Drone Aircraft with Sensor-Based Autonomous Surface Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft designed for cleaning surfaces, such as windows and doors, require manual detection and navigation, necessitating safety measures and complex operations.
Innovation Solution
A drone-like aircraft equipped with multiple drive devices, sensors, and a cleaning system that can autonomously navigate and clean surfaces using sensors for stabilization and control, allowing for wireless operation and secure attachment via adhesive or suction mechanisms, featuring a cleaning device with rotating rollers and centrifugal force-activated cleaning threads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional aircraft are used for cleaning surfaces, then the surfaces can be cleaned, but the aircraft require manual detection and navigation, complex safety measures, and secured attachment to the window
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft is equipped with sensors (cameras, LIDAR, ultrasonic sensors) and a controller that enable it to autonomously detect surfaces, navigate to them, and clean them without manual intervention. The aircraft independently identifies windows or doors, plans its cleaning path, and executes cleaning operations, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for operators or complex safety protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with automated sensor-based detection and control systems. Instead of requiring human operators to manually position and secure the aircraft, the system uses optical sensors, LIDAR, and ultrasonic sensors combined with a controller to automatically detect surfaces, calculate positions, navigate, and secure the aircraft to the target surface.
2Manufacturing precision
If the aircraft is equipped with multiple drive devices and sensors for autonomous operation, then navigation and cleaning precision improve, but the weight and complexity of the aircraft increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft employs multiple independent sensors (cameras, LIDAR, ultrasonic sensors) and multiple drive devices (motors, rotors/propellers) that work in parallel to achieve precise surface detection and navigation. This segmented approach allows each component to contribute to overall precision without requiring a single overly complex system, distributing the functional load and enabling accurate cleaning while managing weight through modular design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the aircraft operates wirelessly with an energy storage device, then operational flexibility improves, but the energy capacity required increases aircraft weight
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft is designed with dynamic weight and energy management, where the energy storage device (battery) is sized to support the specific operational requirements of wireless cleaning missions. The system dynamically balances wireless operation flexibility with acceptable weight constraints, allowing the aircraft to operate autonomously without cables while maintaining manageable weight through optimized energy capacity selection.
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
Enables efficient, safe, and autonomous surface cleaning without the need for manual operation or complex safety measures, reducing weight and operational complexity while maintaining effective dirt removal capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
centrifugal force-activated cleaning threads
Implementation Method 2
secure attachment via adhesive or suction mechanisms
Implementation Method 3
secure attachment via adhesive or suction mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an aircraft (1), more particularly a drone, and to a corresponding method for cleaning especially substantially flat surfaces that are preferably delimited by a frame (5), especially of windows or doors. The aircraft comprises at least one drive device (2), more particularly four drive devices (2), a controller, and a cleaning device (3), and at least one sensor (4) is provided on the aircraft (1) and the at least one sensor (4) is designed to control the aircraft on the surface.