UAV Center of Gravity Adjustment via Movable Ballast

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with integrated motors and airframes face challenges in balancing the airframe by adjusting the center of gravity, as existing technologies are not applicable to such configurations.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a movable part to adjust the center of gravity by moving components like batteries or payloads, and using a control unit to manage this movement based on propeller rotation speeds and wind predictions, allowing for orientation adjustments to maintain balance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the motor and airframe are integrated into a single unit, then the structural complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to adjust the center of gravity position is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of motor and airframeVSAvoidcenter of gravity adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a movable part that can dynamically adjust the position of the center of gravity within the integrated motor-airframe unit. This movable part is actuated by a movable part actuator, allowing the system to adapt its center of gravity position during operation while maintaining the integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated motor-airframe unit is segmented into functional components: a fixed part containing the motor and airframe, and a movable part that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the center of gravity to be adjusted by moving the movable part relative to the fixed part, resolving the contradiction between integration and adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a movable part is added to adjust the center of gravity, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecenter of gravity adjustment capabilityVSAvoidaddition of movable part and actuator

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable part serves multiple functions: it acts as a center of gravity adjustment mechanism, provides ballast weight, and can be positioned to optimize the aircraft's center of gravity for different flight conditions. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the movable part actuator to automatically adjust the center of gravity position based on flight conditions, making the system self-regulating. The movable part can be repositioned without external intervention, allowing the integrated motor-airframe unit to self-optimize its balance characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11814157B2Unmanned aerial vehicle and drive method

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

The present technology relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, a drive method, and a program that make it possible to easily balance an airframe. An unmanned aerial vehicle includes: a plurality of motors that rotates a plurality of propellers; a movable part that moves a center-of-gravity position adjustment member; and a control unit that controls movement of the center-of-gravity position adjustment member by the movable part. The present technology can be applied to unmanned aerial vehicles.