Modular Robot Platform With Low Latency Digital Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection systems for large technical installations, such as power plants, are inflexible and costly due to the need for custom-built robots and complex cable connections for data and power transmission, limiting their adaptability and freedom of movement.
Innovation Solution
A modular robot platform with standardized digital communication links, including Ethernet, allows for adaptable inspection systems with integrated drive and position determination modules, enabling efficient data and power transmission with minimal latency, thus enhancing flexibility and reducing the complexity of cable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom-built robots are designed for specific inspection applications, then the inspection task can be performed, but the development time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system is divided into modular components including a robot platform, inspection modules, drive means, position determination means, and communication means. These modules can be independently developed and then assembled for different inspection applications, eliminating the need to build entire robots from scratch for each task.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized communication interface and modular design enable the same robot platform to perform multiple inspection tasks by simply changing or reconfiguring the inspection modules. The system can adapt to different technical facilities and inspection requirements without requiring complete redesign.
2Reliability
If thick and heavy supply cables are used to connect the robot to the outstation, then control signals and power can be transmitted, but the freedom of movement of the robot is significantly restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based communication and power transmission system with wireless communication technology. This substitution eliminates the physical constraints imposed by thick cables while maintaining reliable data transmission between the robot and the outstation.
3Reliability
If multiple separate cable connections are used for different sensor data and position data, then data can be transmitted, but the system complexity and failure probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate communication channels into a single integrated digital communication interface. All sensor data, position data, control signals, and power transmission are combined into one standardized digital connection between modules, reducing the number of separate cables and connection points while improving system reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If commercial inspection systems with multiple cable connections are used, then different sensors can be carried on a platform, but the freedom of movement is restricted and the system is prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based communication system with wireless communication, enabling the robot platform to move freely without being constrained by physical cable connections. This maintains sensor configuration flexibility while eliminating movement restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the communication and power transmission function from the physical cable infrastructure and implements it through wireless communication technology. This extraction removes the mechanical constraints while preserving the functional capabilities of data and power transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
The robot platform (20) has a drive unit (15) for driving the platform and an inspection unit (17) for inspecting technical equipment. A position data determination unit determines position data of the platform and a communication interface exchanges measurement and/or control data for evaluation. Exchange of measurement and position data of the platform is performed in accordance with a communication standard such that communication delay is less than 1 ms.