Drone Charging Station with Light-Absorbing Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drone charging systems face issues with light reflection from metal charging plates, leading to misjudgment during landing, reduced charge efficiency due to impedance increases, and maintenance challenges, which hinder 24-hour operational capability and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A charging station with a parking ramp, protecting covers having light-absorbing layers, and an actuating device that exposes charging plates only when the drone is correctly positioned, eliminating the need for conductive paint and reducing impedance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If metal charging plates are used, then charge efficiency is improved, but light reflection causes landing misjudgment
Solution Approach 1:
The charging plate is segmented into two functional layers: a metal charging layer for electrical contact and a light-absorbing protective layer on top. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently - the metal layer provides conductivity while the protective layer absorbs light to prevent reflection interference during landing.
Solution Approach 2:
A light-absorbing protective layer is introduced as an intermediary between the metal charging plate and the environment. This intermediate layer absorbs incident light and prevents it from reflecting off the metal surface, thereby eliminating the harmful light reflection effect while preserving the electrical charging function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If black conductive paint is coated on charging plates to prevent light reflection, then light reflection is reduced, but impedance increases and charge efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging plate uses a composite structure combining metal material for electrical conductivity and a light-absorbing protective layer for optical performance. This composite material approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve low impedance (through the metal layer) and light reflection prevention (through the protective layer), avoiding the impedance increase problem caused by using black conductive paint alone.
3Ease of operation
If charging plates are exposed continuously, then charging is always available, but charging stands scratch the plates leading to gold plating wear and increased impedance
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between covering the charging plate during non-use and exposing it during charging. This dynamic design enables the system to protect the charging plate from scratches when not in use while ensuring full accessibility when charging is required, thereby extending plate lifespan without compromising charging availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is positioned to cover the charging plate in advance before the drone arrives. This preliminary protective action prevents scratches from charging stands before they can occur. The cover is then moved away just in time for charging, ensuring both protection and accessibility.
4Measurement precision
If optical recognition system is used for landing positioning, then landing accuracy is improved, but light reflection from charging plates causes misjudgment
Solution Approach 1:
The light-absorbing protective layer converts the harmful light reflection effect into a beneficial light-absorbing effect. By absorbing incident light instead of reflecting it, the protective layer creates a dark, non-glare surface that does not interfere with the optical recognition system's ability to accurately detect and guide the drone during landing.
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 solution effectively addresses light reflection interference, maintains charge efficiency, and extends the lifespan of charging plates, enabling 24-hour drone operation while reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
The protecting covers are made of a light-absorbing material or have light-absorbing layers disposed on top surfaces thereof, so as to avoid a light reflection issue
Data Source
AI summary
A charging station, a charging system and a charging method for a drone are provided. The charging station adapted to park a drone for charging includes a parking ramp, a pair of charging plates, a pair of protecting covers, and at least one actuating device. The parking ramp has a parking surface and a bottom surface. The drone is parked on the parking surface having at least two openings. The charging plates are fixed to the bottom surface. The protecting covers are disposed between the bottom surface of the parking ramp and the charging plates. The protecting covers cover the charging plates at the openings. The actuating device is fixed to the bottom surface and connected to the protecting covers. When the drone stands still on the parking surface, the actuating device drives the protective covers to move relative to the charging plates to expose the charging plates.