Mobile Robot Gas Supply Alignment for Heavy Cylinder Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas supply systems require manual alignment and operation, which is cumbersome and inefficient, especially when dealing with heavy gas containers and the need for precise gas type and pressure management.

Innovation Solution

An automated gas supply system that utilizes a mobile robot device equipped with collaborative robots and a 3D vision camera to automatically align and connect a gas supply device to a gas container, minimizing manual intervention and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the gas supply device is aligned with respect to the valve of the gas container, then the connector can be fastened to the valve, but the gas supply device requires a large cabinet size to accommodate the actuator and power source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidcabinet volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The power source is extracted from the gas supply device and positioned externally, allowing the gas supply device itself to be miniaturized while maintaining its alignment and fastening functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into separate functional modules: the gas supply device for precise alignment and fastening, and the externally positioned power source, reducing the volume requirement of the main cabinet

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If manual alignment operations are performed for heavy gas containers, then the gas supply device can be connected to the gas container, but the operation is cumbersome and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation easeVSAvoidoperation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs automated alignment and fastening mechanisms that perform operations autonomously without manual intervention, improving both ease of operation and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical alignment operations are replaced with automated positioning systems that use sensors and control mechanisms to achieve precise alignment and fastening automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If the gas supply device includes an actuator for adjusting position, then alignment can be achieved, but the device size increases to accommodate the actuator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidgas supply device volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator is extracted from the gas supply device and integrated into the external power source unit, allowing the gas supply device to maintain precise alignment capabilities while reducing its overall volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250189077A1Automated gas supply system including mobile robot device

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 KC LTD

AI summary

A gas supply system includes a cabinet, a fastening device fastenable a valve of a gas container while aligned with the gas container, a mobile robot device detachably connected to the fastening device and configured to move and operate the fastening device. The mobile robot device includes a body, a first collaborative robot disposed on the body, a second collaborative robot disposed on the body, a three-dimensional (3D) vision camera configured to collect an image, and a controller configured to control an operation of the first collaborative robot and an operation of the second collaborative robot based on the collected image.