Hot-Swap Battery Assembly for Continuous Firefighting Robot Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighting robots powered by gasoline or diesel engines face safety risks in hot environments, provide low torque at low speeds, and contribute to toxic smoke and oxygen deprivation, while also requiring fuel refills that pose additional hazards.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electric firefighting robotic vehicle equipped with a hot-swap battery system, allowing for quick replacement of discharged batteries with fully charged ones, eliminating the need for fuel refills and reducing safety risks associated with volatile fuels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If gasoline or diesel engines are used in firefighting robots, then the vehicles can provide high power output, but they pose safety risks in hot environments and contribute to toxic smoke and oxygen deprivation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the combustion engine system with an electric motor system. The electric motors are powered by a battery assembly that can be quickly swapped, eliminating the need for flammable fuel storage and combustion processes. This substitution removes the source of toxic exhaust gases and fire hazards while maintaining the high power output capability through electric propulsion.
2Power
If combustion engines are used in firefighting vehicles, then high power can be achieved, but torque at low speeds is insufficient for climbing obstacles or dragging heavy equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent characteristic of electric motors to deliver high torque at low speeds, which is fundamentally different from combustion engine performance characteristics. By operating within the optimal torque range of electric motors, the system achieves superior low-speed force output for climbing obstacles and dragging heavy equipment while maintaining high power capability.
3Duration of action of moving object
If combustion engines are used in firefighting robots, then vehicles can operate without battery limitations, but they require frequent fuel refills that pose additional hazards in dangerous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery power system into modular battery packs that can be independently replaced. Instead of dealing with a single large fuel tank that requires hazardous refilling operations, the system uses multiple smaller battery units that can be quickly swapped out when depleted, eliminating the need for dangerous fuel handling while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a pre-charged battery system where replacement batteries are prepared in advance and can be quickly installed. This preliminary preparation of charged batteries allows for rapid exchange in the field without requiring time-consuming refueling operations, thereby extending operational duration while simplifying field operations.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If electric motors with battery power are used in firefighting robots, then safety risks from fuel handling are eliminated, but operation time is limited by battery charge capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a battery hot-swap system where depleted battery packs are quickly removed and replaced with charged ones. The discarded depleted batteries can be recovered, recharged off-site, and returned to service, creating a sustainable cycle that extends total operation time while maintaining the safety benefits of eliminating fuel handling throughout the operational period.
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 hot-swap battery system enables extended operation time without the need for recharging, reduces safety hazards by eliminating fuel handling risks, and provides consistent high torque at low speeds, enhancing the vehicle's performance in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
a battery assembly constructed and arranged to provide electric power to the set of electric motors. The battery assembly includes: (A) a battery chassis defining a set of hot-swappable slots to house a set of batteries which stores the electric power
Data Source
AI summary
An electric firefighting robotic vehicle includes a vehicle frame constructed and arranged to support firefighting equipment, and a set of electric motors supported by the vehicle frame to provide firefighting robotic vehicle propulsion. The electric firefighting robotic vehicle further includes a battery assembly supported by the vehicle frame. The battery assembly includes a battery chassis supported by the vehicle frame, the battery chassis defining a set of hot-swappable slots to house a set of batteries which stores electric power to operate the set of electric motors; a door constructed and arranged to cover (i) a set of slot openings to the set of hot-swappable slots defined by the battery chassis and (ii) the set of batteries when the set of batteries is housed within the set of hot-swappable slots; and hardware which couples the door with the battery chassis.