Climbing Robot Vehicle Tangential Nozzle Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing climbing robot vehicles face limitations in their ability to effectively cling to and move on vertical surfaces due to reliance on magnetic fields, friction issues, and sensitivity to surface irregularities, which restricts their application and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A climbing robot vehicle design featuring a hollow cylinder with tangential nozzles, exhaust ducts, and a soft pad, which utilizes high-pressure fluid sources and pressure sensors to optimize friction force and pressure distribution, allowing it to adhere and move smoothly on vertical surfaces while adjusting to surface irregularities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If electromagnetic sucker is used to generate suction force, then the robot can cling to the wall, but the wall must have a magnetic field which greatly limits application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction forceVSAvoidapplication range
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic suction system with a mechanical friction-based adhesion system. The robot uses pressurized air nozzles to blow air between the adsorption mechanism and the wall surface, creating a pressure difference that enhances friction force. This mechanical approach eliminates the requirement for magnetic fields, allowing the robot to climb any wall surface regardless of material composition.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a pneumatic system with pressurized air nozzles that blow air into the gap between the adsorption mechanism and the wall. This pneumatic action creates a pressure difference that increases the friction force, enabling reliable adhesion without electromagnetic fields. The system includes air sources, control valves, and nozzle arrays integrated into the adsorption mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Force

If pressure is increased to overcome gravity and provide driving force, then the robot can cling and move, but frictional losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepressureVSAvoidfrictional losses
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different pressure zones within the adsorption mechanism. Pressurized air is directed specifically into the gap between the adsorption surface and the wall, creating a localized pressure difference that enhances friction where needed. The system includes multiple nozzles positioned to target specific regions, optimizing the distribution of pressure to minimize energy loss while maintaining adequate adhesion force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the pressure parameters by controlling the flow of pressurized air through adjustable valves. The system can modulate the amount of air blown into the gap, allowing optimization of the pressure difference to achieve the minimum necessary friction force for adhesion and movement, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining climbing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the robot clings to vertical walls using friction force, then it can move, but it is sensitive to surface irregularities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidsensitivity to surface irregularities
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the adsorption mechanism adjustable and adaptable to different wall conditions. The pressurized air system can dynamically compensate for variations in wall surface geometry by adjusting the air pressure and flow distribution. The mechanism includes movable components and adjustable nozzle positioning that allow real-time adaptation to maintain stable adhesion on irregular surfaces during movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the adsorption mechanism with pressurized air before contact with the wall surface. The system activates the air nozzles in advance to create the pressure difference and establish friction force, ensuring stable adhesion is already in place before the robot encounters surface irregularities during climbing, thereby preventing loss of attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design enhances the robot's ability to maintain maximum pressure for adhesion and movement, reduces frictional losses, and increases its capability to navigate uneven surfaces, thereby expanding its application range and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the hollow cylinder is provided with a rotating flow generating device, the rotating flow generating device comprises the tangential nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotating flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

the first exhaust duct is provided to eliminate the local high pressure distribution which the lower surface of the cover plate forms, thereby ensuring that a pressure is applied to the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure distribution: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

The first exhaust duct and the second exhaust duct connect the interior of the hollow cylinder with the outer peripheral environment respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

a soft pad is provided to block the exhaust flow of the second exhaust duct between the wall and the hollow cylinder, thus eliminating the disturbance flow caused by concavity, convexity and unevenness of the wall in the second exhaust duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3093224B1Climbing robot vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 ZHEJIANG UNIV
  • EP3093224B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3093224B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~1c
  • EP3093224B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A climbing robot vehicle comprises a vehicle (2) and the front and rear ends of the vehicle body are provided with wheels (3). The end of the vehicle body facing towards the wall is fixedly connected to a sucking mechanism. The sucking mechanism comprises a body, the body being a hollow cylinder (4). A cover plate (5) is provided above the hollow cylinder. The upper end face of the cover plate is fixedly connected with the vehicle body and the lower end face of the cover plate is fixedly connected with the outer edge of the upper end face of the hollow cylinder by means of the first blocks (43) spaced from each other. The inner wall of the hollow cylinder is provided with tangential nozzles (41). The space between the first blocks (43) forms a first exhaust duct (44) between the outer edge of the upper end face of the hollow cylinder and the lower end face of the cover. A gap is formed between the lower end face of the hollow cylinder and the wall, and the gap forms a second exhaust duct (42) between the outer edge of the lower end face of the hollow cylinder and the wall. The climbing robot vehicle can be sucked on various kinds of walls and has a strong sucking ability and a wide application range.