Rotating Ring Locking Mechanism for Secure Drone Deck Landing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drone landing systems, particularly on moving ships, fail to provide quick and reliable fixation and efficient re-launch, especially in harsh environments, risking detachment and damage.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with rotatable rings and cables that automatically adjust between unlocking and locking positions, using actuating means to secure the drone to a support surface efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rings and cables are used to lock a drone after landing, then the drone can be secured to the support surface, but the operation becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device automatically secures the drone to the support surface through self-activating mechanisms. When the drone lands on the support surface, the system autonomously engages the locking cables and rings without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining reliable fixation while eliminating operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The locking cables and rings are pre-positioned and pre-tensioned in readiness before landing. The system is prepared in advance with all locking components in their optimal positions, enabling immediate automatic engagement upon drone contact with the support surface, thus ensuring both reliability and operational simplicity
2Reliability
If manual locking operations are performed on a moving ship, then the drone can be fixed to the deck, but the operation time increases and reliability decreases due to ship movement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device autonomously performs the entire securing operation without human intervention. The system detects drone landing and automatically activates the locking mechanism, eliminating the time loss and reliability issues associated with manual operations on a moving ship deck
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical locking operations are replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors, actuators, and control algorithms to perform the locking function. This substitution eliminates the delays and errors inherent in manual operations while maintaining secure fixation despite ship movement
3Reliability
If a locking device uses multiple cables and rings, then the drone can be securely locked, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking cables and rings are integrated into a unified modular system where components work together as coordinated units. The cables are bundled and routed through common attachment points, and the rings are interconnected, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the redundancy and reliability of multiple locking elements
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2
AI summary
A locking device (1) for an aircraft is described, comprising a body (2) adapted to be fixed to a support surface (S), a first ring (3) and a second ring (4) rotatable the one with respect to the other with respect to a rotation axis (I) between a first angular position (61) and a second angular position (63). The first and second ring (3, 4) enclose an area (6) for the landing of the aircraft and are contained within the body (2). The locking device also comprises a plurality of cables (5), which connect the first ring (3) to the second ring (4). The locking device (1) is positionable in an unlocking position, wherein the first and second ring (3, 4) are in the first angular position (61), the cables (5) are spaced from said area (6); or in a locking position, wherein the first and second ring (3, 4) are in the second angular position (63) and the cables (5) occupy a region (63) of the area (6), so as to cooperate in contact with the aircraft to constrain it with respect to the support surface (S).