Drone Charging Conveyor Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) charging apparatuses face challenges in reliably charging UAVs with low landing accuracy due to factors like wind and communication disturbances, and may fail to align electrode terminals correctly, leading to inefficient charging processes and high manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A charging apparatus with first and second conveyor sections adjacent to the charging section, allowing the UAV to be moved in perpendicular directions to ensure reliable alignment and charging, while reducing manufacturing costs through a simple configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rod members are used to push the unmanned aerial vehicle to the center portion, then the unmanned aerial vehicle can be moved to the charging position, but the rod members may bring it down or fail to guide it to an intended attitude
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rod member pushing system with a conveyor belt system. The conveyor belts provide reliable, controlled movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle to the charging position without the risks of mechanical contact and attitude control issues associated with rod members.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces conveyor belts as an intermediary mechanism between the landing area and the charging position. This intermediary system provides smooth, controlled transport of the unmanned aerial vehicle, eliminating the direct mechanical contact problems caused by rod members.
2Ease of manufacture
If the charging apparatus uses a simple configuration, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the landing area is small and alignment is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the landing area in multiple directions by arranging conveyor belts in different orientations (first direction and second direction perpendicular to the first). This multi-directional expansion increases the effective landing area without requiring a proportional increase in overall apparatus size or complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belts serve multiple functions: they expand the landing area, guide the unmanned aerial vehicle to the charging position, and enable alignment correction. This multi-functionality achieves enhanced capabilities without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If the charging apparatus uses movable rod members to guide the unmanned aerial vehicle, then the vehicle can be moved to the center, but the electrode terminals may not face each other correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rod member guidance system with conveyor belt-based guidance. The conveyor belts provide controlled, friction-based movement that enables accurate positioning and alignment of the unmanned aerial vehicle's electrode terminals with the charging apparatus terminals without complex mechanical guidance structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging apparatus includes a charging section configured to perform charging on a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) and a conveyor group arranged around the charging section. The conveyor group are arranged at positions adjacent to the charging section and include a first conveyor section placed at a position adjacent to the charging section and configured to move the drone in a first direction toward the charging section, and a second conveyor section placed at a position adjacent to the first conveyor section and configured to move the drone in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.