Passive Load-Lowering Mechanism for Unmanned Aerial Devices

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unmanned aerial devices equipped with winding machines are heavy, reducing their maximum payload capacity due to the complexity and weight of the mechanism, making it difficult to efficiently lower loads from midair.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight load-lowering device with a linear member holder and a speed limiting mechanism that allows for controlled descent of loads from an aerial device body in midair, using a linear member with one end connected to the load and the other end held by the device, and a mechanism to limit the speed of the linear member's extraction, eliminating the need for a motor and complex mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a winding machine is equipped on the aerial device to lower loads from midair, then the load can be delivered without landing, but the device becomes significantly heavy and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload delivery capabilityVSAvoidaerial device weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function of the winding machine (controlling linear member payout speed) while removing the heavy motor and complex mechanisms. The speed limiting mechanism achieves load control through passive mechanical means, separating the core function from the bulky components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The load itself provides the force to payout the linear member through gravity, eliminating the need for an active motor system. The speed limiting mechanism uses the load's own weight to control the descent speed, making the system self-regulating without requiring heavy power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a winding machine is equipped on the aerial device to lower loads from midair, then the load can be delivered without landing, but the mechanism becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload delivery capabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function of the winding machine (controlling linear member payout speed) while removing the heavy motor and complex mechanisms. The speed limiting mechanism achieves load control through passive mechanical means, separating the core function from the bulky components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the active mechanical system (motor-driven winding machine) with a passive mechanical system (gravity-based descent with friction speed limitation). This substitution dramatically simplifies the mechanism while maintaining the essential load delivery function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a winding machine is equipped on the aerial device, then the maximum payload is decreased due to the machine's weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload delivery capabilityVSAvoidmaximum payload

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function of the winding machine (controlling linear member payout speed) while removing the heavy motor and complex mechanisms. The speed limiting mechanism achieves load control through passive mechanical means, separating the core function from the bulky components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The load itself provides the force to payout the linear member through gravity, eliminating the need for an active motor system. The speed limiting mechanism uses the load's own weight to control the descent speed, making the system self-regulating without requiring heavy power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 the aerial device to transport heavier loads while maintaining a lightweight configuration, ensuring safe and controlled delivery without the need for landing, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional winding machines.

Implementation Method 1

a speed limiting mechanism that limits a speed at which the linear member is pulled out of the linear member holder, under a weight of the load

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a speed limiting mechanism that limits a speed at which the linear member is pulled out of the linear member holder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11932393B2Unmanned aerial device, load-lowering device, and load transport method

Publication Date: 2024.03.19 RAKUTEN GROUP INC

AI summary

An unmanned aerial device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an aerial device body capable of flying in an unmanned manner, and a load-lowering device mounted to the aerial device body and configured to lower a load from the aerial device body. The load-lowering device has a linear member holder for holding a linear member having one end portion connectable to the load, the linear member holder holding at least the other end portion of the linear member, and a speed limiting mechanism that limits a speed at which the linear member is pulled out of the linear member holder, under a weight of the load.