Robotic Oil Change Assembly With Quick-Connect Servicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional motor oil change processes require significant human interaction, tools, and supplies, leading to inefficiencies, environmental spills, and safety hazards due to the reliance on gravity drainage and manual handling of oil.
Innovation Solution
A robotic servicing system that includes a robotic assembly, user interface, sensors, evacuation, refill, purge, and filter cleansing systems, utilizing quick fit connectors and RFID technology for automated engine oil changes, reducing human intervention and minimizing spills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual oil change process is used, then human interaction and tools are required to complete the oil change, but this increases the complexity of operation and requires multiple tools and supplies
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs the oil change service autonomously without human intervention. The robot navigates to the vehicle, identifies the oil drain and filter locations, drains the old oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with new oil automatically. This self-service capability eliminates the need for human operators to manually perform each step of the oil change process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors, actuators, and control circuits. The robotic arm manipulates tools to drain oil, remove filters, and refill oil, substituting human mechanical actions with automated mechanical and electronic systems that include vision systems for identification and precise control for execution.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If gravity drainage method is used, then simple setup is required, but oil spillage occurs on the ground, clothes, or skin causing environmental incidents and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system introduces an intermediary containment mechanism between the oil drain plug and the ground. The robot uses a controlled drainage system with collection containers or sealed pathways to channel the draining oil away from the environment, preventing direct contact with ground, clothes, or skin while maintaining efficient oil removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful spillage scenario into a beneficial controlled drainage process. By using automated positioning and controlled flow management, the system ensures oil drains efficiently into designated collection points rather than spilling, transforming a hazardous gravity-driven process into a safe and controlled operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vehicles are serviced, then correct supplies must be secured for each vehicle, but this increases costs and complexity of equipment needed
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is designed with universal capabilities to service multiple vehicle types. It uses vision systems and sensors to identify vehicle-specific features, automatically adjusts its tooling and procedures, and can handle different oil types and filter configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single robotic system to adapt to various vehicles without requiring separate specialized equipment for each vehicle type.
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 robotic system performs efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly oil changes by automating the process, reducing waste, and ensuring the correct oil type and viscosity are used, while minimizing human exposure to oil spills and burns.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing quick fit connectors and RFID technology for automated engine oil changes
Implementation Method 2
evacuation system
Implementation Method 3
refill system
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A robotic servicing system. The robotic servicing system includes an evacuation system, a refill system and a robotic assembly. The evacuation system includes a first quick connect fitting configured to mate with a quick connect valve of a vehicle. The refill system includes a second quick connect fitting configure to mate with the quick connect valve of the vehicle. The robotic assembly is couplable to the evacuation system and the refill system, and is configured to autonomously connect the first and second quick connection fittings to the quick connect valve of the vehicle.