UAV Carrier System with Dynamic Imaging Mode Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face limitations in traversing challenging environments and collecting comprehensive information, as they are often restricted to aerial data collection and struggle to gather ground information during flight.
Innovation Solution
A carrier system that can transport a UAV across various terrains, including water, deserts, and mountains, equipped with a charging station and imaging devices for both aerial and ground imaging, allowing the UAV to switch between flight and ground modes for enhanced data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a UAV is used for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance, then aerial information can be collected during flight, but the UAV is unable to collect ground information that cannot be readily obtained by the aerial vehicle while it is in flight
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between aerial and ground modes based on operational requirements. The UAV can transition from flight mode to ground mode by docking with the carrier, allowing the imaging device to capture both aerial and ground information as needed, thus resolving the limitation of being unable to collect ground information while in flight
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is configured to perform multiple functions: capturing aerial images when the UAV is in flight and capturing ground images when the UAV is in ground mode on the carrier. This multi-functional capability allows the single device to collect both aerial and ground information, eliminating the need for separate devices for different data collection modes
2Adaptability or versatility
If a UAV operates independently, then it can perform aerial tasks, but it is limited by the types of environment where it can take off or land
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier serves as an intermediary platform that enables the UAV to access challenging environments. The carrier traverses difficult terrains (water, deserts, mud fields, forests, hills, mountains) and docks with the UAV, allowing the UAV to deploy in locations that would be inaccessible for independent takeoff or landing, thus expanding environmental adaptability without compromising operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into two functional segments: the carrier responsible for traversal and deployment to challenging environments, and the UAV responsible for aerial operations. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together, with the carrier handling environment-specific challenges and the UAV performing aerial tasks
3Duration of action of moving object
If a UAV operates for extended periods, then more data can be collected, but the UAV has limited battery life and requires charging
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is pre-equipped with a charging station that can charge the UAV's battery before deployment and after return. This preliminary charging action ensures the UAV has sufficient energy for extended operations, allowing multiple flight cycles without requiring external charging infrastructure at remote locations
4Loss of information
If the camera captures images in flight mode, then aerial images are obtained, but the camera cannot capture ground images when the UAV is on the carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on the UAV's mode. When the UAV is in flight mode, the camera captures aerial images. When the UAV docks with the carrier and switches to ground mode, the camera captures ground images. This dynamic adaptation allows the single imaging device to effectively perform both aerial and ground imaging functions
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes determining whether the UAV is in a ground mode in which the UAV is carried by a carrier or a flight mode in which the UAV is released from the carrier, automatically adjusting a state of a camera carried by the UAV to be a first state in response to the UAV being in the ground mode or a second state in response to the UAV being in the flight mode, and controlling the camera to capture an image using the first state in response to the UAV being in the ground mode or the second state in response to the UAV being in the flight mode.