Towed UAV Mode Switching for Low-Energy Vehicle Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) require constant electric power for operation, leading to high energy consumption, which is inefficient, especially when used in conjunction with land vehicles moving at high speeds or in stationary situations, where they are needed to monitor traffic situations effectively.
Innovation Solution
An UAV system that switches between self-propelled and towed modes based on wind speed and vehicle speed, using a tow wire to connect the UAV to the land vehicle, optimizing energy use by leveraging wind streams in towed mode and engine power in self-propelled mode, with sensors and processing circuitry to manage operation and avoid obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UAV operates in self-propelled mode using engine power, then it can maintain flight when the land vehicle is stationary or moving at low speed, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between self-propelled mode and towed mode based on the land vehicle's speed and wind conditions. When the land vehicle is stationary or moving slowly, the UAV operates in self-propelled mode to maintain flight capability. When the land vehicle reaches sufficient speed and wind conditions are favorable, the system transitions to towed mode to reduce energy consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliable flight and minimizing energy usage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the UAV operates in towed mode using wind streams, then energy consumption is reduced, but it cannot operate when the land vehicle is stationary or moving at low speed
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV system is designed with dual operational capabilities: self-propelled mode for low-speed or stationary land vehicle operation, and towed mode for high-speed operation. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to various operational scenarios, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and operational versatility. The processing circuitry automatically selects the appropriate mode based on real-time conditions.
3Loss of information
If the UAV continuously monitors the area surrounding the land vehicle, then traffic situation awareness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the land vehicle's motion to generate wind streams that propel the UAV, eliminating the need for the UAV's engines to consume energy for propulsion. This allows the UAV to continuously operate sensors and cameras for monitoring traffic situations without the constant energy burden of self-propulsion, resolving the contradiction between information gathering and power consumption.
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
The system allows efficient operation of UAVs at various speeds and stationary conditions, reducing power consumption and ensuring safe navigation by optimizing energy use and avoiding collisions with obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to determine a head-wind speed onto the unmanned aerial vehicle
Implementation Method 2
the unmanned aerial vehicle in towed mode is propelled by wind streams caused by towing of the unmanned aerial vehicle using a tow wire
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle (1) configured to be operated relative to a land vehicle (2), the unmanned aerial vehicle (1) comprises a processing circuitry (101) configured to operate the unmanned aerial vehicle (1) in a self-propelled mode when the land vehicle (2) is stationary or moving with a speed below a threshold speed or operate the unmanned aerial vehicle (1) in a towed mode, in which the unmanned aerial vehicle (1) is towed by the land vehicle (2), when the land vehicle (2) is moving with a speed above the threshold speed. The disclosure further relates to a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (1) to be operated relative to a land vehicle (2) for locomotion by land, a method for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (1) relative to a land vehicle (2) and a computer program product (500).