Modular Autonomous Vehicle Magnetic Coupling and Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and autonomous vehicles are costly due to specialized designs, limited adaptability, and proprietary systems, making them inflexible and expensive to produce and maintain, with narrow mission capabilities and high operator costs.

Innovation Solution

A modular design for UUVs or autonomous vehicles that allows users to assemble and configure modules such as command and control, propulsion, sensors, and buoyancy control, using magnetic attachments and integrated data busses, enabling field assembly and repair without specialized tools, and reducing the need for proprietary systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If specialized designs are used for specific missions, then mission capability is improved, but production cost and development cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemission capabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is divided into multiple interchangeable modules (propulsion module, payload module, control module, etc.) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows standardization of manufacturing processes for each module type, reducing per-unit production costs while maintaining specialized mission capabilities through different module combinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A standardized base platform with universal interfaces and common subsystems is created that can support multiple mission configurations. The same vehicle platform can be adapted for different missions by swapping modules, eliminating the need to manufacture entirely separate specialized vehicles for each mission type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If fixed configuration is used at manufacture, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different missions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidmission flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle configuration is made dynamic and reconfigurable through interchangeable modules. While each individual module has a fixed design for manufacturing simplicity, the overall system configuration can be dynamically adjusted by assembling different module combinations to match specific mission requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If proprietary systems are used, then system integration is simplified, but operator costs and training requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem integrationVSAvoidoperator costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Standardized interfaces and communication protocols are implemented across all modules, creating homogeneous connection and data exchange mechanisms. This allows different modules from different manufacturers to work together seamlessly, reducing operator training requirements and long-term operational costs while maintaining simple system integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

4Adaptability or versatility

If specialized vehicles are manufactured for each mission, then mission performance is optimized, but economies of scale are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemission specializationVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the vehicle into standardized modules, the same base platform and common modules can be manufactured in large quantities for multiple missions, achieving economies of scale. Mission-specific capabilities are added through specialized modules that can be produced in smaller batches and assembled as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A universal base platform is designed that can serve multiple mission types, allowing the majority of the vehicle system to be produced in high volume. This universal platform achieves economies of scale in production while still enabling mission-specific customization through module selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 users to customize vehicles for specific missions, reduces production and maintenance costs, enhances adaptability, and improves reliability by allowing module replacement and configuration changes, thereby increasing operational flexibility and reducing operator expenses.

Implementation Method 1

modular elements can be coupled to and decoupled from the vehicle body using magnetic attachments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attachment: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11858597B1Methods for coupling and positioning elements on a configurable vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a mechanisms that magnetically attach and release configurable elements from the vehicle.