UAV Parachute Deployment with Motor Kill for Rotor Entanglement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) parachute deployment methods are ineffective in minimizing descent velocity and rotor blade exposure during unexpected events, potentially causing hazardous damage to environments and people, as they require manual activation and may not account for ongoing rotor rotation.
Innovation Solution
A parachute deployment system (PDS) that automatically deploys a parachute in response to errors, using sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers, and includes a 'kill' switch to shut down the drone's motors and power supply, ensuring the parachute is not tangled with rotating blades, and can be steered using integrated sensors for safe landing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual parachute deployment is used, then the parachute can be deployed when needed, but the response time is delayed and rotor blades may still be rotating causing entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions the parachute and deployment mechanism in readiness before failure occurs. Sensors continuously monitor flight parameters and pre-calculate optimal deployment conditions, so that when failure is detected, the parachute can be deployed immediately without manual intervention or delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical deployment with an automated electronic control system. Sensors detect failure conditions and trigger an electronic signal that activates the parachute deployment mechanism, eliminating the need for manual operation and reducing response time significantly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If power is not cut-off during parachute deployment, then the drone systems remain operational, but the rotating rotors cause hazardous damage and parachute entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to automatically cut power to the rotors as a preliminary action before or simultaneously with parachute deployment. This pre-programmed response ensures that rotors stop rotating before the parachute fully deploys, eliminating entanglement risk while maintaining other essential systems operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies selective power management where only specific systems (rotors) are shut down while other systems remain operational. The control system identifies which components need to be deactivated (rotors) versus which should remain active (navigation, communication, parachute control) to minimize harm while preserving necessary functions.
3Extent of automation
If automatic error detection is implemented, then the parachute can be deployed automatically, but the device complexity increases with additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sensors and control systems that serve multiple functions: they monitor flight parameters for navigation, detect failure conditions for parachute deployment, and provide data for post-flight analysis. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated separate systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving automatic deployment.
4Reliability
If the parachute is deployed quickly to minimize descent velocity, then safety is improved, but the force of deployment may cause structural damage to the drone
Solution Approach 1:
The system cuts power to the rotors and stabilizes the drone's orientation before parachute deployment. This preliminary stabilization ensures the drone is in a controlled state when the parachute deploys, distributing the deployment force more evenly and reducing the risk of structural damage while maintaining safety.
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 PDS effectively reduces damage by controlling the drone's descent and rotor blades, ensuring a safer landing by automatically deploying the parachute and shutting down the drone's systems, thereby minimizing risk to people and infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
Some UAVs use parachutes to minimize the descent velocity and rotor blade exposure during such unexpected events
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a technique for landing a drone using a parachute. The technique includes a parachute deployment system (PDS) that can deploy a parachute installed in a drone and land the drone safely. The parachute may be deployed automatically, e.g., in response to a variety of failures such as a free fall, or manually from a base unit operated by a remote user. For example, the PDS can determine the failure of the drone based on data obtained from an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer and a barometer of the drone and automatically deploy the parachute if any failure is determined. In another example, the remote user can "kill" the drone, that is, cut off the power supply to the drone and deploy the parachute by activating an onboard "kill" switch from the base unit.