UAV Charging Mat with Segmented Conductive Mesh
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Solution Overview
Problem
Precision landing of small and lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for charging and data transfer is challenging due to their size and environmental conditions, requiring substantial human interaction for battery charging and data exchange.
Innovation Solution
A charging mat with a conductive mesh and a bottom conductive surface separated by an isolating material, allowing a UAV to land and establish dual electrical connections via a boom, enabling efficient autonomous charging and data transfer without precise landing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precision landing is required for UAV charging and data transfer, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but landing difficulty and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging mat is segmented into multiple independent contact points (conductive mesh with apertures) distributed across its surface. The UAV boom can establish electrical connection by contacting any one of these segmented contact points, eliminating the need for precise positioning while ensuring reliable electrical connection for charging and data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive mesh acts as an intermediary between the power source and the UAV battery. The mesh with its array of apertures provides multiple intermediate contact points that facilitate reliable electrical connection even when the UAV lands with low precision, as the boom can contact the mesh at various locations.
2Reliability
If human interaction is required for battery charging and data transfer, then control and safety are improved, but operational efficiency and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the UAV autonomously lands on the charging mat and establishes electrical connection without human intervention. The conductive mesh and boom configuration allows the UAV to automatically charge its battery and transfer data by simply landing within the mat's boundaries, eliminating the need for operators to physically connect cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical connection process (operators physically plugging cables) with an automated electrical connection system. The conductive mesh and boom create automatic electrical pathways that engage when the UAV lands on the mat, substituting human mechanical action with an automated electromechanical system.
3Weight of moving object
If small and lightweight UAV design is used, then portability and cost are improved, but control precision and landing stability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive mesh is segmented into multiple apertures and contact points distributed across the mat surface. This segmentation allows a lightweight UAV with limited landing precision to still achieve reliable electrical connection by contacting any one of the distributed contact points, compensating for the UAV's inability to land with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from requiring precision in the vertical landing position to providing tolerance across a two-dimensional surface area. The array of apertures in the conductive mesh creates multiple acceptable landing zones, effectively adding spatial redundancy in the horizontal plane to compensate for the lightweight UAV's limited control precision.
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
The solution allows for low-precision landing and efficient charging and data transfer, reducing operational costs and enhancing the autonomy of UAV operations by eliminating the need for precise landing and human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The conductive mesh and the bottom conductive surface may be separated and electrically isolated by an isolation material... The outer portion of the boom may contact part of the conductive mesh of the mat to create an electrical pathway. An inner portion of the boom penetrates through the top layer conductive mesh, through the isolation material, and contacts the bottom conductive surface of the mat to create another electrical pathway.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for landing and facilitating power flow or data transfer between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a charging mat using a boom are described. The system includes a mat with a conductive mesh on the top and a conductive surface on the other bottom of the mat. The conductive mesh and bottom conductive surface are separated (electrically isolated) by an isolation core. The outer portion of the boom contacts part of the conductive mesh of the mat to create an electrical pathway. An inner portion of the boom penetrates through the top layer conductive mesh, through the isolating core, and contacts the bottom conductive surface of the mat to create another electrical pathway.