Mobile Sprayer Navigation for Complex Surface Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated painting systems require complex robotic arms with multiple joints to achieve the necessary degree of freedom for coating components, and they are limited by a fixed base, making them cumbersome and inefficient for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
An automated mobile sprayer (AMS) with a mobile base and a spray module that includes distance and navigation sensors, allowing for lateral and vertical movement, and a control module to navigate and apply fluid while avoiding obstacles and adjusting spray orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a robotic arm with multiple joints is used to provide the necessary degree of freedom for coating components, then the spraying capability and flexibility are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical robotic arm systems with a mobile sprayer platform equipped with sensors and control systems. The mobile base with spray module substitutes the multi-joint robotic arm, achieving spraying functionality through a simpler mechanical platform combined with electronic control and navigation sensors.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed base is used for the robotic arm, then the system structure is simplified, but the ease of operation and adaptability to different positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static fixed-base robotic arm into a dynamic mobile platform. The mobile base can move autonomously to different positions and orientations, providing adaptability to various spraying locations while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure through the use of a single integrated platform rather than multiple fixed stations.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated mobile sprayer (AMS) (12) is configured to apply stripes of fluid to target surfaces to coat those target surfaces with the fluid. A control module (24) of the AMS (12) controls movement and spraying by the AMS. The control module (24) causes the AMS (12) to follow a target surface based on distance data from distance sensors configured to detect the target surface.