Drone Landing and Charging Platform With Multi-Layer Homing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for directing, landing, and charging drones lack the necessary accuracy and autonomy, requiring skilled human intervention for safe landing and recharging, which increases response time and costs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layered homing system using GPS, proximity sensors, and physical positioning means like gripping wires and electromagnetic assemblies to guide and secure drones onto a charging platform with high precision, enabling autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic landing systems are used, then operational speed and autonomy are improved, but landing accuracy deteriorates causing drone damage
Solution Approach 1:
The landing system is divided into three distinct homing layers operating at different distance ranges from the target. Each layer uses appropriately scaled location means (GPS for distant approach, optical sensors for mid-range, proximity sensors for final positioning) to achieve both speed and accuracy without requiring human intervention at any stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from three-dimensional spatial navigation to two-dimensional planar positioning by constraining the drone to follow concentric circular paths (homing layers) around the target. This dimensional simplification enables more precise control and accuracy in the critical final approach phase while maintaining overall operational efficiency.
2Reliability
If skilled operators manually land drones, then landing safety and accuracy are improved, but response time and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drone landing system performs its own positioning and landing operations autonomously through the multi-layer homing system. The drone independently processes location data from various sensors, calculates its position relative to homing layers, and executes landing maneuvers without requiring external human control or intervention, thereby eliminating operator dependency while maintaining safety and accuracy.
3Reliability
If manual battery replacement or recharging is performed, then charging reliability is improved, but operational efficiency and autonomy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The landing platform integrates multiple functions into a single unified system: it serves as both the landing target and the charging station. The platform combines physical positioning means for accurate drone capture with battery charging apparatus, enabling seamless transition from landing to charging operations without requiring separate human intervention steps, thereby maintaining both reliability and operational efficiency.
4Measurement precision
If high-precision location means are used throughout the approach, then landing accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each homing layer is equipped with location means whose precision is matched to the specific requirements of that distance range. Distant layers use less complex GPS-based systems, while only the innermost layers near the target employ high-precision proximity sensors and optical tracking. This localized allocation of precision resources achieves accurate landing without unnecessarily complex or expensive equipment throughout the entire system.
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
The system achieves precise and safe autonomous landing and charging of drones, reducing human intervention and operational costs while improving response efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
electromagnetic assemblies to guide and secure drones onto a charging platform
Data Source
AI summary
A system for homing and recharging an unmanned vehicle comprises a plurality of homing layers operative along the radius of an imaginary circle that has the homing target at its center, each homing layer consisting of a sub-system provided with location means of increasing accuracy relative to that of a sub-system that operates along said radius farther away, from the center of said circle.