Drone Storage Retaining Mechanism for Vertical Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional storage systems for flying objects, such as drones, are limited in their ability to stably retain flying objects of varying shapes and sizes in the vertical direction, leading to instability during storage and charging.

Innovation Solution

A storage system with a landing surface and a retaining mechanism that includes a pressing member and an elevating mechanism, allowing the flying object to be securely retained between the landing surface and a ceiling part, along with a charging unit for electrical connection and a traveling mechanism for mobility, ensuring stable vertical retention and charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a convex portion fitting into a concave portion is used to retain the flying object, then the flying object can be retained on the charging stand, but the shape and size of retainable flying objects are limited and vertical stability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different flying object shapes and sizesVSAvoidvertical stability of retained flying object

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of fitting the flying object into a fixed concave shape, the patent inverts the approach by providing a convex retaining protrusion that actively engages with the landing surface of the flying object. This inversion allows the retaining mechanism to adapt to various flying object shapes while maintaining reliable vertical retention through the upward-directed retaining force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a retaining structure that copies and reverses the conventional fitting approach. Rather than a concave cavity matching the flying object's convex features, a convex protrusion is created that mirrors the landing surface interface, enabling versatile retention across different flying object designs while ensuring stable vertical positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Device complexity

If a fixed charging stand with a concave portion is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot stably retain flying objects of varying shapes and sizes in the vertical direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of charging stand structureVSAvoidvertical retention stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains structural simplicity by using a convex retaining protrusion instead of a complex concave cavity system. This inverted approach achieves reliable vertical retention for various flying objects without increasing device complexity, as the single protruding structure can engage with different landing surface configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the landing surface is exposed, then the flying object can land on it, but water ingress can occur and the flying object is vulnerable to external factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of landing surfaceVSAvoidwater ingress and environmental exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The opening and closing portion provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the landing surface to be exposed when needed for landing and covered when storage or charging is required. This dynamic configuration protects the flying object from water ingress and environmental factors while maintaining easy accessibility during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The opening and closing portion acts as a flexible protective cover that can transition between open and closed states. This thin film-like structure protects the flying object and landing surface from water and environmental factors while not interfering with the landing operation when open.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11370560B2Storage system for flying object

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A storage system for a flying object is equipped with a landing portion having a landing surface on which the flying object can land, and a storage main body for storing the flying object that has landed on the landing surface. The storage main body includes opening and closing portions that cover the landing surface. The storage system is further equipped with retaining mechanisms adapted to retain the flying object in a state of having landed on the landing surface from a direction perpendicular to the landing surface.