Cooperative Robot Coupling for Multi-Surface Service Transport
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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 both service a surface and move between surfaces effectively, especially when surfaces are far apart, requiring complex and costly robots that can both service and transport themselves.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system comprising transport robots and service robots that interact autonomously using mechanical coupling elements with localization signals, allowing the transport robots to move service robots between surfaces for servicing, and transfer electrical signals and materials, while maintaining surface safety through precise positioning and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a robot is designed to service multiple physically separated surfaces, then the robot must have both servicing capability and self-transport capability, but this increases device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is divided into two separate functional modules: service robots that perform servicing tasks on surfaces, and transport robots that move the service robots between surfaces. This segmentation allows each robot to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to service multiple surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Transport robots act as intermediaries that carry service robots between physically separated surfaces. The transport robot includes a carrier element that couples with a mechanical element on the service robot, enabling automatic transport without requiring the service robot to have self-transport capability.
2Productivity
If transport robots automatically locate and move service robots between surfaces, then servicing efficiency improves, but precise positioning and orientation are required to prevent damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses signal emitters and sensors to enable automatic localization and coupling between transport robots and service robots. The signal emitter on the mechanical element communicates with the sensor on the carrier element, providing feedback for precise positioning and orientation during automatic coupling and transport operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical element and carrier element are designed with predetermined coupling geometries and orientations. Before actual coupling occurs, the system computes the location of the service robot and plans the transport path, ensuring that coupling and positioning are performed correctly to prevent surface damage.
3Extent of automation
If mechanical coupling elements with localization signals are used for autonomous interaction, then automatic transport and positioning are enabled, but the system requires complex communication and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical element serves multiple functions: it provides the structural coupling interface between transport and service robots, and it incorporates the signal emitter for localization and communication. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, simplifying the overall system while maintaining autonomous interaction capability.
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.