Robot Marking Hose Guiding Device for Paint Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marking systems for construction robots face issues with paint flow and drying due to the stationary paint container and the need for complex hose connections, which are exacerbated by the robot's movement and orientation changes.
Innovation Solution
A marking system with a paint container and hose configuration that uses a guiding device to maintain contact with the paint regardless of orientation, employing a mass to follow gravity and ensure continuous paint flow, along with a hose design featuring a combination of hard and soft materials for flexibility and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the paint container is mounted on the robot arm, then the robot can mark at any position, but the paint container may be turned around and upside-down causing paint to not flow out
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is designed to be movable and flexible rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt its configuration as the paint container changes orientation. The hose can bend and move freely within the container, enabling continuous paint delivery regardless of whether the container is upright, inverted, or on its side.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and position parameters of the hose dynamically. By allowing the hose to change its spatial configuration and orientation relative to the paint container, the system maintains effective paint delivery across all container orientations without requiring the container to remain in a fixed position.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the paint container is mounted on a mobile platform, then the container can be moved, but connecting or disconnecting hose becomes complicated and paint may dry out in the hose
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is integrated directly into the paint container structure rather than being a separate detachable component. The hose is positioned to extend from the container wall, eliminating the need for separate connection and disconnection operations when mounting or removing the container from the mobile platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose is pre-positioned and pre-configured within the paint container before the container is mounted on the mobile platform. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the hose is already in the correct position and orientation to deliver paint immediately upon mounting, avoiding the need for complex in-situ connection procedures.
3Reliability
If the hose is positioned high in the paint container, then the hose may not be reached by gravity-driven paint flow, but positioning it low creates complexity in container design
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than fixing the hose at a specific predetermined position, the hose is designed to be dynamic and movable within the container. It can freely move and reposition itself based on gravity and paint flow, naturally settling in the optimal position to receive paint regardless of the container's overall configuration or orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose utilizes gravity and paint pressure to self-position and self-adjust within the container. The paint flow itself drives the hose into the correct position, eliminating the need for complex mechanical positioning mechanisms or precise pre-engineering of hose locations.
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
Enables reliable paint flow and reduces the risk of jamming, allowing the robot to mark at any position without hose disconnection, improving efficiency and maintenance with a simple interface that prevents paint drying.
Implementation Method 1
said guiding device is attached to the second end of the hose and moves the second end of the hose by gravity. By following the gravity force, the guiding device attached to the second end of the hose will guide the second end of the hose below the horizontal level of the paint in the paint container
Implementation Method 2
a negative pressure device for extracting the paint from the paint container into the hose
Data Source
AI summary
A marking system for a robot is provided, comprising, a paint container configured to store a paint for marking, a head for spraying or printing the paint, a hose for delivering the paint to the head, said hose comprising a first end being connected the head and a second end being inserted into the paint container, and a negative pressure device for extracting the paint from the paint container into the hose, wherein a guiding device is received in the paint container, said guiding device being configured to keep the second end of the hose being in contact with the paint regardless of the paint container's orientation.