UAV Sensor Positioning for 360-Degree Detection Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face limitations in detecting objects around them due to blind spots created by traditional optical sensor mounting configurations, which increase weight, drag, and computational demands while reducing flight performance.
Innovation Solution
A configuration of UAVs with optical sensors mounted along the perimeter frame, including winglets, allowing for overlapping fields of view to cover a continuous space around the vehicle with fewer sensors, reducing blind spots and minimizing weight and drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional optical sensors are mounted to reduce blind spots, then detection coverage is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions into a single optical sensor unit. The sensor is configured to detect objects in multiple directions simultaneously, merging what would traditionally require multiple separate sensors into one integrated unit, thereby reducing weight while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor is positioned and oriented to detect objects in three-dimensional space around the UAV. By utilizing vertical and angular dimensions in sensor placement, the system achieves 360-degree coverage without adding horizontal sensor quantity, thus avoiding weight multiplication.
2Reliability
If additional optical sensors are mounted to reduce blind spots, then detection coverage is improved, but drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple detection functions into a single sensor unit, the patent reduces the total surface area and protruding elements on the UAV, thereby minimizing aerodynamic drag while maintaining comprehensive object detection capabilities across all directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is strategically positioned at a specific location on the UAV where it can optimize detection coverage without interfering with aerodynamic flow. The mounting location and sensor orientation are tailored to achieve maximum detection efficiency with minimal impact on airflow and drag.
3Reliability
If additional optical sensors are mounted to reduce blind spots, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into a single optical sensor unit, reducing the number of separate components, wiring harnesses, mounting structures, and calibration procedures. This integration simplifies the overall system while achieving comprehensive 360-degree detection coverage.
4Reliability
If additional optical sensors are mounted to reduce blind spots, then detection coverage is improved, but computing resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
By using a single sensor to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously, the patent reduces the total data stream volume compared to multiple independent sensors. This consolidation lowers computational requirements for processing, while the sensor's multi-directional capability ensures comprehensive coverage is maintained.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), that includes a plurality of sensors, such as stereo cameras, mounted along a perimeter frame of the aerial vehicle and arranged to generate a scene that surrounds the aerial vehicle. The sensors may be mounted in or on winglets of the perimeter frame. Each of the plurality of sensors has a field of view and the plurality of optical sensors are arranged and/or oriented such that their fields of view overlap with one another throughout a continuous space that surrounds the perimeter frame. The fields of view may also include a portion of the perimeter frame or space that is adjacent to the perimeter frame.