UAV Battery Exchange Station Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face limitations in range due to battery life, restricting their ability to perform tasks such as delivery, spraying, patrolling, or scanning, as they often cannot travel beyond the available charge on their onboard batteries.
Innovation Solution
An automated or semi-automated UAV energy provision station that includes a landing area, a battery charging unit, and a processor to manage battery exchange or charging, allowing UAVs to recharge or swap batteries, extending their operational range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a UAV uses an on-board rechargeable battery, then the UAV can be powered for flight operations, but the range and duration of flight are severely limited by the available battery charge
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple replaceable battery units. Instead of relying on a single large battery that would increase weight and complexity, the system divides the energy storage into modular segments that can be individually replaced at charging stations, allowing extended operational duration without proportionally increasing the UAV's onboard energy capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Charging stations serve as intermediary entities between the UAV and the power grid. These stations enable rapid battery replacement or recharging, effectively extending the UAV's operational range without requiring the UAV itself to carry excessive battery capacity or complex charging infrastructure.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the UAV carries a larger battery to extend range, then the flight duration increases, but the weight of the UAV increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple replaceable battery units. Instead of relying on a single large battery that would increase weight and complexity, the system divides the energy storage into modular segments that can be individually replaced at charging stations, allowing extended operational duration without proportionally increasing the UAV's onboard energy capacity.
3Productivity
If manual battery replacement is required, then battery exchange can be performed, but the operation requires human intervention and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The charging stations are designed to automatically perform battery replacement or recharging operations without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously manages the exchange of battery units between the UAV and the station, significantly improving operational efficiency and reducing the need for human involvement in routine maintenance tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the charging station monitors the UAV's battery status and automatically initiates replacement or recharging operations when needed. This closed-loop control enables the system to respond dynamically to the UAV's energy requirements, optimizing productivity while minimizing manual intervention.
4Reliability
If the UAV lands frequently to recharge batteries, then the battery charge can be maintained, but the flight continuity and operational time are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-charging multiple battery units at the charging station before the UAV needs them. When the UAV arrives at the station, a fully charged battery is already ready for immediate replacement, eliminating waiting time and maintaining flight continuity. This proactive approach ensures battery charge availability while minimizing flight interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station maintains a continuous supply of charged batteries through parallel charging of multiple units. This ensures that whenever the UAV requires a battery replacement, a charged unit is immediately available, thereby maintaining the continuity of the UAV's operational action and minimizing idle or interruption time.
Data Source
AI summary
A unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) battery changing station includes a UAV landing area configured to support a UAV coupled to a first battery when the UAV is resting on the battery changing station, a movable battery storage unit including a holding station configured to store a second battery, and a battery replacement member configured to retrieve the second battery from the holding station and couple the second battery to the UAV. The movable battery storage unit is configured to permit the holding station to rotate about an axis of rotation.