Payload quick release for an aerial system

• US 8,162,263 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Wong, Kimberly, Losinski, Armand
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins, Timothy D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stehle, Jamie S
• Application Number:
  US12/415,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20100243815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 294/82.24, 294/82.26, 294/82.31, 294 8233- 8235, 89/15.4, 89/15.8, 244/137.1, 244/137.4, 244/173.1, 244/173.3
• US Class Current: 244/137.4
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/02 Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/70 Constructional aspects of the UAV body
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/26 Ducted or shrouded rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/11 using internal combustion piston engines
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/02 Releasable fastening devices locking by rotation with snap-action F16B21/06; studs or coupling pins with resilient protrusions F16B21/08

Abstract

A payload quick release mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. This mechanism is affixed to a structure on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and allows for quick attachment and removal of a payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle. The attachment device includes a body with a perimeter and a plurality of arms that extend from the body perimeter. Each arm includes an indented section, within which a tab extending from the payload top may be placed. When the payload tab rests within the indented section, the payload is prevented from translation and is attached to the mechanism.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a payload;

an unmanned aerial vehicle; and

an attachment device configured to attach the payload to the unmanned aerial vehicle, the attachment device comprising;

a body configured to be mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the body defines an outer perimeter; and

a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the outer perimeter of the body, wherein each arm of the plurality of arms comprises a first section extending from and attached to the outer perimeter of the body and a second section that is at a non-zero angle from the first section and is movable with respect to the body.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the the unmanned aerial vehicle is a ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the body defines at least one hole.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a pod and the body is configured to be affixed to the pod with screws, rivets or attachment mechanisms inserted through the at least one hole defined by the body.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the outer perimeter defines a circle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second section of each arm of the plurality of arms further comprises a first portion on a first plane, a second portion on a second plane, a third portion that extends between the first plane and the second plane, a fourth portion on a third plane, and a fifth portion that extends between the second plane and the third plane.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second plane is substantially parallel to the first plane.

8. The system of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of payload tabs extending orthogonally from the payload, wherein the second section of each arm of the plurality of arms is configured to retain a payload tab of the plurality of payload tabs within the second portion.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the payload is configured to be rotated about the body such that each second section of the plurality of arms slides under a respective payload tab of the plurality of payload tabs.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the fourth portion of the second section of each arm of the plurality of arms is configured to transition from a rest position to a depressed position under a downward force of the respective payload tab, returning to the rest position once the respective payload tab is no longer exerting the downward force.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the fourth portion of the second section of each arm of the plurality of arms is configured to transition from a rest position to a depressed position under an upward force of the respective payload tab, returning to the rest position once the respective payload tab is no longer exerting the upward force.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of payload tabs extend from a top surface of the payload.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment device further comprises a radial centering feature configured to radially align the payload with the attachment device.

14. A method for attaching a payload to an unmanned aerial vehicle, the method comprising:

affixing an attachment mechanism to the unmanned aerial vehicle, the attachment mechanism comprising;

a body defining an outer perimeter, and

an arm extending radially outward from the outer perimeter and defining an indent;

pressing the payload against the attachment mechanism, the payload comprising a payload tab;

rotating the payload while maintaining pressure against the attachment mechanism, until the payload tab on the payload slides over the arm extending from the body of the attachment mechanism and into the indent in the arm of the attachment mechanism; and

locking the payload tab into a position within the indent in the arm of the attachment mechanism.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein affixing the attachment mechanism to the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises affixing the attachment mechanism to a pod on the unmanned aerial vehicle.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising removing the payload from the attachment mechanism, wherein removing the payload from the attachment mechanism comprises:

depressing the arm; and

rotating the payload until the payload tab slides out of the indent.

17. A bayonet style quick release mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle, the mechanism comprising:

a body, wherein the body is configured to be affixed to the unmanned aerial vehicle and defines an outer perimeter; and

a plurality of arm members, wherein each arm member comprises a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end being affixed to the outer perimeter of the body, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the body,

wherein each arm member of the plurality of arm members comprises a section sized to receive a payload tab, and a lip at the respective distal end of the arm member that is raised above the section.

18. The mechanism of claim 17, wherein the payload tab is a section that extends from a top surface of a payload.

19. The mechanism of claim 17, wherein each of the arm members comprises a rest position and a spring force, such that each arm member may return to the rest position after being depressed.

20. The mechanism of claim 17, wherein the body comprises at least one hole.