Drone Wire Landing System for Degraded Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drone landing systems fail to ensure safe and accurate landings in high winds, on moving platforms, during degraded flight conditions, and in emergency situations such as loss of rotors or aggression, leading to potential equipment damage and loss.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a drone, a wire, and a docking station with a movable landing platform supported by deformable elements that absorb impact energy, along with a wire for power and control, enabling precise and shock-absorbing landings, including emergency parachute deployment and rapid landing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid landing platform is used for drone landings, then structural strength is maintained, but impact energy causes equipment damage in degraded landing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating deformable elements (springs, dampers, or compliant mechanisms) into the landing platform structure prior to landing. These elements are pre-configured to deform and absorb impact energy when the drone lands, protecting sensitive equipment from shock damage while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the landing platform by using materials or structures that can dynamically alter their stiffness or damping characteristics. This allows the platform to be rigid during transport and setup, then become more compliant during landing to absorb impact energy, effectively changing its mechanical properties based on operational phase.
2Measurement precision
If automatic landing procedures are implemented, then landing accuracy is improved, but reliability deteriorates in degraded conditions such as loss of sensors or motors
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates beforehand cushioning by preparing emergency procedures and physical cushioning mechanisms in advance. When sensors or motors fail, the pre-programmed emergency landing protocols activate, and the physical deformable elements provide passive shock absorption that does not rely on active control systems, ensuring reliable landings even when automatic control is compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service through passive deformable elements that automatically absorb impact energy without requiring active control or sensing during the landing impact. The mechanical compliance of the landing platform structure provides inherent protection that operates independently of electronic systems, ensuring reliability when sensors or motors are lost.
3Loss of time
If rapid landing is performed in emergency situations, then response time is reduced, but equipment damage increases due to higher impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-configuring the landing platform with deformable elements specifically designed to handle high-impact emergency landings. These elements are ready to absorb the increased impact forces generated during rapid emergency landings, allowing the drone to execute quick recovery procedures without sacrificing equipment protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful high impact forces of rapid emergency landings into beneficial energy absorption through the deformable elements. The kinetic energy from the rapid descent is transformed into deformation energy of the compliant structures, protecting the drone while enabling fast response to emergencies.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable landing platform with deformable elements is used, then impact energy absorption is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of simple structural elements to provide compliance. Rather than adding complex active control systems or multiple moving parts, the design modifies the stiffness, damping, or geometric properties of the landing platform structure itself, allowing it to deform in controlled ways to absorb impact energy while maintaining relatively simple overall architecture.
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 significantly reduces the risk of equipment damage and enhances landing accuracy, allowing safe landings in challenging conditions, including high winds and moving platforms, while protecting valuable payloads.
Implementation Method 1
under the effect of a shock during landing, the deformable element takes up part of the impact energy
Implementation Method 2
This wire often ensures at least the electrical power supply of the drone
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a drone, a wire and a docking station allowing the autonomous landing of the drone in degraded conditions. The docking station including a landing platform. The landing procedure includes stopping the automatic position control of the drone, producing a motor thrust higher than the weight of the drone, the automatic control of the attitude of the drone, and pulling upon the wire in order to bring the drone back to the platform. This system makes emergency landings possible, or landings under violent winds, or when the docking station is in movement on a vehicle, reducing material breakage.