Retractable Guide Apparatus for UAV Docking Station

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Solution Overview

Problem

The deployment and recovery of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) often require human presence, which can be hazardous and costly, especially in dangerous locations, and existing docking systems lack durability and reliability in adverse environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A retractable guide apparatus within a docking station that expands to guide UAVs for landing and recovery, providing protection from environmental factors like ice, snow, and high winds, allowing autonomous operation and reducing personnel-related costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed guide apparatus is used for UAV landing, then the UAV can be guided into the docking station, but the guide apparatus is exposed to environmental factors like ice, snow, and high winds which reduces durability and reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of guide apparatusVSAvoidexposure to environmental factors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide apparatus is designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change its state between deployed and retracted positions. This dynamic capability enables the guide apparatus to be protected from environmental factors when not in use, thereby improving durability and reliability while maintaining its guiding function when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If human presence is required for UAV deployment and recovery, then proper deployment and recovery can be ensured, but costs increase due to salary and transportation, and delays are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper deployment and recoveryVSAvoiddelays and personnel costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The docking station system is designed to autonomously deploy and recover UAVs without requiring human presence. The retractable guide apparatus automatically guides the UAV into the docking station, and the system performs self-service operations including deployment, recovery, and protection functions, thereby eliminating personnel-related costs and delays while ensuring reliable operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the guide apparatus is always extended outward, then the UAV can be easily guided into the docking station, but the guide apparatus is vulnerable to environmental damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguiding capabilityVSAvoidresistance to environmental factors

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The guide apparatus transitions from a static extended state to a dynamic system that can be retracted into the docking station. This allows the guide apparatus to maintain ease of operation when deployed while gaining environmental protection when retracted, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12252280B2Docking station with retractable guide apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 10112755 CANADA INC

AI summary

Disclosed is a docking station for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The docking station has a retractable guide apparatus having a retracted state in which the retractable guide apparatus is retracted within the docking station and an expanded state in which the retractable guide is expanded outward from the docking station for physically guiding the UAV into the docking station. Given that the guide apparatus is retractable, the retractable guide apparatus is provided with some protection from environmental factors such as exposure to ice, snow and high winds.