Self-centering landing platform
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsYuji Sugimoto, James Carthew, Aditya Singh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Example landing platform systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a landing platform includes a top plate configured to support an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), where the top plate has a plurality of slots therethrough. A rotating plate is located adjacent the top plate and includes multiple centering pins extending therefrom and extending through the plurality of slots in the top plate. A motor is capable of rotating the rotating plate, which causes the multiple centering pins to center the UAV on the top plate.
Claims20
A landing platform comprising:
- a top plate configured to support an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), wherein the top plate has a plurality of slots therethrough;
- a rotating plate adjacent the top plate and including a plurality of centering pins extending therefrom and extending through the plurality of slots;
- and
- a motor configured to rotate the rotating plate to cause the plurality of centering pins to center the UAV on the top plate.
A landing platform comprising:
- a top plate configured to support an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), wherein the top plate has a plurality of slots therethrough;
- a rotating plate adjacent the top plate and including a plurality of centering pins slidably attached to the rotating plate, wherein the plurality of centering pins extend from the rotating plate and through the plurality of slots in the top plate;
- and
- a motor configured to rotate the rotating plate to cause the plurality of centering pins to engage a landing structure of the UAV and center the UAV on the top plate.
A method comprising:
- responsive to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) landing on a top plate of a landing platform, activating a motor associated with the landing platform to move a rotating plate having a plurality of centering pins extending from the rotating plate, wherein activating the motor moves the plurality of centering pins along a plurality of slots in the top plate of the landing platform;
- maintaining activation of the motor to continue moving the plurality of centering pins along the plurality of slots to move the UAV toward the center of the landing platform;
- and
- deactivating the motor when the UAV reaches the center of the landing platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.