Dedicated UAV Charging Station Deployment for Longer Missions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems lack efficient methods for deploying and managing operational infrastructure, such as charging systems, which limits their operational range and effectiveness in carrying out transport tasks.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising two types of UAVs, where one type is dedicated to deploying operational infrastructure like charging systems at determined locations, and the other type uses these deployed infrastructure to charge its batteries, enabling extended operation and efficient task execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single type of UAV is used for both transport tasks and infrastructure deployment, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to task switching and operational inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV fleet is segmented into specialized sub-groups: infrastructure deployment UAVs equipped with deployment mechanisms for charging systems, and transport UAVs optimized for cargo delivery. This segmentation allows each UAV type to specialize in its designated task, improving overall system productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a unified control architecture that manages multiple UAV types through a common interface and centralized coordination. This universal control system enables different UAV types to work together seamlessly, achieving multi-functionality at the system level while keeping individual UAV designs specialized and relatively simple
2Adaptability or versatility
If infrastructure deployment capability is added to transport UAVs, then adaptability increases, but device complexity increases due to additional equipment and systems
Solution Approach 1:
Infrastructure deployment functionality is segregated into a dedicated UAV subtype rather than being integrated into all transport UAVs. This segmentation provides adaptability through specialized capability while avoiding the complexity penalty of equipping every UAV with deployment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized control system acts as an intermediary that coordinates between transport UAVs and infrastructure deployment UAVs. This mediator enables the system to achieve high adaptability by dynamically assigning infrastructure deployment tasks to specialized UAVs without requiring complexity in the transport UAVs themselves
3Duration of action of moving object
If operational infrastructure is deployed to extend UAV range, then duration of action increases, but loss of time increases due to deployment operations
Solution Approach 1:
Infrastructure deployment UAVs are pre-positioned at strategic locations within the operational area before transport UAVs begin their extended missions. This preliminary action ensures that charging infrastructure is already in place when transport UAVs need it, eliminating deployment time from the critical mission timeline and maximizing operational duration
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated infrastructure deployment mechanisms that require minimal human intervention. The deployment UAVs autonomously deliver and install charging systems at predetermined locations, reducing the time loss associated with manual deployment operations and enabling rapid establishment of extended operational capabilities
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
Example implementations may relate to using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dedicated to deployment of operational infrastructure, with such deployment enabling charging of a battery of a UAV from a group of UAVs. More specifically, the group of UAVs may include at least (i) a first UAV of a first type configured to deploy operational infrastructure and (ii) a second UAV of a second type configured to carry out a task other than deployment of operational infrastructure. With this arrangement, a control, system may determine an operational location at which to deploy operational infrastructure, and may cause the first UAV to deploy operational infrastructure at the operational location. Then, the control system may cause the second UAV to charge a battery of the second U AV using the operational infrastructure deployed by the first UAV at the operational location.