Construction Robot Base Station for Automated Material Refill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current construction robots require frequent manual intervention for refueling, charging, and material replenishment, limiting their autonomous operation to a few hours, and existing solutions are hindered by size, cost, and processing time constraints.
Innovation Solution
A semi-stationary base station with a multi-coupling mechanism allows mobile construction robots to automatically refill energy carriers, mix and replenish building materials, and clean processing tools, equipped with sensors and wireless communication for autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If construction materials are transferred manually or with simple equipment, then the system complexity is low, but the productivity and precision of material delivery is poor
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic arm serves as an intermediary device between the material storage area and the construction robot, enabling automated material transfer. The robotic arm picks up materials from storage locations and delivers them to the construction robot, improving delivery efficiency and precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The material transfer system is segmented into distinct functional modules: material storage units, robotic arm transfer mechanism, and construction robot interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier maintenance and scalability, addressing the complexity concern while enabling high productivity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a robotic arm with large working range is used, then the adaptability to different construction positions is improved, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm is designed with universal end-effectors and programmable control that enable it to perform multiple construction tasks across different positions. The same robotic arm can handle various material types, perform different assembly operations, and adapt to multiple construction configurations through software programming rather than hardware changes, maintaining simplicity while achieving high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm employs dynamic control systems with real-time position adjustment capabilities, allowing it to adapt its movement patterns and gripping forces based on the specific task requirements. This dynamic adaptability reduces the need for complex mechanical configurations while maintaining versatility across different working positions
3Productivity
If construction materials are pre-assembled in large quantities at the base station, then the construction speed can be improved, but the risk of bacterial growth and material degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Construction materials are pre-positioned in organized storage units at the base station, ready for rapid deployment. However, the system maintains material freshness by implementing just-in-time transfer mechanisms where materials are moved to the construction robot only when needed, balancing pre-positioning benefits with material preservation through controlled inventory management
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous material transfer operations where the robotic arm continuously moves materials from storage to the construction robot as needed. This continuous operation ensures materials are kept in motion and not stored in stagnant conditions that promote bacterial growth, while maintaining construction speed through uninterrupted material supply
4Device complexity
If the construction robot carries all materials internally, then the system complexity is reduced, but the robot's mobility and working range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm acts as an external intermediary material supply system that extends the construction robot's effective working range without requiring the robot to carry all materials internally. The robotic arm can reach distant storage locations and deliver materials to the robot, enabling the robot to operate over larger areas while maintaining a simpler internal structure focused on construction functions
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a system which consists of at least one autonomously mobile construction robot (1) and at least one drive unit for moving same, a fuel reservoir and/or an electric energy storage element (12), at least one supply container (11) for construction material and at least one actuator, an electronic controller for the at least one drive unit, as well as detachable connection elements which are provided on a multi-connector of a semi-stationary base station (2), and the connection elements on the construction robot (1) and those on the base station (2) are complementary in relation to one another. On the base station (2), a feed unit (10) and at least one connection (7) for fuel and/or electric energy are provided; in the base station (2), at least one supply container (3), the receiving volume of which is multiple times bigger than the receiving volume of the supply container (11) of the construction robot (1), a metering and/or mixing unit (4) and at least one fluid, a pump (5), a fuel reservoir and/or an electric energy storage element, as well as an electronic open-loop and closed-loop control unit (9) are provided.