Asymmetric Drone Layout for Unobstructed Frontal Camera View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drone designs often obscure the camera's field of view with propellers, particularly during high-speed flights, which can impair computer vision and autonomous flight control, leading to potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
An asymmetric quadcopter configuration with propellers mounted below the motors and cameras positioned above to maintain an unobstructed view ahead, combined with an AI controller using multiple stereoscopic cameras for real-time environment analysis and flight path determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cameras are mounted on the drone frame, then the drone can capture visual data for autonomous flight, but the propellers obscure the camera's field of view during high-speed flight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions cameras on the upper surfaces of the drone frame, utilizing the vertical dimension to place cameras above the propeller plane. This dimensional arrangement allows cameras to capture forward visual data without being obscured by horizontally rotating propellers, resolving the field of view obstruction problem while maintaining autonomous flight capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric camera placement on specific upper frame surfaces rather than symmetric distribution. This asymmetric positioning optimizes the field of view for forward flight paths while avoiding propeller interference zones, enabling reliable autonomous navigation without sacrificing visual data quality
2Speed
If the drone flies at high speed with nose-down orientation, then the drone can race faster, but the propellers block the camera view ahead
Solution Approach 1:
By mounting cameras on upper frame surfaces above the propeller rotation plane, the system captures visual data from a vertical perspective that remains unobstructed during nose-down high-speed flight. This dimensional positioning ensures continuous forward visibility regardless of pitch angle, enabling sustained high-speed racing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The camera positioning is predetermined during drone design to anticipate high-speed nose-down flight conditions. Cameras are strategically placed on upper surfaces before flight occurs, ensuring optimal field of view is already established for racing scenarios without requiring real-time adjustment during high-speed operation
Data Source
AI summary
A drone includes a frame and a plurality of motors attached to the frame. Each motor of the plurality of motors is connected to a respective propeller located below the frame. A tail motor is attached to the frame. The tail motor is connected to a tail propeller located above the frame. Cameras are attached to the frame and located above the frame. The cameras have fields of view extending over the plurality of propellers.