Drone-to-Vehicle Article Transfer for Continuous Field Work

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Solution Overview

Problem

Work vehicles operating in large areas face inefficiencies due to delays caused by the need to transfer materials, crops, or components, which requires moving the vehicle to a supply or discharge station, resulting in decreased working efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A work assisting system featuring a flying body equipped with a flying apparatus and a transfer section, allowing for the transfer of work-related articles between the flying body and the work vehicle based on acquired work information, thereby minimizing delays and maintaining efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate systems are used for scheduling, managing, and monitoring work activities, then each system can be specialized and optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity increases and information sharing between systems becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional specializationVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate work management systems (scheduling, task management, time tracking, invoicing) into a single integrated computer-implemented system. The server executes multiple applications that share common data structures and communicate through standardized interfaces, allowing specialized functions to coexist while eliminating silos and improving information flow between previously separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system is designed to perform multiple work management functions through a unified platform. The server can execute different applications (scheduling, task management, time tracking, invoicing) simultaneously, with each application benefiting from shared data infrastructure and common communication protocols, thereby achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If detailed information about work activities is collected and shared across the organization, then better coordination and decision-making are achieved, but information security risks and unauthorized access potential increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation sharing efficiencyVSAvoidinformation security risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that mediates all information exchange between clients and the work management data. The server implements authentication mechanisms, authorization protocols, and secure data transmission protocols, allowing detailed work activity information to be shared across the organization while maintaining security controls and preventing unauthorized access through the intermediary layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If manual methods are used for scheduling and managing work activities, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but time consumption increases and scheduling accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidscheduling time consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical methods of scheduling and work management with an automated computer-implemented system. The server automatically executes scheduling algorithms, manages task assignments, tracks time entries, and generates reports without requiring manual intervention for each operation, thereby dramatically reducing time consumption while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized software interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If an integrated work management system is implemented, then information sharing and coordination improve, but the initial implementation cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework coordination efficiencyVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the integrated work management system into distinct modular applications (scheduling, task management, time tracking, invoicing) that run on a common server platform. Each application can be implemented and configured independently, allowing organizations to roll out functionality in phases and manage implementation complexity through modular deployment while still achieving integrated information sharing across all modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4501110A1Work assistance system
Publication Date: 2025.02.05 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4501110A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4501110A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4501110A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A work assisting system for assisting with work performed by a work vehicle (E) includes a flying body (G) including a flying apparatus (H) capable of flying and transporting a work-related article related to the work performed by the work vehicle (E), and a transfer section (K) connected to the flying apparatus (H). The transfer section (K) is configured to transfer the work-related article between the flying body (G) and the work vehicle (E). The flying body (G) includes an information acquisition section configured to acquire work information as information on the work-related article, and the flying body (G) causes the transfer section (K) to transfer the work-related article based on the work information.