UAV Cargo Release Mechanism Using Gravity Reset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face issues with electric control mechanisms that are prone to signal interference, increase power consumption, weight, and manufacturing costs, thereby reducing their endurance ability.

Innovation Solution

An unmanned aerial vehicle with a simple releasing mechanism using a mounting groove and reset component that allows automatic release of cargo via gravity, ensuring reliable transportation and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electric controlled releasing mechanism is used, then the releasing function can be controlled, but the control signal is easy to be influenced by shielding objects and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereleasing control reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electric controlled releasing mechanism with a pure mechanical releasing mechanism. The releasing control module includes a releasing button that directly mechanically triggers the releasing arm to disengage from the mounting groove, eliminating the need for electromagnetic signals and reducing energy consumption while avoiding shielding interference.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the electric control components (motors, sensors, control circuits) from the releasing mechanism, retaining only the essential mechanical elements (releasing button, releasing arm, mounting groove) needed to achieve the releasing function, thereby simplifying the system and reducing energy requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If an electric controlled releasing mechanism is used, then the releasing function can be controlled, but the mechanism is more complicated which increases weight and manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereleasing control reliabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the electric control components (motors, sensors, control circuits) from the releasing mechanism, retaining only the essential mechanical elements (releasing button, releasing arm, mounting groove) needed to achieve the releasing function, thereby simplifying the system and reducing energy requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex electric system to control releasing, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple mechanical button that directly actuates the releasing arm through pure mechanical linkage, reversing the conventional wisdom of using electronics for control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Extent of automation

If a reset component is added to enable automatic releasing, then automatic releasing is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic releasingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reset component is designed to automatically reset the releasing arm to its initial position after releasing the to-be-transported piece. The component utilizes the gravitational force and elastic deformation of itself to return the releasing arm to the mounting groove without requiring external power or control, achieving self-service automatic resetting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The reset component changes its physical state (deformed state to reset state) based on the presence or absence of the to-be-transported piece. When the piece is removed, the reset component transitions from a deformed state to a reset state, automatically propelling the releasing arm back to its initial position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 mechanism enables automatic cargo release upon landing, simplifying the structure, reducing manufacturing costs, and enhancing the endurance of the UAV by minimizing weight and power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

the reset component is configured to be deformed under the gravity effect of the to-be-transported piece when the to-be-transported piece is lifted; and when the to-be-transported piece lands to the ground, the reset component is reset to drive the to-be-transported piece to be separated from the mounting groove

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4180327B1An unmanned aerial vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 SHANGHAI AUTOFLIGHT CO LTD
  • EP4180327B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4180327B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturing, and discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle body and a releasing mechanism, the releasing mechanism comprises a mounting piece and a reset component; the mounting piece is provided with a mounting groove; the opening direction of the mounting groove extends upwards; and a to-be-transported piece can be hooked in the mounting groove. The reset component is configured to deform under the gravity effect of the to-be-transported piece when the to-be-transported piece is lifted, and when the to-be-transported piece (100) lands to the ground, the reset component is reset to drive the to-be-transported piece to be separated from the mounting groove. During transportation, the to-be-transported piece is hooked to the bottom of the mounting groove under the gravity effect of the to-be-transported piece and deform the reset component. When the to-be-transported piece lands to the ground, the force of the to-be-transported piece on the reset component disappears, and the to-be-transported piece moves towards the opening direction of the mounting groove under the reset function of the reset component and is automatically separated from the mounting groove. The UAV can realize automatic releasing of a to-be-transported piece, the structure is simple and easy to realize, and can reduce the manufacturing cost of the UAV and improve the endurance ability of the UAV.