Drone Return-Home Control for Moving Ship Charging Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drones used on ships face challenges in accurately returning to a charging station on a moving ship, risking the drone falling into the sea.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a drone control device on the ship to communicate with the drone, using GPS signals to determine takeoff feasibility and provide return home information, along with a control unit in the drone to control its drive motor based on ship and drone positions, ensuring accurate return to the charging station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the charging station is disposed on a moving ship, then the drone can be recharged at sea extending operational flexibility, but the drone cannot accurately return to the charging station due to ship movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously receives position information from both the ship and the drone via GPS receivers. The control unit calculates the position difference between the drone and charging station, and adjusts the drone's flight path in real-time based on this feedback to compensate for ship movement, thereby maintaining accurate return capability despite the moving platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes position information from both the ship and drone GPS receivers. It calculates the relative position difference and generates appropriate control signals to guide the drone back to the moving charging station, mediating between the moving platform and the returning drone.
2Extent of automation
If the drone uses return home mode to return to initial takeoff position, then the drone can automatically return for recharging, but the drone may fall into the sea when the ship moves during the return process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the return home system from a static reference (fixed initial takeoff position) to a dynamic reference (moving charging station on the ship). The control unit continuously updates the target position based on the ship's current location, allowing the automated return system to adapt to the moving platform and ensure safe return even as the target position changes during the drone's flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from GPS receivers on both the ship and drone to continuously monitor the position difference. The control unit processes this feedback and dynamically adjusts the drone's navigation to ensure it returns to the correct moving position, preventing the drone from returning to the wrong location and falling into the sea.
3Device complexity
If the conventional return home function uses fixed initial position, then the system is simple to implement, but it fails when the platform moves during drone operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the return home function to be universal across both stationary and moving platforms. By incorporating GPS receivers on both the ship and drone, and using the control unit to calculate relative positions, the system becomes multi-functional - it works whether the ship is stationary or moving, thereby increasing adaptability while maintaining reasonable system simplicity through the use of standard GPS and control components.
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 system enables the drone to accurately return to the charging station on a moving ship, enhancing safety and reliability by ensuring the drone can navigate back effectively despite ship movements.
Implementation Method 1
a GPS receiver built therein to receive GPS signals from GPS satellites and generate ship position information
Implementation Method 2
communicating wirelessly with the drone
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for supporting a return home mode of a drone used on a ship. The system and method for supporting a return home mode of a drone in accordance with the present disclosure are configured such that a drone control device receives GPS reception signal strength information at a first GPS receiver built therein, drone takeoff feasibility information is displayed on a display unit of the drone control device if the GPS reception signal strength is greater than or equal to a set strength, a drone drive motor is controlled by generating a drone drive motor control signal based on ship position information received from the drone control device and drone position information received from a second GPS receiver installed in the drone when a control unit installed in the drone receives return home information from the drone control device after the drone takes off, and the control unit stops the drone drive motor when the difference between the drone position and the ship position is less than or equal to a set distance.