section and to the flying vehicle 2. By contrast, in the second section 6 several holding shells 8 are arranged moveable concentrically around the first section 5, which aid the storage of transportation modules 4 (not shown) that are temporarily not needed.

(37) The shape of the holding shells 8 largely follows the outer contour of the lower section of the transportation capsule 19 of the transportation module 4, wherein these partially enclose the transportation capsule 19.

(38) In addition, the holding shells 8 have a device for inductive charging of the transportation modules 4.

(39) The take-off and landing station 1, as for example described above in reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, can be handled as described below together with the modular flying vehicle 2.

(40) Fundamentally it is envisaged that either a flying vehicle 2, i.e. a flight module 3 with attached transportation module 4, or a flight module 3 alone, takes or lands. During the take-off and landing process, the flight module 3 may use an orientation and/or control system of the take-off and landing station 1, so that a precise descent or ascent can be achieved with the necessary positioning of flight module 3 or flying vehicle 2 with respect to the take-off and landing station 1.

(41) Before the take-off and landing, the flight module 3 is lying with its main structure 16 on the beam-shaped support elements 11. The connection of flight module 3 and transportation module 4 can advantageously take place in a load-free state. To this end, the transportation module 4 can be positioned by means of the vertically adjustable platform 15 relative to the flight module 3 resting on the beam-shaped support elements 11.

(42) Before the coupling of the flight module 3 to the transportation module 4, the logistics system 7 of the take-off and landing station 1 positions a holding shell 8 with a transportation module 4 within the first section 5, in order e.g. to enable boarding or disembarking or loading or unloading of the transportation module 4 and to produce the precise position for coupling to the flight module 3.

(43) The boarding or disembarking or the loading or unloading of transportation module 4 can however also take place outside of the first section 5 during the positioning of the transportation module 4 by means of the logistics system 7 in the second section 6.

(44) After the coupling of the flight module 3 to the transportation module 4, the take-off together with flight module 3 is prepared and performed.

(45) Whilst the coupling process can still take place with the opening 22 largely closed, the opening 22 is opened for take-off and landing of flying vehicle 2.

(46) The take-off and landing of the flying vehicle 2 are preferably only possible if no unauthorised persons, e.g. passengers or ground staff, animals or loose objects, e.g. spare parts, components, tools etc., are located in the first section 5 separated by the closed glass wall 14. By this means, the spinning or flinging around of objects can be prevented, so that safety in the take-off and landing station is increased.

(47) During the take-off of the flying vehicle 2, a further transportation module 4 can already be organised from the second section 6 for handover to the first section 5, in order, after the landing of a further flying vehicle 2 or of a flight module 3 has taken place, to prepare the next coupling and take-off process in the first section 5.

(48) The transportation module 4 and the take-off and landing station 1 can communicate with each other by means of a communications device designed for internal system communication.

(49) For example, a status report from the transportation module 4 about a loading and/or boarding status can be exchanged. Furthermore, the transportation module 4 can communicate a status report about the attainment of a safety or security status, so that a positioning can be initiated by means of the logistics system 7. The take-off and landing station 1 can communicate a status report about the attainment of a final position of flying vehicle 2 or of transportation module 4, in order e.g. to give clearance for boarding and disembarking for passengers.

(50) Similarly, provision can be made for flight module 3 and the take-off and landing station 1 to also communicate with each other via a communication device designed for internal system communication. For example, a status report on the final, fixed position of transportation module 4 may be passed to the flight module 3 in order to signal the possibility of attaching to or disconnecting from the flight module 3.

(51) A further status report may be made by the flight module 3 regarding the completed attachment or disconnection of the transportation module 4, in order to signal readiness for take-off or completion of the landing process.

(52) A further status report can be issued by the flight module 3 regarding the successful landing on the support elements 11 of the holding apparatus 21 x and/or about the attainment of a final position of the flying vehicle 2 or the flight module 3 in the take-off and landing station 1, in order e.g. to give clearance for boarding or disembarking of passengers or loading or unloading of the payload.

(53) A further status report may report the integrity of the first section 5 and/or of the loading status, e.g. weight, locking, securing etc., of the transportation module 4, so that a take-off or landing process can be initiated safely.

(54) The expression “and/or” used here, when used in a series of two or more elements, means that each of the listed elements can be used alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements can be used.

(55) If for example a relationship is described which contains the components A, B and/or C, the relationship may contain the components A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(56) 1 Take-off and landing station 2 Flying vehicle 3 Flight module 4 Transportation module 5 First section 6 Second section 7 Logistics system 8 Receiving device, holding shell 9 Shielding device 10 Wind-deflecting fins 11 Support element, fork-shaped, beam-shaped 12 Base slab 13 Column, pillars, column-shaped, arched 14 Separating device 15 Vertically adjustable platform 16 Main structure 17 Drive unit 18 Central unit 19 Transportation capsule 20 Connecting device 21 Holding apparatus 22 Closable opening