Magnetic UAV Storage for Underground Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for storing and retrieving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) require human intervention and are prone to damage in underground environments due to water accumulation.

Innovation Solution

A storage device equipped with a magnet or magnetic body that applies a magnetic force to a UAV with magnets on its upper surface, allowing for autonomous departure and return operations without human intervention, regardless of the environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual hand release and catching is used for storing and retrieving UAVs, then human intervention is required, but this increases the risk of human error and requires skilled operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of departure and return operationsVSAvoidrequirement for skilled human operators

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The UAV is equipped with magnets on its upper surface that enable it to autonomously attach to the storage device and return to its storage position without human intervention. The system performs its own storage and retrieval operations through magnetic attraction, eliminating the need for manual hand catching and reducing reliance on skilled operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a ground station is used for autonomous storage of UAVs, then human intervention is eliminated, but the UAV may be damaged by accumulated water in underground environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous storage operationVSAvoidwater damage risk in underground facilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional ground station storage system with a magnetic storage device. The storage device includes a magnet or magnetic body that applies magnetic force to the UAV's magnets, enabling autonomous attachment and storage. This magnetic mechanism eliminates the need for complex mechanical ground station infrastructure, allowing safe deployment in underground environments without water damage risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a ground station is installed on the ground for UAV storage, then autonomous operation is achieved, but the system cannot be used in underground infrastructure facilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to underground environmentsVSAvoidground station infrastructure requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential storage function from the complex ground station infrastructure and implements it through a simplified magnetic storage device. By removing the need for ground station buildings, power supplies, and control systems, the solution can be deployed in underground infrastructure facilities such as tunnels and subway stations where traditional ground stations cannot be installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables safe and autonomous operation of UAVs in various environments, including underground, without the risk of human error or damage from water accumulation.

Implementation Method 1

a main body portion having a magnet or a magnetic body for applying a magnetic force to the unmanned aerial vehicle provided with a magnet on an upper surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS12338015B2Storage device, unmanned aerial vehicle, and system

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A storage device (10) that stores an unmanned aerial vehicle (30) includes a main body portion (20) having a magnet or a magnetic body (111, 112) for applying a magnetic force to the unmanned aerial vehicle (30) provided with a magnet (121, 122) on an upper surface.