Construction Robot Sensor Cleaning Device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Construction robots face challenges in maintaining sensor functionality due to dust and dirt accumulation on sensor surfaces, which can lead to improper execution of construction tasks and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a cleaning device on the construction robot, equipped with a suction device, blower, and wiper, to regularly clean the sensor surfaces and detection paths, ensuring continuous monitoring and task execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the construction robot operates in high-dust environments to perform construction tasks, then productivity is improved, but sensor contamination occurs leading to reduced measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction task executionVSAvoidsensor monitoring accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device performs preliminary cleaning actions before dirt accumulation significantly degrades sensor performance. The system proactively removes dust and contaminants from sensor surfaces through suction, blowing, and wiping mechanisms, preventing measurement precision loss while maintaining continuous construction operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device operates continuously or periodically to maintain sensor cleanliness throughout the construction process. By integrating the cleaning mechanism with the robot's operational cycle, the system ensures uninterrupted monitoring capability while performing construction tasks in dusty environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Measurement precision

If the sensor is positioned close to the work position for better monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but dust exposure increases leading to faster contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring accuracyVSAvoiddust exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the dusty environment. By positioning the cleaning mechanisms (suction device, blower, wiper) near the sensor, they create a protective zone that actively removes dust particles before they can contaminate the sensor surface, enabling the sensor to operate close to the work position without suffering from increased dust exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If a cleaning device is added to remove dust from sensors, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor functionalityVSAvoidcleaning device integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device integrates multiple cleaning functions (suction, blowing, wiping) into a single unified system mounted on the robot arm. By combining these mechanisms and controlling them through a single control unit, the system maintains sensor cleanliness without proportionally increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device is designed to serve multiple purposes: the suction device removes loose dust, the blower prevents dust settlement, and the wiper cleans adhered contaminants. This multi-functional approach allows a single integrated system to address various contamination scenarios, reducing the need for separate cleaning mechanisms

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

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

The cleaning device effectively removes dirt and dust from sensor surfaces, allowing the construction robot to accurately monitor and execute tasks even in high-dust environments, thereby enhancing safety and task reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The cleaning device may comprise a suction device. The suction device may, for example, be a vacuum cleaner.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable for the cleaning device to include a blowing device.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Wind

Implementation Method 3

It's also conceivable that the cleaning device includes a wiper. Stubborn dirt on the sensor surface, which, for example, cannot be vacuumed or blown away, can then be wiped off the sensor surface with the help of the wiper.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4541518A1Construction robot with cleaning device
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 HILTI AG
  • EP4541518A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4541518A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4541518A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a construction robot (10) for performing construction tasks, for example on a building construction site or a civil engineering construction site, comprising a driving platform (12) and a robot arm (18) arranged on the driving platform (12), wherein a sensor (24) with at least one sensor surface (26) is arranged on the robot arm (18). To improve the reliability of the construction robot, it is provided that the construction robot (10) has a cleaning device (30) for cleaning the sensor (24).