JP7611512B2 - Lighting system, lighting device used in said lighting system, and unmanned aerial vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a lighting system, and a lighting device and an unmanned aerial vehicle used in the lighting system.

As disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, a system has been proposed in which a landing pad is installed on a street light, allowing an unmanned aerial vehicle to land on this landing pad.

In this patent document, the unmanned aerial vehicle is able to land on a landing pad installed on a street light, allowing the street light to function as a resting spot for the unmanned aerial vehicle.

At this time, the unmanned aerial vehicle is fixed to the landing pad to prevent it from falling off the pad.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,387,928

In this way, it is preferable to be able to fix the unmanned aerial vehicle to the landing pad more easily and firmly.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting system that can more easily and firmly fix an unmanned aerial vehicle to a landing pad, as well as a lighting device and an unmanned aerial vehicle used in the lighting system.

The lighting system of the present disclosure includes an unmanned aerial vehicle, a lighting device having a lamp capable of emitting light, and a landing platform on which the unmanned aerial vehicle lands. The landing platform has a landing surface on which the unmanned aerial vehicle lands, and the landing platform is provided with a first electromagnet device capable of generating a magnetic force from the landing surface. The unmanned aerial vehicle is provided with a second electromagnet device capable of generating a magnetic force. The first electromagnet device and the second electromagnet device generate a magnetic force that attracts each other, thereby fixing the unmanned aerial vehicle to the landing surface.

The lighting device in this disclosure is provided in the lighting system.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain a lighting system that can more easily and firmly securely fix an unmanned aerial vehicle to a landing pad, as well as a lighting device and an unmanned aerial vehicle used in the lighting system.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a method of using the lighting device. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a lighting system. FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged schematic side view of an example of a lighting system. FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a first modified example of the lighting system. FIG. 11 is a side view diagrammatically showing a second modified example of the lighting system. FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged schematic side view of a third modified example of the lighting system. FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged schematic side view of a fourth modified example of the lighting system. FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged schematic side view of a fifth modified example of the lighting system.

The lighting system according to this embodiment and the lighting device used in the lighting system will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

The lighting system 1 in this embodiment includes a lighting device 10 and a small flying vehicle (unmanned flying vehicle) 20.

The lighting device 10 can be used as a road light or street light to illuminate roadways, sidewalks, parks, parking lots, forest roads, etc.

In this embodiment, the lamps are installed at a predetermined interval along the driving line on both sides of the roadway 100, and are used as road lights to illuminate the road surface 100a of the roadway 100 (see Figure 1).

This lighting device 10 has a lamp 120 capable of emitting light and a pole (fixing member) 110 to which the lamp 120 is fixed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lighting device 10 is provided with a landing platform 130 on which the miniature flying object 20 lands, and this landing platform 130 has a landing surface 130a on which the miniature flying object 20 lands (see FIG. 3).

In this embodiment, the landing platform 130 has a rectangular plate shape and is disposed on the upper part of the lighting fixture 120. The upper surface (flat surface) of the landing platform 130 serves as the landing surface 130a on which the miniature aircraft 20 lands.

The landing platform 130 is provided with a first electromagnet device 131 capable of generating a magnetic force from the landing surface 130a (see FIG. 3).

As described above, the lighting system 1 includes a miniature aircraft 20. In this embodiment, the miniature aircraft 20 includes a main body 210, legs 220 extending downward from the main body 210, an arm 230 extending horizontally outward from the main body 210, and a propeller 240 attached to the arm 230.

However, the shape of the small flying object is not limited to this shape, and it can be of various shapes, such as an airplane-type small flying object.

The miniature aircraft 20 is provided with a second electromagnet device 211 capable of generating a magnetic force. In this embodiment, the second electromagnet device 211 is built into the main body 210 of the miniature aircraft 20 (see FIG. 3).

The first electromagnet device 131 and the second electromagnet device 211 generate magnetic forces that attract each other, so that the miniature aircraft 20 is fixed to the landing surface 130a.

In this manner, in this embodiment, a mutually attractive magnetic force is generated between the miniature flying object 20 and the landing pad 130, so that the miniature flying object 20 is fixed to the landing surface 130a. This makes it easier to fix the miniature flying object 20 to the landing pad 130.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, electromagnet devices are incorporated into both the miniature aircraft 20 and the landing pad 130, making it possible to more firmly fix the miniature aircraft 20 to the landing pad 130.

In addition, in this embodiment, the miniature flying object 20 and the landing pad 130 each have the function of controlling magnetic force.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the landing pad 130 is provided with a control unit 132, and the miniature aircraft 20 is provided with a control unit 212. The control unit 212 is also built into the main body 210 of the miniature aircraft 20.

In this manner, in this embodiment, at least one of the miniature flying object 20 and the landing pad 130 has the function of controlling the magnetic force. This makes it possible to control the magnetic force so that the magnetic force of attraction between the first electromagnet device 131 and the second electromagnet device 211 is smaller than the lift force of the miniature flying object 20. This makes it possible to make the miniature flying object 20 capable of taking off from the landing pad 130.

In addition, each of the miniature flying object 20 and the landing pad 130 has a function for controlling magnetic force. This allows the first electromagnet device 131 and the second electromagnet device 211 to be controlled so that their magnetic forces repel each other. In this way, the mutually repulsive magnetic forces assist the miniature flying object 20 in taking off from the landing pad 130, making it easier for the miniature flying object 20 to take off from the landing pad 130.

In this manner, in this embodiment, when the miniature flying object 20 lands on the landing surface 130a of the landing pad 130, the first electromagnet device 131 and the second electromagnet device 211 are controlled to generate magnetic forces so that the magnetism (magnetic poles) attract each other. By generating magnetic forces so that the magnetism (magnetic poles) attract each other, the miniature flying object 20 can be fixed to the landing pad 130.

On the other hand, when the miniature aircraft 20 is caused to take off (fly away) from the landing pad 130, the first electromagnet device 131 and the second electromagnet device 211 are controlled to generate magnetic forces that create mutually repelling magnetic fields (magnetic poles). By generating magnetic forces that create mutually repelling magnetic fields (magnetic poles), the magnetic forces assist the miniature aircraft 20 in taking off (flying away) from the landing pad 130.

When controlling the first electromagnet device 131 and the second electromagnet device 211 to make the miniature aircraft 20 take off (fly away) from the landing pad 130, it is not necessary to generate magnetic force so that the magnetism (magnetic poles) repel each other. For example, by controlling the first electromagnet device 131 and the second electromagnet device 211 to adjust the magnetic force so that the magnetic force that attracts each other is smaller than the lift force of the miniature aircraft 20, the miniature aircraft 20 can be taken off (fly away) from the landing pad 130. It is also possible to make the miniature aircraft 20 take off (fly away) from the landing pad 130 by turning off the power supply to the first electromagnet device 131 or the second electromagnet device 211 and preventing the generation of magnetic force between the miniature aircraft 20 and the landing pad 130.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the small flying object 20 and the landing pad 130 (at least one of the small flying object 20 and the landing pad 130) is capable of automatically controlling the magnetic force based on detection information from built-in sensors and disaster prevention signals.

In this way, in the event of a disaster or the like, the small flying object 20 can be automatically released from its fixed state on the landing pad 130, allowing the small flying object 20 to take off from the landing pad 130 more quickly. In addition, in the event of an earthquake or the like, the magnetic force of attraction between the small flying object 20 and the landing pad 130 can be automatically controlled to be increased, preventing the small flying object 20 from falling off the landing pad 130.

In this embodiment, the landing pad 130 is also equipped with a sensor unit 133 that detects the approach of the miniature flying object 20 (see FIG. 3). This sensor unit 133 can be configured using, for example, an ultrasonic sensor or an infrared sensor.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the landing pad 130 is provided with a sensor unit 133 that detects the approach of the miniature flying object 20, and magnetic force is generated from the landing surface 130a only when the sensor unit 133 detects the approach of the miniature flying object 20. This makes it possible to prevent magnetic force from being unnecessarily generated from the landing surface 130a when the miniature flying object 20 is not present on the landing pad 130.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the miniature aircraft 20 is provided with a malfunction information detection means 213 that detects malfunction information of the lighting device 10, and a control unit 212 that controls the movement of the lighting device 10 detected by the malfunction information detection means 213 to the landing pad 130 (see FIG. 3).

This allows the miniature aircraft 20 to automatically move to the landing pad 130 of the lighting device 10 where the malfunction has occurred.

In addition, in this embodiment, the miniature aircraft 20 is equipped with a lighting unit 215, and the lighting unit 215 of the miniature aircraft 20 can illuminate the surroundings in place of the lamp 120 that is turned off due to a power outage or the like (see Figures 2 and 3).

With such a lighting system 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, it becomes possible to illuminate the surroundings with the lighting unit 215 of the miniature aircraft 20 in place of the lighting fixture 120 that is turned off due to a malfunction such as a breakdown.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the miniature aircraft 20 is equipped with a malfunction information detection means 213 that detects malfunction information of the lighting fixture 120, and a control unit 212 that controls the movement of the lighting device 10 detected by the malfunction information detection means 213 to the landing pad 130.

Therefore, it is possible to automatically move the miniature aircraft 20 to the landing pad 130 of the lighting device 10 that has the malfunctioning luminaire 120.

In addition, FIG. 2 shows an example in which the small aircraft 20 is kept waiting at the base 40, and when malfunction information of the lighting fixture 120 (lighting device 10) is detected, the small aircraft 20 is launched from the base 40 and moved to the landing pad 130 above the lighting fixture 120 where the malfunction occurred.

However, there is no need to launch the small flying object 20 waiting at the base 40. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible to move the small flying object 20 fixed to the landing pad 130 of the lighting device 10 that is closest to the lamp 120 where the malfunction has occurred.

In addition, the small aircraft 20 may be flown periodically, and when a malfunctioning luminaire 120 is discovered, the small aircraft 20 may be directed to the landing pad 130 of the lighting device 10 that has the malfunctioning luminaire 120.

Note that Figure 4 also shows an example in which the magnetic force of the miniature flying object 20 and the landing pad 130 can be controlled automatically, but as shown in Figure 5, the magnetic force may also be controlled manually.

In other words, it is possible for the operator U to manually control the magnetic force by operating the controller 30 remotely or visually.

It is also possible to configure the lighting system 1 as shown in Figure 6.

In the lighting system 1 shown in FIG. 6, the miniature flying object 20 and the landing pad 130 are equipped with non-contact power supply functions 134, 214, but the miniature flying object 20 does not have a lighting unit 215.

With such a lighting system 1, for example, the small flying object 20 can be fixed to the landing pad 130 and power can be supplied from the landing pad 130 to charge the small flying object 20. In this way, with the lighting system 1 shown in FIG. 6, the landing pad 130 can be used as a rest point for fixing and charging the small flying object 20.

In addition, when the miniature aircraft 20 is fixed to the landing pad 130, power can be supplied from the miniature aircraft 20 to the landing pad 130, and power can be supplied to the lighting fixture 120 that is off due to a power outage or the like, to turn on the lighting fixture 120.

It is also possible to configure the lighting system 1 as shown in Figure 7.

The lighting system 1 shown in FIG. 7 is the lighting system 1 shown in the above embodiment to which a non-contact power supply function 134, 214 has been added.

With such a lighting system 1, the lighting unit 215 of the miniature aircraft 20 can illuminate the surroundings while the miniature aircraft 20 is charging, so the lighting unit 215 can illuminate the surroundings for a long period of time.

It is also possible to configure the lighting system 1 as shown in Figure 8.

The lighting system 1 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a first electromagnet device 131 and a second electromagnet device 211 for fixing the miniature flying object 20 to the landing pad 130, but is not provided with a lighting unit 215 or non-contact power supply functions 134, 214.

When using such a lighting system 1, the miniature aircraft 20 can be secured to the landing pad 130 in order to transport and replace components such as light modules.

[Action and Effects]
The following describes the lighting systems shown in the above-described embodiments and their modified examples, as well as the characteristic configurations of the lighting devices used in the lighting systems, and the effects obtained thereby.

(1) The lighting system 1 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example includes a lighting device 10 having a small flying object (unmanned flying object) 20, a lighting fixture 120 capable of emitting light, and a landing platform 130 on which the unmanned flying object 20 lands.

The landing pad 130 has a landing surface 130a on which the miniature flying object 20 lands. The landing pad 130 is provided with a first electromagnet device 131 capable of generating a magnetic force from the landing surface 130a. The miniature flying object 20 is provided with a second electromagnet device 211 capable of generating a magnetic force.

Then, the first electromagnet device 131 and the second electromagnet device 211 generate magnetic forces that attract each other, so that the miniature aircraft 20 is fixed to the landing surface 130a.

In this way, by generating a mutually attractive magnetic force between the miniature flying object 20 and the landing pad 130, the miniature flying object 20 can be fixed to the landing surface 130a more easily.

Furthermore, since electromagnetic devices are incorporated into both the miniature aircraft 20 and the landing pad 130, it is possible to more firmly fix the miniature aircraft 20 to the landing pad 130.

Therefore, the lighting system 1 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example makes it possible to more easily and firmly securely fix the miniature flying object 20 to the landing pad 130.

Furthermore, if the miniature flying object 20 is fixed to the landing pad 130 using magnetic forces generated by the miniature flying object 20 and the landing pad 130, there is no need to provide a protrusion on the landing pad 130 for hooking the miniature flying object 20 or a housing device for surrounding the miniature flying object 20. However, if a protrusion on the landing pad 130 for hooking the miniature flying object 20 or a housing device for surrounding the miniature flying object 20 is provided to the landing pad 130 in order to fix the miniature flying object 20 to the landing pad 130, the shape and size of the miniature flying object that can be fixed would be restricted.

However, in the lighting system 1 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example, as described above, there is no need to provide a protrusion on the landing pad 130 for hooking the miniature flying object 20 or to provide a housing device for enclosing the miniature flying object 20. Therefore, it becomes possible to fix various types of miniature flying object 20 to the landing pad 130.

Another advantage is that the appearance of the landing pad 130 can be simplified by eliminating the need to provide a protrusion on the landing pad 130 for hooking the miniature flying object 20 or a housing device for enclosing the miniature flying object 20.

(2) In addition, at least one of the miniature flying object 20 and the landing pad 130 may have a function for controlling magnetic force.

In this way, it is possible to control the attractive magnetic force generated between the first electromagnet device 131 and the second electromagnet device 211 so that it is smaller than the lift of the miniature aircraft 20. For example, by turning off the power supply to the first electromagnet device 131 or the second electromagnet device 211, it is possible to prevent the attractive magnetic force from being generated between the first electromagnet device 131 and the second electromagnet device 211. As a result, it is possible to make the miniature aircraft 20 capable of taking off from the landing pad 130.

(3) Additionally, each of the miniature flying object 20 and the landing pad 130 may have a function for controlling magnetic force.

In this way, it becomes possible to control the first electromagnet device 131 and the second electromagnet device 211 so that their magnetic properties repel each other. As a result, the mutually repulsive magnetic forces assist the miniature aircraft 20 in taking off from the landing pad 130, making it easier for the miniature aircraft 20 to take off from the landing pad 130.

(4) The landing pad 130 may also be equipped with a sensor unit 133 that detects the approach of the miniature flying object 20.

In this way, magnetic force can be generated from the landing surface 130a only when the sensor unit 133 detects the approach of the miniature flying object 20. As a result, it is possible to prevent magnetic force from being generated unnecessarily from the landing surface 130a when the miniature flying object 20 is not present on the landing platform 130.

(5) The small flying object 20 and the landing pad 130 may also be equipped with a non-contact power supply function 134, 214.

In this way, while the miniature aircraft 20 is fixed to the landing pad 130, power can be supplied from the landing pad 130 to the miniature aircraft 20, allowing the miniature aircraft 20 to be charged. Also, while the miniature aircraft 20 is fixed to the landing pad 130, power can be supplied from the miniature aircraft 20 to the landing pad 130, allowing power to be supplied to the lighting fixture 120 that is off due to a power outage or the like, thereby turning on the lighting fixture 120.

(6) The small aircraft 20 may also include a malfunction information detection means 213 that detects malfunction information of the lighting device 10, and a control unit 212 that controls the movement of the lighting device 10 detected by the malfunction information detection means 213 to the landing pad 130.

In this way, it becomes possible to automatically move the miniature aircraft 20 to the landing pad 130 of the lighting device 10 where the malfunction has occurred.

(7) The miniature aircraft 20 may also be equipped with a lighting unit 215.

In this way, the lighting unit 215 of the miniature aircraft 20 can illuminate the surroundings in place of the lighting fixture 120 that is not lit due to a power outage or the like.

(8) Furthermore, the lighting device 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example is a lighting device used in the above lighting system 1.

In this way, it is possible to obtain a lighting device 10 for use in a lighting system 1 that can more easily and firmly securely fix the miniature flying object 20 to the landing pad 130.

[others]
The lighting system according to the present disclosure and the lighting device used in the lighting system have been described above. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above description, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements are possible.

For example, it is possible to make a lighting system and a lighting device used in the lighting system by appropriately combining the configurations shown in the above embodiments and their modified examples.

In addition, in the above embodiment and its modified example, a lighting device 10 in which one lamp 120 is attached to the tip of a pole 110 extending in the vertical direction is exemplified, but it is also possible to make a lighting device in which the lamp 120 is attached to an arm section bent horizontally at the tip of a pole. It is also possible to make a lighting device in which multiple lamps 120 are attached to a pole 110.

In addition, in the above embodiment and its modified example, a lighting device 10 in which the lamp 120 is installed in a position that is out of reach of people has been exemplified, but the lighting system 1 of the present disclosure can also be applied to a lighting device in which the lamp is installed in a position that is within reach of people.

In addition, in the above embodiment and its modified example, the lighting device 10 in which the lamp 120 is installed on a dedicated pole 110 is exemplified, but the lamp 120 can be installed in various locations as long as the location is capable of mounting an electromagnetic device. For example, the lamp can be installed on a member that can also function as a lighting device, such as a utility pole or a roof.

The landing platform 130 does not need to be placed in contact with the lighting fixture 120, and it is also possible to place the landing platform 130 away from the lighting fixture 120. For example, it is also possible to install the lighting fixture 120 and the landing platform 130 on the pole 110.

The lighting system of the present disclosure can also be applied to garden lights that illuminate plants in a garden, and can also be applied to lighting devices installed in museums and other buildings, and indoor lighting installed in homes.

In addition, in the above embodiment and its modified examples, the landing surface 130a is provided on the upper surface of the landing platform 130, but the lower surface or side surface of the landing platform may also be used as the landing surface. The shape of the landing platform 130 is not limited to a rectangular plate shape and may be various other shapes.

In addition, the specifications of the unmanned aerial vehicle, lighting fixtures, and other details (shape, size, layout, etc.) can also be changed as appropriate.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Illumination system 10 Illumination device 120 Lighting device 130 Landing platform 130a Landing surface 131 First electromagnetic device 132 Control unit 133 Sensor unit 134 Non-contact power supply function 20 Small flying object (unmanned flying object)
211 Second electromagnet device 212 Control unit 213 Malfunction information detection means 214 Non-contact power supply function 215 Illumination unit

Claims (7)

Unmanned aerial vehicles and
A lighting device having a lighting fixture capable of emitting light and a landing platform on which the unmanned aerial vehicle lands;
Equipped with
The landing platform has a landing surface on which the unmanned aerial vehicle lands,
The landing platform is provided with a first electromagnet device capable of generating a magnetic force from the landing surface,
The unmanned aerial vehicle is provided with a second electromagnetic device capable of generating a magnetic force,
By generating a magnetic force that attracts the first electromagnet device and the second electromagnet device to each other, the unmanned aerial vehicle is fixed to the landing surface,
The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a malfunction information detection means for detecting malfunction information of the lighting device, and a control unit for controlling the movement of the lighting device detected by the malfunction information detection means to a landing pad.
Lighting system. Each of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the landing pad has a function of controlling a magnetic force.
10. The lighting system of claim 1 . The landing platform is provided with a sensor unit that detects the approach of the unmanned aerial vehicle.
3. A lighting system according to claim 1 or 2 . The unmanned aerial vehicle and the landing platform are provided with a non-contact power supply function.
The lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The unmanned aerial vehicle is equipped with a lighting unit.
A lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . A lighting device for use in the lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . An unmanned aerial vehicle used in the lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

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