UAV Payload Receiver With Retractable Retainer for Safe Drop Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The final delivery of packages to user-specified locations often requires human intervention, which can be inefficient and may result in damage to objects or the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) due to the need for landing and navigating through potentially hazardous areas.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) payload receiving apparatus is secured to a structure, such as a roof, featuring a top frame with an opening for payload delivery and a retainer that extends downward to securely hold the payload, allowing the UAV to deliver items without landing, while a displaceable cover and adjustable retention cable manage access and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UAV lands to deliver the payload, then the delivery can be completed, but the UAV and objects may be damaged due to navigation through hazardous areas
Solution Approach 1:
The payload receiving apparatus serves as an intermediary structure that receives the payload from the UAV without requiring the UAV to land. The apparatus includes a receiving chamber with an opening positioned to receive the payload, allowing the UAV to deposit the payload while remaining at a safe distance from hazardous objects on the ground.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system is segmented into two independent components: the UAV that transports and releases the payload, and the receiving apparatus that captures and secures the payload. This segmentation allows the UAV to complete delivery without direct contact with the ground environment, eliminating the need to navigate through hazardous areas.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the payload is delivered at higher altitude, then the risk of damage to UAV and objects is reduced, but payload security and user access may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining structure is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It can be extended downward to allow user access to the payload or retracted upward to secure the payload at height. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining payload security at elevated position and enabling easy user access when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable retaining structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the elevated receiving chamber and the user on the ground. It can be positioned at different heights to facilitate safe and convenient payload retrieval without requiring the user to reach high positions or the system to lower to ground level.
3Reliability
If a fixed retainer is used to hold the payload, then payload security is maintained, but user access and retrieval may be difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining structure transitions from a fixed position to a movable one, capable of extending downward and retracting upward along guided paths. This dynamic capability allows the structure to maintain secure containment of the payload during delivery while enabling easy access for users who can simply request extension to retrieve their packages.
4Reliability
If the receiving apparatus is positioned at high altitude, then delivery safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to extension and retraction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining structure utilizes gravity and simple mechanical guidance to achieve extension and retraction. When extended, gravity naturally guides the payload downward into position; when retracted, the structure simply returns to its elevated position. This self-service approach minimizes the need for complex motors, sensors, and control systems while maintaining the safety benefits of high-altitude positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) payload receiving apparatus that may be secured to a side of a structure, such as a human residence, and positioned such that a UAV can deliver a payload into the UAV payload receiving apparatus without the UAV having to land or navigate into an area that includes objects that could be harmed by the UAV and/or harm the UAV. The UAV payload receiving apparatus may include a plurality of securing members for securing the UAV payload receiving apparatus to the structure. A top frame is coupled to the securing members, positioned in a substantially horizontal direction when the UAV payload receiving apparatus is secured to a structure, and forms an opening of a size sufficient for a payload to pass through when the payload is released by a UAV positioned above the UAV payload receiving apparatus. The UAV payload receiving apparatus also includes a payload retainer, such as a net or bag, that is coupled to and extends in a downward direction from the top frame. The payload retainer receives and retains a payload that is placed in the UAV payload receiving apparatus.