Drone Power-Line Installation With Pre-Locking Position Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drone systems for installing objects on power lines face challenges in precise positioning, especially in windy conditions, and are not suitable for electronic monitoring devices that require predictable and correct positioning for functionality.
Innovation Solution
A drone equipped with a connection means, engagement members, and a power source to actuate a locking mechanism, along with a device that limits one or more degrees of freedom of the object relative to the power line before locking, ensuring precise and predictable positioning and orientation of the object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a drone is used to install objects on power lines, then installation time and resource requirements are reduced, but positioning precision and reliability of the locking process deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device for limiting degrees of freedom is activated before the locking means to pre-position and stabilize the object relative to the power line. This preliminary action ensures correct orientation and position before the locking mechanism engages, resolving the positioning precision issue while maintaining the productivity benefits of drone-based installation
Solution Approach 2:
The device for limiting degrees of freedom acts as an intermediary mechanism between the drone and the locking means. It temporarily constrains the object's movement and rotation, providing a stable intermediate state that enables precise positioning before the final locking action occurs
2Device complexity
If a drone is used to install objects on power lines, then installation cost and complexity are reduced, but reliability of the locking process deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By activating the degree of freedom limiting device before engagement with the power line, the system pre-stabilizes the object in the correct position and orientation. This preliminary stabilization ensures that when the locking means engages, the object is already properly positioned, significantly improving locking reliability without adding complex manual intervention steps
Solution Approach 2:
The device for limiting degrees of freedom enables the object to self-position and self-stabilize relative to the power line before locking. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex drone control systems and manual positioning, maintaining low installation complexity while improving reliability through automated stabilization
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronic monitoring devices are installed on power lines, then monitoring functionality is enabled, but positioning precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The degree of freedom limiting device is activated before the electronic monitoring device is positioned on the power line, ensuring precise pre-positioning and stabilization. This preliminary action guarantees that the monitoring device is installed at the exact required location and orientation, meeting the high positioning precision requirements for inductive energization and optimal monitoring functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A drone is for installing an object on a power line. The drone has a connection means for connecting the drone to the object, so that the drone may carry the object. A first engagement member is for engaging a second engagement member on the object. A power source is for operating the first engagement member so as to actuate a locking means on the object, via the second engagement member, for securely locking the object to the power line. The drone further has a device for limiting one or more degrees of freedom of the object relative to the power line before engaging the locking means.