Single Servo Package Delivery Mechanism for Aerial Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for lightweight, reliable, and robust package delivery systems for unmanned vehicles, such as aerial, ground, and water-based vehicles, to facilitate efficient delivery services.
Innovation Solution
A package delivery system that includes a package door hingedly coupled to the vehicle's fuselage, a servo or actuator, a servo arm, a latch, and a rod, allowing for loading, locking, sensing, and releasing of packages using a single servo or actuator, with configurations to prevent backdriving from forces, torques, or pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple servos or actuators are used for loading, locking, sensing, and releasing packages, then the system can perform these functions independently and reliably, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single servo or actuator is designed to perform multiple functions (loading, locking, sensing, and releasing packages) through a linkage mechanism that includes a servo arm, rod, and latch. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components while maintaining system reliability through integrated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple previously separate functions (loading, locking, sensing, releasing) into a single integrated mechanism driven by one servo or actuator. The linkage system merges these operations into a coordinated sequence, reducing device complexity while preserving functional reliability.
2Device complexity
If a single servo or actuator is used for loading, locking, sensing, and releasing packages, then the device complexity is reduced, but the system may become vulnerable to backdriving from external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed with a ratchet or one-way feature that prevents backdriving before it can occur. This preliminary protective design ensures that external forces from package weight or environmental pressures cannot reverse the servo's positioning, maintaining reliability while using a single actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical intermediary element (such as a ratchet, pawl, or friction-based clutch) is introduced between the servo output and the package handling components. This intermediary prevents direct backdriving of the servo while still allowing the servo to control the loading, locking, sensing, and releasing functions.
3Ease of operation
If the package door is kept open for loading and releasing, then access is easy, but the system is vulnerable to environmental forces and loses package security
Solution Approach 1:
The package door is designed as a dynamic component that transitions between open and closed states as needed. The door is coupled to the servo mechanism, allowing it to open for loading/access and close for security and environmental protection, adapting its state to the operational requirements at each moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is automatically closed and locked immediately after package loading or releasing is complete, as a preliminary protective action. This ensures that the package is secured and the vehicle is protected from environmental forces before the next operation begins, maintaining both ease of operation and security.
Data Source
AI summary
A package delivery apparatus of a vehicle may include a servo, a servo arm rotated by the servo, a latch that rotates responsive to rotation of the servo arm, and a rod and slider that moves responsive to rotation of the servo arm. The components of the package delivery apparatus may move between a plurality of positions, including a loading position, a locking position, a sensing position, and a release position. The rotation of the latch may control loading, locking, sensing, and release of a package within a package path of the vehicle, and the movement of the rod and slider may control movement of a door assembly of the vehicle between open and closed positions.