Payload Quick Release for an Aerial System

• US 20100243815A1
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Wong, Kimberly, Losinski, Armand
• Granted Patent: US 8,162,263 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/137.400
• 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 comprises a body with a perimeter and a plurality of arms that extend from the body perimeter. Each arm comprises 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. An attachment device that is mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:

a body, wherein the body comprises a perimeter; and

a plurality of arms extending from the body perimeter;

wherein each arm comprises a first section extending from the body perimeter and a second section that is at a non-zero angle from the first section.

2. The attachment device of claim 1, wherein the device is for use with a ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle.

3. The attachment device of claim 2, the body of the device further comprising at least one hole.

4. The attachment device of claim 3, wherein the attachment device is affixed to a pod on the unmanned aerial vehicle with screws, rivets or attachment mechanisms inserted through each of the at least one hole.

5. The attachment device of claim 1, wherein the body perimeter is a circle.

6. The attachment device of claim 4, wherein the second section of each of the plurality of arms further comprises a first portion on the 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 attachment device of claim 6, wherein the second plane is substantially parallel to the first plane.

8. The attachment device of claim 7, wherein a plurality of payload tabs extending orthogonally from a payload are retained within the second portion of the attachment device.

9. The attachment device of claim 8, wherein a payload is rotated about the attachment device such that each second section of the plurality of arms slides under each of the payload tabs.

10. The attachment device of claim 9, wherein the fourth portion of the second section transitions from a rest position to a depressed position under a downward force of the payload tab, returning to the rest position once the payload tab is no longer exerting the downward force.

11. The attachment device of claim 9, wherein the fourth portion of the second section transitions from a rest position to a depressed position under an upward force of the payload tab, returning to the rest position once the payload tab is no longer exerting the upward force.

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

affixing an attachment mechanism to the unmanned aerial vehicle;

pressing a payload against the attachment mechanism;

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

locking the payload tab into a position within an indented portion of the arm of the attachment mechanism.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the attachment mechanism is affixed to a pod on the unmanned aerial vehicle.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising removal of the payload from the attachment mechanism, comprising:

depressing the arm; and

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

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

a body, wherein the body is affixed to the unmanned aerial vehicle; 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 body;

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

16. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein the payload tab is a section that extends from a top surface of a payload.

17. The mechanism of claim 15, 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.

18. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein the body comprises at least one hole.

19. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein the body comprises at least one cutout.

20. The mechanism of claim 19, wherein each proximate end of each of the plurality of arms is attached to the body at the perimeter.