UAV payload module camera assembly and retraction mechanism
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A UAV comprising, a housing,a) a payload module comprising a deployable payload;
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(1) a probability, or (2) a severity of damage to a deployed payload upon landing.
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Abstract
In one possible embodiment, a UAV payload module retraction mechanism is provided including a payload pivotally attached to a housing. A biasing member is mounted to bias the payload out of the housing and a winch is attached to the payload. An elongated flexible drawing member is coupled between the housing and the winch, the elongated drawing flexible member being capable of being drawn by the winch to retract the payload within the housing.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A UAV comprising, a housing,
a) a payload module comprising a deployable payload; - and
b) a retraction mechanism apparatus capable of moving the payload from a stowed position within a UAV to a deployed position extending out of the UAV, the retraction mechanism being configured such that the payload retracts back into the UAV upon contact with a landing surface if the payload is not retracted before the UAV contacts the landing surface so as to reduce at least one of;
(1) a probability, or (2) a severity of damage to a deployed payload upon landing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method in a UAV comprising:
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a) applying a biasing force to a payload to bias a payload out of the UAV; b) retaining the payload within the UAV using a flexible retraction mechanism; and c) extending the payload from the UAV using the flexible retraction mechanism so as to allow the biasing force to bias the payload from the UAV, the flexible retraction mechanism being capable of allowing the payload to retract within the UAV upon contact with a landing surface if the payload is not retracted before the UAV contacts the landing surface. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification