Articulated Tool Arm With Perpendicular Tilt for Hard-to-Reach Work
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool arms lack sufficient adjustment options and mobility to effectively operate in difficult-to-access locations, such as wooded hillside areas with uneven terrain, limiting their ability to reach and clear obstacles near overhead lines safely and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A tool arm with a proximal first arm element rotatable about a first axis and tiltable in a plane, a second arm element connected to the first with a tilting element that allows tilting in a perpendicular plane, providing multiple degrees of freedom for alignment and adaptation to challenging environments, along with a distal third arm element for increased reach and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If known tool arms are used with limited adjustment options, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to difficult-to-access locations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tool arm is divided into multiple segments (first arm element, second arm element, third arm element) that can independently rotate and tilt. Each segment has its own rotary element and tilting element, allowing independent adjustment of position and orientation to reach difficult-to-access locations while keeping each segment relatively simple in design
Solution Approach 2:
The tool arm incorporates multiple degrees of freedom with rotary elements allowing rotation about first and second axes, and tilting elements allowing inclination in different planes. This dynamic configuration enables the arm to adapt its shape and position continuously to match complex terrain and obstacle configurations
2Productivity
If the tool arm is designed with sufficient reach for difficult-to-access areas, then the productivity is improved, but the weight and size increase making off-road use difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tool arm is segmented into multiple lighter components (first, second, and third arm elements) connected by rotary and tilting elements. This segmentation allows the arm to achieve extended reach through articulated movement rather than using a single heavy long beam, reducing overall weight while maintaining productivity in difficult-to-access areas
Solution Approach 2:
The tool arm utilizes multiple dimensions of movement including rotation about first and second axes, and tilting in different planes. This multi-dimensional approach allows the arm to reach difficult locations by combining movements in multiple directions rather than requiring excessive length in a single direction, reducing weight while maintaining access capability
3Ease of operation
If the carrier vehicle is optimally positioned on uneven terrain, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to various terrain configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tool arm features dynamic adjustment capabilities with multiple rotary elements allowing rotation about different axes and tilting elements allowing inclination in different planes. This enables the arm to compensate for uneven terrain and obstacles by adjusting its configuration, maintaining ease of operation across various terrain configurations without requiring frequent repositioning of the carrier vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
The tool arm allows continuous adjustment of geometric parameters including rotation angles about the first and second axes, and tilting angles in different planes. These parameter changes enable the arm to adapt to various terrain configurations and obstacle positions, maintaining operational ease across diverse environments
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tool arm (100) for working in hard-to-reach positions, wherein the tool arm (100) has a proximal end (101) with which the tool arm (100) can be attached to a base, and a distal end (102) which can be connected to a tool (300), wherein the tool arm (100) comprises: - a proximal first arm element (1) rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation (14) on a first rotating element (13), and which is tiltable in a first plane of inclination (11), in particular upwards and downwards, wherein the first axis of rotation (14) lies in the first plane of inclination (11), and - a second arm element (2) adjoining the first arm element (1), which is rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation (24), and which is tiltable in a second plane of inclination (21), wherein there is a space between the first arm element (1) and the second arm element. (2) a tilting element (4) is provided, wherein the tilting element (4) is tiltable in a tilting plane (41),wherein the second axis of rotation (24) lies in the tilting plane (41) and wherein the second tilting plane (21) is arranged perpendicular to the tilting plane (41).