Vehicle Interior Drone Launch and Landing Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drone platforms mounted on motor vehicles are exposed to external weather, susceptible to theft and vandalism, and increase fuel consumption due to increased flow resistance, while also being vulnerable to damage from external debris.

Innovation Solution

A take-off and landing device for unmanned aerial vehicles is integrated into the interior of a motor vehicle, specifically on the passenger side, providing protection from external elements and allowing for easy operation by utilizing existing electrical connections for charging and minimizing space constraints, with a retractable safety device to secure the drone and a control system for automated window operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the drone platform is mounted on the outside of the motor vehicle, then the drone is easily accessible and can be quickly deployed, but the drone is exposed to external weather influences, theft, vandalism, and damage from falling debris

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of droneVSAvoidProtection from external risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drone platform is nested within the vehicle interior, specifically in the passenger compartment. The drone is housed inside the vehicle's protective enclosure, utilizing the vehicle's existing structure for protection while maintaining accessibility through integration with interior components like seats or storage compartments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the drone platform is mounted on the outside of the motor vehicle, then the drone can be quickly deployed, but the platform increases the flow resistance of the vehicle and thus fuel consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDeployment speed of droneVSAvoidFuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drone platform is extracted from the exterior mounting configuration and relocated to the interior of the vehicle. This removes the aerodynamic drag caused by external mounting structures while maintaining the drone's accessibility and deployment capability through integration with interior space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the drone platform is mounted on the outside of the motor vehicle, then the drone can be deployed quickly, but the platform makes the drone susceptible to damage from falling rocks and debris

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDeployment speed of droneVSAvoidVulnerability to external debris
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drone platform is nested within the vehicle interior, placing the drone inside the protective enclosure of the vehicle. This nested configuration shields the drone from external hazards including falling rocks and debris while maintaining accessibility through interior access points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If the drone is stored in the vehicle interior, then the drone is protected from external weather and risks, but the space available for drone storage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveProtection from external risksVSAvoidStorage space for drone
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle interior space is segmented into dedicated zones for drone storage and charging. The platform utilizes otherwise unused space such as the passenger side area, potentially integrating with or replacing seat structures, to create specialized storage compartments that preserve protection while optimizing available volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Reliability

If the take-off and landing device is integrated into the vehicle interior, then the drone is protected from external elements, but the electrical connections and charging infrastructure must be integrated into the interior

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveProtection from external elementsVSAvoidIntegration complexity of electrical systems
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle's existing electrical infrastructure is utilized to serve multiple functions: the vehicle's battery system powers both the vehicle operations and the drone charging system, while the electrical connections integrated into the interior platform provide both structural support and power delivery. This multi-functional use of existing systems reduces overall complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3348477B1Motor vehicle with start and landing device for a unmanned aerial vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3348477B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3348477B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3348477B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) with a launch and landing device (10) for an unmanned aerial vehicle (20), in particular for a multicopter. The motor vehicle comprises a launch and landing device (10) for an unmanned aerial vehicle (20), which is arranged in the vehicle interior (5) on the passenger side (7).