Throwable UAV Takeoff Using Inertia to Extend Battery Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Selfie drones face challenges in achieving both portability and long battery life due to the weight of the battery, and they are limited in taking off and landing only on flat ground, which restricts quick and efficient image capture capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A movable device that senses being thrown and uses the inertia to hover and perform aerial operations, reducing the need for additional power and allowing takeoff from any surface by using a thrower to initiate flight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the battery weight is reduced to make the UAV smaller and lighter, then portability is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thrower performs a preliminary action (throwing) to provide initial kinetic energy and altitude to the UAV, eliminating the need for the UAV to consume battery power during the takeoff phase. This preliminary mechanical energy input from the thrower resolves the contradiction by allowing the UAV to achieve flight without requiring a heavy battery, thus maintaining portability while extending effective operational time.
2Reliability
If the UAV uses battery power for takeoff and landing, then it can achieve controlled flight, but the battery consumes more power and reduces the number of pictures that can be taken
Solution Approach 1:
The thrower provides preliminary mechanical energy to achieve takeoff, eliminating the need for battery-powered ascent. The UAV then uses minimal battery power only for hovering and aerial operations, significantly extending the number of pictures that can be taken per charge while maintaining controlled flight capability during the aerial phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The takeoff function is extracted from the battery-powered system and transferred to a manual throwing mechanism. This separation allows the battery to be dedicated solely to powering aerial operations and image capture, maximizing the number of pictures per charge while maintaining reliable controlled flight during the operational phase.
3Ease of operation
If the UAV can only take off from flat ground, then takeoff is simple and controlled, but it cannot take pictures when the ground is not flat
Solution Approach 1:
The thrower performs a preliminary action that propels the UAV into the air, bypassing the need for a flat takeoff surface. Since the UAV is launched directly into flight rather than rolling or lifting off from the ground, it can take off from uneven, sloped, or confined terrains while maintaining simple operation through the throwing gesture.
Solution Approach 2:
The thrower acts as an intermediary that transfers mechanical energy to the UAV, enabling takeoff without requiring the UAV's propulsion system to interact with the ground surface. This intermediary mechanism decouples the takeoff process from terrain requirements, allowing operation on any surface type while keeping the operation simple through intuitive throwing motion.
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
Enables extended aerial operation time and flexibility in capturing images from various angles without the need for a flat surface, improving the efficiency and portability of the drone.
Implementation Method 1
A movable device and an operation method thereof are provided. The operation method includes sensing, by the movable device, whether the movable device is thrown out by a thrower; in response to a sensing of being thrown out, controlling the movable device to hover in air
Data Source
AI summary
An operation method includes sensing, by a movable device, whether the movable device is thrown out by a thrower; in response to a sensing of being thrown out, controlling the movable device to hover in air; and after controlling to hover, performing, by the movable device, an aerial operation of the movable device, such as capturing images.