Drone Defense Net Capture Mechanism for Controlled Neutralization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing defense systems are inadequate to safely and reliably counter the threat of third-party drones, particularly in sensitive areas like nuclear power plants and crowded stadiums, especially when drones operate in swarms or autonomously, as they cannot prevent drones from falling uncontrolled or effectively neutralize the threat without risking harm to people.

Innovation Solution

A drone defense system comprising a defense drone equipped with a capture device, such as a net, and a control unit that coordinates multiple sensor and defense systems, including radar, imaging, and jamming capabilities, to detect and neutralize third-party drones, ensuring safe and controlled removal or destruction without endangering people.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If known anti-drone systems from prior art are deployed, then drone detection capability is improved, but the risk of uncontrolled drone falls and potential harm to people increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrone detection capabilityVSAvoiduncontrolled drone fall hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A capture device in the form of a net is introduced as an intermediary element between the interceptor drone and the third-party drone. The net serves as a mediating structure that enables controlled capture of the intruding drone, preventing uncontrolled falls while maintaining detection and response capabilities. The net is deployed from the interceptor drone to envelop and secure the target drone safely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The capture net is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component that can be deployed quickly and discarded after use. This allows the system to focus on preserving valuable areas and people while using a simple, inexpensive capture mechanism that doesn't require complex recovery or maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If powerful prior art anti-drone systems are used, then drone neutralization capability is improved, but the risk of undesirable incidents and harm to people increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrone neutralization capabilityVSAvoidundesirable incidents and harm to people
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the potentially harmful kinetic energy and momentum of the intruding drone into a beneficial capture event. By using the drone's own forward motion to drive it into the deployed net rather than using high-energy destruction methods, the system neutralizes the threat while minimizing harmful effects. The drone's momentum becomes part of the capture mechanism rather than a destructive force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using high-energy weapons to destroy drones from a distance, the system inverts the approach by using a passive net that waits for the drone to come to it. The interceptor drone acts as a mobile platform deploying the net, allowing the capture to occur through the intruding drone's own movement rather than through active destruction forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If simple and inexpensive defense systems are used, then manufacturing and assembly cost is reduced, but the ability to safely and reliably defend against third-party drones deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing and assembly simplicityVSAvoidsafe and reliable defense capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The defense system is segmented into three main components: a defense drone (interceptor), a capture device (net), and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the drone can be a standard multicopter platform, the net can be a simple mesh structure, and the control system can be a basic flight controller with added capture logic. This modular approach reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective defense capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The defense drone is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple functions: normal flight operations, sensor detection of intruding drones, navigation to target drones, and deployment of the capture net. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized systems, reducing overall system complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable defense capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3139125B1Drone defence installation for repelling unknown drones
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 MBDA DEUTSCHIAND GMBH
  • EP3139125B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3139125B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a defense system (7) for defending against foreign drones (9, 10), comprising at least one defense drone (11, 12, 13), and a capture device (14) with which the foreign drones (9, 10) can be captured, wherein the capture device (14) is attached to the defense drone (11, 12, 13).