Autonomous UAV Trunk Cutting for Hard-to-Reach Forest Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional tree harvesting methods are labor-intensive, expensive, inefficient, and environmentally disruptive, especially when dealing with hard-to-reach locations, and existing aerial harvesting systems are costly, slow, noisy, and complicated.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising remotely and autonomously controlled Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with cutting, detecting, and holding means, which select cutting positions based on ligno parameters and growing conditions to efficiently cut and transport ligno trunks with minimal environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional ground-based harvesting methods are used, then cutting and transportation can be performed, but the process becomes labor-intensive, expensive, and environmentally disruptive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional ground-based mechanical harvesting systems with an aerial UAV-based system. The cutting means are transported and operated from the air, eliminating the need for heavy ground equipment and reducing environmental disruption to the forest understory while maintaining harvesting productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV acts as an intermediary between the operator and the cutting means. The cutting tools are transported and positioned by the aerial vehicle, serving as a mediator that delivers cutting capability to hard-to-reach locations without requiring ground-based heavy equipment or manual labor.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If aerial harvesting apparatus is used as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,932, then harvesting can be performed from the air, but the system becomes very expensive, slow, noisy and complicated to use
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into separate functional components: the UAV for transport and positioning, and the cutting means for harvesting. This modular approach simplifies the overall system compared to integrated aerial harvesters, reducing complexity while maintaining the environmental benefits of aerial operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, more cost-effective cutting tools that can be easily transported and replaced by the UAV, rather than expensive specialized aerial harvesting equipment. This reduces system cost and complexity while achieving the same environmental protection goals.
3Adaptability or versatility
If heavy ground equipment is used to reach difficult locations, then trees can be harvested, but the process becomes expensive and environmentally damaging
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from ground-based (2D) operation to aerial (3D) operation. The UAV can access locations that are difficult or impossible to reach by ground equipment, providing versatility for hard-to-reach trees while completely avoiding damage to the forest understory and ecosystem.
4Productivity
If manual tree felling is performed, then harvesting can be conducted, but it requires experienced workers and poses high risk to people
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV system performs the harvesting operation autonomously or with minimal human intervention. The cutting means are operated remotely from the aerial vehicle, eliminating the need for workers to be physically present in dangerous situations near falling trees, thereby ensuring operational safety while maintaining harvesting productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for remote and/or autonomous cutting at least a portion of a harvested ligno trunk, at least a portion of a ligno trunk to be harvested, at least a portion of a ligno trunk during harvesting or at least a portion of a ligno trunk during transporting, said system comprising: a remotely and/or autonomously controlled Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (100), UAV, means for cutting at least a portion of a ligno trunk attachable to said UAV, means for detecting at least a portion of a ligno, means for detecting at least one ligno parameter of at least a portion of a ligno and/or at least one growing condition of at least a portion of a ligno, a base station (120) for communication with said UAV, and means configured for selecting at least one cutting position on at least a portion of a ligno trunk depending on the at least one detected ligno parameter and/or the at least one detected growing condition of at least a portion of a ligno.