Cooperative Robot Coupling for Multi-Surface Service Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic systems face challenges in efficiently servicing multiple physically separated surfaces, such as solar panels, ship hulls, and turbine blades, due to the difficulty in building a robot that can effectively service a single surface and move between surfaces without excessive mechanical and energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system comprising transport robots and service robots that interact autonomously using mechanical coupling elements with localization signals, allowing for the transportation and servicing of service robots between surfaces, including the transfer of electrical signals and materials, and the use of articulating joints for orientation on varying surface angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single robot is designed to service multiple physically separated surfaces, then the robot would need excessive mechanical complexity and energy consumption for movement between surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the robotic functionality into separate specialized units: service robots that perform surface servicing tasks and transport robots that handle movement and transportation. This segmentation allows each robot type to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring a single robot to handle both servicing and transportation, thereby reducing overall mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Transport robots act as intermediary carriers between service robots and multiple surfaces. The transport robot picks up the service robot, transports it to the target surface, and releases it. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for the service robot to have complex locomotion capabilities for moving between physically separated surfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single robot is designed to service multiple physically separated surfaces, then the robot would need excessive energy consumption for movement between surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the energy-intensive transportation function from the energy-sensitive servicing function. Transport robots are designed with sufficient energy capacity for movement between surfaces, while service robots can operate with lower energy consumption since they remain stationary on each surface during servicing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport robot serves as an energy-providing intermediary that carries the service robot between surfaces. The transport robot's propulsion system handles the energy consumption for movement, while the service robot focuses energy on servicing tasks, thereby optimizing overall energy utilization.
3Reliability
If mechanical coupling elements are used for autonomous interaction between robots, then the coupling precision and reliability are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling elements are designed to enable autonomous self-coupling and self-decoupling between transport robots and service robots. The coupling mechanism automatically engages when the robots approach each other and automatically disengages when separation is required, eliminating the need for complex manual intervention systems while maintaining high reliability through precise mechanical design.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic method for autonomous interactions between robots, comprising an action of automatically receiving, by a transport robot, a request for transporting a service robot. The method comprises an action of automatically computing a location of the service robot. The method comprises an action of automatically moving the transport robot to the location of the service robot. The method comprises an action of automatically sending a signal from the service robot to the transport robot using a signal emitter incorporated into a mechanical element attached to the service robot. The method comprises an action of automatically coupling, using the signal, the mechanical element to a carrier element attached to the transport robot.