Construction Robot Battery Swap Design for Minimal Downtime

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Construction robots are expensive to manufacture and require high manufacturing costs due to the use of high-capacity batteries, which also result in extended charging times and reduced availability, making them bulky and limiting their operational reach.

Innovation Solution

A construction robot with a swappable battery compartment that allows for quick battery replacement, enabling high availability and reduced downtime, using interchangeable batteries with lower capacity and allowing simultaneous charging of additional batteries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a battery with extraordinarily high capacity is used to extend operating time, then the running time without interruption is increased, but the charging time is extended and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverunning timeVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the battery system into multiple separate battery units (first battery and second battery) that can be independently charged and swapped. This segmentation allows the robot to use one battery while another is being charged, eliminating the need to wait for a single large battery to charge, thus resolving the contradiction between extended running time and reduced charging downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary charging of multiple battery units before operation. The second battery can be charged in advance while the first battery is in use, so that when the first battery is depleted, the second battery is already ready for immediate swap. This preliminary action eliminates charging wait time during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Duration of action of moving object

If a battery with extraordinarily high capacity is used to extend operating time, then the running time without interruption is increased, but the manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverunning timeVSAvoidmanufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the battery system into multiple smaller battery units instead of using one large high-capacity battery. These smaller batteries are cheaper to manufacture individually and can be produced using standard, cost-effective manufacturing processes, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs while still achieving extended operational duration through multiple units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs multiple smaller, more affordable battery units that can be individually replaced rather than using one expensive, large-capacity battery. The cost of manufacturing multiple smaller batteries is lower than a single large battery, and the system is designed to swap these shorter-lived, cheaper units to achieve the desired operational duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Duration of action of moving object

If a battery with extraordinarily high capacity is used to extend operating time, then the running time without interruption is increased, but the robot becomes extraordinarily heavy and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverunning timeVSAvoidrobot weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the battery system into multiple smaller battery units distributed throughout the robot rather than using one large, heavy battery. This segmentation reduces the weight concentrated at any single location and allows for better weight distribution, maintaining robot maneuverability while achieving extended running time through multiple units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing battery capacity in a single dimension (one large battery), the patent distributes battery capacity across multiple dimensions by using several smaller batteries positioned at different locations in the robot. This dimensional distribution achieves the same total energy capacity while reducing overall weight and improving the robot's spatial characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4556172A1High availability construction robot
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 HILTI AG
  • EP4556172A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4556172A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4556172A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a construction robot (10) for performing construction tasks in building construction or civil engineering, comprising a robot arm (12), for example a multi-axis arm, wherein at least the robot arm (12) is electrically driven, wherein at least the robot arm (12) is configured to draw its operating energy from a battery (36). It is characterized in that the construction robot (10) has a removable shaft (34) for receiving a battery (36) for electrically driving the robot arm (12). This allows the construction robot (10) to operate particularly economically.