UAV Ground Collision Risk Control After Propulsion Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for reducing the risk of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) colliding with objects on the ground in case of propulsion loss are either ineffective, such as bulky parachutes or airbags that increase weight and drag, or restrictive, like large safety buffers that limit operational areas and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to detect exposed objects and their trajectories in real-time, allowing for automatic adjustments to the UAV's flight path or alerts to operators to avoid collisions, thereby reducing the need for bulky safety measures and minimizing safety buffers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bulky parachutes or airbags are used to reduce collision risk, then safety is improved, but weight and drag increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical safety systems (parachutes, airbags) with an electronic control system that uses sensors to detect objects on the ground and automatically adjusts flight parameters or triggers emergency landing to prevent collisions, thereby eliminating the need for bulky mechanical safety equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of objects on the ground using sensors before a collision can occur, and proactively adjusts flight parameters or initiates emergency procedures to avoid the collision entirely, rather than relying on passive safety equipment to mitigate damage after failure
2Reliability
If large safety buffers are implemented to avoid collisions, then safety is improved, but operational area is restricted and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of safety buffers based on real-time detection of ground objects and assessment of collision risk, allowing the safety margin to vary adaptively rather than maintaining a fixed large buffer, thus preserving operational flexibility while ensuring safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the environment using sensors, assesses collision risk in real-time, and adjusts flight parameters or safety buffers accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes both safety and operational flexibility
3Reliability
If real-time object detection and flight path adjustment is implemented, then collision risk is reduced and operational flexibility is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions (object detection, collision risk assessment, flight parameter adjustment, emergency procedure initiation) into a single unified control system, allowing the same system to perform multiple tasks rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each function
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
This approach significantly reduces the risk of UAV collisions while maintaining operational flexibility, eliminating the burden of bulky safety equipment and reducing pilot workload, and minimizing fuel and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
identifying an object below the air vehicle, using one or more sensors
Implementation Method 2
identifying an object below the air vehicle, using one or more sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for vehicle control are disclosed. These techniques include a collision trajectory prediction of an air vehicle and identifying an object below the UAV using one or more sensors. The techniques further include determining a risk that the air vehicle will collide with the object should the vehicle later lose propulsion, and protecting against the air vehicle colliding with the object, based on the determined risk