Rotational Finger Locking Mechanism for UAV Canister Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UAV delivery systems face challenges in efficiently securing and releasing payloads due to the transfer of force from the payload mass to the rotational device, which can lead to increased weight and wear on the system, making it difficult to use smaller, lighter mechanisms for securing and releasing canisters.
Innovation Solution
A canister and rail bracket system where the canister has securing channels with varying widths and a rail bracket with rotational shafts and fingers that transition between positions to securely couple and decouple from the UAV, allowing force transfer to other mechanical elements, enabling the use of smaller rotary solenoids for securing and releasing the canister.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotational device is used to secure and release the canister, then the canister can be reliably coupled to the UAV, but the payload mass transfers force to the rotational device, increasing its weight and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational mechanism is segmented into a stationary housing and a rotatable bracket assembly. The housing contains the channel and remains fixed, while only the bracket with the finger rotates to engage/disengage from the channel. This segmentation isolates the rotational motion to a minimal mass component, reducing the weight of the rotational device while maintaining reliable coupling through the finger-channel interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The force transfer path is extracted from the rotational device by introducing a separate engagement mechanism. The finger on the bracket engages with the channel to bear the payload mass, while the rotational shaft only provides positioning and engagement control. This extraction separates the load-bearing function from the rotational actuation function, reducing wear on the rotational components.
2Reliability
If a larger rotational device is used to handle the force, then the system becomes more reliable, but the overall system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary engagement structure is introduced between the rotational device and the payload mass. The channel and finger form an intermediary mechanism that transfers the payload forces to the stationary housing and bracket structure, rather than directly to the rotational shaft. This intermediary allows a smaller, lighter rotational device to achieve reliable coupling by relying on the structural support of the housing and bracket assembly.
3Reliability
If the finger extends further radially to improve engagement, then coupling reliability increases, but the bracket complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket design applies local quality by concentrating the engagement function at the finger tip rather than requiring the entire bracket to be oversized. The finger is designed with sufficient radial extension at the specific engagement point to ensure reliable coupling, while the rest of the bracket maintains a compact structure. This localized approach to engagement quality allows reliable coupling without proportionally increasing overall bracket complexity and size.
Data Source
AI summary
A canister is coupled to a delivery vehicle using a rail bracket. The canister comprises a securing channel having a first securing channel volume and a second securing channel volume. A width of the first securing channel volume is less than a width of the second securing channel volume. The rail bracket comprises a rotational shaft having a finger at one end. The rail bracket is inserted into the securing channel, and the rotational shaft is rotated. When rotated, the finger inhibits removal of the rail bracket from the securing channel, thereby providing a mechanism by which the canister can be releasably coupled to the rail bracket. The rail bracket may be provided on a delivery vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to transport the canister and contents within it.