Retractable Drone Harness for Takeoff and Landing on Moving Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drones face limitations in range and short flight times, hindering their efficiency in delivery and emergency assistance, and there is a need for a mechanism to facilitate safe and efficient takeoff and landing, especially when integrated with vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a retractable harness with rotating arms for positioning UAVs, synchronized with a vehicle's computer to determine optimal takeoff and landing speeds, using electromagnets for secure docking and charging, and autonomous navigation to manage vehicle speed and obstacle avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drones are used for delivery and emergency assistance, then efficiency is improved, but range and flight time are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the delivery operation into multiple segments: the mother vessel carries multiple drones, allowing sequential deployment and retrieval. Each drone performs a portion of the delivery task and returns to the mother vessel for recharging, enabling continuous operation without limiting individual flight time.
Solution Approach 2:
The mother vessel pre-carries multiple charged drones and positioning equipment before deployment. Drones are pre-positioned and ready for immediate deployment, eliminating wait time and ensuring continuous operational capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drones are deployed from moving vehicles, then operational flexibility is improved, but safe takeoff and landing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism includes movable arms with adjustable positioning members that can dynamically adapt to the vehicle's motion. The system continuously adjusts the drone's position relative to the vehicle, maintaining optimal takeoff and landing conditions even during vehicle movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the vehicle's speed and position, and the positioning mechanism responds by adjusting arm position and orientation. This closed-loop feedback ensures safe takeoff and landing conditions are maintained despite vehicle motion.
3Reliability
If electromagnets are used for docking, then secure attachment is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnets are activated only during critical phases of docking and takeoff, rather than continuously. The system uses periodic engagement of magnetic fields to secure drones during deployment and retrieval, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining docking security.
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 efficient deployment and retrieval of UAVs from vehicles at various speeds, extending their operational range and safety by optimizing takeoff and landing processes, and integrating with autonomous vehicle systems for enhanced navigation and charging.
Implementation Method 1
using electromagnets for secure docking and charging
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vehicle includes a retractable harness mounted within the vehicle and extendible through an opening in the vehicle body, such as a sun roof. The harness may include a retainer, such as an electromagnet, for engaging a docking structure on an aerial drone. On take-off, the vehicle may reach a desirable take-off speed of the aerial drone, activate the aerial drone, and release the retainer. On landing, the aerial drone and vehicle may synchronize their speeds and locations. The retractable harness may extend and align itself with the aerial drone, which descends and docks with the retractable harness.