Self-Stabilizing Delivery Platform With Locking Legs for Uneven Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing platforms struggle to stabilize themselves on uneven terrain during delivery, particularly when used for transporting items via drones, as they often tip over due to unpredictable ground conditions, risking the stability and safety of the items being transported.
Innovation Solution
The platform incorporates adjustable legs that extend and retract to compensate for uneven terrain, with a detection system and locking mechanisms that ensure the platform remains stable by locking the legs in position once the last leg touches the ground, maintaining the platform's levelness and preventing tipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the platform uses fixed legs, then the structure is simple, but the platform cannot adapt to uneven terrain and tips over
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable leg length mechanisms that allow the platform to dynamically adapt to uneven terrain. Each leg can be independently extended or retracted to compensate for ground irregularities, transforming the static platform into a dynamic system that maintains stability across varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform divides its support structure into separate, independently controllable legs. Each leg operates as an independent unit with its own adjustment mechanism, allowing localized adaptation to terrain variations without affecting the entire platform structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the platform uses adjustable legs with locking mechanisms, then stability on uneven terrain is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanisms are designed to automatically engage when legs reach their adjusted positions, performing the stabilization action in advance before the platform begins operation. This preliminary locking ensures stability is established before items are placed or drones are launched.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform's leg adjustment and locking system operates autonomously through sensor feedback and automated control, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-regulates leg positions and locking states based on detected terrain conditions and platform balance requirements.
3Loss of time
If the platform rapidly adjusts legs to stabilize, then response time is reduced, but the risk of instability during adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The leg adjustment process occurs in controlled periodic stages rather than continuous motion. The system adjusts legs incrementally, checks stability, and locks positions sequentially, creating a rhythmic pattern of adjustment-verification-locking that maintains stability throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform incorporates damping elements and controlled adjustment mechanisms that cushion the transition during leg movement. These elements absorb shocks and prevent sudden shifts, ensuring smooth stabilization without compromising reliability during the adjustment phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A platform to be used to secure objects for delivery by air. As a platform is lowered toward the ground, the legs of the platform touch the ground and interact with each other to stabilize the platform. A stable platform does not tip over. The platform may stabilize itself even when lowered onto uneven terrain.As the platform is lowered, the legs, except the last leg, move upward or inside the body of the platform until the last leg touches the terrain. On uneven terrain, the legs of the platform move upward or inside different amounts, so the legs have different lengths. The last leg to touch locks the other legs so that they cannot move up or down thereby stabilizing the platform.An incompressible material is used to detect when the last leg touches the terrain and to lock the other legs.