Swappable UAV Wing and Battery Anchor Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in efficiently swapping components like wings and battery packs, which are crucial for maintenance and extended flight duration, due to complex and time-consuming mechanical and electrical connection processes.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an integrated coupling and control unit with a monolithic metal anchor structure that provides load-bearing connections for wings and battery packs, enabling quick and secure attachment and detachment through high-precision mechanisms, including sliding cam locking systems, to facilitate efficient swapping without damaging components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical and electrical connection processes are used for component swapping, then secure connections are achieved, but the swapping process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical retention and electrical connection functions into a single integrated connector assembly. The electrical connectors are mechanically coupled to the retention structure, allowing both mechanical attachment and electrical connection to be made simultaneously in one action, rather than through separate complex processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical retention through retention pins and slots, establishes electrical connections through integrated electrical connectors, and enables quick release through a unified detachment mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and steps needed for component swapping.
2Reliability
If conventional mechanical and electrical connection processes are used for component swapping, then secure connections are achieved, but the swapping time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connectors are pre-positioned and mechanically coupled to the retention structure before the swapping operation begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the component is attached or detached, both mechanical and electrical connections are made or broken simultaneously without requiring separate timing-critical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the mechanical retention mechanism and electrical connection system into a single integrated assembly, the patent enables both functions to be performed in one atomic operation. The retention pins guide alignment while the electrical connectors establish connections simultaneously, eliminating the time required for sequential connection processes.
3Productivity
If integrated coupling unit with monolithic anchor structure is used, then swapping efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor structure is designed as a monolithic component that is integrated with the fuselage, creating a single rigid reference structure. This segmentation approach consolidates multiple potential mounting points and structural elements into one unified anchor, simplifying the overall system while enabling efficient component swapping through standardized interfaces.
4Speed
If quick-release mechanisms are used for component swapping, then swapping speed is improved, but the risk of improper engagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention slot and retention pin are designed with asymmetric geometries that provide directional guidance and tactile feedback. The slot has a specific orientation and shape that only accommodates the pin in the correct rotational and positional orientation, preventing improper engagement while enabling quick attachment through a single motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical retention mechanism incorporates self-aligning features where the retention pin automatically guides itself into the retention slot during the attachment process. The geometry of the pin and slot creates natural alignment forces that ensure proper engagement without requiring precise manual positioning, maintaining reliability while enabling speed.
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle may include a fuselage and an anchor structure coupled to the fuselage and including a wing retention structure and a power module retention structure. The unmanned aerial vehicle may also include a wing releasably coupled to the wing retention structure, thereby coupling the wing to the fuselage, and a power module releasably coupled to the power module retention structure, thereby coupling the power module to the fuselage.