Construction Robot Interface Adapter for Tool Battery Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Construction robots face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively using a wide variety of electric machine tools with varying standard battery interfaces on unpredictable construction sites, requiring a simple and adaptable connection solution.

Innovation Solution

An interface adapter with complementary standard battery interfaces and signal transmission capabilities, allowing for secure mechanical and signal connections between construction robots and machine tools, including wireless data transmission and a control unit for managing tool operation and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different types of electric machine tools are used with a construction robot, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases due to varying standard battery interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different machine toolsVSAvoidconnection interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface adapter is designed with a universal connection system that includes a standardized mounting interface for construction robots and a complementary connection point that accommodates various standard battery interfaces of machine tools. This multi-functional design enables a single adapter to work with multiple different machine tool types, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The interface adapter serves as an intermediary device between the construction robot and the machine tool. It translates and adapts the connection interfaces, allowing the robot to interface with different machine tools through a standardized adapter interface while maintaining compatibility with various standard battery interfaces. This mediator approach simplifies the overall system complexity while enabling broad compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If machine tools are quickly attached and detached, then ease of operation is improved, but connection reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool attachment and removal speedVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into modular components: a mounting interface on the adapter for the construction robot, a connection point for the machine tool's standard battery interface, and signal transmission interfaces. This segmentation allows for quick attachment and detachment while maintaining reliable connections through standardized interfaces designed for both speed and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface adapter incorporates dynamic connection capabilities that allow for rapid tool changes while maintaining secure connections during operation. The mounting interface and connection point are designed to provide stable mechanical coupling during use, yet allow for quick release when needed, balancing operational ease with connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4316743B1Interface adapter and system with a construction robot, an interface adapter and at least one machine tool
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 HILTI AG
  • EP4316743B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4316743B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4316743B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an interface adapter (100) for connecting an electric machine tool (10) to an end effector (222) of a construction robot (210), wherein the construction robot (210) is preferably configured for processing a wall and/or a ceiling, in particular a building construction site, a civil engineering construction site, and/or an industrial plant, wherein the interface adapter (100) has a machine tool connection point (110) for connection to a machine tool (10), which is designed to be complementary to a standard battery interface (18) of a machine tool (10). The invention further relates to a system (200) with a construction robot (210). The invention enables machine tools (10) to be used with a construction robot (210) with particular flexibility.