Winch Delivery System for Drone Parcel Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current winch delivery systems for drones are not lightweight enough to enable safe and flexible parcel delivery to remote locations, lacking in safety features and efficiency for controlled descent and release.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight winch delivery system integrated with a drone, featuring a motor, gear assembly, reciprocating screw, and winch line with a hook assembly for controlled descent and release, including a solenoid pin for locking and releasing the hook, and a glow wire for emergency line cutting, allowing for safe and flexible parcel delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional winch delivery systems are used, then payload delivery capability is achieved, but system mass is excessive for safe drone operation
Solution Approach 1:
The winch delivery system is divided into separate functional modules: a winch assembly (housing, motor, gear assembly, reciprocating screw, spool) and a hook assembly (jaw, solenoid pin, servo lock). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for weight and function, enabling the overall system to meet the 400-440 gram mass target while maintaining reliability through specialized design of each subsystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs parameter changes in the gear assembly to translate motor speed into controlled winch line retraction speed, and uses the reciprocating screw mechanism to convert rotational motion into precise linear positioning of the hook assembly. These parameter transformations enable controlled descent and reliable payload release while keeping component sizes and masses minimized.
2Weight of moving object
If lightweight components are used to reduce mass, then system flexibility improves, but control precision for payload descent deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gear assembly acts as an intermediary between the lightweight motor and the reciprocating screw mechanism. It translates the motor's high-speed rotation into the lower-speed, higher-torque rotation needed for precise winch line retraction. This intermediary mechanism enables a lightweight motor (95-145 grams) to achieve controlled descent precision that would otherwise require a much heavier direct-drive motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The reciprocating screw mechanism replaces a more complex mechanical positioning system. By converting rotational motion from the gear assembly into linear motion of the hook assembly along the winch line, it provides precise controlled descent with fewer moving parts, reducing overall system mass while maintaining positioning accuracy.
3Reliability
If safety features are added to prevent malfunction, then operational safety improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid pin is positioned to lock the hook assembly to the winch line before payload delivery, providing a safety lock that prevents accidental release. The servo lock provides an additional locking mechanism that engages automatically. These beforehand safety measures prevent malfunction-related accidents without requiring complex active monitoring or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The glow wire is embedded within the slider of the hook assembly, providing an emergency line-cutting capability that is self-contained and does not require external systems. The magnetic sensor on the slider automatically detects the hook assembly's position and triggers appropriate responses. These self-service safety features improve reliability without adding external complexity.
4Speed
If rapid payload delivery is achieved, then delivery speed improves, but control over descent and release deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control through the servo lock and solenoid pin, which can engage and disengage based on real-time conditions. The motor can rapidly retract the winch line for quick payload retrieval, while the locking mechanisms ensure controlled, stable release when needed. This dynamic system allows the same apparatus to perform both rapid delivery and controlled release operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic sensor on the slider provides feedback about the hook assembly's position relative to the winch line. This feedback enables the control system to monitor descent progress and trigger release at the appropriate moment, ensuring both rapid delivery when needed and controlled release when safety or precision is required.
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 system enables rapid and controlled parcel delivery with reduced mass, ensuring safe operation and flexibility, meeting regulatory requirements for flight over people and allowing for commercially meaningful payloads without heavy-lift drones.
Implementation Method 1
a motor within the housing for generating a rotational force
Implementation Method 2
a reciprocating screw within the housing connected to the motor via the gear structure for rotation at the second speed, a spool in direct rotational communication with the motor for rotation at the first speed, and a winch line with a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the spool for winding the winch line evenly around the spool as guided by the reciprocating screw
Implementation Method 3
The winch delivery system can further comprise a solenoid pin in a slider for locking and releasing the hook assembly
Implementation Method 4
The winch delivery system can further comprise a glow wire embedded in the slider. The control unit can allow the glow wire to burn and cut the line in the event of malfunction
Implementation Method 5
The hook assembly can comprise a cylindrical magnet on the slider to detect when the hook assembly is near the winch
Data Source
AI summary
The present specification provides a device and method for controlling a winch parcel delivery system through an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone. The example apparatus contemplates the use of a winch that will attach to a hook with active and passive release mechanisms through a winch line. The apparatus is enabled to attach to a parachute recovery system. The apparatus can detect when the ground has been reached to enable safe delivery of parcels. The apparatus can removably attach to various types of drones.