Holding Mechanism Tilt Correction for Inspection Accuracy
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding apparatuses and inspection systems face challenges in maintaining accurate positional alignment and stability during the movement of mobile bodies within gaps between structure bodies, leading to potential inspection inaccuracies and structural damage.
Innovation Solution
The holding apparatus incorporates a combination of a holding mechanism, movement mechanism, measuring instruments, and detectors to precisely control the movement and positioning of the mobile body along the circumferential direction, utilizing rollers and actuators to navigate uneven surfaces and adjust for tilt, ensuring accurate alignment and stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile body moves through the gap between structure bodies, then inspection can be performed in hard-to-reach areas, but positional alignment accuracy deteriorates due to uneven surfaces and tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The holding apparatus incorporates detectors that detect tilt of the holding mechanism in the first plane, and a controller that operates the movement mechanism based on detection results to correct positional deviations in real-time, ensuring accurate alignment despite movements through uneven gaps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces pure mechanical positioning with a control system that uses detectors to measure tilt and position, then uses the controller to calculate and execute corrective movements, substituting mechanical precision with sensor-based feedback control
2Ease of operation
If the holding mechanism is moved manually, then operation is simple, but positional accuracy deteriorates due to human error and inability to compensate for tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The holding apparatus performs self-correction of positional deviations by using its own detectors to measure tilt and the controller to automatically adjust the movement mechanism, eliminating the need for manual precision positioning while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The controller operates the movement mechanism based on real-time detection results from tilt detectors and position detectors, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically maintains positional accuracy without requiring manual intervention for precision alignment
3Device complexity
If the holding apparatus operates without tilt detection, then device complexity is reduced, but inspection precision deteriorates due to measurement errors from tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt detector provides real-time feedback on the holding mechanism's orientation, and the controller uses this information to calculate and execute corrective movements, ensuring that inspection measurements are always taken from a properly aligned position
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary tilt detection and positional correction before conducting inspections, ensuring that all measurements are taken from a correctly aligned position, thereby preventing measurement errors before they occur
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a holding apparatus includes a holding mechanism, a movement mechanism, a measuring instrument, a detector, and a controller. The holding mechanism holds a mobile body. The mobile body is movable through a gap between first and second structure bodies. The first structure body is columnar and extends in a first direction. The second structure body is tubular and is located around the first structure body along a first plane perpendicular to the first direction. The movement mechanism moves the holding mechanism along a circumferential direction around the first direction. The measuring instrument measures a movement amount in the circumferential direction of the holding mechanism. The detector detects a tilt of the holding mechanism in the first plane. The controller operates the movement mechanism and moves the holding mechanism based on a measurement result of the measuring instrument and a detection result of the first detector.