Tubular snake-like all axis mechanical articulation

Abstract

Individual cylindrical-like modules 1, 2 with swivel joints 5, 6 at each end of the modules can be linked up to each other to form a long-segmented snake-like tubular connection with the flexibility to rotate in three axes direction via the rotating joints 4 on the circumference edge of each module and the swivel joints 5, 6. The outer layer of the interlinked connection can also be wrapped or socked with a layer of converted fabric material that is customisable and is separately prepared with properties such as flame retardant, impermeable to air as well as water repellent or with hydrophobic properties. The present invention is suitable for applications such as MedTech related devices, robotics, automation as well as search and rescue operations in all terrains, surveillance and monitoring.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of snake-like tubular connection, and more particularly, it is directed at snake-like tube connection that is able to exhibit movement in three (3) axes (i.e. x, y and z-axis) as well as the flexibility to exhibit snake-like segmented actions to swivel and turn in zigzag, s-curve, straight-like, coiled-up action. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Snake-like tubular connection are commonly used in many applications such as robotics related application, search and rescue operations for all terrains, underwater studies, surveillance and monitoring as well as Medical Technology (or MedTech for short) related devices. Prior art include US 5,337,732 (medical endoscopy), US 6,860,668 (robotic arm linkage assembly), WO 2022 / 058560A1 (underwater application), US 7,845,440 (reconnaissance operations) etc. These snake-like tubular connections in the prior art are of different forms, shapes and sizes and can be adapted for numerous purposes depending on the applications. Some of these snake-like tubular connection have complex shapes and configurations in order to fulfil certain roles and applications. With such complexity, the costs of producing and assembling such snake-like tubular connections can be high, hence limiting it to certain applications and market I industry that can bear such high costs. For certain applications like search and rescue operations or even surveillance and monitoring operations, the form factor and shape of the snake-like tubular connection can be quite unique and special due to the different nature of the search and rescue operation. For MedTech applications, such snake-like tubular features can be applicable for use in flexible tubing for breathing equipment or machines to help alleviate sleep apnea or sleep related disorders, etc. It can also be used for applications such as flexible endoscopy to aid doctors and surgeons in endoscopic procedures and others. The present invention proposes a single polymeric module that can be injection moldable which in turn can be built-up to comprise of multi cylindrical-like modules with swivel joints at each end of the module. Each segment consists of two (2) separate modules, whereby, (a) one module is cylindrical-like in form-factor with at least two (2) rotating joints on one side of the circular edge of the module and at least two (2) swivel joints (female portion) protruding from the other side of the module; and (b) another module that is cylindrical-like in form-factor with at least two (2) swivel joints (male portion) protruding from the side of the module. The two (2) modules are then joined or interlinked to each other via the respective swivel joints (male and female portion). In addition, the modules can then be multiplied by adding on more if necessary to form a long-segmented snake-like tubular structure. These snake-like cylindrical modules are able to rotate free movement in all axis (i.e. x, y and z-axis); and also the modules are easy to assemble due to their modularity. This present invention provides the flexibility to exhibit snake-like actions to swivel and turn in zigzag, s-curve, straight-like or coiled-up action. These specially designed swivel joints at each end of the module coupled with the rotating joints on the circumference edge of each cylindrical-like module does the job to facilitate such snake-like tubular movement, thus making it suitable for applications such as MedTech related devices, robotics, automation as well as search and rescue operations in all terrains, surveillance and monitoring. Due to the unique design of these cylindrical-like modules that are injection moldable, it eliminates the need for using a conventional extrusion process for tubing manufacture. Once injection molded out, these cylindrical-like modules are then assembled via a push-in force at the swivel joints as well as at the rotating joints at each end of the module. In addition, the cylindrical-like modules are modular and hence makes it customisable by length during assembly. In MedTech applications the outer layer of the snake-like tubing will be covered. The outer layer of the interlinked connection can be wrapped (either by socking or heatshrink) with a layer of fabric material that is separately coated and converted with properties such being impermeable to air as well as water repellent or with hydrophobic properties. In addition, the fabric material can also have stretchable electrically conductive ink silk-screened onto the fabric material based on the method and description cited in the UK patent application number GB2211080.3. This is especially useful for medical applications that require heated tubes that carry air or liquid. And at the same time, application of conductive ink inside the fabric tube helps to conduct data across from one (1) medical device to another. Hence this will enable the interlinked fabric-like tube to have airflow, fluid-flow as well as electrical connection from one end to the other end. For non-MedTech applications that require wire connection and is fitted with mini cameras, sensors and servo motors, similarly the outer layer of the snake-like tubing has to be covered with a layer of fabric material with special coating that has been mentioned in the earlier above-mentioned paragraph. Specially customized end-cap can be fitted at each end of the snake-like tubing to prevent external elements from interfering with the components fitted within the snake-like tubing. The centre portion of the end-cap can be transparent such that it allows the mini-cameras to act as an “eye” for the snake-like tubing to manoeuvre via the servo motors. Depending on the type of medical applications, the wire connection with the end-cap also facilitates electrical connectivity as well as airflow and fluid low between each ends of the tubing. In applications such as search and rescue operations or surveillance and monitoring, robotics can be deployed using mini-cameras, sensors and servo motors that can be inserted into the interior portion of the snake-like tube. These mini-cameras and sensors are wirelessly linked to an external controller and the servo motors are powered to drive the movement of the snake-like tube. The design disclosed in the present invention is modular in form factor and sensors can be placed on each module or alternate modules depending on the application. Moreover, the design of the cylindrical-like modules with the swivel and rotating joints help to facilitate the interlinked cylindrical-like modules to adapt to different uneven and convoluted terrains while trying to manoeuvre itself over such terrains. When underwater, this snake-like tube can be coated with a waterproof fabric. In applications such as underwater studies and monitoring, the outer layer of fabric can be coated with a special coating that is water repellent with hydrophobic properties. This makes it suitable for applications such as underwater studies etc. Similarly, when in high heat and possibly extreme conditions, the snake-like tubing can be coated with flame retardant properties. The flame retardancy can be re-applied again if the coating wears off due to prolonged exposure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings attached here are to aid comprehension of the description of the invention here. The drawings are not to scale, and they are to be used for merely illustrating the principles and concepts of the invention only. To aid in comprehension of the invention, the drawings are separated into the various Figures as described below: Figure 1 illustrates an overall perspective view of two separate modules and their respective joints. Figure 2a illustrates the different movement that the present invention exhibits when the two (2) modules are interlinked to form a longer segment. Figure 2b illustrates the perspective view of the interlinked modules to form a long-segmented snake-like tubular connection. Figure 3a and Figure 3b illustrates respectively a cross-sectional and perspective view of the snake-like tubular connection wrapped with fabric and with end-cap. numbers One segmented portion with two (2) cylindrical-like modules Module A (for illustrative purposes) Module B (for illustrative purposes) Two (2) rotating joints (on Module A) Two (2) swivel joints (male portion) on Module B Two (2) swivel joints (female portion) on Module A Long segmented snake-like tubular connection Fabric wrapped around snake-like tubular connection End-cap Transparent portion of the end-cap DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In the following description, details are provided to describe the embodiment of the application. It shall be apparent to the person skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such details. The embodiment of the present invention relates to the field of snake-like tubular connection that has the flexibility to exhibit snake-like segmented actions to swivel and turn in zigzag, s-curve, straight-like, coiled-up action. Figure 1 illustrates an overall perspective view of two separate modules and their respective joints. For illustrative purposes, Figure 1 consists of one segmented portion with two (2) cylindrical-like modules, denoted as 1. One segment 1 consists of Module A (denoted as 2) and Module B (denoted as 3). Module A denoted as 2 is cylindrical-like in form factor with at least two (2) rotating joints (denoted as 4) on one side of the circular edge of 2 and at least two (2) swivel joints (female portion) denoted as 6 protruding from the other side of the 2. As illustrated in Figure 1, the other 3 is also cylindrical-like in form factor with at least two (2) swivel joints (male portion) (denoted as 5) protruding from the side of 3. Figure 2a illustrates the different movement that the present invention exhibits when the two (2) modules, i.e. 2 and 3 are interlinked. 2 can be connected to 3 via the rotating joints 4 illustrated in Figure 1. This will form one segment comprising of 2 and 3. This is then replicated to form multiple segments, with each segment comprising of 2 and 3 respectively. As illustrated in Figure 2a, 3 from one segment will then be joined or connected via the swivel joint (male portion) 5 with the swivel joint (female portion) 6 of 2 from another segment. The snake-like cylindrical modules are able to rotate free movement in all axis (i.e. x, y and z-axis) via the rotating joints 4 and the swivel joints (denoted as 5 and 6 respectively for 2 and 3) as illustrated in Figure 2a. The modules are injection-moldable and are easy to assemble due to their modularity. Figure 2b illustrates the perspective view of the interlinked modules to form a long-segmented snake-like tubular connection as denoted in 7. As described earlier in Figure 2a, 2 and 3 can then be multiplied by adding on more if necessary to form a snake-like tubular structure 7; and whereby the snake-like cylindrical modules are able to rotate free movement in all axis (i.e. x, y and z-axis). Figure 3a features an illustration that is suitable for medical applications. Figure 3a illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the snake-like tubular connection with fabric wrapped around (denoted as 8) the snake-like tube that consists of long segments of interlinked modules denoted as 7. The layer of fabric material 8 can be separately prepared with properties such as flame retardant, impermeable to air as well as water repellent or hydrophobic properties. Special coating with water repellent or hydrophobic properties can be coated onto the fabric 8. There are end-caps 9 at each end of the snake-like tube. These end-caps are specially customized to prevent external elements from interfering with the components such as minicameras, sensors, servo motors and wire connection fitted inside the snake-like tubing. As illustrated in Figure 3b, the center portion of the end-cap 9 can be transparent (denoted as 10) such that it allows the mini-cameras to act as an “eye” for the snake-like tubing to manoeuvre via the servo motors. Depending on the type of medical applications, the wire connection with the end-cap also facilitates electrical connectivity as well as airflow and fluid flow between each ends of the tubing. While what has been described hereinabove is the preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will understand that numerous modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the invention, which can be expressly set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A polymeric device that is injection moldable and modular, comprises of:(c) Two (2) separate modules, wherebyi. One module is cylindrical-like in form factor,With at least two (2) rotating joints on one side of the circular edge of the module andAt least two (2) swivel joints (female portion) protruding from the other side of the module;ii. Another module that is cylindrical-like in form factor,With at least two (2) swivel joints (male portion) protruding from the side of the module; and followed by(d) Joining or interlinking the two (2) modules to each other via the respective swivel (male and female portion), wherebyiii. The modules can then be multiplied by adding on more if necessary to form a snake-like tubular structure; and whereby(e) The snake-like cylindrical modules are able to rotate free movement in all axis (i.e. x, y and z-axis); and(f) The modules are easy to assemble due to their modularity.

2. A device of claim 1 whereby the(a) Outer layer of the snake-like tubing can be wrapped around with at least a layer of fabric material that is specially customized or prepared with properties such asi. Fire retardancy; and / orii. Water repellant; and / oriii. Impermeable to air and / oriv. Stretchable electrically conductive ink silk-screened on the fabric.

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