Drone box

Abstract

The application provides a storage unit for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and a method of operating a storage unit for a UAV. The storage unit can comprise a container for enclosing the UAV, and a moveable UAV landing platform, the UAV landing platform providing a landing position and a storing position, wherein, in the landing position, the UAV landing platform is positioned for the UAV to land and to take-off, and in the storing position, the UAV landing platform is positioned inside the container.

1 . A storage unit for an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), the storage unit comprising
 a container for enclosing the UAV; and   a moveable UAV landing platform, the UAV landing platform providing a landing position and a storing position,   wherein, in the landing position, the UAV landing platform is positioned for the UAV to land and to takeoff, and in the storing position, the UAV landing platform is positioned inside the container.   
     
     
         2 . The storage unit according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the landing position, the UAV landing platform does not block a downward thrust of the UAV, and wherein the UAV landing platform is positioned at a predetermined height, which prevents a ground from affecting the downward thrust of the UAV. 
     
     
         3 . The storage unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the UAV landing platform defines at least one opening configured to allow an airflow of the downward thrust to pass through the UAV landing platform. 
     
     
         4 . The storage unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the UAV landing platform further comprises at least a pair of landing surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The storage unit according to  claim 4 , wherein the landing surfaces comprise portions for contacting the landing UAV and for guiding the landing UAV to a predetermined landing position. 
     
     
         6 . The storage unit according to  claim 4 , wherein the landing surfaces further comprises an electrical charging element for charging a battery of the UAV. 
     
     
         7 . The storage unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism for moving the UAV landing platform. 
     
     
         8 . The storage unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a further container that stores a communication module. 
     
     
         9 . The storage unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the container, which stores the communication module, is placed above the container that stores the UAV. 
     
     
         10 . The storage unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising another container that stores an electrical energy storage module. 
     
     
         11 . The storage unit according to  claim 10 , wherein the container that stores the electrical energy storage module is placed below the container that stores the UAV. 
     
     
         12 . The storage unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the UAV landing platform in the landing position is elevated above the UAV landing platform in the storing position. 
     
     
         13 . The storage unit according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the landing position, the UAV landing platform is positioned at least partially outside of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The storage unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a UAV landing platform extension mechanism configurable in a retraction state and an extension state, and wherein, in the retraction state, the UAV landing platform is in the storing position, and in the extension state, the UAV landing platform is in the landing position. 
     
     
         15 . The storage unit according to  claim 14 , wherein the UAV landing platform extension mechanism comprises a telescopic slide rail coupled to the UAV landing platform, and wherein, in the extension state, the telescopic slide rail is extended to move the UAV landing platform away from the container. 
     
     
         16 . The storage unit according to  claim 15 , wherein the telescopic slide rail comprises a fixed first rail member and a displaceable second rail member. 
     
     
         17 . The storage unit according to  claim 16 , wherein the telescopic slide rail further comprises a displaceable third rail member. 
     
     
         18 . A method of operating a storage unit for an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
 providing the storage unit comprising a container for enclosing the UAV and a movable UAV landing platform;   orienting the UAV landing platform in a landing position;   landing the UAV on the UAV landing platform; and   orienting the UAV landing platform in a storing position, wherein, in the storing position, the UAV and the UAV landing platform are positioned inside the container.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the storage unit further comprises a UAV landing platform extension mechanism, and wherein orienting the UAV landing platform in a landing position comprises extending a telescopic slide rail of the UAV landing platform extension mechanism to move the UAV landing platform away from the container. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein landing the UAV on the UAV landing platform comprises guiding the UAV to a predetermined UAV landing position on the UAV landing platform with an inclined landing portion of a landing surface of the UAV landing platform.