Multirotor Drone Peripheral Protection with Strain Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multirotor drones face challenges in navigating through spaces with reduced visibility and many obstacles due to the complexity and sensitivity of existing obstacle detection systems, which can be hindered by environmental conditions like fog, smoke, or rain.
Innovation Solution
A multirotor drone equipped with a continuous peripheral protection system that includes deformation sensors to detect collisions and adjust rotor control setpoints based on impact positions, allowing autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light-based detection systems (cameras, laser) are used to detect obstacles, then the drone can detect obstacles and modify trajectory, but the system becomes complex and has large mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical detection systems (cameras, laser range finders) with a simple mechanical deformation detection system. Strain gauges are attached to the protective cage to detect mechanical deformations caused by obstacle contacts, substituting sophisticated optical-mechanical systems with a straightforward mechanical sensing approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential detection function from complex optical systems. Instead of using entire camera or laser systems, it isolates the detection capability to simple strain gauge measurements on the protective cage, removing unnecessary complexity while retaining obstacle detection functionality.
2Reliability
If light-based detection systems (cameras, laser) are used to detect obstacles, then the drone can detect obstacles, but the system has large mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy optical detection systems with lightweight strain gauges. The strain gauges are minimal mechanical components that can be directly attached to the protective cage, dramatically reducing the mass of the detection system while maintaining obstacle detection capability through deformation sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the heavy optical components (cameras, laser beams, processors) and recovers only the essential detection function through simple strain measurements. This selective discarding of mass- intensive components while retaining detection functionality achieves lightweight design.
3Reliability
If light-based detection systems (cameras, laser) are used to detect obstacles, then the drone can detect obstacles, but performance is significantly limited by environmental conditions such as fog, smoke or rain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection systems that are highly sensitive to environmental conditions (fog, smoke, rain) with a mechanical deformation detection system. Strain gauges on the protective cage detect physical contacts regardless of visibility conditions, eliminating sensitivity to atmospheric interference that plagues light-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of environmental conditions (fog, smoke, rain) into a benefit by using a detection method that is inherently insensitive to these factors. The mechanical strain gauge system thrives in conditions where optical systems fail, turning the challenging environment into an operating regime where the mechanical system excels.
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 navigates in environments with reduced visibility by accurately detecting collisions and modifying its trajectory to avoid obstacles, enhancing its ability to perform missions like searching for people in challenging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the peripheral continuous protection comprising a peripheral outer wall able to deform elastically under the effect of a reaction force exerted by the obstacle on the peripheral outer wall during the collision
Implementation Method 2
The at least two deformation sensors can for example be formed by extensometers with resistant wires generally designated by strain gauges. These sensors are advantageously attached by bonding to the peripheral outer wall and then make it possible to translate the deformation or more precisely measurements of the normal stress in bending of the peripheral outer wall by variations in electrical resistance at their terminals.
Data Source
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Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to a multirotor drone (1) comprising a carrier frame (2), at least two propulsion and/or lift rotors (4, 14, 24, 34) and a continuous peripheral protection (5) laterally protecting said at least two rotors (4, 14, 24, 34) during a collision of said drone (1) with an obstacle arranged laterally with respect to an elevation direction Z, said continuous peripheral protection (5) comprising a peripheral outer wall (6) capable of elastically deforming under the effect of a reaction force F exerted by said obstacle on said peripheral outer wall (6) during said collision.According to the invention, such a drone (1) comprises at least two strain sensors (7, 17, 27, 37) arranged at the level of said peripheral outer wall (6), each strain sensor (7, 17, 27, 37) being capable of performing measurements varying according to a deformation of said peripheral outer wall (6), a processing unit (8) connected to said at least two strain sensors (7, 17, 27, 37) and a control element (9) for generating control instructions for said at least two rotors (4, 14, 24, 34).