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System configuration

● Miniature linear actuator

Key features and benefits

Precise stroke control ensures zero error in battery docking

Automatic battery swapping systems place extremely stringent demands on the stroke precision of linear actuators—the actuator must precisely push the battery pack into the charging connector's docking position. Even the slightest deviation in stroke can result in poor contact at the charging interface or a jammed battery. Our linear actuators provide precise stroke control and extremely high repeatability, ensuring that every ejection and insertion is executed with pinpoint accuracy, guaranteeing a perfect connection between the battery and the charging connector.

Smooth and steady operation to prevent damage to the battery pack

Battery packs are among the most expensive components of a UAV, and any impact or vibration during the battery swap process can damage them. Our linear actuators provide constant-speed, jerk-free linear motion throughout the entire process, ensuring the battery pack moves smoothly and steadily during both ejection and insertion, thereby fundamentally eliminating the risk of battery damage caused by impact.

Ultra-compact design, suitable for the limited space of battery swap systems

Battery swapping systems must integrate multiple subsystems—including the battery compartment, ejection and insertion mechanisms, charging modules, and cooling systems—within a limited enclosure. Our miniature electric linear actuators are known for their ultra-compact design, allowing them to fit perfectly into the confined space of the battery swapping slot while reliably performing battery ejection and insertion without interfering with the layout of other components.

High protection rating ensures electrical safety

Since battery charging and swapping systems involve high-voltage electrical components, they demand an extremely high protection rating. Our miniature linear actuators feature a high protection rating, effectively resisting environmental factors such as dust and moisture that could cause electrical failures. Their sealed design ensures the actuators will not malfunction due to dust intrusion during long-term operation.

Long service life and maintenance-free operation, ideal for unattended applications

UAV charging and battery swapping systems are typically deployed at unmanned base stations in remote areas, where on-site maintenance costs are extremely high. Our linear actuators feature a maintenance-free design and have been validated through tens of thousands of endurance tests, ensuring stable operation throughout the base station's entire lifecycle. This lack of need for regular maintenance makes unmanned, automated battery swapping a true reality.

Built-in Hall sensors enable precise customer control

Our actuators feature built-in Hall sensors that provide real-time feedback on stroke position and operational status via pulse signals. This allows the customer's control system to precisely monitor the battery pack's position, the actuator's completion status, and every step of the battery swap process. The real-time feedback from the Hall sensors provides the precise execution basis for the fully automated battery swap process—from ejecting the battery, removing the used battery, inserting the new battery, to connecting the charging connectors; every action is executed with precision under closed-loop control.

Low-power operation, compatible with solar-powered base stations

UAV base stations in remote areas are typically powered by solar energy and have extremely strict energy consumption requirements. Our electric actuators consume power only during the instantaneous battery swap action and have extremely low power consumption in standby mode, making them perfectly suited for green energy solutions such as solar power.

Richmat's engineers provide end-to-end technical support—from needs assessment and solution design to product delivery—ensuring that our reliable miniature linear drive systems safeguard every battery swap and every moment of operational endurance.

Related Products

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Other Applications

UAV docking stations

UAV docking stations (also known as drone nests or drone hangars) are the core ground infrastructure in fully autonomous UAV operation systems. They are widely used in scenarios such as public safety, power line inspections, oil and gas pipeline inspections, smart agriculture, emergency mapping, and environmental protection. Serving as the "home" for UAVs, UAV docking stations handle functions such as storage, charging, data transmission, and mission scheduling. During UAV deployment and recovery, the automated opening and closing of the UAV docking station's top cover (hatch) is a critical step in ensuring safe launch and return.

Our miniature electric linear actuators are precision drive components specifically designed for the opening and closing systems of UAV docking station top covers. Compact and space-efficient, these actuators fit seamlessly into the limited internal space of the station, driving the hatch's opening and closing with precise, smooth, and reliable linear motion. As critical motion execution components, our actuators are delivered as individual parts and integrated into the customer's own control system, allowing the customer to independently control the actuator's stroke and motion sequence, thereby seamlessly integrating into the station's fully automated operational logic.

UAV emergency release mechanisms

UAV emergency release mechanisms (also known as UAV ejection systems or UAV lock release mechanisms) are critical actuators in UAV launch and recovery systems. They are widely used in scenarios such as vehicle-based launches and catapult launches of large fixed-wing UAVs, as well as the takeoff and landing of ship-based UAVs. Prior to launch, large UAVs must be securely connected to the launch or tow vehicle via a locking mechanism to ensure safety and reliability during transportation and pre-flight preparations. The moment the launch command is issued, the release mechanism must perform the locking release action with extremely high reliability, enabling the UAV to smoothly detach from the launch rack and enter flight mode.

Our miniature electric linear actuators are precision drive components specifically designed for UAV emergency release mechanisms. The actuator is housed within the cavity of the release mechanism itself. Through its extension and retraction movements, it precisely controls the locking and release states between the locking mechanism and the UAV. Compact and space-efficient, the actuator fits perfectly into the limited internal space of the release mechanism. With millisecond-level response times and extremely high motion consistency, it provides reliable mechanical assurance for every safe takeoff of the UAV.

Firefighting UAV water buckets

Firefighting UAV water buckets (also known as fire bags or fire buckets) are one of the fastest-growing innovative applications in emergency management in recent years. They are widely used in firefighting and rescue operations involving high-rise building fires, forest fires, and hazardous chemical accidents. By suspending a water bucket, firefighting UAVs precisely deliver water or fire suppressants from the air to the core area of the fire, effectively addressing the blind spots of traditional firefighting methods in high-rise buildings and complex terrain.

In our product applications, the miniature electric linear actuator serves as the core actuator for controlling the opening and closing of the water bucket's bottom. The actuator receives commands from the customer's flight control system or a standalone controller to precisely control the opening and closing of the bucket's bottom—the bottom remains closed during water filling to maintain a seal, and opens upon reaching the fire scene to release water or fire suppressant. The actuator is small, compact, and lightweight, enabling reliable operation within the UAV's limited payload capacity. Its precise control over the opening and closing of the bucket bottom ensures the optimal timing and volume of water for every fire suppression deployment.