Drone Beacon Interface Using Mechanical Lever Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bird protection beacons for overhead cables face challenges in secure fixation, leading to increased installation costs and safety risks for personnel, particularly when using drones for placement.
Innovation Solution
A drone-based interface system with a mechanical connection and actuation mechanism that uses movable rods and a control cable to securely attach a clamp to the aerial cable, eliminating the need for an actuator controlled by a presence detector, and includes adjustable components for various cable diameters and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drone-based system with actuator and presence detector is used to attach beacons, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the actuator and presence detector from the drone system, extracting these complex components entirely. The attachment mechanism relies on passive mechanical engagement where the clamp naturally closes around the cable upon contact, eliminating the need for active control systems while maintaining attachment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed to attach itself to the cable without external actuation. When the drone lowers the clamp onto the cable, the cable's presence automatically triggers the closing mechanism through mechanical interaction, making the system self-actuating and eliminating complex control systems.
2Reliability
If a drone-based system with actuator and presence detector is used to attach beacons, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the actuator and presence detector components, the patent significantly reduces the bill of materials and manufacturing costs. The simplified mechanism uses only basic mechanical parts that are inexpensive to produce and maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, low-cost mechanical components that can be easily replaced if needed. The clamp design uses basic metals and simple hinge mechanisms rather than expensive electronic actuators and sensors, making the overall system more cost-effective.
3Ease of operation
If personnel are involved in beacon installation, then the installation flexibility is improved, but the safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drone serves as an intermediary between the operator and the hazardous overhead cable environment. The operator controls the drone from a safe distance, and the drone performs the attachment task near the high-voltage cable, eliminating direct human exposure to electrical and fall hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical installation operations with an automated drone-based system. This substitution eliminates the need for personnel to physically approach and work near high-voltage overhead cables, removing exposure to electrical shock, falling objects, and other site-specific hazards.
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
Simplifies the installation process, reduces costs, and ensures safer personnel operations by providing a reliable and adaptable method for attaching beacons to overhead cables, including those with different diameters and orientations.
Implementation Method 1
each of the movable rods acting as a lever to transmit the force received to the clamp
Implementation Method 2
The mechanical linkage subassembly with the drone, and a support and actuation subassembly for the gripper from an open position to a closed configuration
Data Source
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AI summary
Installation interface (100) of a clamp (60) on an aerial cable (C) by means of a drone (10), comprising a chassis (102) having a cable reception area (E), on which is fixed a mechanical linkage subassembly with the drone, and a support and actuation subassembly of the clamp from an open position to a closed configuration, said support and actuation subassembly comprising: two movable rods (114d, 114g) movable between an initial position in which the clamp is held in an open position, by butting with each of the rods at a lever support point, disposed on the side of a proximal end (114ds, 114gs), and a final position in which the clamp is in a closed position; two guide elements (112d, 112g) fixed on the chassis 102, to guide respectively the two movable rods according to a bilateral planar cylinder connection;two control pieces (116d, 116g), each of the control pieces being rotationally mounted on the chassis and being arranged to receive respectively a distal end (114di, 114ds) of the movable rod (114d, 114g); a control cable (118) connecting the two control pieces and cutting the receiving space (E) of the overhead cable, thus defining an outer part and an inner part facing the control pieces, the support and actuation subassembly being arranged so that when the control cable is moved towards the inner part of the receiving space, the displacement force is transmitted by the cable to the control pieces (116d, 116g) which are driven into rotation and simultaneously apply a rotational moment on the movable rods at their distal ends, each of the movable rods acting as a lever to transmit the force received on the gripper, at their distal ends.