Flexible Link Extension Tool With Tension-Rigidized Reach
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic arm assemblies are often cost-prohibitive and overly complex for certain applications, making it difficult to reach remote or hazardous locations efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A selectively flexible extension tool with a line assembly and sequentially arranged links that can move between a slacked and tensioned position, allowing for a cost-effective and versatile means to reach remote locations, featuring a line assembly with a first and second line guiding the links to pivot and rigidize, forming a non-linear shape for access and fluid flow passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If robotic arm assemblies are used to reach remote locations, then the ability to access remote or hazardous locations is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The extension tool is divided into multiple sequentially arranged links (first link, second link, third link, etc.) that can pivot relative to each other. This segmentation allows the tool to achieve extended reach distances while maintaining simpler individual components compared to a traditional robotic arm, resolving the contradiction between reach distance and system complexity.
2Length of moving object
If robotic arm assemblies are used to reach remote locations, then the ability to access remote or hazardous locations is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The extension tool employs a dynamic structure where links can pivot between extended and retracted positions using line assembly tensioning rather than complex robotic actuators. This dynamic design achieves extended reach at lower manufacturing cost by using simpler mechanical components instead of expensive robotic arm mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the extension tool is made flexible to navigate tight spaces, then the ability to access remote locations is improved, but the structural stability for mechanical operations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension tool changes its structural parameter from flexible to rigid through the line assembly mechanism. When lines are tensioned, the sequentially arranged links become rigidly fixed relative to each other, providing structural stability for mechanical operations. When lines are slack, the links can pivot freely for navigation through tight spaces, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A selectively flexible extension tool (100) includes: a line assembly (104) comprising a first line (118A) and a second line (118); and a plurality of sequentially arranged links (106), the line assembly (104) operable with the plurality of sequentially arranged links (106) to move the plurality of sequentially arranged links (106) between a slacked position and a tensioned position, the plurality of sequentially arranged links (106) together comprising a first line guide (160) and a second line guide (164), the first line (118A) of the line assembly (104) extending through the first line guide (160) and the second line (118) of the line assembly (104) extending through the second line guide (164); wherein the first line (118A) defines a first displacement when the plurality of sequentially arranged links (106) are moved from the slacked position to the tensioned position, wherein the second line (118) defines a second displacement when the plurality of sequentially arranged links (106) are moved from the slacked position to the tensioned position, and wherein the first displacement is substantially equal to the second displacement.