Robotic Brush Dispensing Apparatus for Confined Space Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automating the dispensing of brushable substances in confined spaces within structures, such as aircraft components, is challenging due to space constraints and the need for robots to navigate through small access ports and around obstacles while maintaining precise application.
Innovation Solution
A robotic dispensing apparatus featuring a bracket, sleeve, cartridge, valve, and brush-arm assembly, with a push-lock pressure cap and annular plunger, allowing for angular orientation control and reduced substance waste, enabling efficient dispensing in confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a robot is used to dispense brushable substance in confined spaces, then automation is achieved reducing labor costs, but the device complexity increases and space constraints make navigation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device is divided into modular components including a cartridge, valve assembly, brush-arm assembly, and pressure cap that can be independently manufactured, assembled, and maintained. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining automation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is positioned inside the valve assembly, and the brush-arm assembly is coupled to the valve assembly, creating a nested configuration. This nesting reduces the overall footprint and simplifies navigation through confined spaces while maintaining full automation functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the robot enters through small access ports to reach confined surfaces, then access to difficult locations is achieved, but the time required for navigation and positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brush-arm assembly is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the brush to extend and retract, and the entire assembly can be rotated relative to the cartridge. This dynamic capability enables the device to adapt to various confined space geometries and reach surfaces through small access ports more efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush-arm assembly provides an additional degree of freedom by rotating relative to the cartridge axis, allowing the brush to access surfaces in directions that would be impossible with a simple linear dispensing device, thereby reducing navigation time through confined spaces.
3Device complexity
If traditional dispensing methods are used, then simplicity is maintained, but substance waste occurs during cartridge replacement and purging
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly includes a valve that is communicatively coupled directly to the cartridge, enabling precise control of substance flow. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor and control dispensing, minimizing waste during cartridge replacement and purging operations while maintaining relative simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly acts as an intermediary between the cartridge and the brush-arm assembly, providing controlled transfer of the brushable substance. This intermediary mechanism enables precise metering and reduces substance waste during transitions and purging while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
4Ease of manufacture
If the brush-arm assembly has fixed orientation, then manufacturing is simpler, but precise application to surfaces at various angles is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The brush-arm assembly is designed with rotational capability relative to the cartridge, allowing the brush to be oriented at different angles during operation. This dynamic orientation capability enables precise application to surfaces at various angles while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a modular design that uses standard rotational joints.
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
Facilitates precise and efficient dispensing of brushable substances in confined spaces, reducing labor, time, and inaccuracies, while minimizing substance waste during cartridge replacement and purging operations.
Implementation Method 1
The push-lock pressure cap enables pressurization of an interior volume, located within the cartridge, which drives the annular plunger
Implementation Method 2
a linear actuator to control flow of the brushable substance from the valve
Implementation Method 3
The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is rotatable relative to the bracket about a first axis
Data Source
AI summary
A method of dispensing a brushable substance onto a surface comprises (1) with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a push-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the brushable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and to a brush that is communicatively coupled to the valve; and (2) controlling flow of the brushable substance from the valve to the brush.