UAV Tethered Autoloading for Autonomous Payload Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UAV systems face delays and inefficiencies in payload retrieval due to the need for human intervention, such as waiting for a designated person to secure the payload, leading to undesirable waiting times and energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a UAV with a tethered pickup component that autonomously determines the position of an autoloader device, follows specific trajectories to deploy and engage the payload, and retracts the component to pick up the payload without human assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a person manually secures the payload to the UAV, then the payload can be securely attached, but the process requires human intervention causing delays and waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated payload securement. The UAV autonomously positions itself using GPS coordinates, deploys the tethered pickup component, and engages with the autoloader device without human intervention. The autoloader automatically secures the payload to the UAV's tether system, eliminating the need for manual securement and reducing waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-programming the UAV with GPS coordinates of the autoloader device and pre-positioning the tethered pickup component. The UAV autonomously navigates to the retrieval site and prepares the pickup component for engagement before actual payload securement occurs, streamlining the entire process.
2Reliability
If the UAV hovers or waits on the ground for the designated person to arrive, then the payload can be secured, but the UAV consumes excessive energy and experiences delivery delays
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous securement system eliminates the need for the UAV to wait for human intervention. The UAV independently executes the payload securement sequence by autonomously navigating to the autoloader, deploying the pickup component, and securing the payload through automated engagement, thereby avoiding energy-wasting hover or ground waiting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an automated operational environment where the UAV interacts with the autoloader device through predetermined trajectories and automated component deployment. This inert automated process replaces the need for human presence, allowing the UAV to complete securement operations efficiently without waiting.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual payload securement is used, then the process is simple to implement, but it requires human presence at the retrieval site which reduces operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves automated self-service operations where the UAV independently performs navigation, component deployment, and payload securement. The autonomous engagement with the GPS-coordinated autoloader device eliminates human presence requirements while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical securement operations with automated mechanical systems. The UAV's automated navigation and controlled deployment of the tethered pickup component substitute for manual handling, while the autoloader device's automated engagement mechanism replaces human securement actions, thereby improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining, by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a position of an autoloader device for the UAV; based on the determined position of the autoloader device, causing the UAV to follow a descent trajectory in which the UAV moves from a starting position to a first nudged position in order to deploy a tethered pickup component of the UAV to a payout position on an approach side of the autoloader device; deploying the tethered pickup component of the UAV to the payout position; causing the UAV to follow a side-step trajectory in which the UAV moves laterally to a second nudged position in order to cause the tethered pickup component of the UAV to engage the autoloader device; and retracting the tethered pickup component of the UAV to pick up a payload from the autoloader device.