UAV Winch Spool Tension Control for Wire Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in controlling the winch when lifting or lowering cargo, as the wire can become loose and entangled after unloading, and the hook may not be wound back properly due to insufficient driving force, leading to obstacles during return flights.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor to detect wire tension and a controller that restricts spool rotation based on threshold values, ensuring the wire is not unwound excessively after cargo release and allowing the hook to be lifted to a safe position by setting specific threshold values for forward and backward spool rotations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the winch is controlled automatically by program only, then the operation is simple, but the wire becomes loose and entangled after cargo release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback control by using a sensor to detect wire tension and feeding this information back to the controller. The controller adjusts spool rotation based on the detected tension, preventing wire loosening and entanglement while maintaining simple operation. This resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable wire control through automatic feedback mechanisms without complicating the operator's interface.
2Reliability
If sufficient driving force is applied to the spool, then the wire can be wound up properly, but the mechanism becomes complex and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the spool driving force based on real-time wire tension detection. The controller adjusts the motor output dynamically according to the detected tension levels, providing sufficient force only when needed for winding while reducing force during other phases. This maintains reliable wire winding without requiring an overly complex or high-power mechanism throughout the entire operation cycle.
3Productivity
If the spool rotates backward freely for unwinding, then cargo delivery is efficient, but the wire becomes loose and entangled after unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by detecting when cargo is released (when tension drops below threshold S1) and immediately restricting backward spool rotation to prevent wire loosening and entanglement. This preliminary protective action occurs right after cargo delivery, maintaining delivery efficiency while preventing the subsequent problem of wire entanglement during the return flight phase.
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
This solution enables smooth lifting and lowering of cargo, prevents wire loosening during unloading, and ensures the hook can be retrieved without getting caught in obstacles, improving operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (14) for detecting the tension of the wire (20)
Implementation Method 2
a motor (12b) for rotating the spool (15b)
Implementation Method 3
a winch (15) for rotatably supporting a spool (15b) on which the wire (20) is wound in the forward and backward directions, winding the wire by rotating the spool in the forward direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a
Figure 3b
AI summary
This unmanned aerial vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention has: a main body; a plurality of rotary wings provided on the main body; a wire for suspending an object from the main body; a hook attached to the wire; a winch for rotatably supporting a spool on which the wire is wound in the forward and backward directions, winding the wire by rotating the spool in the forward direction and unwinding the wire by rotating the spool in the backward direction; and a controller for restricting the backward rotation of the spool when the tension of the wire becomes less than a first threshold value, and restricting the forward rotation of the spool when the tension of the wire becomes less than the first threshold value and becomes equal to or less than a second threshold value, which is less than a gravitational force acting on the hook.