Drone Drop Cam Release Mechanism for Autonomous Payload Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drone delivery systems require drones to land or hover near the ground for offloading, which can be limiting, especially in remote or inaccessible locations, and necessitate human assistance, leading to delays or aborted missions if no one is present to receive the supplies.
Innovation Solution
A drone load release system comprising a payload release mechanism with a drop cam and servo motor, allowing for gravitational offloading of loads without the need for drone landing or human intervention, utilizing a picatinny rail attachment system with variable width clamps and a lattice structure for secure attachment and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drone lands to offload the load, then the load can be delivered, but the drone cannot continue its mission promptly and requires human assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is pre-configured on the drone with a drop cam and lever system that automatically activates at the designated drop point. The load is secured in advance using the receptacle with tab-and-relief attachment, so that when the drone arrives at the destination, the load is ready for immediate gravitational release without requiring landing or human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism utilizes gravity as the primary actuating force. When the drop cam rotates to the open position, the lever releases the tab from the relief, allowing the load to automatically detach and fall to the ground without requiring the drone to land or human assistance to remove the load.
2Ease of operation
If the drone hovers near ground level for offloading, then the load can be delivered, but the drone cannot operate in inaccessible locations and requires human presence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical offloading system (requiring drone landing and manual unloading) with an automated gravitational release system. The drop cam and lever mechanism, when activated, allows the load to be released purely through gravity, eliminating the need for the drone to hover or land near the ground and removing the requirement for human presence at the drop point.
3Strength
If a manual offloading system is used, then the load can be securely attached, but the system requires human assistance and cannot operate autonomously
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle with its tab-and-relief attachment mechanism serves as an intermediary between the load and the drone's picatinny rail. This intermediary system provides secure attachment during transport while enabling automated release at the destination through the drop cam's mechanical action, which triggers the lever to disengage the tab from the relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual offloading operations with an automated mechanical release system. The drop cam, when rotated to the open position, mechanically triggers the lever to release the tab from the relief, creating an autonomous release mechanism that eliminates the need for human intervention in the offloading process.
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
Enables autonomous and efficient delivery of supplies to remote sites without the need for drone landing or human assistance, allowing drones to continue missions promptly and operate in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
the first end plate gravitationally falls out of the receiver mouth of the payload release system and the tab gravitationally slides out of the first relief
Data Source
AI summary
A drop kit that attaches to a pair of parallel picatinny rails one drone uses a pair of drop mechanisms that hold one side of a load bearing basket. The opposing side of the basket is pivotally secured to a goggle plate. Each drop mechanism is attached to one of the rails and the goggle plate to both of the rails via a spring-loaded centering clamp system. The drop mechanisms use a drop cam that rotates between and open and closed position so that when the drone arrives at a desired spot, a signal is provided to a pair of motors, each motor associated with one of the drop mechanisms, in order to rotate the drop cam into its open position, releasing its side of the basket with the opposing side of the basket pivoting and then falling free of the goggle plate.