Drone Battery Exchange Dock With Rotating Charging Holders
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Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread adoption of commercial drones is hindered by the inconvenience of manual battery changes, which limits their deployment in applications like package delivery, surveillance, and emergency response due to the lack of a low-cost, effective, integrated remote landing pad and battery exchange system.
Innovation Solution
A drone battery exchange and charging system (BECS) that automates the process of swapping depleted batteries with freshly charged ones, allowing drones to land, exchange batteries, and recharge them remotely without human intervention, using aligned battery holders and mechanisms to facilitate efficient battery swapping and charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual battery changing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to time-consuming battery replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides battery management into separate functional modules: battery holders for storage, docking bays for exchange, and charging mechanisms for recharging. This segmentation allows automated operation while keeping each component relatively simple and independent.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone performs battery exchange autonomously by docking with the system, which automatically transfers batteries between the drone and battery holders without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by recharging batteries automatically after exchange.
2Ease of operation
If automated battery exchange system is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The battery holders serve multiple functions: storing charged batteries, receiving depleted batteries, and rotating to position batteries for exchange. The docking bays perform both battery reception and charging functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery holders are designed to rotate dynamically to bring charged batteries into position for exchange with the drone. This dynamic positioning allows a single set of battery holders to serve multiple drones sequentially, reducing the total number of batteries and holders needed.
3Productivity
If multiple battery holders with rotation are used, then productivity increases for multiple drones, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery holders rotate periodically to position charged batteries for exchange and then rotate back to receive depleted batteries. This periodic rotation enables continuous service of multiple drones in sequence, maximizing productivity while using a fixed number of physical components.
Solution Approach 2:
Batteries are pre-charged in the battery holders before the drone arrives. This preliminary charging action ensures that when the drone docks, a charged battery is already in position for immediate exchange, eliminating waiting time and maximizing service throughput.
4Duration of action of moving object
If remote landing pad with charging capability is provided, then duration of action extends for continuous operation, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the landing pad, battery exchange station, and charging station into a single integrated structure. The docking bays serve as both the interface for battery exchange and the charging location, eliminating the need for separate facilities and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous drone operation by maintaining a supply of pre-charged batteries in the battery holders. As one drone exchanges batteries, another can immediately dock, ensuring uninterrupted service. The charging process occurs continuously in the background during battery rotation.
Data Source
AI summary
To replace a depleted battery in a drone with a fresh battery, the drone first lands on the exchange and charging system, aligned between two battery holders. A freshly charged battery, in a docking bay in one battery holder, is then moved against the drone's depleted battery. The depleted battery, in turn, is moved out of the drone into the other battery holder, and the fresh battery takes its place. While in the battery holders, the batteries are charged. After a battery exchange, the battery holders track round so that another battery and vacant docking bay are brought into place for a subsequent exchange.