Modular Drone Port With Autonomous Rovers to Reduce Land Footprint

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drone delivery systems face inefficiencies and high costs due to land requirements, human labor risks, and the need for scalable and autonomous parcel and drone handling solutions, particularly in urban areas where land is expensive.

Innovation Solution

A modular, autonomous drone port system utilizing intelligent rovers and lifts, integrated with a collaborative server for real-time control, enabling efficient parcel and drone handling, and networked logistics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a drone port uses more land to garage and interact with drones, then more drones can be handled, but land cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrone handling capacityVSAvoidland footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from ground-level drone operations to aerial operations using drone ports positioned on rooftops and elevated structures. This vertical dimension allows drone ports to be located in urban areas without requiring additional ground land, thereby maintaining high drone handling capacity while minimizing land footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The drone port system is divided into modular components including separate landing zones, garaging areas, charging stations, and parcel handling facilities. This segmentation allows efficient use of limited space by organizing functions vertically and independently, maximizing productivity within constrained land areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If human operators handle drone loading, unloading, charging and garaging, then flexibility is maintained, but human error and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoiderror rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drone port system incorporates automated mechanisms for drone loading, unloading, charging, and garaging. Drones autonomously dock at ports, connect to charging systems, and are transferred to garaging facilities without human intervention. This self-service capability maintains operational flexibility while eliminating human error and safety risks associated with manual handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations are replaced with automated robotic systems and electronic control mechanisms. The system uses automated guide rails, robotic arms for parcel transfer, and electronic charging connections to replace human operators, thereby maintaining flexibility through programmable control while significantly reducing error rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If drones operate close to ground for easy handling, then interaction is simplified, but contact with humans and property increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling simplicityVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system elevates drone operations to aerial levels using rooftop ports and elevated landing zones. Drones operate at height away from ground-level humans and property, reducing safety hazards. The vertical dimension maintains handling simplicity through automated docking mechanisms and controlled descent protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces automated transfer mechanisms and intermediate platforms that facilitate drone-to-parcel and drone-to-garage transfers without direct human contact. These intermediary systems act as buffers between drones and humans, simplifying operations while minimizing safety risks by eliminating the need for close proximity interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If fixed capacity automation systems are implemented, then throughput is optimized, but scalability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drone port system is designed as a collection of modular, independently deployable units including individual landing zones, garaging bays, charging stations, and parcel handling modules. Each module can be configured to optimize throughput for specific functions while maintaining the ability to add or remove modules for scalability. This segmented architecture allows the system to scale from small to large capacities without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250296715A1Drone Port

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 INTELIPORTS LTD

AI summary

A drone port has a set of autonomous transport robots (or rovers) that can collaborate with each other, are automated and can provide a scalable drone service unit or system within an existing building. The rovers are able to transport or move the drones, such as to and from a landing, take-off or drop-off area. The rovers can transport or move (drone) packages/payloads and load/unload the packages onto, or from, the drones.