US 12,145,746 B2
Drone docking station for vehicle and method for controlling the same
Jin Ho Hwang, Cheonan-Si (KR); Sang Heon Lee, Seoul (KR); Dong Eun Cha, Hwaseong-Si (KR); Choon Taik Kim, Yongin-Si (KR); Sang Hoon Lee, Asan-Si (KR); and Hong Kwon Moon, Cheonan-Si (KR)
Assigned to Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul (KR); Kia Corporation, Seoul (KR); and Yong San Co., Ltd., Ulsan (KR)
Filed by Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul (KR); Kia Corporation, Seoul (KR); and Yong San Co., Ltd., Ulsan (KR)
Filed on Oct. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/974,353.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2022-0004505 (KR), filed on Jan. 12, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0219697 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. B64F 1/32 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64D 1/02 (2006.01); B64U 80/86 (2023.01); B64U 101/60 (2023.01)
CPC B64F 1/32 (2013.01) [B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64D 1/02 (2013.01); B64U 80/86 (2023.01); B64U 2101/60 (2023.01); B64U 2201/10 (2023.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drone docking station for a vehicle, the drone docking station comprising:
a transfer device configured to have a cargo loaded on a drone or to vertically move the cargo transferred by the drone;
a guide device including a guide panel provided on a roof of the vehicle and engaged to an upper end portion of the transfer device to have the drone accommodated on an upper portion of the guide panel, wherein the guide panel is disposed to surround the transfer device and configured to move inward or outward or be rotated around a center portion of the transfer device; and
a control unit electrically connected to the guide device and configured to rotate or move the guide panel so that the drone corresponds to the cargo positioned in the transfer device when the drone is accommodated on the guide panel; and
a base panel provided under the guide panel and provided with a through hole through which the cargo passes by having a center portion penetrated and connected to the transfer device,
wherein the guide device includes an actuator provided above the base panel and connected to the guide panel to slide or rotate the guide panel.