Robot Toolholder Support for Suspicious Ordnance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robots used for manipulating suspicious ordnances lack the ability to efficiently change and use tools without displacement, which wastes time and poses risks during operations.
Innovation Solution
A robot with a toolholder support featuring a U-shaped structure for anchoring tools, including a vision camera, supply battery, and electronic box, equipped with a safety device and infrared communication, allowing for tool detection and control via magnets, enabling the robot to select and use tools remotely through its articulated arm without moving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the robot is equipped with multiple tools mounted on the articulated arm, then the robot can manipulate different types of suspicious ordnances, but the robot structure becomes more complex and harder to control
Solution Approach 1:
The tool system is segmented into modular tool units that can be independently mounted and removed from the articulated arm. Each tool is a separate component rather than an integrated part of the robot structure, allowing for easy replacement and configuration changes without affecting the overall robot system.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated arm is designed with a universal mounting interface that can accommodate multiple different tool types. This multi-functional design allows the same arm structure to support various tools for different ordnance manipulation tasks, reducing the need for multiple specialized robot configurations.
2Productivity
If the robot displaces to select and change tools, then the robot can access different tool positions, but this wastes time and reduces operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tools are pre-positioned on the articulated arm in ready-to-use positions before the robot needs them. The tools are mounted in advance on the arm structure, so when a tool change is needed, the robot can simply switch between pre-positioned tools without needing to displace to external storage locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Tools are nested or compactly arranged on the articulated arm structure, with multiple tool units integrated into the arm's framework. This nesting allows multiple tools to occupy space efficiently on the arm itself, enabling quick selection and switching without requiring the robot to move to separate tool storage areas.
3Measurement precision
If the robot is equipped with advanced tool detection and control systems, then the robot can precisely identify and operate tools, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with optical and electronic sensing methods. Vision cameras and electronic sensors are used to detect tool positions and identify tool types, substituting mechanical measurement mechanisms with more precise and less complex electronic detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses vision cameras to create optical copies or images of the tools and their positions. Instead of complex physical sensors for every tool parameter, the system captures visual information and processes it to identify tools, replacing numerous physical detection mechanisms with a single optical copying and recognition system.
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 efficient and safe manipulation of suspicious ordnances by allowing tool selection and use without robot displacement, enhancing operational precision and speed, and providing a secondary attempt capability with dual disruptors for detonation.
Implementation Method 1
the vision camera mounted on the free end of the articulated arm or on the pliers incorporates an infrared emitter for communicating with the tool
Implementation Method 2
the different compartments may incorporate several tool detection and control means based, for example, on magnets
Data Source
AI summary
A robot with a toolholder support (5), the robot being of the type used in the manipulation of suspicious ordnances, wherein an articulated arm (2) is provided, ending in pliers (3) through which the ordnances are manipulated, such that the free end of the articulated arm (2) or pliers (3) incorporate a vision camera (4), and the robot body (1) carries a toolholder support (5) defined by a generally U-shaped structure through the wings of which it is anchored to the robot body (1), and whose web has, at least, two housing compartments (6) for the related tools (8, 9, 10) associated to an assembly defined by: the tool (8, 9, 10) itself; a supply battery (11) of the tool; an electronic box (12), and a gripping body (13) through the pliers (3) of the articulated arm (1), said assembly incorporating a safety device that upon placing it in the related compartment (6) causes the tool to stop and its hypothetical actuation.