Climbing Robot Bolt Retightening With Online Socket Replacement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The process of retightening bolts on electric angle steel towers is dangerous, labor-intensive, inefficient, and costly, with existing climbing robots having poor cost performance when dealing with different bolt types, and there is a need for a safer and more efficient high-altitude bolt retightening solution.

Innovation Solution

A bolt retightening device mounted on a conventional climbing robot, featuring an extension arm with a working head and displacement mechanisms for precise bolt retightening, along with an auxiliary socket replacement box for on-line socket replacement, ensuring safety and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual labor is used for bolt retightening on electric angle steel towers, then the operator can perform the task, but the process has high danger coefficient, high labor intensity, long idle time, and low efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebolt retightening efficiencyVSAvoidoperator safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The climbing robot is equipped with self-clamping mechanisms that automatically grip the angle steel tower surface using friction forces, and self-positioning capabilities through mechanical structures, enabling the system to service itself without external assistance during the bolt retightening operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system with an automated robot system that uses electric push rods, rotating mechanisms, and computer-controlled actuators to perform bolt retightening, substituting human physical labor with automated mechanical and electrical systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional climbing robots are used for bolt retightening, then automation is achieved, but the cost performance is poor when dealing with different bolt types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesocket replacement capabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot system is divided into modular components including separable socket tools, independent displacement mechanisms, and detachable working heads, allowing individual sockets to be replaced without reconfiguring the entire system, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The robot is designed with universal interfaces and standardized mounting mechanisms that can accommodate different types of sockets and bolt configurations through a single platform, enabling one deployment to service multiple bolt types and spans

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If manual bolt retightening is performed at high altitude, then the task can be completed, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-altitude operation safetyVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The robot system maintains continuous operation capability with integrated power supply, continuous climbing mechanisms, and uninterrupted tool operation, eliminating idle time between tasks and maintaining productive action throughout the entire maintenance process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The robot acts as an intermediary between the operator and the high-altitude environment, performing dangerous tasks in harsh conditions while the operator remains safely on the ground, thus improving ease of operation and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4357069B1Bolt retightening device and climbing robot using same
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 STATE GRID ANHUI ELECTRIC POWER CO LTD
  • EP4357069B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4357069B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4357069B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A bolt retightening device includes an extension arm (11) and a working head (12) fixed to the extension arm (11), wherein the extension arm includes a bottom frame (111) fixed to a main machine (30), and a rotation assembly (112) for driving the working head (12) to rotate and a plane displacement assembly for driving the working head (12) to perform a specified point operation are provided on the bottom frame (111). The bolt retightening device can replace manual labor to implement the high-altitude operation accurately and efficiently. Further provided is a climbing robot.