Drone Suction Holding Device Using Optical Adhesion Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding devices for flight bodies, such as drones, face challenges in reliably adhering and holding objects due to limitations in detecting object position, posture, and adhesion success, especially in complex environments with three-dimensional obstacles and varying object shapes.
Innovation Solution
A holding device equipped with a suction device, a two-dimensional light amount sensor, and a controller that uses image sensor data to control the suction process, allowing for precise adhesion and detection of object position, posture, and adhesion state, minimizing energy consumption and preventing object damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional suction device is used without additional sensors, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of adhesion detection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact sensors with optical sensors (image sensors and light amount sensors) to detect adhesion state. The optical sensing system captures light reflected from or transmitted through the object to determine adhesion status, eliminating the need for mechanical contact while improving detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium between the sensor and the object. By measuring light properties (intensity, reflection, transmission) that change when the object adheres to the suction surface, the system indirectly detects adhesion state without direct mechanical contact, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Reliability
If the suction device operates continuously at high power, then the adhesion reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where light amount sensors continuously monitor the adhesion state and provide real-time information to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the suction device adjusts its power consumption - maintaining high suction only when necessary for reliable adhesion, and reducing power when adhesion is sufficient or not required, thus resolving the energy-reliability contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the suction device dynamic by allowing real-time adjustment of suction strength based on detected adhesion conditions. The system transitions between different operational states (high power for initial adhesion, low power for maintenance, off when not needed), optimizing the balance between adhesion reliability and energy consumption.
3Reliability
If the suction force is increased to ensure object holding, then the adhesion reliability is improved, but the object damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light amount sensors to provide real-time feedback on object position and adhesion state. The control unit processes this information to dynamically adjust suction strength, applying maximum force only when necessary for secure holding and reducing force when the object is stable or vulnerable, thus preventing damage while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the suction parameter (force intensity) dynamically based on object characteristics and adhesion conditions detected by optical sensors. By adjusting the suction parameter rather than maintaining constant high force, the system achieves reliable holding while minimizing harmful effects on the object.
4Measurement precision
If simple light detection is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of object position and posture is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a unified optical sensing system. Image sensors capture spatial information for position and posture detection, while light amount sensors provide additional adhesion state information. The control unit integrates data from both sensor types to achieve high measurement precision without requiring separate complex sensing systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the optical sensing system multi-functional, using the same image sensors and light amount sensors for multiple purposes: object detection, position measurement, posture determination, and adhesion state monitoring. This universal approach achieves high measurement precision across multiple parameters while avoiding the complexity of dedicated sensors for each function.
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 solution enhances the reliability of object adhesion and holding operations by enabling precise control of the suction process, reducing energy consumption, and preventing object damage, while allowing the flight body to operate effectively in complex environments.
Implementation Method 1
The suction device is configured to suction gas. The sucker is configured to communicate with the suction device and to adhere to an object by suction of the suction device.
Implementation Method 2
The light amount sensor is configured to two-dimensionally detect an amount of light from the object
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a holding device includes a suction device, a sucker, a light amount sensor, and a controller. The suction device is configured to suction gas. The sucker is configured to communicate with the suction device and to adhere to an object by suction of the suction device. The light amount sensor is configured to two-dimensionally detect an amount of light from the object. The controller is configured to control the suction device on the basis of information detected by the light amount sensor.