Robot Platform With Rotating Actuator For Remote Sites

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial robots are often limited to specific work sites due to their fixed installation, making it difficult to access and perform tasks in remote, difficult-to-reach, and dangerous locations, which are typically handled by humans due to accessibility and cost constraints.

Innovation Solution

A platform that includes an industrial robot, a platform control unit, and a connecting arrangement allowing the platform to be carried by a vehicle and rotated, enabling the robot to perform tasks in hard-to-reach areas without prearranged installations, equipped with tools, material, and energy storage for autonomous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the robot is fixedly mounted on the floor or movable along a rail, then the robot can perform working tasks at a specific location, but the robot cannot be used for different working tasks at different locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobot location flexibilityVSAvoidmounting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the robot deployment into modular components: a standardized pallet base, the robot unit, and a transport mechanism. This segmentation allows the robot to be easily moved between locations without complex permanent installations, resolving the contradiction between location flexibility and mounting complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pallet design serves multiple functions: it provides a stable mounting base for the robot, acts as a transport platform, and includes integrated positioning sensors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting and transport systems, achieving location flexibility without increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the robot is transported to a work station using a fork lift, then the robot can reach different work locations, but the robot lacks precise position information relative to the work station

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobot work location accessVSAvoidrobot position sensing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pallet is pre-equipped with a position sensor system that establishes reference markers and sensing elements before the robot arrives at the work station. This preliminary positioning infrastructure enables the robot to quickly and accurately determine its position relative to the work station upon arrival, resolving the contradiction between location accessibility and position sensing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If humans perform dangerous working tasks, then the tasks can be completed with current technology, but humans are exposed to safety risks in hazardous environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedangerous task completionVSAvoidhuman safety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The robot system performs dangerous tasks autonomously using its own sensing, decision-making, and manipulation capabilities. The robot navigates hazardous environments, executes tasks, and returns to base without human intervention, completely eliminating human exposure to safety risks while maintaining task completion productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If the platform includes rotation capability around axis X-X, then the robot can access harder-to-reach areas, but the platform complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobot working area coverageVSAvoidplatform mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation mechanism is integrated into the existing pallet structure, combining the rotational drive system with the pallet's support and positioning functions. This merging approach enables the robot to rotate and access different areas without adding separate, complex rotational mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between working area coverage and platform complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3334571B1A platform including two industrial robots
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3334571B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3334571B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3334571B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

A platform (1) including at least one industrial robot (2), wherein the platform (1) is arranged to be carried by a vehicle (3) to a working site (4) where the at least one industrial robot (2) is to perform a task in relation to the working site (4). The platform (1) includes a platform body (5), a platform control unit (6) and a connecting arrangement (7) with a connecting device (8) arranged to be connected to a vehicle arm of the vehicle (3) such that the platform (1) can be carried by the vehicle arm of the vehicle (3). The connecting arrangement (7) further includes an actuator (9) arranged to cause the platform (1) to rotate around an axis X-X defined by the connecting device (8) according to instructions from the platform control unit (6). A vehicle (3) including the platform (1) is also described.