Vehicular Robot Foam Tank Assembly for Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighting vehicles equipped with robotic systems face limitations in maneuverability due to the need for a hose connection to a foam supply truck, restricting their range and ability to effectively address target areas.
Innovation Solution
A foam concentrate tank assembly that mounts to a vehicular robot, allowing the robot to carry and deliver foam concentrate without the need for a hose connection to a foam supply truck, thereby enhancing its maneuverability and range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hose connection to a foam supply truck is used, then the firefighting vehicle can deliver foam, but the vehicle's maneuverability and range are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the foam concentrate storage function from the external foam supply truck and relocates it to a self-contained tank mounted on the firefighting vehicle itself. This eliminates the need for hose connections to external supplies, thereby resolving the contradiction by improving maneuverability while maintaining foam delivery capability through the internal tank system.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam concentrate tank is divided into multiple compartments with baffles, allowing the system to carry multiple types of foam concentrates separately. This segmentation enables the vehicle to be self-sufficient with multiple foam options without requiring external supply connections, thus improving both maneuverability and operational versatility.
2Length of moving object
If a hose connection to a foam supply truck is used, then foam can be delivered, but the vehicle's ability to approach target areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the foam concentrate storage from an external truck connection and placing it on the vehicle itself, the system eliminates the hose length constraint that previously limited the vehicle's range. The vehicle can now operate at any distance from the target area without being constrained by hose length or requiring physical connection to a supply truck.
3Quantity of substance
If a foam supply truck is required, then foam concentrate can be supplied, but the system becomes more complex and requires coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the foam concentrate storage and delivery functions into a single integrated system mounted on the firefighting vehicle. The tank, baffles, and delivery mechanisms are combined into one self-contained unit, eliminating the need for a separate foam supply truck and reducing system complexity while maintaining adequate foam concentrate supply capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The firefighting vehicle becomes self-sufficient by carrying its own foam concentrate supply on board. The internal tank system allows the vehicle to service itself without requiring external supply trucks or hose connections, thereby reducing system complexity and eliminating the need for coordination with additional vehicles.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are directed to provisioning a vehicular robot with foam concentrate. Such techniques involve mounting a foam concentrate tank assembly to the vehicular robot. The assembly includes:(i) a set of metal partitions defining a chamber to hold foam concentrate,(ii) a set of baffles disposed within the chamber and coupled with the set of metal partitions, and(iii) a set of mounting members external to the chamber and coupled with the set of metal partitions, the set of mounting members being constructed and arranged to be secured to the vehicular robot.Such techniques further involve connecting the assembly to a nozzle of the vehicular robot. The nozzle is constructed and arranged to spray foam concentrate from the foam assembly and water onto a target area. Such techniques further involve filling at least a portion of the chamber defined by the set of metal partitions with foam concentrate.