Payload Positioning Control for UAV Surveillance Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surveillance systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites, lack the flexibility to adjust the position or posture of payloads, limiting their ability to effectively conduct surveillance operations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for remotely controlling the positioning of payloads relative to movable objects, allowing movement about pitch, roll, and yaw axes, using a handheld terminal that communicates wirelessly with a receiver and includes program instructions for actuating actuators to adjust the payload's position based on user input, enabling flexible control of imaging devices and other payloads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If payloads are directly coupled to movable objects, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the flexibility to adjust position or posture is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility to adjust payload positionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed, static payload coupling into a dynamic, adjustable system. The carrier assembly includes actuators that enable real-time adjustment of payload position and orientation relative to the movable object, allowing the system to adapt to different surveillance requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the payload coupling system into distinct functional components: a carrier assembly with actuators, a payload interface, and control systems. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and enables flexible reconfiguration of the payload position without redesigning the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional cameras are used with fixed shooting angles, then the device complexity is low, but the surveillance capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurveillance capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustability of camera shooting angles through the carrier assembly's actuated mechanisms. The camera can be repositioned and reoriented to various angles and positions, enabling comprehensive surveillance coverage of different areas and targets, thus significantly enhancing surveillance capability beyond fixed-angle cameras.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If remote control capability is added to adjust payload position, then the flexibility and functionality are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical control linkages with electronic actuators and wireless communication systems. The terminal device communicates wirelessly with the movable object to transmit control commands, and electronic actuators replace traditional mechanical linkages to adjust payload position, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining remote control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2959352B1Remote control method and terminal
Publication Date: 2017.08.16 SZ DJI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2959352B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2959352B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2959352B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A remote control method and apparatus for controlling the state of a movable object and/or a load carried thereon are provided. The remote control method comprises: receiving, via an apparatus, a state signal that corresponds to a user's position; remote-controlling the state of the load being carried on a movable object based on the state signal; wherein the state of the load is the result of combining the movement of the load relative to the movable object and the movement of the object relative to its environment. For example, the control of the state can be achieved through the state of the apparatus itself, a user's state captured by an apparatus, a graphical interface on a screen of an apparatus, or a voice command.