Resilient UAV Landing Platform With Flexible Capture Protuberances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in landing due to environmental factors like wind, and existing landing solutions are not rugged enough to handle the forces involved in maneuvers such as accelerated or freefall landings, leading to potential damage and difficulties in securing and removing the drones.
Innovation Solution
A landing platform with densely arranged, flexible protuberances that act as a soft-landing surface, integrated into vehicles, allowing for secure and easy drone landing and removal, using wireless beacons for guidance and a motorized design for retractability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drones perform accelerated landing or freefall maneuvers to compensate for wind shear, then landing capability in adverse environmental conditions is improved, but the drone structure may be damaged due to high impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a cushioning surface on the landing platform that is prepared in advance to absorb impact forces. The cushioning surface comprises compliant materials positioned to deform upon drone contact, dissipating kinetic energy before it reaches the drone structure. This resolves the contradiction by enabling aggressive landing maneuvers while protecting the drone through pre-positioned energy absorption mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a passive capture system with compliant elements as a mediator between the drone and the landing platform. The capture system includes deformable components that engage the drone during landing, providing gradual deceleration rather than rigid impact. This intermediary mechanism allows high-speed landings while distributing forces to protect the drone airframe.
2Ease of operation
If passive capture systems are used to secure drones during transportation, then ease of operation is improved, but the capture effectiveness may be insufficient during aggressive driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by designing capture elements with variable mechanical properties. The compliant components can change their stiffness and engagement characteristics based on the forces applied during capture. During normal operation, they remain passive and easy to operate, but under aggressive driving conditions, they automatically adjust their mechanical parameters to maintain secure capture without requiring active control systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If the landing platform uses a hard surface for precise landing positioning, then landing precision is improved, but the drone may suffer structural damage from impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different surface characteristics in different zones of the landing platform. The platform features a rigid structural base for positioning accuracy combined with localized compliant cushioning elements at the contact points. This allows the landing surface to provide both the precision of a hard surface and the shock absorption of soft materials, resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and impact protection.
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 platform effectively cushions and secures drones during landing, maintaining structural integrity and simplifying removal, while being adaptable to various drone sizes and environments, including aggressive driving conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of resilient blades can both support a drone, as well as deform to allow the drone to be pulled downwardly through the landing platform
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of curved blades may be arranged to define a central aperture... The curved blades can be configured to redirect a drone toward the central aperture
Data Source
AI summary
Resilient unmanned aerial vehicle landing platforms are disclosed herein. An example device includes a base plate having protuberances that are arranged into rows of concentric rings, each of the protuberances being a conical member that extends orthogonally from the base plate, wherein each of the protuberances is resilient and are adapted to arrest and protect the drone during landing.