Modular Maintenance Platform for Robot Console Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current maintenance platforms for robot consoles are complex and costly to adapt to individual consoles, making assembly, disassembly, and transportation difficult, and require significant conversion work for different console sizes.

Innovation Solution

A modular maintenance platform with detachable fastening and basic elements, a crash barrier, and an adjustable ladder, designed for circular-cylindrical robot consoles, allowing easy assembly, disassembly, and adaptation to various console diameters through a plug connection and safety hooks, reducing assembly complexity and increasing stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If maintenance platforms are individually adapted to respective robot consoles, then the platform fits specific console requirements, but construction complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform adaptation to consoleVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal maintenance platform design that can be used across multiple robot console types. Instead of designing unique platforms for each console, the invention uses standardized base plates and crash barriers that can be adapted to different console diameters, reducing construction complexity while maintaining versatility

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

Solution Approach 2:

The maintenance platform is divided into modular components including base plates, crash barriers, and fastening elements that can be independently selected and assembled. This segmentation allows the platform to be customized for different console sizes without redesigning the entire structure, thereby reducing overall construction complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If maintenance platforms are individually adapted to respective robot consoles, then the platform fits specific console requirements, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform adaptation to consoleVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention reduces manufacturing costs by creating universal components like base plates and crash barriers that serve multiple console types. This eliminates the need to manufacture unique platforms for each console, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design allows components to be reused across different console installations. Base plates and crash barriers can be removed from one console and installed on another, reducing the need for new manufacturing and thereby lowering costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If maintenance platforms use complex individual adaptation, then the platform fits specific console requirements, but assembly and disassembly become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform adaptation to consoleVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance platform is segmented into modular components (base plates, crash barriers, fastening elements) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This modular structure simplifies installation and removal procedures compared to integrated custom designs, making assembly and disassembly easier while maintaining adaptability to different console sizes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If maintenance platforms are designed for different console diameters, then the platform can accommodate various robot consoles, but conversion work increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different console sizesVSAvoidconversion time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses universal base plates and crash barriers that can be adapted to different console diameters without requiring complete redesign or extensive conversion work. The standardized components can be quickly reconfigured for different sizes, significantly reducing conversion time compared to custom-designed platforms

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

Data Source

PatentEP2439356B1Maintenance platform for a robot console
Publication Date: 2013.04.24 AUDI AG
  • EP2439356B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2439356B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2439356B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The platform (12) has a base plate and a crash grid (44) detachably connected with base elements and adapted to a diameter of a robot console (10). Fastening elements and the base elements include insertion sections designed corresponding to suspension lugs. The fastening and base elements are detachably connected with the console by the insertion sections. The fastening elements are vertically projectingly designed relative to the base plate and include a pivotable locking bar (28). The fastening elements include a height corresponding to the crash grid in a vertical direction. USE : Maintenance platform for use in a circular cylindrical shape robot console for maintenance of industrial robots. ADVANTAGE : The platform can be easily mounted, demounted and transported. The platform allows simple initial operation and programming of robots. The platform is used for multiple robot consoles using less retrofitting expenses, and has additional stability. The platform is designed such that risk of collapse of the platform is avoided. The platform avoids exchange of conductors, reduces risk of fall of the tool and materials. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a schematic perspective view of a completely mounted maintenance platform according to a mounting step. 10 : Robot console 12 : Maintenance platform 28 : Pivotable locking bar 44 : Crash grid 48 : Strip 50 : Base board 52 : Conductor.