UAV Base Station Landing Platform With Retractable Alignment Brackets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base stations for UAVs face challenges in efficiently aligning and charging UAVs without causing damage during the docking process, as they often require precise landing and may result in contact between the UAV and the base station roof during closure.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable landing platform with alignment members that can be repositioned from an extended to a retracted position, using a drive mechanism with pulley assemblies and slide assemblies to align the UAV with a charging hub and prevent contact with the roof, ensuring safe and precise docking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the landing platform is designed with fixed alignment members in extended position, then the UAV can be easily guided during landing, but the UAV may contact the roof during closure and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment members are designed to be reconfigurable, transitioning from an extended position during landing to a retracted position during closure. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to provide guidance when needed while eliminating obstacles when the UAV is secured, preventing contact damage.
2Measurement precision
If the base station requires precise landing for proper alignment, then charging alignment is improved, but the docking procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment members are extended before the UAV lands, creating visible guidance structures that help the UAV align itself during approach. This preliminary action simplifies the docking procedure by providing intuitive visual cues, reducing the precision burden on the UAV's landing system while ensuring proper charging alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment members serve as intermediary elements between the landing platform and the UAV. These members provide physical and visual guidance during landing, then retract to allow the UAV to be repositioned by the drive mechanism for precise charging alignment, decoupling the landing and charging alignment requirements.
3Device complexity
If the landing platform uses a simple fixed structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to reposition UAV for proper charging alignment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The landing platform is segmented into multiple functional components: a fixed base structure, reconfigurable alignment members, and a movable drive mechanism. This segmentation allows the simple fixed structure to provide stability while the modular components add repositioning capability when needed, maintaining low overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform incorporates dynamic elements (reconfigurable alignment members and movable drive mechanism) within an otherwise simple fixed structure. These dynamic components are activated only when needed for UAV repositioning, allowing the system to maintain structural simplicity while gaining adaptability for proper charging alignment.
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 solution enables safe and efficient alignment of UAVs with charging hubs, reducing the risk of damage and improving the docking process by allowing for more flexible landing and charging operations.
Implementation Method 1
pulley assemblies that engage the drive member
Implementation Method 2
The pulley assemblies are configured to apply both an axial and a lateral tension to the drive member
Data Source
AI summary
A landing platform for a base station that is configured to receive an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The landing platform includes: alignment members that are configured for engagement with the UAV; drive brackets that are connected to the alignment members; and a drive member that is connected to the drive brackets such that the drive brackets extend between and connect the alignment members and the drive member, whereby movement of the drive member causes corresponding movement of the drive brackets and the alignment members to thereby reposition the UAV on the landing platform.