Self-Aligning Liquid Coupler with Funnel Guidance for UAV Refilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous UAVs have smaller fluid payloads and require frequent refilling, which is inconvenient and cumbersome due to insufficient precision in aligning components for fluid distribution, especially when deviations in position occur.

Innovation Solution

A self-aligning liquid coupler system with an actuating arm and nozzle assembly that adjusts to accommodate deviations in the UAV's position, using a fluid dispenser controller to actuate the pump and arm for precise fluid transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual refilling is used for UAVs, then fluid payload can be replenished, but the process is inconvenient and cumbersome due to alignment precision issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefilling convenienceVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-aligning couplers with funnel-shaped receiving structures that automatically guide and align the fluid transfer nozzle during approach, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment while enabling autonomous refilling operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A funnel-shaped intermediary structure is introduced between the fluid source and the UAV's fluid storage, serving as a tolerance-absorbing interface that guides misaligned nozzles into proper positioning automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If autonomous UAVs are made smaller to reduce cost and regulation, then operational flexibility improves, but fluid payload capacity decreases requiring frequent refilling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidfluid payload capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables preliminary refilling operations by positioning the fluid source before the UAV departs, allowing smaller UAVs to be quickly replenished with fluid payload at designated refilling zones, thereby extending their operational range without increasing size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated fluid transmission is implemented, then refilling efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefilling efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system uses passive self-aligning mechanical couplers combined with simple pump actuation, avoiding complex sensors and active control systems while achieving automated refilling through the self-guiding funnel mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex active alignment mechanisms with passive mechanical guidance structures, using the geometry of the funnel-shaped coupler to provide automatic alignment instead of requiring motorized positioning systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12404052B2Self-aligning liquid coupler systems and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 DEERE & CO

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a first link to rotate about a pin joint, a second link rotatably coupled to the first link, the second link having a nozzle at a first end and a weight at a second end opposite the first end, and a fluid inlet including a funnel portion and an opening, the funnel portion having a conical taper converging towards the opening.