Extensible Quadrotor Body Modular Flight Dynamics Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotor-based drones are limited in component flexibility, as adding new components can alter flight dynamics and increase weight, leading to unintended behavior in flight.
Innovation Solution
A rotor-based remote flying vehicle platform with a central frame and communication ports that allow for the connection of functionality modules, enabling dynamic adjustment of flight dynamics based on the physical characteristics of attached components through a control center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If components are added to increase drone functionality, then adaptability is improved, but weight increases and flight dynamics are altered
Solution Approach 1:
The drone system is divided into a base platform and separate modular functionality modules. Each module can be independently attached or detached, allowing the drone to be segmented into different configurations based on mission requirements. This enables weight optimization by only carrying necessary components.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone employs a universal communication port interface that can accommodate multiple types of functionality modules (cameras, sensors, payloads). This multi-functional interface allows a single base drone to perform diverse tasks by simply changing modules, avoiding the need for multiple specialized drones.
2Adaptability or versatility
If components are added to enhance functionality, then adaptability is improved, but flight dynamics stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Before flight, the system performs preliminary identification of the attached functionality module and automatically determines its physical characteristics (weight, center of gravity, dimensions). Based on this pre-acquired information, the control center pre-calculates and adjusts flight parameters to compensate for the module's effects, ensuring stable flight dynamics from the start of flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the control center continuously monitors flight performance and adjusts control signals based on the identified module characteristics. This closed-loop control compensates for dynamic changes caused by attached modules, maintaining flight stability despite varying configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to a rotor-based remote flying vehicle platform such as a quadrotor, and to methods for controlling intra-flight dynamics of such rotor-based remote flying vehicles. In one case, a rotor-based remote flying vehicle platform is provided that includes a central frame. The central frame has a control center that is configured to control motors mounted to the vehicle platform. The central frame also has a communication port configured to interface with functionality modules. The communication port is communicably connected to the control center. The rotor-based remote flying vehicle platform further includes at least a first arm that is connected to the central frame and extends outward, as well as a first motor mounted to the first arm, where the first motor is in communication with the control center. The method for controlling intra-flight dynamics may be performed on such a rotor-based remote flying vehicle.