Floating Wire Support for Vehicle-Platform Supply Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connection systems between vehicles and platforms, such as aerial vehicles and agricultural vehicles, suffer from increased energy consumption and potential collisions due to the pulling force exerted by long, slack wires, which cause side drift and contact with objects like crop.
Innovation Solution
A supply system with a bendable connection element and floating units that can be attached or detached based on the pulling force, using a control unit to manage the lifting effect and minimize slack, thereby mitigating the pulling force and preventing collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the free length of the wire is increased to allow the aerial vehicle to fly farther from the agricultural vehicle, then the working range is improved, but the wire may collide with objects such as crop due to slack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces floating units that provide an upward lifting force to counteract the weight of the wire. This reduces the sagging and slack of the wire, preventing collision with crop while maintaining a long free length for extended working range.
2Length of moving object
If the free length of the wire is increased to extend working range, then the operational distance is improved, but the pulling force on the aerial vehicle increases causing side drift
Solution Approach 1:
The floating units generate buoyant force that counteracts the wire's weight, thereby reducing the pulling force transmitted to the aerial vehicle. This minimizes side drift and stabilizes the vehicle's position during operation.
3Length of moving object
If the free length of the wire is increased, then the working distance is improved, but the weight force of the wire increases leading to higher energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
By deploying floating units that provide upward lift, the system reduces the effective weight of the wire that the aerial vehicle must compensate for. This decreases the energy required to maintain position and counteract the wire's pull.
4Use of energy by moving object
If floating units are added to reduce pulling force, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floating units are designed to be dynamically deployable and retractable. They can be attached or detached based on operational requirements, allowing the system to adapt its complexity level to match the actual working conditions and energy needs.
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
Reduces energy consumption and avoids collisions by dynamically adjusting the lifting effect of the connection element, ensuring stable operation and safe navigation of vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one floating unit has a lifting effect contrary to the weight force of the bendable connection element resulting in at least a partly compensation of the weight force
Data Source
AI summary
A supply system for connecting a first vehicle has a platform, a first vehicle, a bendable connection element with one end connected with the first vehicle and another end connected with the platform and at least one floating unit for lifting the bendable connection element at least partly over a minimum floating height. The at least one floating unit is attachable to the bendable connection element distant from the first vehicle.