Remote Climbing Workstation Powered Tracked Drive System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workstations for maintaining or repairing tall, columnar objects like trees and utility poles are hazardous due to uneven surfaces, lack of portability, and require extensive setup and teardown, posing risks of falling and electrocution without adequate protection.
Innovation Solution
A remote-controlled vertical climbing workstation with a powered drive system, adjustable suspension, and a semi-robotic arm that can safely ascend and descend columnar objects, allowing tasks to be performed from a safe distance using a remote control, and featuring a tracked-climber mechanism for stability on irregular surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If safety equipment such as safety harness is provided to protect persons from falling hazards, then protection against falling is improved, but the equipment becomes expensive, restrictive and uncomfortable for user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated climber platform as an intermediary between the worker and the hazardous environment. The platform includes a tracked drive system that climbs the tree trunk, carrying the worker and equipment. This mediator eliminates the need for the worker to directly interface with the tree using safety harnesses, instead providing inherent stability through the tracked climbing mechanism and platform design.
2Reliability
If scaffolding is used as a means to work on columnar objects, then stability and protection are improved, but portability deteriorates and significant set-up and teardown time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic climbing platform with powered tracked drive systems that can actively ascend and descend tree trunks. The platform adapts its position and configuration as it climbs, with adjustable suspension systems that respond to varying tree diameters and surface conditions. This dynamic approach replaces static scaffolding structures, eliminating the need for manual assembly and disassembly while maintaining stability through active control and adaptive mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The climbing platform is self-propelled using powered tracked drive systems that autonomously climb the tree trunk without requiring external scaffolding support or manual assembly. The platform carries its own equipment and can independently position itself at the required working height, performing the function of scaffolding without the time-consuming setup and teardown processes.
3Productivity
If a remote-controlled vertical climbing workstation is used, then user safety and operational efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with remote-controlled electronic systems. The climber platform is equipped with powered tracked drive systems, linear actuators for suspension adjustment, and robotic arm mechanisms, all controlled remotely via wireless communication. This substitution of manual mechanical control with automated electronic systems improves operational efficiency and safety by removing the worker from direct contact with hazardous environments, despite the increased complexity of the control architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus designed for climbing poles, trees and other such columnar objects. The apparatus is a remote-controlled work station that provides a scaffold for mounting semi-robotic articulated arms and video cameras. The articulated arm has a quick-release coupler on an end thereof that is able to repeatedly and releasably couple attachments thereto, such as saws, blades, and other pruning objects. The device includes an expandable frame that may be opened and closed to fit around the vertical structure to be climbed. The frame has horizontal and vertical supports, drive system compression supports, and wheels. A drive system is mounted to each of the drive system compression supports. The drive system includes motorized tracked-climbers that are maintained in contact with the vertical structure to be climbed via adjustable independent suspension. The suspension uses adjustable spring shocks and drive system slide rails to connect the frame to the drive system.