Vibration-Damped Spray Nozzle Holder for Unmanned Aircraft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evenly spraying liquids, such as cleaning fluids, on building facades and roofs are time-consuming and costly, often requiring scaffolding which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A holding device for attaching a spray nozzle to an unmanned rotary-wing aircraft, equipped with dampers and a secure attachment system, allows for uniform spraying by flying over the surface while reducing vibration transmission and ensuring stable nozzle attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If scaffolding is used to spray building facades or roofs, then uniform spraying can be achieved, but the process becomes very time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespraying uniformityVSAvoidspraying speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from ground-based scaffolding spraying to aerial drone spraying, changing the spatial dimension of the spraying operation. The drone flies overhead to spray facades and roofs, eliminating the need for scaffolding and dramatically improving productivity while maintaining spraying uniformity through controlled flight paths and spray nozzle positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a spray nozzle is attached directly to an unmanned aircraft without vibration reduction, then the structure is simpler, but the spray uniformity deteriorates due to vibration transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding device structureVSAvoidspray uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a damping element as an intermediary component between the spray nozzle holding device and the drone body. This damper absorbs and reduces vibrations transmitted from the drone's motor and flight movements, preventing spray pattern distortion while adding minimal structural complexity to the holding device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping element is pre-installed in the holding device structure to provide vibration reduction before the spray nozzle is attached and before spraying begins. This proactive vibration cushioning ensures spray uniformity is maintained throughout the operation without requiring complex active vibration control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Enables quick and cost-effective uniform spraying of liquids on building surfaces by utilizing an unmanned aircraft, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

at least one damper element, with which at least one damper element the first support element is held on the second support element and which at least one damper element is arranged between the first support element and the second support element in order to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the first support element to the second support element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4624343A1Holding device for attaching a spray nozzle to an unmanned aerial vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 SWISS DRONE SERVICES AG
  • EP4624343A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4624343A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP4624343A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to a holding device (20) for attaching a spray nozzle (3) to an unmanned aircraft (2), in particular to an unmanned rotary-wing aircraft, in order to spray a liquid (100), in particular a cleaning liquid, from the unmanned aircraft (2) while the unmanned aircraft (2) is in flight using the spray nozzle (3) attached to the unmanned aircraft (2). The holding device (20) comprises a first carrier element (21), a spray nozzle holding device (23) for holding the spray nozzle (3), which spray nozzle holding device (23) is arranged on the first carrier element (21), a second carrier element (22), and at least one damper element (24.1, ... 24.8), with which at least one damper element (24.1, ... 24.8) the first carrier element (21) is held on the second carrier element (22) and which at least one damper element (24.1, ... 24.8) is arranged between the first support element (21) and the second support element (22) in order to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the first support element (21) to the second support element (22). The invention further relates to an arrangement (1) comprising an unmanned aircraft (2), in particular an unmanned rotary-wing aircraft, a holding device (20) according to the invention, and a spray nozzle (3) for spraying a liquid (100), in particular a cleaning liquid, wherein the spray nozzle (3) is attached to the unmanned aircraft (2) by the holding device (20), in that the spray nozzle (3) is held by the spray nozzle holder (23) of the holding device (20), and the holding device (20) is attached to the unmanned aircraft (2) on its second support element (22).Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating an arrangement (1) according to the invention, in which a facade or a roof of a building is flown over with the unmanned aerial vehicle (2) and the facade or roof is sprayed with the liquid (100), in particular the cleaning liquid.