Tether Spool Tension Control With Spring-Biased Pulley
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tether management systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are bulky and inefficient in maintaining constant tension due to space-consuming designs, leading to jerky movements and reduced operational quality in varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A compact tether management system with a spool, tension sensor, controller, and moveable pulley, utilizing an elongated compression spring to bias the pulley along a linear path, adjusting tension dynamically based on measured and desired tension differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rocker arm or dancer mechanism is used to maintain tether tension, then the tension can be maintained within a range, but the device consumes significant space and has limited rotation angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical rocker arm or dancer mechanism with an electrical motor-driven spool system. The motor controls the spool to reel in or release tether, maintaining tension through electrical control rather than mechanical leverage. This substitution dramatically reduces the space required while achieving the same tension maintenance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a tension sensor to continuously monitor tether tension and feeds this data to a controller. Based on the tension feedback, the controller adjusts the motor's operation to maintain desired tension levels. This closed-loop control system replaces the passive mechanical tension maintenance with an active, adjustable electrical system that can adapt to varying conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a dancer mechanism is used to mitigate filament slack, then slack can be reduced, but the device is space-consuming and does not control tension by itself
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the space-consuming dancer mechanism with a compact motor-driven spool system that actively controls tether payout and retrieval. The motor and control system maintain tether tension and mitigate slack through electrical control, eliminating the need for large mechanical dancer arms while achieving superior tension control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a tension sensor that continuously monitors tether tension and provides feedback to the controller. This closed-loop feedback enables the system to detect slack conditions and automatically adjust motor operation to retrieve or payout tether, maintaining optimal tension without requiring space-consuming mechanical devices.
3Reliability
If a moveable pulley with linear track is used to adjust tether tension, then tension can be maintained, but the system requires a lot of space for the track
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the moveable pulley and linear track mechanism with a motor-driven spool system. The spool rotates to reel in or release tether, providing tension control without requiring a large linear track. This mechanical-to-electrical substitution dramatically reduces the space footprint while maintaining reliable tension control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a motor that can dynamically adjust its rotation speed and direction based on real-time tension feedback from the sensor. This dynamic electrical control replaces the static or limited-range mechanical movement of a moveable pulley on a linear track, providing more flexible and space-efficient tension management.
4Reliability
If conventional tether management systems are used, then tether tension can be maintained, but the systems are bulky and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical tension maintenance mechanisms with a compact motor-driven spool system controlled by electronic feedback. The motor, spool, tension sensor, and controller form an integrated system that maintains tether tension reliably while occupying minimal space, eliminating the bulkiness of conventional mechanical systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Maintains consistent tether tension, reducing jerky movements and enhancing operational stability of UAVs by compensating for latency in the tension feedback loop, while being compact and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated compression spring to bias the pulley along a linear path, adjusting tension dynamically
Data Source
AI summary
A tether management system is disclosed. The tether management system includes a spool, a tension sensor, a controller and a moveable pulley. The spool is rotatable to reel in and reel out a tether. The tension sensor measures a tension of the tether. The controller receives a desired tension of the tether and controls the rotation of the spool to reel in and reel out the tether based on a difference between a measured tension from the tension sensor and the desired tension of the tether. The moveable pulley is disposed to engage tether between the spool and the tension sensor. The moveable pulley being able to be biased and moveable along a linear path to adjust a tension of the tether when the tension of the tether deviates from the desired tension. A method for managing tether is also disclosed.