Autonomous Ground Vehicle for VTOL Aircraft Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft face challenges in precise landing and autonomous transportation due to limitations in GPS and RTK systems, especially in windy conditions, requiring human intervention for positioning and recharging, which increases costs and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a VTOL aircraft and an autonomous ground vehicle that separates the VTOL's return flight into an arbitrary touchdown and precise transport to a base position, using the ground vehicle to autonomously locate and transport the landed aircraft or payload to a predetermined position, enhancing precision and reducing human interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If GPS and RTK systems are used for positioning the VTOL aircraft during landing, then the acquisition rate is improved (few 10 Hz), but the measurement precision deteriorates (accuracy goes down to a couple of meters)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary ground vehicle equipped with high-precision positioning systems (such as RTK-GPS with centimeter-level accuracy) to transfer the VTOL aircraft from its landing position to the hangar. This mediator compensates for the positioning accuracy limitations of the aircraft's own GPS/RTK system during the critical final approach and landing phase, allowing the aircraft to use lower-precision systems while still achieving precise positioning through the ground vehicle's assistance.
2Measurement precision
If human interaction is used to localize and transport the landed VTOL aircraft, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ground vehicle is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities including GPS/RTK positioning, obstacle detection sensors, and automated control systems that enable it to independently locate the landed VTOL aircraft, plan a transport path, navigate to the hangar, and perform precise docking without human intervention. This automation maintains high positioning precision while eliminating the need for manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual human operation with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors, processors, and actuators. The ground vehicle's control system automatically processes positioning data, makes navigation decisions, and controls the vehicle's movement, substituting human mechanical actions with electronic automation while maintaining or improving precision.
3Productivity
If a ground vehicle is introduced to transport the VTOL aircraft autonomously, then the productivity is improved (continuous usage enabled), but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground vehicle is designed as a multi-functional platform that can transport multiple different VTOL aircraft types, provide charging services through integrated charging ports, offer protection during transport, and serve as a mobile base station. This universal design allows a single ground vehicle to handle various aircraft and tasks, improving productivity through continuous operation while managing system complexity through standardized, versatile components.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The present invention relates to a ground vehicle for autonomously transporting a vertical take-off and landing aircraft and/or its payload. The present invention further relates to a system comprising such a ground vehicle and a vertical take-off and landing aircraft as well as to a method for transporting a vertical take-off and landing aircraft and/or its payload.