UAV Tree Trunk Holding for Remote Forestry Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ligno harvesting methods pose risks to the environment and people, are inefficient, and difficult to execute in hard-to-reach locations, often requiring heavy equipment and causing ecological damage.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing remotely and autonomously controlled Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for holding and transporting ligno trunks, equipped with detection means to optimize holding positions based on ligno parameters and growing conditions, enabling efficient and secure transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional ground-based equipment is used for ligno harvesting, then harvesting can be performed, but it causes damage to the forest ecosystem and poses high risk to people
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based harvesting to aerial harvesting using UAVs, changing the operational dimension from horizontal (ground level) to vertical (aerial space). This allows the harvesting system to access and remove ligno without requiring heavy ground equipment that damages the forest floor and understory ecosystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical ground-based harvesting equipment with a lighter, aerial UAV-based system. This substitution eliminates the need for bulldozers and other heavy machinery that cause soil compaction and ecosystem damage, while still achieving effective ligno removal through aerial manipulation and dropping mechanisms.
2Productivity
If heavy ground equipment is used to reach difficult locations, then ligno can be harvested, but the cost and difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By operating from the aerial dimension, the UAV system can reach difficult-to-access locations without requiring complex ground-based infrastructure such as roads, clearings, or heavy vehicle access paths. The UAV simply flies to the location, performs harvesting, and removes the ligno, dramatically simplifying the operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harvesting function from the ground-based ecosystem entirely, moving it to the aerial domain. This extraction allows the system to operate independently of ground accessibility constraints, eliminating the need for heavy equipment and infrastructure while maintaining high productivity in remote forest areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual ligno falling is performed, then single ligno can be harvested, but it disturbs the surrounding ligno and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual cutting and falling operations with aerial mechanical systems that can precisely target and remove specific ligno. The UAV-equipped harvesting mechanisms can selectively cut, grapple, and remove individual ligno or groups of ligno without the need for manual intervention, dramatically increasing speed while maintaining selectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and identification of target ligno from the air before execution. Detection means on the UAV identify and locate specific ligno to be harvested, allowing the system to plan and execute selective removal efficiently without disturbing surrounding areas, combining precision with speed.
4Productivity
If detection means are used to optimize holding positions, then transportation efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual measurement and positioning systems with integrated detection means such as cameras, LIDAR, or sensors on the UAV. These detection systems automatically identify optimal holding positions and provide real-time data to the control system, simplifying the overall architecture while improving transportation efficiency through automated optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for remote and/or autonomous holding at least a portion of a tree trunk, said system comprising: a remotely and/or autonomously controlled Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (100), UAV, at least one remotely and/or autonomously controlled means (105) for holding at least a portion of a tree trunk attachable to said UAV (100), means for detecting at least a portion of a tree, means for detecting at least one tree parameter of at least a portion of a tree and/or at least one growing condition of at least a portion of a tree, a base station for communication with said UAV (100), means configured for directing said means (105) for holding at least a portion of a tree trunk to a particular position of said tree trunk depending on said at least one detected tree parameter and/or said at least one detected growing condition.