Drone Release Housing for Low-Power Obstacle Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drone delivery systems fail to minimize power consumption, user-specific errors, and obstacles that hinder successful introduction of drones into areas of interest, often resulting in damage and reduced mobility and data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system comprising a housing with a lock mechanism and biasing mechanism that allows a drone to be introduced in a closed configuration, separated from the housing in an open configuration, and operated within the area of interest, using a timer or receiver to unlock the lock mechanism and a biasing mechanism to facilitate separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a drone is manually flown to an area of interest, then the user can control the drone, but the drone power is depleted during transit reducing mobility time and data acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the drone delivery into two independent phases: (1) A powered delivery vehicle transports the drone to the area of interest, and (2) The drone is released and operates autonomously. This segmentation allows the delivery vehicle to handle the energy-intensive transit phase, preserving the drone's power for its operational phase, thereby maximizing mobility time and data acquisition duration.
2Reliability
If a drone is manually flown to an area of interest, then the user can control the drone, but user errors and lack of training reduce the likelihood of successful delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system operates autonomously without requiring manual piloting skills. The powered delivery vehicle automatically navigates to the area of interest and releases the drone, eliminating the need for user training and reducing human error. This self-service approach significantly improves reliability while reducing operational complexity.
3Reliability
If a drone is manually flown to an area of interest, then the user can control the drone, but obstacles between user and area of interest frustrate successful introduction
Solution Approach 1:
The powered delivery vehicle serves as an intermediary that transports the drone through obstructed environments to the area of interest. This mediator can navigate around or through obstacles that would prevent direct drone flight, ensuring reliable delivery even in challenging environments with physical barriers.
4Use of energy by moving object
If a drone is transported in a powered delivery vehicle to an area of interest, then power consumption is minimized, but the drone must be securely contained and then released
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure incorporates localized functional zones: a secure containment area with engagement features for protecting the drone during transport, and a release mechanism with disengagement features for deployment. This local differentiation of structural properties allows the housing to provide both protection and controlled release without requiring complex systems throughout the entire structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for introducing a drone to an area of interest are presented. The delivery system may include a housing, a drone, either a timer or a receiver, a lock mechanism, and a biasing mechanism. The housing further includes a pair of parts with or without subparts. At least one sensor is attached to the drone. The timer or the receiver is secured to the housing and communicable with the lock mechanism to control function thereof. The lock mechanism is adapted to releasably secure the parts or the subparts. The drone is enclosed within the housing in a CLOSED configuration when the lock mechanism is locked. The biasing mechanism separates the parts or the subparts to an OPEN configuration when the lock mechanism is unlocked. The drone is introducible to the area of interest in the CLOSED configuration and separable from the housing in the OPEN configuration.