Foldable UAV Rotor Arms for Autonomous Obstacle Avoidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional UAVs require manual operation or offer quasi-autonomous functionality with limited obstacle avoidance and smart motion planning, increasing operating costs and liability.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous UAV with foldable rotor arms, multiple image capture devices, and advanced navigation and tracking systems for reliable obstacle avoidance and high-level motion planning, enabling autonomous flight and intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual operation or quasi-autonomous functionality is used, then operating costs and liability increase, but automation level remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into unified systems: the navigation system combines obstacle detection, path planning, and autonomous control; the tracking system integrates object detection, identification, and follow-mode control; the image capture devices serve both navigation and payload purposes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate manual control systems while achieving high-level automation.
2Reliability
If advanced navigation and tracking systems are implemented, then obstacle avoidance and motion planning improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system continuously receives feedback from image capture devices and sensors about the environment and obstacle positions, adjusting the flight path in real-time. The tracking system uses feedback from detected objects to maintain follow-mode operation. This closed-loop feedback ensures reliable obstacle avoidance and tracking while managing system complexity through intelligent control algorithms.
3Volume of moving object
If foldable rotor arms are used, then portability and storage efficiency improve, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor arms are designed with foldable mechanisms that allow dynamic reconfiguration between extended operational positions and retracted storage positions. The arms can rotate and fold along defined axes, transitioning between states as needed for flight or compact storage, reducing the overall volume footprint while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
4Measurement precision
If multiple image capture devices are integrated, then navigation and object tracking precision improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple image capture devices into an integrated system that shares processing and control resources. The devices work together to provide comprehensive environmental perception for navigation and object tracking, merging their data streams to achieve high-precision position and orientation estimation while managing system complexity through unified processing architecture.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The technology described herein relates to autonomous aerial vehicle technology and, more specifically, to autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle with folding collapsible arms. In some embodiments, a UAV including a central body, a plurality of rotor arms, and a plurality of hinge mechanisms is disclosed. The plurality of rotor arms each include a rotor unit at a distal end of the rotor arm. The rotor units are configured to provide propulsion for the UAV. The plurality of hinge mechanisms mechanically attach (or couple) proximal ends of the plurality of rotor arms to the central body. Each hinge mechanism is configured to rotate a respective rotor arm of the plurality of rotor arms about an axis of rotation that is at an oblique angle relative to a vertical median plane of the central body to transition between an extended state and a folded state.