UAV Delivery Mount With Automatic Ground-Triggered Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing UAVs face issues with electronically controlled delivery mechanisms that are prone to interference and increase weight and cost, and mechanical delivery structures often result in inefficient decoupling of transported items during landing.

Innovation Solution

A UAV with a delivery structure comprising a mounting piece, reset assembly, and limiting piece, where the mounting groove opens upwards, the reset assembly deforms under the weight of the item, and the limiting piece magnetically seals the groove until the item is lifted, ensuring automatic decoupling upon landing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a mechanical delivery structure with reset assembly is used, then automatic decoupling is realized, but the piece to be transported can be easily separated before lifting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic decouplingVSAvoidpiece separation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The limiting piece acts as an intermediary component between the reset assembly and the mounting groove. It mediates the reset force by selectively blocking or allowing the reset piece to push the piece to be transported, thereby controlling when decoupling occurs. This solves the problem of premature separation while maintaining automatic decoupling functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The limiting piece preliminarily blocks the reset assembly's action before the piece is lifted. By preventing the reset piece from pushing the piece to be transported during the hovering phase, it ensures the piece remains securely in place. The blocking action is removed only when the piece is properly lifted, allowing controlled decoupling at the appropriate time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the mounting groove opening faces upwards for easy loading, then loading is simplified, but the piece to be transported may fall out during transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading convenienceVSAvoidpiece retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The limiting piece dynamically changes the state of the mounting groove opening. It blocks the opening during transportation to prevent piece drop, and unblocks when the piece is lifted to allow decoupling. This dynamic adjustment maintains both loading convenience and piece retention reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery structure is segmented into functional zones: the mounting groove for loading, the limiting piece for retention, and the reset assembly for decoupling. This segmentation allows the groove to remain open for easy loading while the limiting piece provides selective blocking to prevent piece drop during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If electronic-controlled delivery mechanism is used, then precise control is achieved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery control precisionVSAvoidUAV weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic-controlled delivery mechanisms with a purely mechanical delivery structure comprising mounting piece, reset assembly, and limiting piece. This mechanical system achieves precise control through the interaction of elastic reset force and magnetic blocking force, eliminating the need for electronic actuators and reducing UAV weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical delivery structure is self-service in that it automatically controls the piece retention and release without electronic intervention. The reset assembly automatically pushes the piece for decoupling when the limiting piece is removed, and the magnetic force automatically holds the piece when the limiting piece is in place, eliminating the need for electronic control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 automatic and efficient release of transported items without manual intervention, enhancing transportation efficiency and reducing the risk of items falling from the mounting groove.

Implementation Method 1

a second end of the limiting piece configured for being connected with the mounting piece by magnetic adsorption to seal the opening of the mounting groove

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic adsorption: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a reset assembly configured to deform under the weight of the piece to be transported when it is lifted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4180676B1An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SHANGHAI AUTOFLIGHT CO LTD
  • EP4180676B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4180676B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) transportation, and discloses a UAV, which comprises a UAV body and a delivery structure, wherein the delivery structure comprises a mounting piece (1), a reset assembly (2) and a limiting piece (3). The reset piece (21) is configured to deform when the piece to be transported (100) is lifted, which resets to drive the piece to leave the mounting groove (11) when the piece to be transported (100) touches the ground. The first end of the limiting piece (3) is connected to the reset piece (21), and when the piece to be transported (100) is not lifted, the second end of the limiting piece (3) can be connected to the mounting piece (1) by magnet to seal the opening of the mounting groove (11). The reset piece (21) can drive the limiting piece (3) to move so as to separate the second end from the mounting piece (1) when the piece to be transported (100) is lifted. The UAV can realize the automatic release of the piece to be transported (100), and limit the position when the piece to be transported (100) is not lifted, so as to avoid a fall from the mounting groove (11). The limiting piece (3) can open the mounting groove (11) after lifting. The invention can enable automatic decoupling of the piece to be transported (100) after landing, thereby enabling UAV convenience and high transportation efficiency.