Movable UAV Landing Pad for Charging and Underside Payload Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) require separate charging structures and payload loading structures, which are inefficient and pose safety risks due to the need for direct access to the underside of the UAV, impeding everyday life and increasing the risk of human injury.
Innovation Solution
A landing pad system with a movable charging pad and support structures that provide access to the underside of the UAV, allowing simultaneous charging, payload loading/unloading, and other services without direct human interaction, and can be installed in various locations without disrupting daily activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate charging structures and payload loading structures are used for UAVs, then charging and payload handling can be performed independently, but the system complexity increases and safety risks arise due to the need for direct human access to the underside of the UAV
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charging pad and payload loading structure into a single integrated landing pad system. The charging pad is positioned to coincide with the payload loading area, allowing both charging and payload handling to occur through the same interface, eliminating the need for separate structures and reducing system complexity while maintaining safety by avoiding direct human access to the UAV underside.
Solution Approach 2:
The landing pad structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides charging contact through the charging pad, enables payload loading/unloading through the same interface, and offers structural support for the UAV. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated structures for each function, reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If direct human access to the underside of the UAV is required for payload loading, then payload handling can be performed, but the risk of human injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a robotic arm as an intermediary mechanism between the human operator and the UAV underside. The robotic arm retrieves payloads from the landing pad and transfers them to the UAV, eliminating the need for direct human contact with the UAV components and reducing the risk of injury while maintaining ease of payload handling.
3Ease of operation
If the charging pad is fixed, then the structure is simpler, but access to the underside of the UAV for payload loading is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The charging pad is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned or adjusted to provide adequate access to the UAV underside for payload loading operations. This dynamic design enables the charging pad to adapt to different operational requirements while maintaining its charging function, resolving the conflict between accessibility and structural simplicity.
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 system enhances the efficiency and safety of UAV operations by enabling seamless charging and payload handling while reducing the risk of injury and integrating with everyday environments.
Implementation Method 1
The charging pad includes a plurality of electrical contacts that are configured to transfer power to a UAV
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
A landing pad for an unmanned aerial vehicle ("UAV") is disclosed. The landing pad includes a support structure, a charging pad, and a plurality of movable UAV supports. The charging pad is coupled to the support structure and able to move relative to the support structure. The UAV supports are also coupled to the support structure and configured to translate along the support structure from a first position to a second position. When the UAV supports are in the first position, the charging pad supports the UAV. When the UAV supports are in the second position, the charging pad is lowered and the UAV supports then provide support to the UAV.