UAV Landing Platform with Conveyor Repositioning and Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Landing and precise positioning of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are hindered by turbulence generated by propellers and reflected by landing surfaces, especially when landing on moving surfaces, necessitating advanced systems for accurate placement to support payload loading and other activities.
Innovation Solution
A landing platform equipped with a conveyor belt and adjustable positioning bumpers, controlled by a UAV management system, which reorients and repositions UAVs on the platform to align them correctly with cradles for secure loading and unloading, using a combination of motorized conveyor belts and bumpers to manage the orientation and movement of UAVs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a UAV lands on a moving surface or turbulent environment, then the landing location flexibility is improved, but the landing precision deteriorates due to turbulence and surface movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a moving conveyor belt that can dynamically adjust its speed and direction to compensate for turbulence and surface movement. The conveyor belt transitions from a stationary surface to an active, dynamically controlled platform that can adapt to environmental conditions while maintaining precise positioning of the UAV during landing and payload operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt acts as an intermediary between the moving/turbulent external environment and the UAV requiring precise positioning. By introducing this intermediate platform with active control, the system isolates the UAV from environmental disturbances while enabling landing on flexible locations.
2Reliability
If the UAV requires precise positioning for payload loading and charging, then the operational reliability is improved, but the system complexity increases due to positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt serves multiple functions: it provides the landing surface, enables precise positioning, facilitates payload transfer, and supports charging operations. By making the conveyor belt multi-functional, the system achieves high operational reliability without adding separate specialized mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the positioning mechanism, payload transfer system, and charging platform into a single integrated conveyor belt structure. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the reliability needed for precise UAV positioning and operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyor belt moves the UAV to different positions, then the operational versatility is improved, but the UAV stability deteriorates during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt employs periodic motion patterns with controlled acceleration and deceleration phases. By using periodic, rhythmic movement rather than continuous acceleration, the system minimizes disruptive forces on the UAV while still achieving repositioning, thereby maintaining UAV stability during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates cushioning mechanisms and controlled motion profiles that anticipate and mitigate the effects of movement on UAV stability. By pre-planning the motion trajectory and incorporating damping elements, the system protects the UAV from instability during conveyor belt movement.
Data Source
AI summary
Example UAV landing systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a landing platform includes a conveyor belt capable of supporting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The conveyor belt can move in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The landing platform also includes a first positioning bumper and a second positioning bumper, where the first positioning bumper and the second positioning bumper are capable of repositioning the UAV on the conveyor belt. The landing platform further includes a cradle that can receive and secure the UAV.