Firefighting Robot Valve Drains Hose Weight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Firefighting robots are limited by their battery life and weight, reducing their operational efficiency due to the need to maneuver with a heavy, water-filled hose, which quickly drains their power when moving between locations.

Innovation Solution

A system with a self-propelled robot coupled to a hose with a valve unit that drains water from the hose when maneuvering and refills it when extinguishing the fire, reducing the weight and energy consumption during movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the robot carries a pressurized hose coupled to a water source for extinguishing fires, then the robot can discharge water to fight fires, but the hose adds significant weight that reduces mobility and increases energy consumption during movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire extinguishing capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption during movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the hose into multiple sections with valve units positioned along its length. This segmentation allows individual sections to be isolated and drained of water when not needed for fire suppression, reducing the weight the robot must carry during movement while maintaining the capability to deliver water when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve units are positioned along the hose to enable preliminary draining of water from hose sections before the robot moves. This preliminary action removes unnecessary weight in advance, allowing the robot to move more efficiently and only carry water weight when actually engaged in fire suppression operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the robot operates with a full hose for extended periods, then it maintains fire suppression readiness, but the continuous weight reduces operational duration on limited battery power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression readinessVSAvoidoperational duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the water content in the hose based on operational needs. During movement phases, valve units drain water to minimize weight and extend operational duration. During fire suppression phases, the hose is refilled to maintain fire suppression readiness. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both operational duration and readiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hose undergoes periodic cycles of filling and draining based on the robot's operational state. When the robot is stationary and ready for fire suppression, the hose is filled. When the robot needs to move, the hose is drained. This periodic action allows the system to maintain fire suppression capability while extending overall operational duration through efficient energy management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the robot maneuvers frequently to respond to fires, then it can address multiple fire locations, but the heavy hose increases power demand and reduces the time between recharging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to respond to multiple fire locationsVSAvoidtime between recharging

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the hose into multiple controllable sections with valve units, the system allows the robot to maneuver between fire locations with reduced hose weight. Only the necessary sections near active fires remain filled, while other sections are drained during transit, thereby extending the time between recharging operations and maintaining the ability to respond to multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution extends the operating time of the robot by up to 78% by reducing the power demand and allowing it to move more efficiently, potentially reducing the need for frequent recharging or replacement.

Implementation Method 1

draining water from the hose when the robot maneuvers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

providing water to the robot through the first valve unit and the first hose when the robot is discharging the water from the water source toward a fire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10471286B2Systems and methods for improving efficiency of firefighting robots

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 PURDUE RES FOUND

AI summary

A system and method suitable for improving the efficiency of a firefighting robot by managing a water supply in a hose coupled thereto is provided. The system includes a robot capable of self-propulsion. The robot is coupled to at least a first hose and is capable of receiving water through the first hose from a water source and discharging the water towards a fire to extinguish the fire. The system includes at least a first valve unit fluidically coupling the first hose to the water source, and means for controlling the robot and the first valve unit such that the first valve unit prevents the robot from receiving water from the water source and drains water from within the first hose when the robot maneuvers and provides water to the robot through the first hose from the water source when the robot is extinguishing the fire.