Modular Battery Vehicle System with Interchangeable Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-operated unmanned vehicles face challenges in protecting lithium batteries during shipping and in being adaptable for various vehicle types, as they require specific configurations and robust packaging to meet strict transportation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A modular vehicle system where a robust battery module serves as the primary structural element, connecting to interchangeable propulsion and control modules, allowing the vehicle to convert between quadrotor aircraft, wheeled ground vehicle, water-surface vehicle, and submersible configurations, while meeting shipping requirements through its integral design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lithium batteries are shipped in robust shipping containers to meet strict transportation requirements, then battery safety during shipping is improved, but device complexity and shipping cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery housing is merged with the vehicle body structure. The battery module includes a housing that forms part of the vehicle's structural framework, eliminating the need for separate robust shipping containers. The battery housing is designed to meet transportation requirements while serving as the vehicle's structural element, thus combining protection and vehicle structure into one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery module serves multiple functions: it provides power storage, structural support, and shipping protection. The housing is designed to withstand transportation requirements while also serving as part of the vehicle's structural framework, making it a multi-functional component that eliminates the need for separate protection structures.
2Reliability
If each battery pack is specifically configured for a single vehicle type, then battery-vehicle compatibility is improved, but adaptability across multiple vehicle types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module is designed with universal mounting interfaces and standardized connection ports that can interface with multiple vehicle types. The housing includes attachment mechanisms that can accommodate different vehicle configurations, allowing the same battery module to be used across aerial, ground, and water-based vehicles while maintaining reliable electrical and mechanical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system is segmented into a standardized module that can be independently configured for different vehicle types. The mounting interfaces and connection ports are designed as separate, interchangeable components that can be adapted to different vehicle configurations without changing the core battery pack, enabling the same battery module to serve multiple vehicle applications.
3Reliability
If a separate robust structure is provided for battery protection, then battery safety is improved, but vehicle weight and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery housing is merged with the vehicle's primary structural framework. The housing that protects the battery during shipping also serves as part of the vehicle's structural support system, eliminating the need for separate protection structures and reducing overall vehicle weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery housing performs multiple functions: it protects the battery during shipping, provides structural support for the vehicle, and serves as a mounting platform for other components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate protection structures, reducing vehicle weight and structural complexity.
4Reliability
If multiple specialized battery packs are provided for different vehicle types, then vehicle-specific performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and inventory complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single standardized battery module design can be used across multiple vehicle types through universal mounting interfaces and connection ports. This allows manufacturers to produce one standardized battery pack design that can be adapted to different vehicle applications, simplifying manufacturing processes and inventory management while maintaining vehicle-specific performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system is designed as a standardized module with separable mounting interfaces and connection ports. This segmentation allows the core battery pack to remain identical across different vehicle types while only the interface components need to be adapted, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and inventory requirements compared to producing completely different battery packs for each vehicle type.
Data Source
AI summary
A quadrotor UAV including ruggedized, integral-battery, load-bearing body, two arms on the load-bearing body, each arm having two rotors, a control module mounted on the load-bearing body, a payload module mounted on the control module, and skids configured as landing gear. The two arms are replaceable with arms having wheels for ground vehicle use, with arms having floats and props for water-surface use, and with arms having pitch-controlled props for underwater use. The control module is configured to operate as an unmanned aerial vehicle, an unmanned ground vehicle, an unmanned (water) surface vehicle, and an unmanned underwater vehicle, depending on the type of arms that are attached.