Origami Instrument for Confined Space Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Routine inspection and maintenance of physical assets in confined or hard-to-reach spaces, such as pipes and pressurized structures, are challenging due to limited maneuverability and difficulty in accessing bends and corners.

Innovation Solution

A variably controllable instrument comprising multiple modified origami-type structures connected in series, allowing for adjustable bends and movements by threading cords through aligned holes, enabling flexible navigation and tool insertion in tight spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid instrument structure is used, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the ability to navigate confined spaces and access difficult-to-reach locations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidability to navigate confined spaces

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument is divided into multiple modular segments connected by articulation joints, allowing each segment to be independently positioned while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables the instrument to navigate confined spaces through sequential articulation of segments while preserving structural strength through rigid segment construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument incorporates dynamic articulation joints that allow controlled movement between segments, transforming a rigid structure into a dynamically adjustable configuration. This enables the instrument to adapt its shape and reach difficult-to-access locations while maintaining structural strength through controlled mechanical articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the instrument structure is made more flexible to access tight spaces, then adaptability to confined spaces is improved, but structural stability and control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in tight spacesVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the instrument into rigid modules connected by controlled joints, the design achieves flexibility through configuration rather than material compliance. Each rigid segment maintains structural stability while the articulated configuration provides adaptability to confined spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the instrument have different properties: rigid segments provide structural stability and control precision, while articulated joints provide localized flexibility. This local differentiation allows the instrument to maintain overall stability while accessing tight spaces through controlled articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If multiple cords and control mechanisms are added to enable variable bends, then ease of operation and control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable control capabilityVSAvoidnumber of cords and mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cords are routed through the same articulation joints to control different segments, allowing a single cord system to perform multiple control functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each degree of freedom, managing complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Cords are nested within the instrument structure, running through hollow segments and articulation joints. This nesting consolidates multiple control elements within the existing structural framework, reducing external complexity while enabling variable control of multiple segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the instrument is designed for narrow spaces, then ability to access difficult locations is improved, but the size and reach of the instrument deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to difficult locationsVSAvoidinstrument reach

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument uses multiple articulated segments that can extend sequentially through narrow access points. Each compact segment fits within confined spaces while the articulated configuration allows the overall instrument length to extend to difficult-to-reach locations, solving the contradiction between compact size and long reach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240253204A1Variably controllable instrument

Publication Date: 2024.08.01 PLITZIE LLC

AI summary

A variably controllable instrument is shown, which comprises multiple modified origami-type structures in series. Each modified origami-type structure interfaces with an adjacent modified origami-type structure and each modified origami-type structure has holes, which are aligned with holes from its neighboring modified origami-type structure. Cords or rivets are threaded through the aligned holes. By applying different amounts of tension in each of the cords, bends and turns are inducible at each interface between adjacent modified origami-type structures. These bends permit variable control in either transverse direction and for tools to be mounted inside, through or alongside the system. The control of the system can be manual, automated or a combination thereof.