Built-In Gas Pump Peristaltic Robot for Diameter-Varying Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airbag-type peristaltic robots with external air pumps face limitations in flexibility due to the connection of air pipelines, restricting their movement and adaptability in diameter-varying pipelines.
Innovation Solution
A flexible peristaltic robot equipped with a built-in bidirectional gas pump that allows self-regulation of gas flow, eliminating the need for external air pipes and pumps, and features a configuration of head-end, extension-retraction, and tail-end airbags connected in sequence, with a power and control module to inflate and deflate these airbags for radial expansion and axial contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an external air pump is used to inflate the airbag, then the robot can adapt to diameter-varying pipelines, but the air pipeline connection limits the movement and flexibility of the robot
Solution Approach 1:
The external air pump and air pipeline connection are extracted and removed from the system. The patent integrates a bidirectional gas pump directly into the robot body, eliminating the need for external gas supply equipment and pipelines, thereby resolving the flexibility limitation while maintaining airbag inflation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The gas pump function is merged with the robot body by integrating it as a built-in component. The bidirectional gas pump is installed within the robot to directly supply and discharge gas to/from the airbags, combining the gas supply function and robot movement into a single integrated system
2Ease of operation
If a built-in bidirectional gas pump is used, then the flexibility and movement of the robot are improved, but the robot requires self-regulation of gas flow without external gas source
Solution Approach 1:
The robot achieves self-service by using its built-in bidirectional gas pump to autonomously regulate gas flow between the airbags without external control. The pump can inflate and deflate airbags independently, allowing the robot to self-adjust its shape and position adaptability without external gas source or complex external control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The bidirectional gas pump enables dynamic gas flow regulation, allowing the robot to flexibly inflate and deflate different airbags based on real-time operational needs. This dynamic control capability allows the robot to adapt its shape and movement characteristics according to varying pipeline conditions
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
The solution enhances the robot's flexibility by enabling gas supply and discharge without external components, allowing it to adapt to varying pipeline diameters and environments, including hazardous conditions without external gas exchange, thus improving its operational capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a bidirectional gas pump; wherein the power module is configured to supply power to the bidirectional gas pump and the control module; the control module is configured to control the bidirectional gas pump to inflate and deflate the head-end airbag, the extension-retraction airbag and the tail-end airbag
Implementation Method 2
the control module is configured to control the bidirectional gas pump to inflate and deflate the head-end airbag, the extension-retraction airbag and the tail-end airbag, such that the head-end airbag and the tail-end airbag are expanded or contracted along a radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible peristaltic robot with a built-in bidirectional gas pump for self-regulating gas flow. The robot includes a head-end airbag, an extension-retraction airbag, a tail-end airbag, a power module, a control module and a bidirectional gas pump. When there is harmful gas or less gas in the external environment, an additional airbag is provided in the flexible peristaltic robot to form a closed internal circulation of air flow. Otherwise, the robot directly exchanges gas with the external environment to form an open external circulation of air flow. The flexible peristaltic robot can either use multiple bidirectional air pumps or use a single bidirectional air pump and multiple electrically-controlled switches to control the expansion and contraction of the airbags to enable the robot to move forward.