Rotating Rotor Arms for UAV Obstacle Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with cameras lack efficient systems for autonomous flight planning, obstacle detection, and safe return mechanisms, leading to potential collisions and limited operational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The development of an aerial capture platform that integrates a remote-controlled UAV with a camera, a gimbal for stabilization, and a remote controller for autonomous flight planning and obstacle detection, allowing for pre-programmed routes and automatic return paths using sensor data and real-time adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fixed rotor arm configurations are used in UAVs, then structural simplicity is maintained, but operational flexibility and obstacle avoidance capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements rotatable rotor arms that can dynamically change their orientation and position during flight operations. The rotor arms are equipped with rotation mechanisms allowing them to pivot around the central body, enabling the UAV to adapt its configuration for obstacle avoidance, varied flight paths, and different operational scenarios, thus resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor arm system is divided into multiple independently controllable segments. Each rotor arm can rotate and position itself independently, allowing the UAV to optimize each arm's position for specific tasks such as obstacle detection, stable hovering, or transition to different flight modes, enhancing operational versatility without requiring complete structural redesign
2Extent of automation
If autonomous flight planning systems are added to UAVs, then operational autonomy is improved, but system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary flight planning by pre-programming multiple flight paths and routes before actual flight operations. The autonomous flight controller stores these pre-planned paths and can automatically execute them, reducing the need for complex real-time decision-making algorithms and lowering the computational burden during flight while maintaining high autonomy
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous flight planning system incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms using sensors (GPS, accelerometers, gyroscopes) to monitor the UAV's position and status. This feedback allows the system to automatically adjust flight paths, detect obstacles, and execute return-to-home commands, achieving high autonomy through continuous monitoring and adjustment rather than complex predictive algorithms
3Reliability
If real-time obstacle detection and automatic return mechanisms are implemented, then flight safety is improved, but response time and system reaction speed may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary safety measures by pre-programming automatic return-to-home paths and establishing no-fly zones before flight operations begin. When obstacles are detected or safety thresholds are breached, the pre-prepared return paths are immediately activated, eliminating the need for complex real-time path recalculation and ensuring rapid response while maintaining flight safety
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV continuously monitors flight parameters and pre-identifies safe return paths during normal operation. When an obstacle is detected, the system can immediately execute the pre-computed return trajectory, reducing response time. The automatic return mechanism is prepared in advance with multiple escape routes, allowing instant activation without compromising safety or speed
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 safe and efficient autonomous flight operations, reducing the risk of collisions and enhancing operational flexibility by allowing for real-time adjustments and automatic return to a predefined location.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor assembly rotatable about a rotor axis with the rotor axis being perpendicular to the propeller axis, the rotor assembly including a drive shaft rotatable about the rotor axis and the propeller coupled to the drive shaft
Implementation Method 2
a camera mounted to a gimbal with the gimbal having a pre-gimbal frame and a post-gimbal frame
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a housing, a plurality of first arms, a plurality of second arms, and a landing gear. The housing includes a gimbal attachment to couple a gimbal with a camera. Each of the plurality of first arms and the plurality of second arms rotatably couple with the housing at one end and has a motor coupled with a propeller on the other end. The landing gear includes a plurality of foldable legs and releasably couples with an underside of the housing. The aerial vehicle may be programmed with aerial flight path data that corresponds with a prior traced route.