Modular Construction Robot Platform With Interchangeable Task Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing construction robots are expensive to manufacture and maintain, limiting their potential applications due to high production and maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A construction robot design featuring a versatile driving platform with a robot arm and interchangeable functional modules, allowing different types of construction tasks to be performed using the same platform, thereby reducing production costs and enhancing adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If construction robots are designed with specialized components for specific construction tasks, then task performance capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask performance capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The construction robot is divided into a driving platform and interchangeable functional modules. Each functional module is a self-contained unit with specific construction capabilities (drilling, grinding, polishing, etc.). This segmentation allows the robot to be configured for different tasks by simply changing modules rather than designing entirely different robots, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining task-specific performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The driving platform is designed as a universal base that can accommodate multiple types of functional modules through standardized mounting interfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single driving platform to perform various construction tasks by swapping modules, eliminating the need to manufacture separate specialized robots for each task, thereby reducing overall manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If construction robots are designed with specialized components for specific construction tasks, then task performance capability is improved, but maintenance cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask performance capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the robot into modular functional units, maintenance can be focused on individual modules rather than the entire system. If a module fails, only that specific module needs repair or replacement, not the whole robot. This significantly reduces maintenance costs and downtime compared to integrated designs where a single component failure could require system-wide maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design enables easy replacement of worn or damaged functional modules with new or refurbished ones. Modules can be recovered, refurbished off-site, and returned to service, reducing maintenance costs and extending the overall system lifecycle without requiring complex in-field repairs of the entire robot system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of repair

If the functional module is made movable and pivoted relative to the driving platform, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The functional module is designed with movable and pivoting capabilities relative to the driving platform. This dynamic positioning allows the module to be easily repositioned during maintenance operations, providing operators with improved accessibility to internal components. The movement mechanisms are integrated into the modular design, adding minimal complexity while significantly enhancing maintenance accessibility compared to fixed-module designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4556173A1Multi-functional construction robot
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 HILTI AG
  • EP4556173A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4556173A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4556173A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a construction robot (10) for performing at least one type of construction task, for example, surface treatment, cutting work, drilling work, demolition work, particularly in building construction and/or civil engineering. It can be manufactured particularly economically in a variety of ways and can perform construction work economically if it comprises a driving platform (20), a robot arm (12), and a functional module (22), wherein at least a portion of the functional module (22) can be displaced and/or pivoted relative to the driving platform (20).