UAV Battery Pack with Capacitive Touch Sensor for Gesture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UAV control systems require complex manual manipulation during takeoff, making it difficult for a single operator to manage the UAV and its transmitter simultaneously, especially in determining the UAV's state of being held or airborne.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable battery pack with integrated sensors and electronics that detects user touch or hold, allowing for gesture-controlled operational features of the UAV, including capacitive sensing and LED feedback for battery information, enabling single-handed control and automated flight initiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single operator holds the UAV fuselage in one hand and manipulates the transmitter with the other hand, then the UAV can be controlled during takeoff, but it becomes difficult to control the flight controls while holding the UAV without additional knowledge of the UAV's state
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automatic feedback about the UAV's state (held vs. airborne) through the transmitter interface, allowing the operator to know the current state without manual assessment. This resolves the information loss by continuously providing state information back to the operator during single-handed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines and communicates the UAV state without requiring the operator to manually assess whether the UAV is being held or is airborne. The system serves itself by autonomously detecting its state and providing this information to the control interface.
2Reliability
If immediate adjustments to control inputs are required after the UAV becomes airborne, then flight control can be maintained, but both hands are required making single-handed operation impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when the operator's hand is removed from the UAV and autonomously transitions control modes accordingly. This allows reliable flight control to be maintained without requiring the operator to use both hands, as the system self-adjusts based on the detected state change.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transmitter provides comprehensive control options for all UAV states, then all flight scenarios can be controlled, but the complexity of the transmitter increases making it difficult to operate with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter interface dynamically adapts its control options based on the detected UAV state (held vs. airborne). When the UAV is detected as airborne, the system automatically enables or adjusts control options appropriate for flight, eliminating the need for a static complex interface that must accommodate all possible states simultaneously. This reduces operational complexity while maintaining full adaptability.
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 single-handed control and simplified UAV operation by detecting user gestures and providing real-time battery information, allowing for seamless takeoff and hover control without additional controllers, enhancing user interaction and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, may be used to detect when a user is touching or holding the housing
Implementation Method 2
An array of LEDs may be included in the housing to convey information about the battery pack to a user
Data Source
AI summary
A unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a body with plurality of motors, a motor controlling circuit, a microprocessor for controlling the flight state of the UAV, a plurality of motion sensors, and a capacitive touch sensor incorporated into a battery. When the user grasps the UAV by the battery, the touch sensor is activated and the microprocessor alters the flight state of the UAV.