UAV Power Switching for Flight Stability During Equipment Faults

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in performing ground operations and maintaining flight stability when equipment abnormalities occur while supplying power to an implement.

Innovation Solution

The UAV is equipped with a control device that manages the supply of electric power to both the rotors and an external implement, stopping power to the implement upon detecting an abnormality to maintain rotor operation and ensure flight stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the UAV supplies power to both the rotors and an external implement simultaneously, then the implement can perform ground operations, but the system reliability deteriorates when an abnormality occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to perform ground operationsVSAvoidflight stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two independent channels: one for rotor motors and one for the external implement. The control device can independently control power distribution to each channel, allowing the implement to be disconnected from the power supply without affecting rotor operation when an abnormality is detected

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary that monitors system status and dynamically adjusts power distribution. When an abnormality is detected, the control device interrupts power to the implement while maintaining power to the rotors, serving as a mediator that protects flight stability while allowing ground operations to proceed when conditions permit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the control device stops power to the implement upon detecting an abnormality, then flight stability is maintained, but the implement loses functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflight stabilityVSAvoidimplement operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply configuration is dynamic rather than static. The control device continuously monitors system parameters and adjusts power distribution in real-time based on operational conditions and detected abnormalities, enabling the system to transition between different operational states (both rotor and implement powered, only rotor powered, or only implement powered)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4620843A1Unmanned aerial vehicle, and control system and control method of unmanned aerial vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4620843A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4620843A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4620843A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a plurality of rotors, a plurality of electric motors each configured to drive a respective one of the plurality of rotors, a power source, and a control device to control supply of first electric power from the power source to the plurality of electric motors and supply of second electric power from the power source to an external implement, and control operation of the plurality of electric motors. Upon detecting an abnormality in equipment included in the unmanned aerial vehicle, the control device stops the supply of the second electric power to the implement and maintains the supply of the first electric power to the plurality of electric motors to execute flight using the plurality of rotors.