Collaborative Robot Deployment in Glovebox via Adjustable Trolley
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gloveboxes often experience containment breaches due to glove punctures or damage when handling hazardous materials, posing risks to operators.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for deploying a collaborative robot within a glovebox using an adjustable trolley and a specially designed glove that seals with the glovebox, allowing the robot to perform tasks remotely and reducing human exposure to hazardous materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user manually handles materials in a glovebox using gloves, then direct manipulation and control are improved, but the risk of glove puncture or damage leading to containment breach increases
Solution Approach 1:
A collaborative robot serves as an intermediary between the operator and the hazardous materials inside the glovebox. The robot can be controlled remotely by the operator through various interfaces (joystick, touchscreen, pre-programming), allowing direct manipulation of materials while the robot's robotic arm and end effector perform the physical handling tasks inside the sealed glovebox environment, eliminating the need for the operator to insert their hands directly
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical system of human hands operating gloves is replaced with an automated robotic mechanical system. The collaborative robot features a robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom, powered joints, and a controlled end effector that can grasp and manipulate objects. This mechanical substitution maintains the ease of operation through remote control interfaces while significantly improving containment integrity by removing human hands from the hazardous environment
2Reliability
If gloves are made thicker or more protective to prevent punctures, then containment integrity is improved, but dexterity and ease of manipulation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the compromised mechanical system of thick protective gloves with a robotic mechanical system that provides both protection and dexterity. The collaborative robot's robotic arm with multiple articulated joints and powered actuators can perform precise manipulations inside the glovebox while the operator controls it remotely through interfaces such as joysticks, touchscreens, or pre-programmed sequences, eliminating the need for thick protective gloves that would reduce dexterity
3Reliability
If a collaborative robot is introduced to handle materials remotely, then operator safety and containment integrity are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collaborative robot is designed with multi-functionality to handle various tasks within the glovebox environment. The robotic arm can perform multiple operations (grasping, manipulating, transporting objects) through programmable control interfaces. The system integrates several functions including remote control capabilities, robotic manipulation, and operation within the sealed glovebox environment, consolidating these into a single versatile platform that manages complexity through integration rather than separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The collaborative robot acts as an intermediary system that bridges the operator and the hazardous environment. It incorporates control interfaces (joystick, touchscreen, pre-programming) that simplify operator interaction while the robot handles the complexity of operating within the sealed glovebox environment, managing system complexity by absorbing it in the robotic subsystem rather than requiring complex glove or direct manipulation systems
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 system effectively reduces operator risk by enabling remote handling of hazardous materials within the glovebox, maintaining containment and preventing exposure to gamma radiation or other hazardous substances.
Implementation Method 1
an O-ring integral to the proximate end of the glove, the O-ring configured to sealably couple to the port of the glove box
Implementation Method 2
one or more pulleys configured to move the mounting plate along a longitudinal axis of the adjustable trolley
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of wheels configured to move the adjustable trolley forward, backward, and rotate about the longitudinal axis of the adjustable trolley
Data Source
AI summary
A system (1) and method for deploying a collaborative robot (5) in a glovebox (10) are provided. The system comprises an adjustable trolley (2) including: a frame (3); a mounting plate (4) slideably mounted to the frame (3); one or more pulleys (15) configured to move the mounting plate (4) along a longitudinal axis of the adjustable trolley (2); and a plurality of wheels (9) configured to move the adjustable trolley (2) forward, backward, and rotate about the longitudinal axis of the adjustable trolley (2); a collaborative robot (5) having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end mounted to the mounting plate (4), and the distal end comprising an end effector (13); and a glove (7) configured to receive the collaborative robot (5), and to sealably couple with a port (11) of the glovebox (10).