UAV Lifting System With Detachable Thrusters and Wire Reels

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems lack effective mechanisms for improved safety during flight, particularly in detecting anomalies and preventing crashes, which can lead to accidents and inefficiencies in cargo delivery operations.

Innovation Solution

A lifting system comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle, a first device attachable to and detachable from the UAV, a first wire, a second device attachable to a package, and a second wire, with a controller that manages the detachment and reeling of these components to prevent anomalies and ensure safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional elevating systems with separate counterweights for each car are used, then each car can be balanced independently, but the system complexity and weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent car balancingVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple counterweights (first counterweight for first car, second counterweight for second car) into a single shared counterweight system. This counterweight is positioned on the counterbalanced side of the pulley and can serve multiple cars simultaneously, reducing the total number of counterweights and simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining the ability to balance different car configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared counterweight serves multiple functions: it can balance the first car when alone, balance the second car when alone, and potentially balance both cars in various combinations. This multi-functional counterweight replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated counterweights for each car, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional elevating systems with separate counterweights for each car are used, then each car can be balanced independently, but the system weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent car balancingVSAvoidsystem weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple counterweights into a single shared counterweight structure. Instead of having separate counterweights for the first car and second car (which would duplicate mass), the shared counterweight is positioned to utilize its mass efficiently for balancing different car configurations, thereby reducing the total stationary weight of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If elevating systems serve multiple destinations with multiple cars, then more destinations can be accessed, but the system complexity and coordination difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-destination capabilityVSAvoidsystem coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shared counterweight system provides universal balancing capability that works across multiple destinations and multiple car configurations. Whether the first car is at the first destination, the second car is at the second destination, or both cars are in intermediate positions, the same counterweight mechanism can provide the necessary balance, simplifying the coordination requirements compared to dedicated counterweight systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Force

If elevating systems use traditional counterbalancing methods, then car weight can be compensated, but the overall system efficiency decreases due to increased weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight compensationVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines counterbalancing functions into a shared counterweight system that reduces total system weight. By eliminating redundant counterweight mass while maintaining weight compensation capability through the shared counterweight's strategic positioning, the system achieves better productivity and efficiency without sacrificing the force balance needed for smooth operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3984851B1Lifting system
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA
  • EP3984851B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3984851B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3984851B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To provide a lifting system capable of improving upon the related art. [Means to Achieve the Object] A lifting system (1100) includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (1103), a thruster device (1001d1), a first wire (1016a1), a first reel (1018a), a second thruster device (1001d2), a second wire (1016b1), a second reel (1018b), and a controller. When the unmanned aerial vehicle (1103) is in a position separated from the ground, the controller detaches the first thruster device (1001d1) and the second thruster device (1001d2) from the unmanned aerial vehicle (1103), causes the first reel (1018a) to reel out the first wire (1016a1), detaches the second thruster device (1001d2) from the first thruster device (1001d1), and causes the second reel (1018b) to reel out the second wire (1016b1).