UAV Coupling Mechanism for Hover Installation of Pole-Mounted Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment and expansion of communication infrastructure, such as VHF, UHF, and millimeter wave networks, are costly and challenging due to the need for numerous line-of-sight devices at short intervals, and other electronic devices require efficient and cost-effective delivery and installation across expansive geographical regions.
Innovation Solution
An attachment arrangement that includes a mount with an installation surface and a coupling mechanism for electronic devices, which provides a force to maintain contact and delivers electrical power, and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system to facilitate the installation of these devices on infrastructure components, using inductive or mechanical coupling and short-range communication interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If numerous line-of-sight communication devices are installed at short intervals for VHF, UHF, and EHF networks, then network coverage and performance are improved, but deployment cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical installation processes with an automated UAV-based delivery system. The drone carries electronic devices to installation locations and deposits them automatically, eliminating the need for manual handling, transportation, and installation by human workers. This substitution of mechanical human labor with an automated aerial system resolves the contradiction by maintaining network coverage while dramatically reducing deployment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The installation surface is designed with self-aligning features including registration marks and geometric configurations that enable the electronic device to automatically position itself correctly upon delivery by the UAV. The device self-orients using visual cues from the installation surface, eliminating the need for manual alignment and positioning operations. This self-service capability maintains proper installation quality while reducing deployment complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual installation methods are used for deploying electronic devices across expansive geographical regions, then installation precision can be maintained, but deployment time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow manual installation processes with rapid UAV delivery. The drone can transport multiple electronic devices to remote locations quickly without the time constraints of ground-based manual transportation and installation. This maintains installation precision through automated positioning while dramatically reducing the time required for deployment across expansive geographical regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The installation surface is pre-configured with registration marks, geometric features, and alignment cues before the UAV arrives. These pre-prepared features enable the delivered electronic device to automatically align and position itself correctly upon arrival, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual measurement and adjustment operations while ensuring installation precision.
3Reliability
If traditional installation methods require human workers to physically install each device, then proper positioning and securing can be ensured, but labor costs and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human workers with an automated UAV delivery and installation system. The drone delivers devices to installation locations and deposits them onto specially designed installation surfaces that automatically secure the devices. This substitution eliminates labor costs and safety risks associated with manual installation while maintaining installation quality through engineered self-positioning and securing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The installation surface and electronic device are designed as a self-securing system where the device automatically positions itself and engages with the installation surface features upon delivery. This self-service installation process ensures proper positioning and securing without requiring human intervention, thereby maintaining installation quality while eliminating labor costs and associated safety risks.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective deployment of electronic devices by reducing human intervention and improving the installation process through automated systems, allowing for secure and powered installation of devices on infrastructure components like poles, while maintaining rotational balance during installation.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling mechanism may include an inductive coupling mechanism that generates a magnetic force between the coupling mechanism and the installed electronic device
Implementation Method 2
the inductive coupling mechanism also delivers the electrical power to the installed electronic device without the inductive coupling mechanism directly contacting the installed electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed apparatus may include unmanned aerial vehicle having (1) a flight system that causes movement and hovering of the unmanned aerial vehicle, (2) a coupling mechanism that interacts with a corresponding coupling mechanism of an electronic device for carrying the electronic device from a remote location to a mount of an infrastructure component, and (3) an extension mechanism connecting the coupling mechanism to the flight system, wherein the extension mechanism dynamically extends the coupling mechanism from the flight system to facilitate installation of the electronic device to the mount while the unmanned aerial vehicle hovers. Various other apparatuses, devices, and methods are also disclosed.