UAV Launch Bay Segmented Door for Secure Facility Egress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fulfillment centers face challenges in minimizing exposure of their internal operations to environmental elements and potential corporate espionage when unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) exit and enter, as existing methods do not adequately secure the facility from external visibility and environmental intrusion.
Innovation Solution
A synchronized UAV egress and ingress system that includes a launch bay with a movable door, a disk aperture mechanism, and an ingress conveyance system, along with a flight coordinator for managing UAV assignments and security, ensures minimal exposure of the facility's interior while allowing continuous and secure UAV operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the launch bay door is opened to allow UAV egress and ingress, then UAV operations can be performed, but the facility interior becomes exposed to external visibility and environmental elements
Solution Approach 1:
The launch bay door is segmented into multiple sections that can open independently. The door includes a first section and a second section that can be positioned at different angles, allowing the UAV to pass through while minimizing the exposed area of the facility interior. This segmentation enables controlled exposure during egress and ingress operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The launch bay door is designed as a dynamic structure that can change its configuration during UAV operations. The door transitions from a closed position (minimizing exposure) to an open position (allowing UAV passage) and can be positioned at intermediate angles. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between security and operational efficiency in real-time.
2Reliability
If the launch bay door remains closed to maintain security, then facility confidentiality is protected, but UAV egress and ingress cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by positioning the door at predetermined angles and configurations before UAV arrival. The door can be pre-positioned in intermediate states that maintain partial security while preparing for imminent UAV operations. This reduces the time the door needs to be fully open, thereby maintaining security while enabling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The door acts as an intermediary element between the secure facility interior and the external environment. By allowing the door to be positioned at intermediate angles rather than simply open or closed, it creates a transitional state that mediates between security requirements and operational needs, allowing controlled UAV passage while maintaining facility confidentiality.
3Ease of operation
If the door opens fully to allow UAV passage, then egress and ingress are enabled, but exposure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the door into multiple sections that can open independently, the system allows the UAV to pass through a limited aperture created by the segmented opening. This reduces the total exposed area and minimizes exposure time compared to a full-door opening, while still enabling complete UAV egress and ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented door configuration allows for rapid UAV passage through the limited open aperture. The UAV can quickly exit or enter through the smaller opening created by the segmented door, reducing the duration of exposure. This 'rushing through' approach minimizes the time the facility interior is visible while maintaining operational capability.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides egress and ingress for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from a fulfillment center (FC) to perform deliveries of products and return to the FC from such deliveries while providing minimal exposure of an interior of the FC. The UAV may be used to deliver the cargo from the FC to a destination, and then return to the FC to retrieve other cargo for another transport to another destination. In some embodiments, departing UAVs may be launched from the FC through a launch bay and returning UAVs may land upon a conveyance system to await being transported back into the FC. A flight coordinator may also provide assignments to the UAV based upon a current state of the UAV and other nearby UAVs and also based on a current order backlog of the FC and/or other considerations.