Unmanned Flight Device Contact Detection and Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unmanned flight equipment using linear members for cargo delivery often experiences attitude destabilization due to external forces, such as wind or manual interference, when the cargo is suspended from the aerial vehicle.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a contact detection unit with a carbon microcoil-based linear member contact detection sensor and a separation unit that can sever the linear member or cargo from the aerial vehicle upon detection of contact or tension, preventing destabilization by separating the delivery target before a strong external force is applied.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a linear member is suspended from the aerial vehicle to hold the delivery target, then the cargo can be delivered while the aerial vehicle stays in midair without landing, but external forces such as wind or manual interference may act on the delivery target or linear member to destabilize the flight state of the aerial vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery operationVSAvoidflight state stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The contact detection sensor detects contact forces before they can significantly destabilize the aerial vehicle. By detecting contact early and triggering separation before the full impact occurs, the system performs the protective action in advance, preventing the destabilizing effect from fully manifesting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the potentially harmful contact force into a useful detection signal. The contact detection sensor uses the applied force itself as the trigger mechanism for separation, transforming the destabilizing influence into the activation condition for the protective response

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Stability of the object's composition

If an adjustment means is provided to adjust the fixing of the linear member according to the aerial vehicle's attitude, then the load of the cargo can constantly act on the center of gravity enabling stable flight, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflight stabilityVSAvoidfixing device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex adjustment means from the fixing device and replaces it with a simpler separation mechanism. Instead of continuously adjusting the linear member's position to maintain stability, the system simply separates the delivery target when contact is detected, removing the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than trying to prevent destabilization through continuous adjustment, the system inverts the approach by preparing for and enabling quick separation when destabilization occurs. The focus shifts from maintaining the connection under varying conditions to breaking the connection when necessary, simplifying the overall system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the linear member is pulled by external forces, then the delivery target may be detached, but the aerial vehicle's attitude cannot be maintained and flight is destabilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery target retentionVSAvoidattitude stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The contact detection sensor provides real-time feedback on forces applied to the linear member or delivery target. This feedback loop allows the control system to monitor the tension and trigger separation when predetermined contact thresholds are exceeded, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting contact forces and triggering separation before the full destabilizing effect can occur. The separation action is initiated in response to the contact detection, counteracting the potential harm before it fully manifests in the flight stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

This configuration effectively stabilizes the aerial vehicle's flight by promptly separating the linear member or cargo from the vehicle when contact or tension is detected, preventing destabilization and ensuring safe delivery.

Implementation Method 1

The linear member contact detection sensor includes a carbon microcoil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3741673B1Unmanned flight device and transport method
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 RAKUTEN GROUP INC
  • EP3741673B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3741673B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3741673B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is intended to provide unmanned flight equipment which can quickly warn persons below the unmanned flight equipment of abnormality when an aerial vehicle is in an abnormal situation. The unmanned flight equipment 1 according to the present invention includes: an aerial vehicle 2 capable of flying in an unmanned manner; a linear member 3 configured to be suspended from the aerial vehicle 2 and to hold a delivery target T at a lower end thereof; a contact detection unit 6 configured to detect contact with the delivery target T or contact with the linear member 3; and a separation unit 7 configured to separate the delivery target T or the liner member 3 based on a detection result of the contact detection unit 6.