Rescue Quadcopter Frame With Floats and Impact-Isolated Cage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drones lack comprehensive versatility, particularly in indoor and aquatic operations, with insufficient collision protection, inadequate autonomous navigation, and inefficient integration of advanced sensors and power systems, leading to structural damage, instability, and operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous multifunctional quadcopter drone system featuring a carbon fiber frame with a protective cage, integrated floats, and advanced sensors, along with AI-driven navigation and fault detection, enabling robust operation in diverse environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional protective cages are rigidly fastened to the frame arms, then structural protection is provided, but impact forces cause permanent deformation or failure of motor mounts and arm junctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces energy-dissipating interfaces between the protective cage and frame arms that compress under impact to absorb collision forces before they reach critical components. This beforehand cushioning mechanism prevents the transmission of impact forces to motor mounts and arm junctions, resolving the contradiction between providing structural protection and maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drones are equipped with pontoons or detachable flotation units for water landing, then aquatic capability is achieved, but aerodynamic drag increases and maneuverability reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the frame structure to serve dual purposes: the lower surface of the frame acts as both the mounting surface for pontoons during aquatic operations and as the primary structural element during aerial flight. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate aquatic landing gear, achieving water landing capability without the aerodynamic drag and maneuverability penalties associated with traditional pontoons.
3Ease of manufacture
If motor phase wires are routed externally along the outer surfaces of the arms, then assembly is simplified, but electrical connections are exposed to mechanical abrasion, vibration fatigue, and moisture ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent routes motor phase wires through the hollow interior of the frame arms, nesting the electrical connections within the structural framework. This internal wiring arrangement protects electrical connections from mechanical abrasion, vibration fatigue, and moisture ingress while maintaining assembly simplicity, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If batteries are secured with straps or external clamps, then installation is simple, but batteries become displaced or disconnected during abrupt deceleration or emergency landings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the battery retention mechanism directly into the frame structure, combining the battery mounting function with the existing structural framework. This integration provides robust retention of the battery during abrupt deceleration or emergency landings while maintaining installation simplicity, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and battery security.
5Strength
If flight controllers are mounted rigidly within the central frame, then structural support is provided, but inertial sensors are highly susceptible to oscillatory disturbances from motors and propellers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vibration isolation elements as intermediaries between the frame and flight controller mounting surfaces. These elements filter out oscillatory disturbances from motors and propellers before reaching the inertial sensors, maintaining structural support while protecting sensor accuracy, thus resolving the contradiction between structural support and measurement precision.
6Ease of operation
If advanced payloads are mounted externally or in ad hoc fashion, then installation flexibility is maintained, but components are exposed to misalignment, vibration-induced noise, and direct impact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the frame structure to serve as both the primary mounting platform for advanced payloads and as the protective framework. This universal mounting approach provides robust mechanical integration for LiDAR, thermal cameras, and other sensors while maintaining installation flexibility, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and component stability.
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
The system provides enhanced safety and efficiency in inspection and rescue operations by ensuring stable flight, collision resistance, and seamless transitions between aerial and aquatic environments, reducing operational complexity and extending drone service life.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric interface positioned between the geodesic nodes and the socket to absorb collision forces transmitted through the protective cage
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of lightweight floats attached symmetrically to a lower portion of the carbon fiber frame, wherein the lightweight floats are configured to enable the drone to land safely and float stably on water surfaces
Implementation Method 3
the flight controller mounted on elastomeric suspension posts that isolate the flight controller from frame-borne vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an autonomous multifunctional inspection and rescue quadcopter drone system. The proposed drone system features an adaptive design for operation in multiple environments, wherein the system employs robust carob fiber frame, with a top protective cage, a bottom floats for water landing and floating capability, and advanced sensor suits, and artificial intelligence capabilities, wherein the advance sensor suits include LiDAR, thermal camera, and RGB camera, and wherein the AI capabilities allow the drone to performing autonomous navigation, and fault detection, which significantly enhance efficiency and safety in inspection and rescue operations. The proposed drone system has reduced operational costs and complexity, enhanced safety and reliability during inspections, and faster and more effective emergency response capabilities.