Vehicle Rescue Drone Communication Module Sharing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rescue drones for vehicles are expensive and limited in their applications, hindering widespread use in the automotive industry due to high costs and restricted functionalities.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-integrated communication bus system that shares a communication module with a detachable rescue drone, allowing the drone to reuse the vehicle's communication module for radio communications, and vice versa, reducing costs and enhancing functionality by using shared sensors and actuators for both normal operation and emergency scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rescue drone is equipped with its own communication module, then it can independently communicate during emergencies, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent communication capabilityVSAvoidcommunication module
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication module is designed to serve dual purposes: it functions as the vehicle's communication module during normal operation and as the rescue drone's communication module when detached. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate communication module in the drone, reducing cost and complexity while maintaining independent communication capability during emergencies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the vehicle's communication module and the rescue drone's communication module into a single shared component. The communication module is physically integrated with the drone but electrically connected to the vehicle's power supply and communication bus when anchored, allowing seamless switching between vehicle and drone operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rescue drone is equipped with dedicated sensors and actuators, then it can perform specialized rescue functions, but the cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverescue functionalityVSAvoidsensors and actuators
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors and actuators are designed to be shared between the vehicle and the rescue drone. During normal operation, these components serve the vehicle's functions; during emergency operations, the same components are utilized by the drone, eliminating the need for completely separate sensor and actuator systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically reconfigures the use of sensors and actuators based on operational mode. When the drone is anchored to the vehicle, the components serve vehicle functions; when detached for rescue operations, the same components are reassigned to serve the drone's rescue functions, achieving versatility without permanent duplication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the rescue drone is permanently integrated with the vehicle, then reliability is improved, but adaptability for detached emergency operations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle integrationVSAvoiddetached operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rescue drone is designed as a separable module that can be anchored to the vehicle for integrated operation or detached for independent emergency operations. The anchoring device provides a mechanical connection that can be securely engaged or easily released, allowing the system to switch between integrated and detached modes as needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3625091B1Vehicle having a rescue drone
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 MAHORKA DIETHARD
  • EP3625091B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3625091B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle (1), having a communication bus (9) which is inside the vehicle and carries vehicle data, a communication module (13) for radio communications (14) of the vehicle (1) that is connected to said communication bus, and a rescue drone (18) which is releasably anchored to the vehicle (1), wherein the rescue drone (18) is connected to the communication bus (9) in the anchored state and contains at least the communication module (13), and wherein the rescue drone (18) is designed to use the communication module (13) for its own radio communications (14) in the released state.