Foldable Drone Cage With Modular Ribs for Collision Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective cages for drones are heavy, inflexible, difficult to adapt to different drones, and require complex assembly/disassembly, leading to increased energy consumption and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A foldable protective cage made of lightweight, flexible ribs connected by a rope mesh, with detachable and interchangeable components, allowing easy attachment and detachment from drones, and adaptable to various drone models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a protective cage is designed to be robust and protective, then collision resistance is improved, but weight increases leading to higher energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cage is divided into multiple modular ribs that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each rib is a separate component that can be connected to form the complete cage structure, allowing for optimized weight distribution and easier replacement of damaged sections without replacing the entire cage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage utilizes thin-walled rib structures that provide protective function while minimizing material usage and weight. The ribs are designed with optimized wall thickness to achieve the necessary strength-to-weight ratio, using just enough material to provide collision resistance without excessive weight.
2Reliability
If a protective cage is designed for a specific drone model, then protection effectiveness is improved, but adaptability to other drones decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is designed with universal mounting features and standardized connection interfaces that allow the same cage structure to be adapted to multiple drone models. The modular rib design with standardized attachment points enables the cage to accommodate different drone sizes and configurations without requiring complete redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow it to adapt its geometry and mounting configuration to match different drone models. This dynamic adaptability maintains protection effectiveness across various drone types while avoiding the need for multiple specialized cage designs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a protective cage is made rigid and stable, then structural integrity is improved, but foldability and storage volume decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is constructed from segmented modular ribs that can be independently folded and collapsed. Each rib acts as an independent structural unit that maintains integrity when deployed but can be compacted when not in use, enabling the complete cage to be folded into a small storage volume without compromising structural integrity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular rib structure allows the cage to be nested or collapsed into a compact configuration for storage and transport. When folded, the ribs can be positioned within each other or against the drone body, significantly reducing the volume occupied by the protective cage while maintaining full structural integrity when deployed.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a protective cage uses complex assembly mechanisms, then structural stability is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into modular segments that can be independently assembled and disconnected. Each rib is a separate component with standardized connection interfaces, allowing for simple snap-fit or tool-free assembly while maintaining structural stability through the modular design. This segmentation enables quick assembly and disassembly without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage incorporates self-locking or self-securing features in its modular connections that automatically ensure proper assembly and structural stability without requiring complex fastening mechanisms or specialized tools. The design allows users to assemble and disassemble the cage easily while the structure itself ensures its own stability through intelligent connection design.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a protective foldable cage (100) adapted to flying drones. It comprises several ribs linked at their extremities by a ring and comprising on their length several connexion points allowing strings to join each of the adjacent ribs. The length of the string corresponds to the maximal angular shift between the first and the last ribs. The protective cage further comprises easily removable locking means adapted to maintain the ribs at predetermined relative angular position once deployed. The present invention further relates to a system comprising such a protective cage and a drone support, as well as a method of protection of flying drones.