Self-Driving Rail and Tread Assembly for Anchored Confined-Space Work
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous assemblies struggle to effectively navigate and perform load-based applications in environments with varying dimensions, as they either lack anchoring capabilities in non-uniform spaces or are impractical for uniform spaces due to instability without anchoring.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous, self-driving gantry-type assembly with linear rail and tread units that can navigate narrow and wide spaces, anchoring for stability and supporting load-based applications by extending and pivoting to maintain position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tractor-like assembly with anchoring units is used, then stability and force support are improved in narrow passageways, but the ability to navigate and anchor in varying dimension spaces is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is divided into multiple tread units (first tread unit, second tread unit) that can independently anchor to surfaces. Each tread unit can extend and anchor separately, allowing the assembly to maintain stability in narrow passageways while navigating through spaces of varying dimensions by distributing anchoring points across different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread units are configured to dynamically extend and retract based on the surrounding environment. In narrow passageways, the tread units extend to anchor against opposing walls for stability. In larger spaces, the tread units can retract or reposition to allow navigation, providing adaptive behavior that resolves the contradiction between anchoring stability and navigation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wheeled or tracked assembly is used, then navigation in varying dimensions is improved, but stability for load-based applications is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly merges the navigation capability of wheeled/tracked assemblies with the anchoring stability of tractor-like assemblies. The tread units function as both propulsion elements for navigation and anchoring elements for stability, combining the benefits of both approaches into a single integrated system that can perform both functions as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread units serve multiple functions: they provide propulsion for movement through narrow and wide spaces, and they provide anchoring support for load-based applications. This multi-functionality allows the assembly to navigate varying dimensions while maintaining stability when required, eliminating the need to choose between navigation capability and anchoring stability.
3Reliability
If tread units extend to anchor in wider spaces, then stability is improved, but the profile size increases preventing passage through narrow areas
Solution Approach 1:
The tread units dynamically adjust their extension state based on the surrounding space. In narrow passageways, the tread units remain retracted to maintain a compact profile that fits through tight spaces. In wider spaces, the tread units extend to provide anchoring stability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining a small profile for navigation and extending for anchoring stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread units can be nested or retracted into the main assembly body when not in use, minimizing the overall profile size to facilitate passage through narrow areas. When anchoring is required in wider spaces, the tread units extend outward from the nested position to provide stability, effectively hiding the anchoring mechanism within the compact assembly when not deployed.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous self-driving assembly for confined regions. The assembly is configured to move within and through narrow spaces as well as larger wider spaces. Once more, the assembly may support the carrying out of load-based applications even within the wider spaces. The assembly includes bracing capacity within such wide spaces to facilitate the carrying out of such load-based applications.