UAV Waterproof Container Dual Door Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

A large float is required to transport large packages, but a container cannot function as a float unless it is completely sealed, and maintaining waterproofness requires a completely closed door, posing a challenge in achieving hermetic sealing.

Innovation Solution

An unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a waterproof container featuring a waterproof door that opens outward, an elastic seal for liquid-tight closure, and a dual door-closing mechanism to enhance hermetic sealing by resisting external forces, ensuring the container remains sealed even when pushed by external forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a large float is used to transport large packages, then the cargo capacity is improved, but the weight and volume of the UAV increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo capacityVSAvoidUAV weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The container serves dual functions: as a cargo container for transporting packages and as a float for water landing buoyancy. By integrating the float function into the container structure itself, the patent eliminates the need for separate float components, thereby increasing cargo capacity while minimizing additional weight and volume

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

2Weight of moving object

If a container is used as a float, then the weight and volume are reduced, but hermetic sealing becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUAV weightVSAvoidhermetic sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The door sealing system is divided into multiple independent components: the waterproof door itself, an elastic seal member, and a door-closing mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the elastic seal provides continuous contact pressure for hermetic sealing, while the door-closing mechanism ensures proper positioning and engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic seal member changes its physical parameters (deformation, contact pressure) in response to external forces such as water pressure during landing. This parameter change allows the seal to maintain hermetic sealing under varying operational conditions without requiring a completely rigid and complex sealing structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a waterproof door is completely closed to maintain waterproofness, then the waterproof reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for opening and closing decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof reliabilityVSAvoiddoor operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The door-closing mechanism automatically engages and secures the waterproof door in the closed position without requiring manual intervention to maintain sealing. The mechanism self-activates when the door is closed, providing reliable waterproofing while minimizing the operational steps required from the user

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution secures hermetic sealing of the waterproof container, allowing it to function as a float while maintaining the integrity of the package during transport, enhancing the UAV's capability to carry large packages over water.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic seal, which is interposed between the container main body and the waterproof door, and is configured to close the waterproof door in a liquid-tight manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3800121B1Unmanned aircraft and waterproof container
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 RAKUTEN GROUP INC
  • EP3800121B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3800121B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3800121B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an unmanned aerial vehicle including a waterproof container (50) including: a container main body (52) having an opening (56) in a bottom surface defined in a landed state of the unmanned surface aerial vehicle; a waterproof door (58) mounted to the container main body (52) so as to open outward and close the opening (56); an elastic seal (70), which is interposed between the container main body (52) and the waterproof door (58), and is configured to close the waterproof door (58) in a liquid-tight manner; a first door-closing mechanism (92) configured to retain a first door-closing state of the waterproof door (58) ; and a second door-closing mechanism (94) configured to prevent movement of the waterproof door (58) in a door-opening direction in a second door-closing state in which the waterproof door (58) has been pushed in a direction of resisting against an elastic force of the elastic seal (70) from the first door-closing state.