Piezoelectric Transducer Structural Communication for UAVs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing small and lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) while ensuring redundancy in critical systems is challenging due to size and weight constraints, and existing communication methods may interfere with operational vibrations.

Innovation Solution

The use of piezo electric transducers (PETs) to transmit signals between components of UAVs through vibrations, employing different frequency ranges to avoid interference with operational vibrations and providing a redundant communication system that does not require additional structural members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant systems are introduced in UAVs to improve reliability, then system reliability is improved, but weight and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidUAV weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the communication function with the existing structural members of the UAV. Instead of adding separate communication infrastructure, the structural members serve dual purposes: providing mechanical support and transmitting communication signals through vibrations. This merging eliminates the need for additional communication hardware weight while maintaining redundant communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes existing structural members multi-functional by enabling them to serve both as structural support elements and as communication channels. The same physical members that provide mechanical integrity to the UAV also function as waveguides for transmitting piezoelectric communication signals, thereby avoiding additional weight from dedicated communication structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If piezoelectric transducers are used for communication in UAVs, then communication reliability is improved, but interference with operational vibrations occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidvibration interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs mechanical vibrations as the communication medium itself, using piezoelectric transducers to generate and detect vibration signals through structural members. By operating in the vibration domain and utilizing different vibration frequencies or patterns, the system can distinguish communication signals from operational vibrations, transforming the interference problem into a signal differentiation opportunity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frequency parameters of the communication signals to differentiate them from operational vibrations. By operating at specific frequency ranges or using modulated vibration patterns that differ from normal UAV operational vibrations, the communication system can transmit reliably without being confused by or interfering with the vehicle's operational vibration profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reliable communication between UAV components without adding weight or size, using PETs to transmit signals through existing structural members, thereby addressing the challenge of redundancy and vibration interference in small UAVs.

Implementation Method 1

A first piezoelectric transducer may be coupled to a first location on a member... The first piezoelectric transducer may receive a signal and convert the signal to a mechanical force/stress causing vibration of the member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

A second piezoelectric transducer may be coupled to a second location on the member... The second piezoelectric transducer may convert the vibration back to the signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Converse Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

The vibration may propagate through the member to other locations about the member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration propagation: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11542001B1Mechanical vibration based inter-module communication in vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

Components of a device may transmit signals between one another using piezo electric transducers (PETs). In a basic system, a first PET may be coupled to and/or in contact with a first location on a member. A second PET may be coupled to and/or in contact with a second location on the member and separated from the first PET by a distance. The first PET may receive a signal (e.g., an electrical voltage) and convert the signal to a mechanical force/stress causing vibration of the member. The vibration may propagate through the member to other locations about the member. The second PET receive the vibration and may convert the vibration back to the signal, such as by converting mechanical force/stress to the electrical voltage (i.e., the signal). A similar process may be performed in reverse to enable the first and second PET to provide two-way communication.