Modular UAV Coupling for Heavy Payload and Longer Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UAV designs face limitations in carrying larger payloads and maintaining extended flight durations, often requiring larger and more complex systems, which can be inefficient and impractical for various delivery scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The concept of forming a collective UAV configuration by coupling multiple smaller UAVs to create a larger, more capable aerial vehicle that can transport heavier items and navigate longer distances, sharing resources and reducing energy consumption while improving visibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single UAV is designed to carry larger payloads or extend flight duration, then the payload capacity and flight duration are improved, but the size, weight, and complexity of the UAV increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the payload transport function across multiple smaller UAVs instead of using one large complex UAV. Each UAV maintains a standardized, simpler design while the collective group achieves the required payload capacity through coordinated operation of multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple standardized UAVs are combined to form a collective system that functions as a single transport unit. The individual UAVs merge their capabilities to handle larger payloads and extend flight duration without any single UAV needing to be oversized or over-engineered.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a single UAV is designed to carry larger payloads or extend flight duration, then the payload capacity and flight duration are improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight duration requirement is segmented across multiple UAVs, each with moderate battery capacity. By operating in coordination, the collective system achieves extended operational duration without requiring any single UAV to carry excessively large power modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically manages power distribution and flight coordination among multiple UAVs. This allows the collective to optimize energy consumption by distributing workload and utilizing the combined power resources of all units rather than relying on one oversized power system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple UAV configurations are maintained to handle different delivery scenarios, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single standardized UAV design is created that can perform multiple delivery scenarios by varying the number of UAVs in the collective and their formation configurations. The same basic UAV unit adapts to different payload sizes and delivery requirements through flexible grouping rather than requiring multiple specialized designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV collective dynamically reconfigures its formation and size based on delivery requirements. The system adapts to different scenarios by adjusting the number of participating UAVs and their spatial arrangement, providing versatility through dynamic reconfiguration rather than through multiple fixed configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure describes a collective UAV in which multiple UAVs may be coupled together to form the collective UAV. A collective UAV may be used to aerially transport virtually any size, weight or quantity of items, travel longer distances, etc. For example, rather than using one large UAV to carry a larger or heavier item, multiple smaller UAVs may couple together to form a collective UAV that is used to carry the larger or heavier item.