AAV Propeller Contact Detection for Injury Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated aerial vehicles (AAVs) pose a risk due to their propellers, which can be dangerous if they come into contact with humans, pets, or animals, especially in populated areas where the surroundings are unknown or changing.
Innovation Solution
The AAVs are equipped with sensors and safety profiles that detect potential contacts by monitoring changes in electrical current, external forces, or object proximity, allowing for immediate propeller stoppage or avoidance maneuvers to prevent harm, including stopping the propeller, reversing motor polarity, deploying stop bars, or reorienting blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If propellers rotate at very high speed to provide sufficient thrust for flight, then flight performance is improved, but the danger of harm to humans, pets, or animals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of objects in the propeller's path using sensors (optical, acoustic, capacitive, etc.) before contact occurs. When an object is detected within a safety perimeter, the system proactively stops the propeller rotation before contact can happen, thus maintaining high-speed capability while preventing harm through advance intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary safety mechanisms between the high-speed propeller and potential objects: (1) sensor fields that detect objects at a distance, (2) a control system that mediates between detection and action, and (3) physical barriers like stop bars or blade reconfiguration mechanisms that intervene to prevent direct contact while allowing the propeller to maintain its high-speed design
2Reliability
If safety detection systems and response mechanisms are added to detect and respond to potential contacts, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multi-functional sensor arrays that can detect various types of objects (humans, animals, obstacles) using multiple sensing modalities (optical, acoustic, capacitive, electromagnetic). This universal detection approach consolidates multiple specialized sensors into a single integrated system, improving safety without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The AAV system monitors its own operational status and automatically responds to detected threats without external intervention. The control system self-adjusts propeller rotation based on sensor input, and the vehicle can autonomously navigate around detected objects, reducing the need for complex external safety infrastructure
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the propeller is stopped immediately upon detecting contact to prevent harm, then safety is improved, but flight continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects objects at a distance using sensor arrays and stops the propeller before contact occurs. By performing the safety action preliminarily (before contact), the system prevents harm while minimizing flight interruption, as the propeller can be restarted quickly once the object is no longer in the safety perimeter
Solution Approach 2:
The propeller rotation control is dynamically adjusted based on real-time sensor feedback. Rather than a simple on/off switch, the system modulates rotation speed and timing continuously, allowing for smoother transitions that reduce flight interruption while maintaining safety. The vehicle can also dynamically reposition to avoid objects, further minimizing flight time loss
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables AAVs to operate safely in various environments without causing injury to objects or themselves, allowing for safe delivery of payloads and navigation through populated areas by automatically responding to potential contacts.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring for a contact with the propeller by an object based on a change in an electrical current through the propeller
Implementation Method 2
based on a change in external force applied to the propeller
Implementation Method 3
The propellers, which rotate at a very high speed
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes an automated aerial vehicle (AAV) and system for automatically detecting a contact or an imminent contact between a propeller of the AAV and an object (e.g., human, pet, or other animal). When a contact or an imminent contact is detected, a safety profile may be executed to reduce or avoid any potential harm to the object and/or the AAV. For example, if a contact with a propeller of the AAV by an object is detected, the rotation of the propeller may be stopped to avoid harming the object. Likewise, an object detection component may be used to detect an object that is nearing a propeller, stop the rotation of the propeller, and/or navigate the AAV away from the detected object.