Drone Energy Sharing via Coupled Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drone-based delivery systems face limitations in payload capacity and travel range due to the need for multiple drones with identical capacities and ranges, leading to underutilization and inefficient energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing energy among multiple drones by identifying tasks and energy requirements, and implementing an energy sharing approach where drones transfer energy in operation to facilitate task completion, optimizing energy use and extending range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple identical drones are used to deliver multiple orders simultaneously, then each order can be delivered by an individual drone, but the system experiences underutilization of drone capacity and inefficient energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drones into a coupled collective where they share energy resources. Drones are coupled together through coupling mechanisms that enable energy transfer, allowing the group to function as a unified system with shared power pools, thereby improving overall energy utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where drones can both perform delivery tasks independently and function as energy storage devices for one another. The coupling mechanisms enable drones to serve dual purposes: delivering packages and providing energy support to other drones in the collective.
2Productivity
If multiple identical drones are deployed, then sufficient delivery capacity is achieved, but the travel range is limited by individual drone energy constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the energy resources of multiple drones into a shared pool through coupling mechanisms. This combined energy pool extends the effective travel range of the collective, allowing drones to travel farther than any single drone could independently while maintaining delivery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanisms act as intermediaries that facilitate energy transfer between drones. These mechanisms enable energy to flow from drones with excess capacity to those requiring additional energy, effectively extending the operational range of the entire collective.
3Device complexity
If drones with identical carrying capacity are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but underutilization occurs when delivering orders of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple drones of identical capacity into a collective system, allowing them to function as a unified unit with combined carrying capacity. This enables efficient utilization when delivering orders of varying sizes while maintaining the simplicity of using identical drone models throughout the fleet.
4Adaptability or versatility
If each order is assigned to a separate drone, then delivery flexibility is maintained, but the number of drones required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drones into coupled collectives, reducing the total number of drones needed in the fleet. The collectives maintain delivery flexibility by being able to adapt to different delivery scenarios while requiring fewer individual drone units overall.
Data Source
AI summary
Management of available energy among multiple drones is provided by identifying tasks to be completed by the multiple drones, and determining energy requirements of one or more drones of the multiple drones to facilitate completing one or more tasks of the tasks to be completed by the multiple drones. Further, the approach includes identifying an energy sharing approach for completion of the task(s) by the drone(s) where one or more other drones of the multiple drones transfer energy in operation to the drone(s) to facilitate completion of the task(s). In operation, the multiple drones may be detachably coupled, and the approach may include implementing the energy sharing approach by transferring energy from the other drone(s) to the drone(s) to facilitate completion of the task(s), for instance, prior to decoupling of the other drone(s) from the drone(s).