Robot Arrangement Buoyancy Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot arrangements with buoyant bodies filled with lighter-than-air gas for high-altitude tasks face challenges such as high mass, limited application areas, and high costs due to the need for large volumes of lifting gas, as well as safety and operational limitations related to personnel deployment.

Innovation Solution

A robot arrangement featuring a buoyant body with stabilizing rods that distribute the mass of robot arms and drives on both sides, allowing for a smaller buoyant body and enabling stable alignment without additional mass, combined with robotic arms that can handle and manipulate objects, and a counterforce system for equilibrium control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a large volume buoyancy body is used to lift personnel and tools, then the lifting capacity is sufficient, but the cost of lifting gas increases and the application area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting capacityVSAvoidvolume of lifting gas
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the personnel and tools from the buoyancy body system, replacing them with a robot arrangement. The buoyancy body only needs to lift the robot arrangement (mass m2) instead of personnel plus tools, significantly reducing the required lifting gas volume while maintaining sufficient lifting capacity for the actual workload

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a robotic system to copy and perform the functions previously done by personnel. The robot arrangement with manipulators can handle objects and perform tasks that were previously requiring human workers, eliminating the need to lift human mass while maintaining task capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If personnel are deployed for high-altitude tasks, then complex tasks can be performed, but safety risks and operational limitations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask capabilityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The robot arrangement performs tasks autonomously or under remote control, serving itself to complete inspection, cleaning, repair, and handling tasks without requiring human personnel to physically access hazardous locations. The system includes self-contained power supply, control, and manipulation capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical system of human personnel with a robotic system. The robot arrangement with multiple manipulators, sensors, and end-effectors can perform complex tasks previously requiring human dexterity and judgment, while eliminating safety risks associated with human deployment at heights

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If the buoyancy body mass is reduced, then the volume of lifting gas decreases, but the stability and alignment control becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume of lifting gasVSAvoidalignment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the mass parameter of the buoyancy body by excluding personnel mass, reducing it to only the robot arrangement mass. This parameter change is compensated by using a robot arrangement with distributed mass configuration and stabilizing rods that provide sufficient stability despite the reduced overall mass

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces stabilizing rods that extend in multiple dimensions from the buoyancy body, providing stability and alignment control in three-dimensional space. The robot arms are positioned at strategic locations to provide rotational inertia and stability against disturbances, compensating for the reduced buoyancy body mass

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration reduces the mass and size of the buoyant body, enabling longer operation cycles, lower safety costs, and increased versatility, allowing for automated tasks with high-quality documentation and reduced psychological and physical stress on personnel.

Implementation Method 1

a buoyant body 01 to be filled with a gas lighter than air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP3887098B1Robot arrangement having buoyancy body for filling with a gas lighter than air
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 KARGUTH ANDREAS
  • EP3887098B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3887098B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3887098B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a robot arrangement having at least one buoyancy body (01) for filling with a gas lighter than air. The robot assembly comprises two stabilisation rods (02), which extend through the buoyancy body (01) and which each have a first end (03) and a second end (04). A robot arm (06) is fastened to the first ends (03) of each of the stabilisation rod (02). A drive (07) is mounted on the second ends (04) of each of the stabilisation rods (02) for the respective robot arms (06).