Coupled Robot System for Confined Space Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
In aircraft and spacecraft assembly or maintenance, existing robot systems are inflexible and unsafe for use in limited spaces, posing risks to technicians and being inefficient due to the need for large, multi-tool robots that are costly and difficult to maneuver in confined environments with challenging conditions such as high temperatures, humidity, noise, and low gravity.
Innovation Solution
A robot system comprising a large, stationary or movable industrial robot with a movable arm and smaller, specialized robots that can be coupled and controlled to perform specific tasks within the reach of the arm, allowing for high precision and range of movement while minimizing the need for expensive and dangerous high-performance robots, and enabling efficient operation in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large robot with multiple tools is used to perform complex tasks, then the robot can carry out diverse working operations, but the robot becomes inflexible and difficult to maneuver in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system is divided into a stationary first robot with a movable arm and multiple smaller second robots that can be selectively coupled to the arm. This segmentation allows the system to perform multiple tasks using small, maneuverable robots rather than one large robot, resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation in confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The first robot's arm serves as a universal platform that can hold and position different second robots for various tasks. This multi-functional approach allows diverse working operations to be performed by a single stationary robot combined with multiple specialized small robots, achieving versatility without sacrificing maneuverability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a big robot with multiple tools is provided to handle complex tasks, then the robot can perform diverse operations, but the cost and complexity of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of one expensive, complex multi-tool robot, the system uses a simple stationary first robot combined with multiple smaller, less expensive second robots. This segmentation reduces the cost and complexity of each individual robot while maintaining overall system versatility through the combination of multiple specialized units.
Solution Approach 2:
The second robots are designed to be simpler, smaller, and potentially replaceable units rather than investing in one expensive, complex robot. This approach reduces overall system cost by using multiple affordable specialized robots instead of a single high-cost multi-functional robot.
3Measurement precision
If a stationary robot is used to perform tasks in confined spaces, then the robot provides stability and precision, but the robot cannot move to different locations within the workspace
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines a stationary first robot with movable second robots. The first robot provides stable, precise positioning from a fixed location, while the second robots can be moved to different positions and orientations by the first robot's arm, achieving both precision and adaptability to reach various locations within the workspace.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a robot system for carrying out a plurality of operations during assembly or maintenance of an aircraft or spacecraft. The system comprises a first robot (2) comprising a base portion (5), a movable robot arm (6) having a first coupling portion (19), and a first control means (17) adapted to control the robot arm (6). The system also comprises a plurality of second robots (3) comprising movement means (20), a drive portion (21) operable to drive the movement means (20), a tool portion (7) comprising a tool (9) adapted to carry out a specific one of the operations, a second coupling portion (23) adapted to be selectively and releasably coupled with the first coupling portion (19) in a predetermined positional relationship, and a second control means (18) adapted to control the respective second robot (3). The first and second control means (17, 18) are adapted to control the drive portion (21) of one of the second robots (3) and the robot arm (6) to couple the first coupling portion (19) and the respective second coupling portion (23) in the predetermined positional relationship, subsequently the robot arm (6) to move the tool portion (7) together with the second robot (3) held by the robot arm (6) to a selected location at which the specific operation, for which the tool portion (7) of the respective second robot (3) is adapted, is to be carried out, and then the second robot (3) to carry out the specific operation at the selected location.