Development of a Servo-Based Payload Release Mechanism for a Delivery Drone

Delivery drones need a reliable mechanism that holds the payload during flight and releases it on command. This paper presents the development of a servo-based payload release mechanism for a delivery drone. The mechanism is designed for a defined payload mass, is commanded through a flight controller or radio channel, and holds the load securely during maneuvers and vibration. Holding strength, release reliability and release time are evaluated by simulation. In the design calculation the hook holds a static load of up to 8.3 kg (safety factor 2.8 at the rated 1 kg with a 3 g dynamic factor), and in simulation the release succeeded in 100.0 % of 1000 trials with a mean response time of 153 ms.