UAV Package Coupling Mechanism With Gravity-Activated Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UAV package delivery systems require human intervention for loading and unloading payloads, are complex and costly due to additional communication cables, and pose safety risks from rotor blades, necessitating a more efficient and automated coupling mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A coupling member attached to a retractable cable that automatically engages and disengages with a payload using inclined surfaces, allowing for gravity-activated locking and unlocking without human intervention, eliminating the need for communication cables and reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a retractable cable with automated coupling mechanism is used, then productivity is improved by enabling automatic payload handling, but device complexity increases due to the coupling mechanism components
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is designed to automatically engage and disengage from the payload without requiring external control signals or human intervention. The inclined surfaces and protrusion geometry enable the system to self-lock during payload lowering and self-unlock when the payload reaches the ground, eliminating the need for complex electronic control systems while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the communication cable and electronic control components from the system by implementing a purely mechanical coupling mechanism. This extraction of unnecessary components simplifies the overall system while preserving the core functionality of automated payload delivery.
2Ease of operation
If additional communication cables are added for automated coupling, then ease of operation is improved by enabling automated payload release, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates communication cables and electronic control systems by implementing a purely mechanical coupling mechanism. The automated payload release is achieved through the interaction of inclined surfaces and gravitational forces, removing the need for any electrical or electronic components while maintaining ease of operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the UAV hovers at a distance from the ground for safety, then object-affected harmful factors are reduced by minimizing rotor blade interaction with humans, but ease of operation worsens by requiring manual payload attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member automatically engages with the payload as it is lowered by the retractable cable, eliminating the need for manual attachment. The mechanical interaction between the inclined surfaces and protrusion enables automatic locking without requiring human contact with the UAV or its components, thus maintaining safety while improving ease of operation.
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
Enables safe, efficient, and automated payload handling by UAVs, reducing human interaction and operational costs while enhancing safety by minimizing the need for additional communication cables and simplifying the system.
Implementation Method 1
The first part is inclined so as to extend in the first longitudinal direction and in the azimuthal direction, thereby to cause the coupling member to rotate in the azimuthal direction when the coupling member is moved in the first longitudinal direction towards the coupling counterpart
Implementation Method 2
A retractable cable attached to the UAV can be lowered towards the ground, and a human can manually attach the payload to the cable while maintaining a safe distance from the rotating rotor blades of the UAV
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 2E
AI summary
Disclosed is a package delivery mechanism for use by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The package delivery mechanism includes a gravity activated locking mechanism to lock and unlock a package attached to the UAV based on the weight of the package. When the package is attached to suspension means of the UAV that lowers the package to the ground from the UAV, the locking mechanism automatically engages with the package and keeps the package locked to the suspension means, due to the weight of the package. When the package is lowered and reaches on the ground, the weight of the package is offloaded from the suspension means, which enables the locking mechanism to be disengaged, thereby releasing the package. The package delivery mechanism includes a severing module to sever the suspension means from the UAV.