Confined-Space Spraying Robot With Removable Wheels and Sensor Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic vehicles face challenges in efficiently operating in confined spaces due to the obstruction of sensors and equipment by material fallout, and difficulties in easy insertion and removal through restricted openings.
Innovation Solution
A robotic vehicle design with removable wheels mounted on the sides, allowing easy disassembly and reconfiguration for insertion and removal, combined with a sensor protection mechanism and a rotatable sensor turret for enhanced maneuverability and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual spraying is performed, then application can be done, but operator exposure to harmful chemicals occurs and application quality is inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical spraying with an automated robotic system that uses computer-controlled mechanisms for precise spray application. The robotic vehicle incorporates automated spray guns, hydrostatic drives, and computer-based control systems to eliminate manual operation while maintaining or improving spray application quality consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic vehicle is autonomous and self-navigating, using onboard sensors, GPS, and computer control systems to navigate fields, position spray equipment, and apply chemicals without human intervention. The system serves itself by making all operational decisions and executions automatically, thereby eliminating operator exposure to chemicals.
2Loss of substance
If traditional spraying equipment is used, then spraying can be performed, but drift to non-target areas occurs and chemical waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic vehicle incorporates sensors that provide real-time feedback on spray application, wind conditions, and field boundaries. The computer control system processes this feedback data to automatically adjust spray rates, patterns, and timing, ensuring chemicals are applied only where needed and minimizing drift to non-target areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time conditions. The robotic vehicle can change spray patterns, rates, and timing on-the-fly using computer-controlled mechanisms, allowing optimal application that adapts to varying field conditions, thereby reducing chemical waste and drift.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual spraying is used, then operation can be performed, but application precision and consistency are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic vehicle is designed as a multi-functional system that combines navigation, sensing, spray application, and data processing in a single platform. This universal design achieves high spray application precision through integrated computer control while consolidating multiple functions into one system rather than requiring separate complex subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces imprecise manual mechanical spraying with computer-controlled robotic mechanisms. The automated system uses digital positioning, sensor feedback, and programmable spray control to achieve precise and consistent application, trading manual simplicity for automated precision through electronic and computational systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a robotic vehicle (100) for operating in a confined space, such as under a floor of a building, for example a house. The robotic vehicle (100) comprises a chassis (102) having a front (F) and a rear (R) defining a longitudinal direction extending between the front (F) and the rear (R), the robotic vehicle (100) for movement in the longitudinal direction. The robotic vehicle (100) further comprises a plurality of first parts (116a, 116b, 16c, 116d) for a respective plurality of release mechanisms (166), the first parts (116a, 16b, 116c, 116d) each connected to the chassis (102) and each release mechanism (166) for securing a respective wheel (160a, 160b, 160c, 160d) to the chassis (102). Each first part (116a, 116b, 116c, 116d) provides a mounting point for the respective wheel 10 (160a, 160b, 160c, 160d) away from the front (F) or the rear (R) of the chassis (102).Each release mechanism (160) is operable by an operator to release the respective wheel (160a, 160b, 160c, 160d) from the chassis (102) for separate removal of the wheels (160a, 60b, 160c, 160d) and the robotic vehicle (100) from the confined space.