UAV Camera Retraction Mechanism for Landing Impact Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed for amphibious operations lack the ability to withstand high-impact ground landings, which can result in damage to the electrical and electronic components due to the abrupt nature of landings compared to water landings.
Innovation Solution
A UAV payload module retraction mechanism is developed, featuring a payload pivotally attached to a housing with a biasing member and a winch system, utilizing an elongated flexible drawing member to retract the payload into the housing, which includes a camera assembly that can pivot out for deployment and retract for protection during landings, utilizing a hinge and spring mechanism for stability and a cable or belt for retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UAV is designed for amphibious operations with fixed camera assembly, then it can operate in both water and land environments, but the electrical and electronic components are vulnerable to damage during high-impact ground landings
Solution Approach 1:
The camera assembly is designed with dynamic retraction capability, transitioning from a fixed position to a movable one that can be retracted into the fuselage during high-impact landings. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its structure based on operational conditions, protecting sensitive components while maintaining amphibious versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera assembly is segmented as a separate, independently controllable module that can be retracted into the fuselage. This segmentation allows the protective function to be isolated to specific components rather than requiring the entire fuselage to be reinforced, thereby protecting electrical and electronic components without compromising overall structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the camera assembly is made retractable to protect components during landing, then component integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional retraction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The retraction mechanism utilizes the UAV's existing motion dynamics and structural components to enable camera retraction. By leveraging the fuselage's inherent movement and existing mechanical systems, the design achieves protective retraction functionality without requiring entirely new, complex dedicated retraction mechanisms, thus minimizing additional system complexity.
3Reliability
If the camera assembly is retracted into the fuselage during landing, then component protection is improved, but the response time for deployment and retraction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The camera assembly is positioned in a pre-configured state within the fuselage, with retraction pathways and mechanical connections already established. This preliminary arrangement allows the camera to be quickly retracted into protective positioning without requiring complex real-time adjustments or additional preparation steps, thereby minimizing the time loss during deployment and retraction operations.
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
This solution allows the UAV to safely land on both water and rugged terrain by hermetically sealing individual components, minimizing weight and system complexity, and enabling the aircraft to absorb impact without compromising the integrity of the fuselage, thus protecting the electrical and electronic components from damage.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member is mounted to bias the payload out of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a winch is attached to the payload. An elongated flexible drawing member is coupled between the housing and the winch, the elongated drawing flexible member being capable of being drawn by the winch to retract the payload within the housing
Data Source
AI summary
In one possible embodiment, a UAV payload module retraction mechanism is provided including a payload pivotally attached to a housing. A biasing member is mounted to bias the payload out of the housing and a winch is attached to the payload. An elongated flexible drawing member is coupled between the housing and the winch, the elongated drawing flexible member being capable of being drawn by the winch to retract the payload within the housing.