UAV Power-Up Sequence With Remote Arming and Startup Delay
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) often require physical interaction for power-up, posing safety risks due to the need for ground crew proximity during startup, and existing systems lack controlled power-up sequences to prevent accidental activation.
Innovation Solution
A power sequence control system communicatively coupled to a remote user terminal, which electrically couples a battery to the propulsion system only after a user-operated switch is toggled and a power-on signal is received, incorporating visual and audio indications for sequence status and incorporating delays to ensure ground crew safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical interaction with ground crew is required for power-up, then the UAV can be powered on, but safety risks increase due to ground crew proximity requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical interaction system (ground crew manually switching) with an electronic/wireless communication system. The power-up sequence is controlled through wireless signals from a remote terminal, eliminating the need for ground crew physical proximity to the UAV during startup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote terminal as an intermediary between the operator and the UAV power-up system. This intermediary enables power-up control from a distance, removing the need for direct physical contact with the UAV while maintaining controlled activation.
2Ease of operation
If simple power-up switching is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but accidental activation probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power-up process into distinct sequential stages: initial power application, system initialization, and operational mode activation. This segmentation ensures that power is applied in a controlled sequence rather than all at once, reducing accidental full activation while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions before full power activation, including a power-up sequence that initializes systems gradually and requires confirmation steps. This preliminary action framework prevents accidental full power-on while keeping the interface simple for legitimate users.
3Productivity
If rapid power-up is implemented, then productivity is improved, but safety risks increase due to insufficient ground crew clearance time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary delay period in the power-up sequence that allows ground crew to clear the area before full power is applied. This preliminary action maintains rapid overall power-up while ensuring safety clearance, resolving the contradiction between speed and safety.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A controlled power up sequence for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed. A disclosed example controlled power up sequence for a UAV (102) includes a remote user terminal (106), and a power sequence control interface (104) including a transceiver (218) communicatively coupled to the remote user terminal, a user-operated switch (204) of the UAV, and a power controller (308) to electrically couple a power source of the UAV to a propulsion system (216) of the UAV in response to the user-operated switch being toggled on and the power sequence control interface receiving, via the transceiver, a power on signal from the remote user terminal.