Dynamic Flight Path Variation for UAVs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face inefficiencies due to their inability to update flight plans after deployment, leading to issues with multiple orders, returns, and cancellations, as consumers find it difficult to modify or reschedule deliveries once the UAV has begun its flight.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows for dynamic flight path variation by receiving and processing order updates during flight, using state information such as location, propulsion status, and payload status to update the flight plan, enabling changes like returning to an origin, updating delivery areas, or adding waypoints, and verifying delivery through communication with delivery modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flight plan is fixed after deployment, then the system reliability is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic flight plan updates by allowing the flight management system to receive and process order updates during flight execution. The system dynamically adjusts flight paths, delivery locations, and waypoints based on real-time order modifications while maintaining reliable flight control through structured update protocols and state information validation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flight plan can be updated in real-time, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flight plan into modular components including flight paths, waypoints, delivery locations, and state information. This segmentation allows selective updates of specific segments based on order changes without requiring complete flight plan reconfiguration, thereby managing system complexity while enabling real-time adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where order updates from the ground station are continuously communicated to the UAV, and the flight management system processes these updates to generate revised flight plans. This closed-loop feedback enables real-time adaptability through a structured communication and processing framework that manages complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flight plan is updated frequently, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating alternative flight paths and evaluating state information (propulsion status, payload status, location) before executing flight plan updates. This preparation reduces the time required for actual updates during flight, enabling frequent adaptability adjustments with minimal time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A flight plan of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be updated based on an order update corresponding to an order being delivered by the UAV. A determination may be made that the initial flight plan should be updated to fulfill the order including the order update. The initial flight plan may be updated based on the order update and state information corresponding to the UAV. The updated flight plan may transmitted to a flight controller of the UAV for execution of the updated flight plan.