Autonomous Drone with Inflatable Flotation for Rapid Rescue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drowning fatalities and injuries are prevalent due to the lack of immediate access to personal flotation devices, posing risks to both victims and would-be rescuers, especially in large bodies of water where human response is insufficient.

Innovation Solution

A drone equipped with a propeller system and an inflatable flotation system, capable of autonomously identifying drowning victims using AI and thermal imaging, and deploying flotation devices quickly and accurately to support multiple individuals, even in challenging conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If human rescuers attempt to save drowning victims in large bodies of water, then they can provide direct assistance, but they risk becoming victims themselves and response time is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverescue safetyVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drone serves as an intermediary device that delivers flotation devices to drowning victims without requiring human rescuers to enter the water. The drone flies over the water, identifies victims using thermal imaging and AI, and drops flotation devices onto them, eliminating the need for human rescuers to directly confront dangerous situations while maintaining rapid response capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical action of human swimmers reaching for victims with an automated drone system equipped with thermal imaging cameras and AI processing. The drone autonomously detects drowning victims through thermal signatures, calculates optimal delivery locations, and deploys flotation devices automatically, substituting human mechanical response with an automated aerial system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If a drone delivers flotation devices to drowning victims, then response time is reduced and safety is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drone system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: it serves as a transportation vehicle for flotation devices, a thermal imaging detection device, an AI processing system, and a communication device. By combining these functions into one autonomous system, the patent reduces the need for multiple separate devices and personnel, thereby managing complexity while achieving rapid response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The drone system performs self-service operations including autonomous navigation, thermal imaging analysis, victim identification through AI algorithms, and automatic flotation device deployment. The system monitors its own status, adjusts its flight path based on real-time conditions, and makes decisions about when and where to deliver flotation devices without human intervention, reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the drone uses thermal imaging and AI to identify victims, then accuracy and coverage area are improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevictim detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drone employs periodic thermal imaging scans and AI processing cycles rather than continuous operation. The system periodically activates thermal cameras to detect heat signatures, processes images at scheduled intervals, and maintains alert status without continuous high-power consumption, thereby achieving accurate victim detection while managing energy usage through intermittent rather than continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 drone effectively reduces drowning fatalities and injuries by providing rapid and safe flotation support, enabling victims and rescuers to stay afloat, and can operate autonomously to cover large areas, thereby enhancing search and rescue efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least one propeller configured to enable the drone to fly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic force: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 2

transfer a first portion of the gas to the first chamber to inflate the first chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

providing rapid and safe flotation support, enabling victims and rescuers to stay afloat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11840363B1Drones that save people from drowning

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 WENGREEN OWEN CHARLES

AI summary

Drowning causes many fatalities all around the world. Human rescuers are too slow, are not buoyant enough, and often fail to notice drowning victims. In contrast, drones with artificial intelligence can quickly provide drowning victims with a personal flotation device. A drone can include a compressed gas tank to inflate a personal flotation device and can deliver the personal flotation device to a person who is in danger of drowning.